Last night I had dinner with a group of friends, beyond the tasty grilled salmon and asparagus, we were engaged in spirited conversation. Of the group, I am the only one vested in the entertainment industry.

One of my friends, a scientist, made an off handed remark that the entertainment industry was very challenging because it has nothing to do with talent, but everything to do with “who you know”.

While I respect her position and agree personal networking is a crucial ingredient to transforming from aspiring artist to entertainment industry professional, I also believe it’s not just “who you know”, but how one navigates those connections—and whether one chooses to do so at all.

“People can find their paths as long as they’re motivated to do so and able to motivate people to help them. But, no matter how motivated you are, you have to be able to motivate the other person, who can put you in touch with the next person, and the next person has to do it too,” says Duncan Watts, a professor of sociology at Columbia University.

Again, personal networking is instrumental to your career. It’s an invaluable tool to identifying unique and rare opportunities suited to you, as well as to maximize the value of your current relationships.

Here are three basic guidelines for successful personal networking.

1 – Palm Up, Not Palm Down

Networking is not all about what people can do to help you. It’s all about mutual benefit.

To start with, you must understand all your strengths and weaknesses. Then always seek opportunities where your abilities contribute enormous value to others. The result, others will want to be a part of your network if they know that you will add value. And more importantly, your existing relationships will be strengthened if you can consistently add value to those in your network.

2 – Do Cool Things

The game, Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon, rests on the assumption that any actor can be linked through his or her film roles to actor Kevin Bacon, but did you know that Rod Steiger is the best linked actor in Hollywood history?

Rod refused a studio contract and made the conscious choice to play a varied number of roles in numerous films. His tapestry of characters afforded him the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life, resulting in what I refer to as multiple social dimensions.

Do cool things. Do a lot of things. The result: your network will include people from all walks of life.

Personally, I believe the more life experiences you possess the more interesting YOU become and more importantly, you become a greater asset to others.

Your mission: to be the first person everyone remembers and suggests when others ask, "Do you know anyone who…."

3 - Be Proactive

It’s your career don’t wait for others to come to you. If you sit back and wait for others, you’re not likely to get much out of networking.

• • Invite people to meet.
• • When you travel, let people in your network know and ask them if there is anyone they feel you should meet in that specific city/town.
• • Networking in the online world. You can easily find others with interests similar to yours. Entering the discussions traditionally requires no invitation and takes only minutes at a time.

Implement these three guidelines right away to gain more from your personal networking efforts and to discover opportunities.

About Producer Marvin V. Acuna: recently executive produced "The Great Buck Howard" (John Malkovich, Tom Hanks, and Colin Hanks), "Two Days" (Paul Rudd, Donal Logue), and produced "Touched" (Jenna Elfman) and "How Did It Feel" (Blair Underwood). To get free video access to Marvin's famous workshop, "The 7 Habits of Hollywood's Most Successful Six (and Seven) Figure Screenwriters," go to http://www.ScreenwritersSuccess.com