Build Your Dream Network…
without selling your creative soul
In this 12-week networking “bootcamp” you’ll learn how to authentically build genuine relationships and expand your network of peers, experts, mentors, advocates, or even gatekeepers without having to sell yourself (or your creative soul) at awkward in-person networking events. Ever. Again.
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Zack Arnold, ACE
Award-winning Hollywood filmmaker, networking ninja
🚨 APPLICATIONS CLOSE WEDNESDAY NIGHT
“Zack Arnold is The Godfather of cold outreach.”
Matthew Gentile • Award-winning director/screenwriter
The Game Has Changed. So Have the Rules.
You did everything right. You “paid your dues,” you spent years developing your skills and expertise, and you built your list of credits and clients. Then the world fell apart, leaving you to desperately chase after the next paycheck rather than strategically building your creative career.
Now at best you’re competing with people that have twice as much experience as you, and at worst you’re competing against the machines.
Hundreds of résumés sent into the void (and filtered by the bots).
A slew of cold emails and LinkedIn DM’s left unreturned.
And worst of all, your confidence? Shattered.
What got you here will not get you there.
Your existing referral network is no longer enough to keep you in the game. Your colleagues and mentors who used to refer you can’t even find work for themselves. And the only “opportunities” left on the jobs boards are the garbage nobody else was willing to take.
Here’s the harsh reality:
The future of your creative career depends on the quality of your network.
It is 100% about WHO. YOU. KNOW.
Luckily for you, learning how to not only authentically connect with people but also build real (read: human) relationships is a learnable skill. And the best news of all?
If you’re introverted like me, you can leverage your creativity, your desire for genuine conversations, and your love of storytelling to connect with people who are excited to connect with you and eager to help!
And you’ll never have to go to an in-person networking event EVER. AGAIN (unless you want to, of course!).
Who Is This Accelerator For?
Anyone tired of “putting yourself out there” with absolutely no results to show for it
If you’re tired of spinning your wheels at networking events or passing your résumé around to colleagues hoping they will “keep you in mind,” I’ll show you a completely new way to approach networking you’ll actually enjoy.
Anyone who is introverted, neurodivergent, or just deeply uncomfortable with networking
There is a much better way to network and build relationships that leverages your unique advantages and allows you to connect with people in environments that better suit your interests and your temperament.
Anyone whose career has stalled and needs new (more strategic) paths to income
If you’re currently playing “Go Fish!” with your career, this course will teach you how to play chess with your career and devise a clear strategy to not just connect with the right people but become part of the conversation so that when opportunities become available, your name is the first one they consider.
Who Is This Accelerator NOT For?
Anyone looking for quick hacks to “win friends and influence people”
This course is not about quick tips and hacks to start more conversations, remember people’s names, or break the ice at networking events. This course is about going DEEP into the psychology of what it takes to build meaningful relationships and provide value to others so they are excited to help you in return.
Anyone who wants to learn how to “leverage” or “use” people to get what they want
If you’re not willing to provide value first and show up for others, this is not the program for you. But if instead you’re excited to support others and put them first, read on!
Anyone who wants to teach AI to do their networking for them.
While you will learn how to leverage the robots in your networking efforts, you will NOT learn how to teach the robots to write your outreach or your LinkedIn comments for you. If you want real results, be ready to put in the work.
“I reached out to eight showrunners whose work I love. Not only did they ALL return my emails…those correspondences turned into five in-person meetings. Zack, you’ve changed the way I think about networking both professionally and personally!”
Ada Halofsky • Playwright & Screenwriter
“I got a reply to my cold outreach. Clearly, Zack’s techniques work because they began their reply with one word: ‘Wow!’ The value I provided seemingly had a large impact on them. Now that we’ve connected I’ve sent my follow-up; fingers crossed it’s the start of an ongoing dialogue/relationship.”
Luke Dickinson • Editor, Assistant Editor
Enrollment is by application only.
Upon applying you’’ll be able to to schedule a free 30-min Zoom chat with Zack to discuss your networking strategy and see if this class is the right fit for your needs.
🚨 APPLICATIONS CLOSE WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Arnold Academy Guarantee
Attend the first four weeks of classes. If this isn’t the right program for your needs, you may request a full refund. No questions asked.
