number one on the call sheet

Fun fact:

During a movie production, the cast and crew get a document each day outlining who needs to be where and what scenes are being filmed the next day.

This document is referred to as a “call sheet.”

And typically, the star or lead actor is at the top.

That’s what it means to be “number one on the call sheet.”

It’s a symbol of power, status, and influence.

So, naturally…

Any actor who wants to become a star is constantly striving to be number one on the call sheet.

I find this fascinating.

Especially since a new documentary just came out on Apple TV called “Number One on the Call Sheet.”

It’s a 2-part series on the challenges Black actors have faced in the industry.

And hearing so many of the actors I grew up watching, like Will Smith, Eddie Murphy, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, and more talk about what it means to be number one was such a treat.

But my favorite quote came from Don Cheadle…

Who described being number one on the call sheet as:

“Leadership by example.”

Which makes perfect sense.

Yet I was struck by how much that exact same principle applies to building a profitable relationship with your email subscribers.

In the world that is your newsletter…

YOU are number one on the call sheet.

You’re the one responsible for putting butts in seats…

And it’s on you to model the values, beliefs, and behaviors that are acceptable “on set”...

Because ultimately, everyone else is gonna take their cues from you…

(whether you realize it or not)

… just like with a movie star on a film set.

So it’s a beautiful parallel.

That’s all I got for ya today, though.

Jim Hamilton

P.S:

You can watch the trailer for the documentary here.

Highly recommend it.