Networking Tips

How many times have you been told that an acting career is all about networking? I’m guessing about a million and one, right? Well, there’s definitely a lot of truth to that statement, and you’d be a fool not to take it seriously.

If you want to be successful, working on your craft should be your number one concern, but let’s face it: Talent is not enough. That’s why you have to know how to network. 

But what exactly does ‘networking’ mean? Some actors believe it’s about going to the right parties so they can meet the right people. Others think it’s all about kissing the right asses. Those are both valuable skills, but sorry, they have nothing to do with real networking.

Simply put, networking is creating relationships with industry professionals who might be able to help you in a direct or indirect manner.

1. Be professional

Adopting the right tone when you communicate is essential, as are correct spelling and grammar – no text-speak or slang. Keep messages brief, polite, professional and to the point.

You will meet thousands of contacts throughout your career, and forget most of them, unless you keep a record. Create a contacts file on your computer, and a profile for each person you have ever met in the business – every fellow student, tutor, playwright, actor, director, etc.; what they look like, where you met them, and so on. Add new people every week, and update once a month.

This isn’t school, where it’s cool to do as little as possible; this is the business where graft counts. To stay in the game for the long term, it’s important to remember to cultivate contacts in the generation before you as well as the established figures you meet. In ten years’ time the fresh-faced wunderkind you vaguely remember could be producing a movie with you in it – if they know who you are.

2. Start with those you know

You already have a network. The people you train with are your most valuable asset – there is a bond there which may survive a lifetime, so stay in contact and share those contacts. This is not just a matter of swapping names, it’s about going to see people in shows, meeting casting directors and writers and theatre directors, and then keeping a log of those you’ve met.

If you hear of a job going for someone you know, tell them. If you can recommend them, even better. Like for you, these initial contacts will gradually widen their own circles of contact and influence. Some of the people you share grotty flats with and see at old school reunions will end up running the very companies you’re both desperately trying to get work with now. Staying in contact with each other and promoting each other throughout your careers is essential.

3. Never turn down an invitation

Most actors tend to isolate themselves when they’re not working, and then reconnect when they are. But it is impossible to tell when you will make a valuable contact – and for that reason you must go to any gathering you can, to learn, and to network. This is especially true of something you’ve actually been invited to, and can gain entry for free!

Get out there, and meet people in the flesh. Go to first nights, to talks, to festivals. If you are invited to a play reading, be there, and stay and talk afterwards. Somewhere out there are people who could employ you, and would do so if they know you existed. Go find them.

4. Be the first to keep in touch

If you go to see a show you like, send a message of thanks to the director. Again, keep messages brief (two lines is good), businesslike and positive. If you get a casting, ditto: a short message of thanks to the director, producer and casting director. Let people know if you have a show on – send emails to everyone on your contact list.

These rules are not to be applied sometime, or next week, or when you feel like it. If you are serious about this career, they should be applied now, today, every day. Your next job may depend on it.

5. However, do not overstay your welcome

Majority of people will appreciate you coming over to pay them a compliment or strike a quick conversation about their work. However, don’t forget to leave them some breathing space and split when you feel the time is right (after making a connection, obviously). Plus, it isn’t such a bad idea to get to know more than one industry folk during these gatherings. Once you have charmed the soul out of that producer, let them miss you while you go and find your next target.

Ever heard the saying ‘It’s not what you know it’s who you know?’ xxx

What Picture?!

So this week I’m doing something a little different.

I’m not writing a blog, instead I’m creating a vote of some sort. As I need help, your help!

During the past couple of weeks I’ve caught up with some friends who all had one thing in common, they are all doing very well for themselves, in their careers in particular.

Of course I’m happy for them all, they all deserve it, they work hard, they network, they do everything right and yet I can’t help but feel a twinge of jealously.

One friend in particular is doing really well for himself, I met him for drinks last week. I went to meet him at a function room in a hotel in town, he was attending a works do, I hung outside the room for a moment and poked my head in the door looking for him. I spot him laughing and joking with colleagues, as he sees me he says his goodbyes and shakes a few hands.

Naturally the function he attended was an immediate topic, although I don’t quite understand his job (an engineer of some sort) I listen intently try to make sense of what he’s saying, nod and smile. At some point during the conversation he mentions that he met someone that night who would be a good contact for him so they exchange business cards and jokingly gives one to me, I stuff it in my purse and complete forgot about it.

Until earlier today I found it again in my purse and thought to myself why don’t models or actors have them? I mean we have so many varieties of portfolios all over the place, showreels, websites, Instagram, twitter, facebook pages, but no-one really caries around a portfolio book anymore or C.V’s or a physical print of their pictures, but why not? It’s another way to network, social media networking had to expand from it.

In a couple week’s time I am going to the Edinburgh fringe festival, although I’m not going there for business purposes I think it will be a good chance to try out a business card, there are numerous of comedians, musicians and performance artists that will be there. Having something on hand to give to them, it couldn’t hurt, after all it could just take one call?

