Read the previous article on the philosophy of Networking here.
So you want to network? There are lots of free resources available, most of them you use already. They are all freely available and that means you should use them.
Myspace: This resource used to be the big one. It's since lost its charm. Myspace is still a good way to find bands, actors, directors, etc. but it doesn't mean its a great way to contact them anymore. Myspace is a giant mess right now for contacting people. If you don't have their email you can't really find them. People can change their display name to anything which means I could change my display name to SPOCK and nobody could really find me. Myspace is sorta a last resort, I'm not a big fan of it anymore.
Facebook: This is your best bet. Since you can search peoples name directly, your odds are much better to find them. For common names like Smith you'll find lots of results. Odds are who your looking for has a piece of information on the internet that tells you what state they are in, college, town, etc. So this is the best way to weed them out if there is a lot of results. Facebook also includes the personal messaging which means you can instantly contact them. You can start Groups and Fan pages for things you might have worked on, or join other peoples groups. If your interested in helping other people network or advertise their stuff, join their group and invite all your friends. This is a great way to spread the word about something. Being able to search by name is the best feature Facebook has, making it the best public profile resource you'll ever find. If you don't have a Facebook, get one and learn how to use it.
Linked-In: Another well known networking tool more for professionals and people with titles although the average joe has begun using it extensively. You can find a lot more higher profile people this way if you search their name or company. You can also message them and invite them to become part of your network. This is a great place to put your resume as well on your profile.
Email: Your thinking “duh Kyle...like I didn't know this.” Email seems like a default networking tool and it is, but not many know how to use it properly to do so. If you find someone you want to contact, you probably have a good reason to be hunting for them, their help, their advice, etc. If you can find their email from any of the other resources above, or you find it some other way, take advantage and contact them. Give them a formal email with your question, compliment, etc. This can go a long way if you make it worth their time. Also learn to start putting a signature on all your emails. Name, company & title, email, phone if you want to, and anything else you find valuable to contact you or advertise you. Some people have placed links to portfolios, current projects, their Facebook profile, etc. Take advantage of putting your contact info on every email you send, you never know when it'll come in handy for someone. Who's to say whoever you contact doesn't forward your email and therefore get your contact info as a result?
Websites: Having a personal or company website can be very valuable. It's valuable because you have control of it in every respect. What's on it, what's not, and when you can change it...all under your control. You can put bios, portfolios, links to all the other things listed above (all in one location, which can be useful), and whatever else you want. The same goes for company websites. If you don't know web design, find somebody who does (Who Are We page with my email <--see that, more networking opportunities), or use a program and a GOOD template and buy some hosting space and a domain name. Please don't miss this next point, it is vital. If your going to put up a website, make it professional please. None of that Times New Roman font at 14pt size and nasty mixes of colors. No gross animated gifs and dumb features that you don't need. Please take into account what kind of message you send. Many of you have mediocre websites that are ugly, clunky, and poorly conceived. Before you lash out at me and send me a nasty email, consider what your saying to your potential client. If you can't do it well, don't do it at all. This doesn't apply to all of life, sometimes you need to try but before you contact some CEO and give out your website...be sure you wont be embarrassed by what he'll see. Just a suggestion, please take it.
Face to Face: This isn't internet related, but in a way it is since you can find out if people at events will be somewhere via the internet. It still applys so I'll throw it in anyways. :) There are countless ways to meet people. Go to events that circle around your area of business and interest. Meet everyone you can, find out who will be there and hunt them down! Just don't be a stalker fanboy, just make it a point to shake their hand. Don't underestimate a good handshake. Please for the love of pete! Don't give them a wet sandwich handshake. Shake their hand firmly, and give them something to remember. Don't drool either, that probably wont help. If you are making a film, have a good promo disc together and hand it out.
Get yourself out there anyway you can. Just as I mentioned in the previous article, you get out of networking what you put in. Don't expect much out of a handshake and a short conversation if you don't have anything lasting to say or anything to give them. God gave you a brain for a reason, so use it. Don't let an opportunity pass by that would be very easy to take advantage.
Life (and networking) is like an oil field. Even if you aren't sure where a contact will take you, it's still a new hole in the ground. I have hundreds of holes started that I'm drilling, and sometime and somewhere...I'll hit oil. How many holes are you drilling, and how deep are you digging?
Kyle Prohaska
kyle@praisepictures.com
CEO, Praise Pictures
http://www.praisepictures.com
