Now that most of the world is allowed to go out again, you’ll probably start to see more and more creative networking events pop up. Maybe you’ll even be invited to a few! Well!
If you are a creative practitioner, you will need to put yourself ‘out there’ if you have any hope of making a living from your talents. If you’re really good at making stop-gap macrame penguins and want to make money off of this hustle, but haven’t told anyone… well, if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it really make a sound? ?
Here’s how to host a networking event without committing a cocktail party crime.
Before you go
Spend time on your website
Look, you have to have a website. There’s simply no avoiding it – it’s the best way to showcase your work and means you’ll have some sort of online presence. I really recommend making sure it’s up to date before going online.
It should be laid out simply enough so that if another creator only remembers your name and your work, they can Google those words and find the site. Most creative industries have a strong visual element, so for the portfolio (which should be on the home page), focus on eye-catching images with only short descriptions. Save the words for the “About You” section.
Read: How to work the room
If you can’t afford it, there are alternatives to buying a Squarespace subscription – like using Medium if you’re a writer, as well as Twitter, LinkedIn and even Instagram. You’ll know which one is right for you by seeing what others in your industry are using the most.
No matter what platform you choose, make sure your contact information is clearly visible!
Practice introducing yourself and your creative practice
Networking events tend to be a bit like speed dating, so it’s essential to make sure you squeeze in a few lines. No one likes to be eavesdropped (including you!).
Think about what people are most interested in at these events: who you are, what you do, and why they should care. Here’s an example: ‘Hi, my name is Joe Bloggs, I made a macramé penguin film that I’d like you to consider for the Antarctic Film Festival.’ Submit your business card. Take a sip of champagne. Done.
If you’re nervous, practice with some friends before you go. Let them be as brutal as possible to prepare you for the worst, and then be relieved when (probably) it’s not that bad. Remember: people are there to meet new collaborators and discover interesting projects to invest in. It will be fine.
Wear good deodorant
I know this sounds silly, but hear me out – you’re going to sweat at a networking event. With all those bodies in one room, huddled together to eat like they’ve never been before, nobody wants to smell like a sausage truck accident on a 40-degree day. And no one wants to experience that smell.
Get good deodorant – none of that aluminum free stuff. I know it’s better for the environment and your skin, but when it comes to these situations, it’s just not okay.
Bring a friend
If plus-ones are allowed, bring a sidekick! This gives you an extra buffer, especially if you’re an introverted mess like me.
Ideally, this would be someone who loves you and your work and can speak to you in a genuine way. But don’t make them do all the work – you’ll have to take over at some point.
Read: How to start and maintain an inspiration board
If nothing else, they’ll be great to use if you have any particularly overwhelming experiences.
At night
Use your business card (or better yet, a QR code)
Business cards are great, but they can be expensive to print and usually end up lost at the bottom of a bag. If you’re going to do one, keep it simple (black and white is cheaper than color) and only share it when the person seems interested in your work.
Thanks to COVID, we’re all more than familiar with QR codes and how they work. So why not create a personal QR code? It’s simple to make and by printing it on a card you reuse, it can save you a lot of printing costs.
Grab a QR code online, print it on a business card, and simply hold it up for people at the event to scan with their phones. Ideally, this will lead them to your website so they can bookmark it for later. Kind of a genius, right?
Listen, smile and remember the names
Okay, you’ve done a great job introducing yourself – but it’s not all about you. You have to consider who else is in the room.
It can be very easy to feel locked into these things and it can lead to panic and complete brain fog. Try repeating people’s names back to them immediately after hearing them (but not in an exorcist voice) – it’s a simple but often overlooked tip. Record their face in your mind. And most importantly: get their contact information and social handles.
This is not only important for making connections with the greats, but it is essential when other people are trying to get you to invest in their work as well. I know most of us feel like huge frauds at these events, but trust me – there will be someone watching you and what you do.
After the party
Follow
Before it all becomes a blur, try to jot down names, project titles, websites, etc. on your phone or notebook. Then, when you’re ready, reach out to each interested party.
Building rapport is perhaps the most vital step in this entire process. When you write the email, make it polite and personal, and remind them who you are and why they should care. Asking those questions about themselves also earns you points.
Example: ‘Hi Sally! My name is Joe Bloggs, I met you at the city networking event last night. How are you? Just emailing to remind you of my project and to send you a link to my website…’
And you’re done! …Now you can relax and take a well-earned rest. That is, until you have to do it all over again in a month. The making never stops, baby!