Here Is What You’ll Learn
How to set clear and strategic networking goals
No longer will you have to “spray and pray” hoping that you connect with the right people. I’ll help you devise a clear networking strategy based on your goals in both work and life so you can build meaningful relationships that will move the needle (rather than collecting more “connections” that lead nowhere)
How to expand the right levels of your network
Networking is about way more than just “getting jobs.” After assessing your goals we will put together a strategic plan to expand the levels of your network (e.g. peers, experts, mentors) that will lead you towards your goals the fastest.
How to get out of your own way
No matter how advanced the strategies and tactics I provide you, none of them will make a difference if you can’t get out of your own way and start connecting with people! So we’ll address some of the most common obstacles that may stop you, including: Perfectionism, procrastination, overthinking, analysis paralysis, and imposter syndrome (to name a few).
How to provide genuine VALUE (without bothering people)
You’ll learn how easy it is to “provide value” to someone without giving too much, overstepping boundaries, or bothering them with praise that makes you sound like a kiss-ass. Once you learn how to connect with people in a more genuine manner, the most common response to your outreach will be, “Thank you, your message made my day!”
How to tell a clear STORY so people can help you (or know how you can help them)
Without a clear and compelling story, people have no reason to respond to you and no reason to help. So you’ll learn how to craft your unique story and revise your approach based on your goals and the people you want to connect with.
How to craft a compelling ASK (and get a 70% response rate!)
Let’s face it—the ASK is where everyone blows it. But not you. You’ll learn how to craft a clear, compelling, and simple ask so people respond enthusiastically. And if done right, these asks can lead to Zoom calls, coffee meetings, or even job interviews.
How to warm up connections that have gone cold
You’ll hear me say it 100 times—The magic is in the follow up! You’ll learn how to reconnect with former friends, peers, and colleagues to restart the conversation, no matter how long it has been since you reached out last.
By the end of the semester you will have started so many new conversations (and warmed up so many existing relationships) you’ll need a comprehensive spreadsheet to track all of your outreach and upcoming meetings!
(A spreadsheet I’ll provide you with, BTW 😉)
What’s Included?
And When Does Class Begin?
📆 Week One is Friday, May 15th – 8:30-10:30am PT
New Student Orientation is Monday, May 11th 8:30am PT
x12 Weekly Live Zoom Calls
If you can’t attend class live, all calls will be recorded, transcribed, and summarized. You will have lifetime access to these recordings to revisit anytime. If you cannot attend at least 75% (9 out of 12) of the live sessions, this isn’t the semester for you.
4 months of The Arnold Academy All-Access Pass
You’ll get an All-Access Pass to my entire library of self-guided courses, workshops, and masterclasses far beyond the coursework for The Networking Accelerator. This includes my best materials on focus, goal setting, calendar management, branding, and more.
Schedule Weekly 1-on-1 Hot Seats
As part of the All-Access Pass you may also attend my Live Office Hours and schedule up to one 25-min Hot Seat per week (pending availability) on any topic of your choosing (including workshopping your outreach!).
BONUS: A 45-min private strategy session
To ensure you get the most out of this course, at any point during the semester you can schedule a complimentary 45-min private strategy session to get clear on your personal networking strategy.
BONUS: A customized Google spreadsheet to organize and prioritize your dream network
This highly customized “Kick Ass” spreadsheet (my students’ words, not mine) will help you quickly identify and prioritize your next most important outreach targets and track your messages so nothing falls through the cracks.
BONUS PDF: “20 Ways to Warm Up Any Connection That Has Gone Cold”
Learn a multitude of different and unique ways to reconnect with anyone in your network that you have lost touch with…without attaching your résumé and asking them to “keep you in mind.”
Spring Semester Tuition: $2000
If you are unable to pay in full, there are monthly payment plans available.
My Promise To You
You can join for 30 days and attend every weekly class. If this course isn’t the right fit for you, just ask for a refund. No questions asked.
Still on the fence or have questions?
Scroll below for Frequently Asked Questions
Enrollment is by application only.
Upon applying you’’ll be able to to schedule a free 30-min Zoom chat with Zack to discuss your networking strategy and see if this class is the right fit for your needs.
