How to Get Behind Closed Doors

A few years ago, I saw one of my favorite authors, Alex Banayan, speak at a private conference that I wasn't invited to, and didn't have a ticket to. Huh?

I love his work #TheThirdDoor, an recounting of how an 18 year old set out from his college dorm to interview the world's most successful people - Stephen Spielberg, Lady Gaga, Warren Buffet, Bill Gates - and did exactly that.

Alex posted on his Instragram he'd be in town to speak at the conference. I reached out to see if he'd let me treat him to coffee while in town, and instead, he said "You should come to the conference!"

I looked up the conference: a private, closed-door conference for teaching professionals. How would I get in? I mean, I couldn't ask Alex, the author of The Third Door to get me a ticket.

I arrived at the hotel the day of the conference and I watched as people in suits trickled in and up to the top floor, where the conference was held. Up I went, and as I got off the elevator, I was greeted by two smiling women who asked me for my ID so they could get my conference pass.

"Oh! I don't have a pass, but Alex Banayan, today's speaker, asked me to come. Do you know what time he goes on?" I asked.

"Oh!" one of the smiling ladies said to the other "She knows our keynote speaker!" ... Then looking back at me she said, "He goes on at 2pm. Do you want to wait up here or come back around then?"

"I'll can come back!" I said. "Do you need anything from in order to save my seat?"

"Nope, we'll be here!" they said.

When I returned, one of the smiley ladies ushered me to my seat, and Alex took the stage. After his talk, I introduced myself, shook his hand, told him how I'd gotten into the conference, and thanked him for writing the book.

As I left the conference, I thanked the kind, smiling ladies at the front for their hospitality and for saving me a seat.

A day I'll never forget!

Recipe for Success - Getting Behind Closed Doors:

1 part - Why not? It takes delusional confidence to believe you can walk into a private conference that you weren't invited to and didn't pay for, without a ticket. But ask yourself, what's the worst that can happen? They tell me no? They have security escort me out of the building? I'd survive.

1 part - Play the part. When there's a "velvet rope" between you and what you want, dress the part, act the part, and tell the shortest version of the truth you need to in order to get your golden ticket, then stop talking. "Alex said I should come." a bold, but truthful statement, said with confidence, and I had my ticket in.

1 part - Be respectful. When you're an outsider who got in, be respectful of what everyone else is there to do. Don't overstay your welcome, clean up after yourself, be kind, and say thank you.