So here’s where I need your help. The design of the card. I think I will have the wording on one side and a picture on the other. But what picture? I have a few to choose from (you’ve probably noticed). So below I’ve selected a few images that are my personal favs. Any vote, comments or input will be greatly appreciated xxx

Just So You Know, I’m Not Posting for the Likes

I hate the term Instagram Model – as if there were such a thing. No, there are models and there are girls who post pictures on Instagram. Having photos on Instagram does not make you a model, and, if you are a model that posts pictures on Instagram, that doesn’t make you less of a model. They aren’t related. But, somehow when any girl posts pictures on the site, people think it’s all about ego and getting people to like you.

If I wanted people to like the real me, the last thing I’d show them is my picture. Looks can easily cloud other people’s better judgment. So the whole argument that models who use Instagram do so to make themselves feel better is silly. We model on Instagram for the same reason we model anywhere else – for money.

But is it even worth it? I mean every time I snap a picture of myself, I wonder who is actually looking at it. People say it is a way to gain exposure – and in this industry exposure is golden – but does the real money even pay attention to social media?

I’ve heard some stories about amateur models that had some success on Instagram. There they were, posting picture of things they love to do, and the next thing you know, some designer is sending them clothes and flying them to shoots. But I think they were so successful because they were amateurs, fresh faces. The designer wanted someone that hasn’t been seen before, someone that they already knew people would admire. Is it such a surprise they looked to Instagram?

That’s what I would do if I didn’t want to spend money on models with professional experience.

But for some reason, everyone believes Instagram would work for models.. that my posting would convince people that I’m just the ordinary girl, and that I’m beautiful even when I’m being ordinary.

I don’t mind that much. Being camera-ready, even in snapshots, is not hard when you spend so much time in front of a camera.

So, if Instagram did lead to money what would happen after my popularity attracted a client’s attention? The impressed designer would contact my agent and be told the real cost of professional beauty. I guess that works for some girls, but I don’t get why they didn’t just call a modelling agency in the first place, instead of scouring the internet for a girl that can look cute in the bathroom xxx

Networking is not Working

Networking daunts most of us, but it is essential in acting/modelling, where the normal career pattern consists of short term contracts for a variety of employers interspersed with meetings which may bear fruit in the future. Once you have met and worked with someone, and you’ve done a good job, chances are you’ll do it again and again.

But networking is how you initially meet new people, and meeting people for the first time is how you get that first, all-important job with them. Nothing will work like personal contacts – by people thinking of you before they go to the casting directories.

But of course, you hate networking. A lot of people feel like this even in the commercial world, but the problem is exacerbated in the arts, where there is a lingering feeling that an actor who approaches their career with a strategy is somehow compromising their artistic standards. This is amateurish rubbish. It matters hugely in this business who you know, not because it is ruled by nepotism, but because personal recommendation lies at the heart of all casting.

Basically, no-one recommends you for a job unless they’ve seen your work themselves, or met you in person. Now networking is something I’m very new to myself. I say I’m new to this because I’ve never purposely gone to what’s referred to as a networking event, until last week.

Last week I was booked for a promotional job through one of my modelling agencies, all I really knew about this job was the name of the client that booked us and what our job role was for the day. Even then when I got there I was still a bit unsure as to why I was there and what I was actually meant to be doing. Turned out it was for a big corporate event run by Headz Up, and this particular event was in aid of International Women’s Day which was very inspiring.

As you can imagine a lot of these women worked within I profession that I knew nothing about and that I was not a part of but what I did notice was there were a photographers taking pictures of the event and interviews were being filmed, there were camera’s, a lot of camera’s. That’s where I saw my opportunity.

When the photographers/cameramen where having a break, or wondering around, that’s when I would talk to them. I didn’t want to bombard the guys with ‘Hi I’m a model! Put me in front of the camera!’ That’s too much. I wanted to be confident not cocky!

That’s when you just strike up a normal conversation, asking people more about their line of work, how they got into this industry, what other projects their working on. I ask these questions because I’m genuinely interested, from there if they have mentioned something which I think I’m suitable for then and only then I mention what I do for a living, what I’m currently working on, my previous experience (kinda like a mini interview, highlighting the best bits).

After exchanging details with a couple of photographers I followed up and contact my new potential colleague within a couple of days. Just as a gentle reminder of who I was, along with my portfolio. Now those photographers might contact me about a job in the future.

The word “might” is a crucial part of that sentence. Not all relationships have a payoff. So don’t spiral into a suicidal depression if a producer doesn’t return your e-mail after you bonded at a party.

We need to realize that networking can help you in both direct and indirect ways. For example, let’s say you created a relationship with that casting director you met after your Pilates class. Assuming it goes further, there are two possible outcomes. The casting director might bring you in for an audition. That would be direct help. The casting director might also get you a meeting with one of her agent friends. That’s indirect help. And they’re both equally valuable.

In a perfect world, every actor would be judged on talent and nothing else. But the business doesn’t work that way. That’s why the ability to network should be right up there with your ability to create a character xxx