How do you network? Especially during lockdown?
Hello hello, I’m currently working on a careers advice piece for Ok Mentor, a platform which aims to mentor young females hoping to break into the creative industry.
The article will be focused on how you should be presenting yourself through LinkedIn and how to use LinkedIn, Instagram and other platforms to network. Have you encountered an unusual way of approaching networking? What’s been a proven trick that’s worked always for you? Which platforms are more suited for certain professions?
Now more than ever, the job market is insecure for a lot of young talent. So if you have any advice to help them out, please leave an answer!
Replies29
- @Scott Morrison This is such a great answer, thank you so much for sharing! I'm always conscious of the relationship seemingly start out as transactional. Personally for me, I never like to network in that way. The connection is only meanningful if you're genuinely interested in the person as a whole, not just what they can give you or vice versa.
- @Mickey Jones amazing, welcome Mickey. We have a letter writing session on 7pm this Sunday if you or any of your friends would like to join!
- @Rajib Moazzam If anything, lockdown has given us all the space and time to really connect and be more open to connecting. Thank you for all of your suggestions!
- @Jade Tomlin I'll be sure to check it out and share with my network, thank you!
- @Nikky Lyle I followed them asap and will be sending in my letter soon! I've also shared it with a lot of my creative gal pals. Thanks for bringing that to my attention, it's such an uplifting project :)
- @Javier Navarro Thank you for answering and I totally agree with you about using webinars to not only network vertically, but horizontally with your peers in the same industry or with the same interests.
- Hi Mickey,Great advide here and I agree with most of them: it is key first and formemost understanding what is it that you do and how you can contribute specifically to a project. In that sense I would priorities quality over quantity. Chances of success are better when you have done some research on whoever you are targeting and address them with a made to masure project, collaboration, etc. Also people feel flattered when you show a genuine interest in their business.During lockdown the online events have multiplied so I suggest contacting not only the speakers but also relevant attendees as there might be really interesting opportunities there too.Hope this helps.
- Hey Mickey, Zoom events can be a great way to network. I'm actually running a letter writing workshop tomorrow for Post Quarantine which is a great way to meet other creatives https://www.instagram.com/_postquarantine/. One of our project founders is a Lead Copywriter.
- Have a look on Ladies who wine and design and other networking grou[s on EventBrite for opportunities for virtual meetups.
- @Mickey Jones I'd suggest replying to one of their Instagram Stories - something compeltely unconnected, just to give a nudge. Usually this spurs them into action. If there is someone you want to speak to you or work with it's worth investing a bit of time getting into a geniune conversation with them rather than going straight in with your pitch + the hard sell.
- Hi MickeyA lot of great replies below me, a perspective I think you should think about is your own Network. A lot of emphasis is put on networking and becoming a part of already established ones, but these all started somewhere, likely with just a handful of people.Instead of finding networks and joining the club, really ask yourself what it is you want from a network. Is it people with more experience to guide you? A group of peers on the same journey as yourself to share experiences? To help yourself find new roles?We are lucky in this digital age to have websites such as Linked In and The Dots, which cater for the creative community. Why not create your own network by reaching out to various people on The Dots. Use the Ask function (like you have done here) and create a monthly chat with your peers to talk, share experiences, guidance and create the network you want and need.
- Hi MickeyFirst up, look at networking not as how can someone help you but how can you be of service to them. How can you better understand their needs or puzzles, offer a way to help or create value and then build from there.The secret is to get into a ‘circle of trust’ position. Many people make the same mistakes. “Hi, I’m blah blah and I do this. Do you need some of this?”Imagine you’re walking through a shopping centre and someone came up to you with that approach. You’d wave your hand and walk on by.So, do some homework. Follow what your network are doing. What they’re writing about. Reading about. Listening to. Commenting on. It’s so easy on LinkedIn.Then approach with added value. I noticed you’ve been struggling with this challenge. I was too (or I know my friend who is also a CMO was too) Here’s a podcast that might help. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it and whether it helped. And if not, don’t worry, I have a load more I could share. Look forward to hearing back...”Offer value and ask for feedback. Keep doing that until you enter the circle of trust. You’ll know you have when there’s a deeper dialogue happening.It works in real life too. Think about what value you can add to who and speak to them and offer it up.Another good tip to learn more about people is, when you meet them, to ask “what fires you up?” Sit tight and listen as they share their frustrations or passions with you. Then you can ask questions to learn more and add value. Even if you can’t or it doesn’t go any further, sometimes the value you add is nomore than listening to the other person and allowing them to fee heard.Stay Boom!S
- @Fleur Emery I completely agree with you, especially now when webinars are more common because of current situations. Makes me wonder if this should be positive change that should be maintained post-lockdown
- @Markella Ilia Thank you for your response!
- @Vicky Simmons Thank you for answering! I agree, DMs allow a direct approach than say you were waiting for a request approval on LinkedIn. Do you have any advice on circling back to DMs that didn’t have a response first time round?
- DMs are great - now more than ever people seem to be more open to chatting and more generous with their time. I've met some great fellow businesses at online events such as the Beautystack Business Summit. It helps that there's a private facebook group linked to the event to help everyone continue the conversation afterwards.
- People love talking about their work and their achievements. Use LinkedIn to look up people who work in the same industry as yours. Don't hesitate to contact them; I am sure they'll find the time to answer some of your questions. I would recommend starting by introducing yourself, your interests, and -maybe- your goals.
- I am finding that by skilling up joining online classes and webinars I am meeting a lot of new women in my industry that way by linking up with them afterwards.
- @Mickey Jones Since I'm female and a small business, I focus on small biz or women centric networking. I belong to two women's business networking groups, and Alignable, a small biz. I also belong to Women in Film an industry group. I've found active participation is most helpful. I'm a local leader for Alignable and on the Board of Women in Film. I've donated door prizes for the women's business meetings.
- @Kris Keppeler I can totally relate to that, I have to literally make a diary entry on my phone just so I don’t double book. Have you found that there are certain organisation, hosting these meetings, that have been helpful?
- @Iona Gibson Thank you so much for your in-depth answer and suggestions!
- Most of my networking has moved online so I sign up for virtual meetings all the time. It does help keep me in touch and some of the new groups I've tried have brought in leads. My biggest problem is signing up for too many virtual meetings!
- @Mickey Jones you’re welcome Mickey . Yes I actually network every week through the entertainment platform TheCreativesUK. I feature creative talent on there and their website .
- @Matt Sibley Twitter sure is popular. How have you been using it to network to best of your advantage?
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