Adam Creighton is an actor who lives in Austin, TX. We’ve not yet met in person, though I’m hoping to see him when I travel to Austin in a couple of months. Along with lots of other things, Adam blogs about acting and voice acting in a place he calls Ramblings. I visit Adam’s Ramblings often, because he so frequently has things to say that I need or want to hear.
His post called Networking for actors is a perfect example.
Adam writes about how much time and effort he used to put into networking, and then says…
But then I stopped doing it.
Why?
Because I honestly didn’t like how good I was at networking. I got into situations and saw people doing the networking thing, and they weren’t sincere. They were looking at opportunities for themselves, and didn’t give a damn about the people they were meeting. They were superficial. They were exploiters. They were users.
I so didn’t want to be them.
So, Adam did what most of us do. He over corrected. More recently, though he’s started networking again…but with a difference…
Here’s how it works for me.
I meet someone, and we talk. I find out what they do, what they’d like to do, and what makes their day worthwhile. And I talk about what I do, what I’d like to do, and what makes my day worthwhile. And we figure out if we’ve got stuff we want to do together that makes our days worthwhile together.
That’s right, kids, we have a conversation.
And then, independent of whether we can do something together, I try to keep that person in mind when opportunities come up for them, even if there’s no benefit to me.
I encourage you to read the entire post, but leave you with this final quote…
The net-net is I think networking — really effective networking — shouldn’t be exploitative “what can you do for me” usury. It should be relationship building. It should be mutually beneficial. And when it’s not mutually beneficial, it should be beneficial for the other person.
If everyone had that mentality, what kind of cool world would this be?
Very, Adam. Very.
What’s in it for ME?!!
Unfortunately as you and Adam point out, many view “networking” as a one sided opportunity to help themselves. While I like to think that most of us on the hiring side of the field love to help others, I would have to be honest in admitting that I also like to keep my own world afloat. In other words, as interested as I might be in hearing a demo or hearing about a particular voice actor’s background, I prefer to be engaged in converstions that are collaborative.
On this point I can make a strong suggestion to tose out there who are trying to get their foot in the next door…or the first door for that matter.
Let’s say you are appraocahing an audio production facility in your area with your new demo. The conventional approach might be to phone and let them know you have a new demo and that you’ve sent it off to them.
But…
If you keep in mind that the studio you are approaching is too in business to make money, you may want to adjust your approach to something like this.
“Hi, my name is (insert name) and I’m a professional voice actor, I wnated to give you a quick call for a couple of reasons. One, I just finished a new demo and wanted to make sure you have it, and two, I am beginning to get some direct client interest in my voice and I’ve heard great things about your studios work. I thought your facility might be a great place to utilize for my VO work when I’m dealing directly with a client”
Now… you have shifted the conversation. Instead of being one of a hundred others who are calling “looking for something”. You are calling “Offering Something”
In this studios eyes, you might actually bring THEM work. Many times in this case the studio will throw open the doors to offer you a tour, and believe me, that’s a great time to actually put your demo right into the hands of those doing the hiring.
I suggest, recognizing that effective network building and professional relationship development in our field is often best acomplished with a give and take approach, rather than a take take take take take and annoy approach.
Get some joy from learning how you can help others, and they just might end up helping you!
PS. I hope everyone listens to Evan Farmer’s VO’s on HGTV’s Freestyle on Friday evenings. We have a blast recording and producing him!
David,
Very good thoughts. I especially appreciate your insights about bringing something of value to the studio or production house along with our demos.
Be well,
Bob