It’s not what you know…

One of the most well-worn business clichés – “it’s not what you know, but who you know” speaks to the importance of  networking. Relationships are king in business. Opportunities don’t knock down the door of good workers going at it alone; they come from leveraging relationships. That’s why Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife has a show on Vh1, and that singer in your neighborhood coffee shop that sounds like Etta James incarnate does not.

Media companies have a need. They want drama, and for reality television, the glitzier, the better. Few bona fide celebrities are going to appear on reality television, it’s just not a credible medium. Even if a celebrity agreed to appear, they wouldn’t be willing to participate in the type of drama that reality television likes to traffic. They have a brand to protect. These women aren’t the networks’ first choice, but they’ve made themselves into the best choice. They are not who we would prefer to see, but they have a close proximity to the world we want to look into, plus they’ll ham it up for our viewing pleasure.

Don’t knock the hustle

Human extinct is to write reality show “wives” off as groupies, gold-diggers, and all the other words for women who make the most of their romantic connections. Especially when they are estranged from the very men who give them their clout. But, at its most basic level, it’s good business. Taking advantage of your professional and social connections can land you a position that you wouldn’t be considered for otherwise. Don’t downplay their strategy, when you could be doing the same. Although, admittedly, it looks a lot better when you’re leveraging connections made outside the bedroom.

Cortney Cleveland is a freelance writer and content strategist in New York City. You can follow her on Twitter @CleveInTheCity.

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