🚨 APPLICATIONS CLOSE WEDNESDAY NIGHT
Arnold Academy Guarantee
Attend the first four weeks of classes. If this isn’t the right program for your needs, you may request a full refund. No questions asked.
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS THE POINT OF NETWORKING WHEN THERE IS NO WORK???
I get it. And I hear you. But my approach to networking goes far beyond begging for your next job.
You don’t network just to get jobs. You network to find your people. And your people help shape who you become.
If you’re interested in building relationships far beyond your next gig but you’re not sure how, this is the right class for you. If you simply want to find more people to send your résumé to and pitch yourself, try LinkedIn?
When do the live classes begin? And how long are the Zoom sessions?
Our first week of classes begins Friday, May 15th. Each weekly class is 2 hours from 8:30-10:30am Pacific time.
New student orientation is Monday, May 11th at 8:30am PT.
How big are the classes?
To make sure you get as much attention and support as needed, the class will have no more than 10 people.
Does this class also come with any private 1-on-1 coaching?
In addition to your weekly class sessions you will also get an additional 45-min 1-on-1 strategy session with Zack to help you devise a personalized networking strategy based on your unique goals.
What if I have to miss a class or two? Can I still join?
All classes are recorded, transcribed, and AI-summarized. So even if you can’t attend live, you’ll never really miss a session. However, if you are concerned you will miss more than 3-4 classes, this probably isn’t the semester for you.
How much time/homework is required between sessions?
The amount of effort you put in between class sessions is up to you. But if you intend to get the most out of this class, anticipate a minimum of five hours per week between classes to do your research and compose your outreach messages.
What kind of “networking” will this class help me get better at?
The majority of the networking strategies you’ll learn apply to building relationships one person at a time via outreach. But many of the strategies you’ll learn can also be applied to in-person networking events.
Will I have to go to in-person networking events for this class?
Nope! No in-person networking is required. As you’ll learn, in-person networking events are absolutely essential to expand your peer group. But if you’re more focused on connecting with experts, mentors, or advocates, in-person networking isn’t necessary. But much of what you learn from doing outreach can be applied to in-person networking scenarios.
Will this class cover other things like résumés, websites, or job interviews?
This class will specifically cover networking and outreach strategies suited for those who don’t like traditional networking (i.e. at live events, bars, conferences, etc). But included with your tuition is 4 months of access to The Arnold Academy where you can schedule additional Hot Seats with Zack to workshop your résumé, website, prepare for a job interview, or discuss any other relevant topics you’d like.
What if this isn’t the right fit. Do you offer refunds?
If for any reason you don’t feel this class is the right fit, you have thirty days to attend the first four sessions before deciding. If you decide not to continue, you may request a refund.
“I had my zoom meeting yesterday and I felt so comfortable like I was talking to an old friend. I’m not done learning from you, Zack. You have a lifelong student right here! These outreach lessons are truly helping me to be authentically myself and build true genuine connections.”
Heather Worley • Artist, Illustrator, Animator
“Got a response to another outreach saying ‘Hey, let’s hop on a call.’ Got a similar response to an outreach email, they called it ‘a breath of fresh air.’ I’m 2 for 2 right now!”
Adam Moffat • Emmy-nominated Editor
“No matter where you are in your career, I have found value in this program and working with Zack who is able to help you in unique areas of the industry that you won’t find anywhere else.”
Yvette Amirian • Eddie-winning Editor
About Your Instructor
Hi, I’m Zack.
If you want to make things that matter, I want to help you.
When people ask me “What do you do?” my answer is…“It’s complicated.”
I’m a former award-winning Hollywood film and television editor, producer, and documentary director turned writer, podcaster, and career coach who helps highly ambitious (and often neurodivergent) creatives like you build a strong network of authentic relationships WITHOUT having to sell your soul at in-person networking events (or by sending cringeworthy cold emails and DM’s).
I didn’t learn how to network from a book, I learned it by making all the dumb mistakes so you don’t have to. I’ve spent two decades building a successful career in one of the most competitive industries in the world as an introvert who hates networking, and now I teach how to build genuine relationships so you can not only build a better career but also build a better life.
To quote one of my many mentors (and NYT bestselling author):
“The most meaningful way to succeed is to help other people succeed.”
– Adam Grant
My work has been featured in:
And I’ve worked for:
