'Tis The Season To Go Networking (FaLaLaLaLa La La La Laaaaa)

With all the events and parties coming up, even the most reluctant networkers will be coming out to play. Actually, I think I would like to ban the word 'networking' because it gets such a bad press - people dismiss others as being a 'shameless networker', as if it is something you should feel ashamed of.

It's really all about relationships - build relationships first, and as you get to know people, you'll attract more work.  So don't just suck up to somebody because they're an editor - they can smell it a mile off.  The media world is really very small, and you never know where your next connection will lead, so it makes sense to treat everyone with the same respect.

Being part of a community is a natural human condition and just because you're a freelancer doesn't mean you have to do it on your own.  The more relationships you build with others, the easier you will find work and life.

People often forget that making connections within your peer group is also important - nobody is at exactly the same point in their career, so everyone you meet can either teach you something, or you can teach them, or both.  Look to help others and they will be more inclined to help you when you need it. Get to know other freelancers in your area and arrange a meet-up.  People often want to come to these things but don't want to arrange it, so sometimes you have to be the pro-active one.

If you write for an editor but have never met them, make a point of asking them out for coffee or calling in to see them.  It will strengthen your relationship.  If you live outside London you might have to take a day or two out to do this, but it will be worth it because you will learn things in a face to face meeting that you never would have picked up over phone or email.

IT’S NO PARTY OUT THERE
Networking events can strike fear into the hardiest of hacks’ souls.  First you arrive at a venue on your own.  You clutch a glass of wine for dear life, partly hoping that someone will talk to you but also that the ground will swallow you up at the same time.  Then if you’re really lucky some bloke with a shiny face and an even shinier suit will come along and bore you senseless talking about stuff you no more understand when you’ve heard half an hour of spiel about it than you did before.  You go home and you cry and you want to die.

Some networking events come disguised as parties, but there are crucial differences.  For a start, you don’t have to wait for it to warm up.  If you’re nervous about attending a networking event on your own, be brave and arrive early.  It’s generally the keen beans who arrive early, so you won’t be alone for long.  A room that’s packed full of people already deep in conversation is a harder place to plunge into. 

If there’s free booze, don’t over-indulge.  The setting may be casual, but you are still at work to a degree.  Don’t get carried away by the fact that the drink may be flowing & insult the person who just became your next potential ex-boss. 

To get the most out of any networking event, it helps to have a particular goal in mind for the night.  This might be:  speaking to at least 3 new people or giving out 5 of your business cards. 

Remember that you’re not there to sell (though if someone wants to buy, that’s great).  Get business cards from everybody you talk to.  Send them an email in the few days after you’ve met saying hello – this is how you start to take a relationship beyond the chitchat stages

ONLINE NETWORKING
And for those of you who really can’t bear to tear yourself away from your hot desk, there’s always online networking.

When you meet people online, again don’t try and sell your services straight away – this is the equivalent of rushing into a party and forcing your business card on everyone, without stopping to find out if they’re interested in what you’ve got to offer.  Lurk for a while to get the feel of how various online environments operate – read other people’s messages to get a feel for the culture:  is it serious and businesslike all the way, or is there a space for humour?

One thing to remember with online networking is that it probably won’t replace good old face to face networking entirely.  Many people still don’t like to do business with others until they’ve looked them in the eye and had a face to face conversation.

So take a deep breath, be brave, go forth and connect.