Networking. How?
- Lotty Holder
- Mar 21, 2023
- 3 min read
One aspect of working in the arts, and arguably every other industry, that still frequently baffles me is networking. I can never tell if I'm good at it, if I'm bad at it or if I'm even in the right rooms to be doing it in, BUT there have been times and experiences where I know that my networking has paid off and I have developed relationships with people that have inspired me, pushed me and mentored me to where I am today. So with that in mind and as someone who is still learning I wanted to share a few things that have helped me along my networking journey and I hope that they help you too...
The worst someone can say is no. I used to (and still sometimes do) have a real anxiety about reaching out to people, especially if I'm reaching out to them for help, but being the one to reach out can often pay off if you're willing to take the leap. During the pandemic when I had just graduated with a theatre degree pretty much bang on when all the theatre's shut, I was feeling very bleak about my future, I had no idea how I would ever get to work in the industry with no contacts, no family to ask for advice and then no theatre cafe's to sit in and hope to bump into someone in, not that that would have worked but it made me feel better. So I decided to email people who I admired, who's jobs I found interested and who were doing the things that I wanted to do in the future simply to ask for a few minutes of their time to find out how they got to where they are. Essentially I asked these wonderful peoples, how do I get your job? I wasn't expecting anyone to come back to me, but I was overwhelmed with the kindness and generosity of so many people in the industry who were willing to jump on a zoom or a call to tell me about the ways they got into producing and tips on how I could do the same. It was those calls and advice that led me to apply for my MA and I've been lucky enough to work with some of those people who I called back in 2020 now as a professional and I am still grateful to them to this day.
You don't have to be at a dedicated networking event to network. I would always worry that I needed to be in the right place, at the right event to network, but really you can network any time any where, even when you're not trying to network, becuase the most important thing in networking (for me at least) is an honest connection to the person you're talking to. Been to a workshop and loved what the tutor said? Email them afterwards to talk more, that's networking. Seen a show you loved and congraulated the director at the bar? Drop them a note to say congratulations again - that's networking. Your friend from uni has had a show on at Vaults and introduces you to the rest of their team - that's networking. It can come in al shapes and sizes and doesn't need to be the big formal deal it can sometimes be made out to be.
It's a relationship. Like any other conversation you might have, networking is about building relationships and connecting with people. While sometimes you might be connecting with them becuase you'd like advice from them or to ask them a question, but good networking should also be about supporting one another, celebrating wins or just talking about something you've both seen and loved. It's a relationship not a transaction.
I hope these few tips and thoughts will give you a little more confidence to put yourself out there and get networking!
And if you are looking for somewhere to make connections, learn new skills and maybe do some IRL networking too NSDF which I have had the joy to produce is in TWO WEEKS TIME!
We're touring to four venues as well as running digital events where you can connect, take part and share your opinions of the industry with peers and professionals alike. It's all FREE and it would be so super lovely to meet some of you in person there too. Check the events out on the link below:
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