The Truth and Necessity of Networking as a Creative: Networking Online

Your online presence is an invaluable opportunity to stay relevant and connected while out of work, setting up your next gig, or promoting your portfolio.

Let's be clear though... Networking online doesn't mean your 1000 Facebook "friends" that you don't speak to. Networking online means INTERACTING with like minded people, whether it be as a creative or in a particular industry. People that you will be able to share information with that will help you both along to the next opportunity, whatever that may be. 

You may think you're networking by sending an email here or there when you need help, but here are a few more consistent ways to stay in the mix that you may not have thought of:

LINKEDIN:  Every professional should have a profile.

This may seem like I'm stating the obvious but there are many

simple things that are frequently overlooked. 

                     

 - Be sure your profile is complete and up to date. One of the first  

   thing a hiring manager does is look you up on here. Your 

   profile should match your most recent resume. 

   

 - Your photo should represent your professional brand. 

 - Keep your contacts updated. Run through your email every       

   once and a while and be sure you are connected to everyone 

   you should be.

 - Ask for and give recommendations. Make sure to always return    

   the favor. Keep in mind that managers and supervisors carry  

   more weight over co workers. 

- Stay in that timeline! Share an article. If you're looking for 

  work, it doesn't hurt to post a reminder. 

- Keep your skills updated. 

    

- Join groups. Be as active as you can on industry forums. You'd 

  be surprised how many jobs and leads come from this source. 

  Introduce yourself, speak a bit about what you do, consistently 

  interact and comment. 

- Try to connect with your contacts in real life. How? Send them 

  an invite to a networking event to attend with you. Meet up for  

  lunch or coffee and share ideas. Talk about what's going on in 

  your industry. 

- Always wanted to work for NBC? Find a recruiter or hiring 

  manager within that organization and request to connect. Send 

  an Inmail explaining your desire to explore opportunities 

  within their organization and that you would like to network. 

    

- Do not ask any connection for a job outright. It is  

  unprofessional and too forward. 

FACEBOOK: We use this site to share all kinds of silly and useless information. Use it to your professional advantage!

 - No doubt that your personal and professional contacts are 

   blended together in your friends list. Separate them by creating 

   a new list in your friends list and making note that these are 

   work contacts.This makes it much easier to filter who is 

   exposed to certain parts of your life and where information is 

   shared. 

    

- Take advantage of the many groups that are hosted here. You   

   will find many more people to network with. Be sure to 

   interact! 

   

- Post articles, talk about your next project, and share within this 

  circle. Remember the whole point is to stay visible. 

                  

BLOGGING: This is a great way to share information, or promote your work, business, or portfolio and increase your possibility to attract potential clients. Not only will you stand out, but it will allow people to get to know you and give you an edge over competition in your field. It can take a lot of work, but the long term benefits outweigh it all. 

YOUTUBE: Do you have a channel? This a great way for filmmakers, motion and VFX artists to showcase their work and makes it incredibly easy to share on social networking sites. Work in fashion? If you show your work through fashion shows, take this opportunity to do short interviews with industry friends or do a vlog to do a behind the scenes of your shows. People love to SEE what you're doing, not just talking about it!  However you choose to use this medium, do your research and find out whats relevant and current so that people will be interested in watching. 

Industry/Networking Etiquette:

- Share and share alike! If someone shares your status or post, if 

  they comment - SAY THANK YOU! Share their statuses,  

  comment and interact with them as well. Build up that networking 

  karma!

  

- Reading any blogs? Is it a good read? Is their information 

  valuable to you? SAY SO! Take time to leave a comment. 

Remember - SHARE, POST, INTERACT! 

Happy Networking! 

Image courtesy of thedigeratilife.com