Networking is a dreaded word for many. However, it’s a huge part of building your freelance career, and you have to be ready to do it at any time. But how do you turn an opportunity into a job?
Well, it’s actually very simple to get right, and there are a few quick wins to become a world-class networker.
Do Your Research Properly
Never go into a room blind if you can avoid it. Preparation is everything.
Before a screening, read up on the crew, from the director to the runner. That way, when you bump into them at the bar, have a toolkit of conversation starters like…
“Hey, didn’t you also work on Frightnight? I heard that it was shortlisted at Raindance? Congratulations! I’ve been meaning to see it, is it screening any time soon?”
A word of caution, though: try not to come off as a stalker… be well-informed, but tread the line carefully!
Ask Questions
Networking is very similar to dating in many ways; the more you can seem engaged and interested, the better. People love to talk about themselves, so give them the chance to do so and be genuinely interested, listen, and remember key points.
It’s also a good test of their character; if they’re nice, they’ll ask back and be interested. However, if they aren’t bothered, then you know they may be best avoided. You can learn a lot about someone by their conversational habits.
Introduce Others
Perhaps you start chatting to someone who needs an animator, and you just spoke to an animator five minutes ago. Make the connection!
Networking isn’t just about getting what you want; it’s about helping others get what they need and being the person who helps them do that.
First, have a good chat with them, but then, if you catch the other person, in this case, the animator, bring them over and introduce them.
The benefit is that it also allows you to bow out, get a drink, and network with others.
Bring Business Cards
If you turn up to a networking event without a business card, then you might as well go home.
Business cards are vital for networking. Rather than having to fumble trying to enter phone numbers and email addresses into your dying phone, you can quickly hand over a card without interrupting the flow of conversation.
You will also be inundated with cards, so do your best to remember which belongs to which person. Write something on the back of the card reminding you about the person, such as “Sam likes Martin Scorsese, loves wasabi nuts.”
Follow Up With An Email
All of these points are crucial to enable step 5, which is where the transformation from an opportunity to paid work begins. Using their card with the quirky fact on the back and remembering some of the things they told you, follow up in an email.
You can normally wait a day or two, but it really doesn’t matter. An example of what to say might be…
“Hey Sam,
It was great to meet you at Film Network event on Thursday. I love your work, can really see the Rina Yang influence coming through lots of it, especially *enter film title*! I’m away for the next two weeks but once I’m back let’s catch up over a beer (and wasabi nuts of course), I’d love to hear more about some of your projects.
Kind regards”
And voila, you have yourself an opening!
If you’re planning on sending some of your own work within the email, then make sure you read up on how to make a showreel.
Don’t Interrupt People
If two people are having an in-depth conversation, don’t charge in; all you’ll do is alienate yourself and come across as selfish.
If you are desperate to talk to them, wait until their conversation ends or someone else interrupts them. That way, you can sneak in when your target is the conversation’s spectator.
Networking can require an element of bravery to go and chat with strangers. Obviously, you need to succeed; however, timing is everything.
Just because someone is alone doesn’t mean they won’t be as valuable or interesting as the loud group.
Remember Names
We all do this. It’s incredibly hard to remember names when they’re being thrown at you left, right, and center. However, you must try your absolute hardest to remember the names of people when they introduce themselves.
Referring to people by their name (again, another dating tip) breaks down a barrier, and people warm up to you. Suddenly, it feels personal and that you care about who they are.
If you do forget their name, very politely say, “I’m so sorry I’m awful with names; I didn’t quite catch yours earlier”.
Don’t Talk Too Much
The opposite of ‘ask, ask, ask’ is to avoid going to a networking event as a salesperson. People don’t want to hear a sales pitch about what you can do for them. They want to get to know you as a person and see if they like you before considering working together.
Equally, a conversation is a two-way thing, and unless they are asking you to tell them more, you should stop before they start looking around the room for the nearest exit.
Talk To Everyone
The worst thing you can do is be rude. No matter how experienced you are, there’s no excuse for it.
Chat to the new runner or the aspiring camera op with little experience. Although they may not have been in the game as long as you have, they might have a wealth of potential and just want someone to give them a chance. These are the people who will sing your praises and recommend you to others.
Summary
Hopefully, you’re already nailing the do’s and avoiding the don’ts.
Networking can be challenging at the best of times, and we all make mistakes or let anxiety get the better of us. However, if you can remain confident, calm, and approachable, you’ll do fine. Good luck!
