“Networking is rubbish; have friends instead.’ steve winwood
5 top ‘to dont’s’ while networking
There is a reason for the old cliche that a lot of important deals are clinched in the pub or on the golf course.
People like to do business with people they know .. and network events are a briliant opportunity to get up close and personal with a bunch of people…that you don’t know
Everyone is there for the same reason,
some trusted person has gathered a (hopefully)
cool group of people into one space to make new connections- sounds good on paper
When i used to hear the word networking, i would freeze like a small furry animal caught in the beam by a fast approaching chat juggernaught
i am shy, and crap at small talk, so the idea of talking with complete strangers, especially at music network events, filled me with horror.
Plus i hated and despised the whole concept thinking it was about ‘working the room’
somehow you flittered and glittered from person to person talking about yourself in a thrilling manner – making sure everyone had your cd and contact details , flyer and download codes before you seamlessly flitted onto schmoozing the next person….
right … wrong – so wrong it hurts
even if this is you just a little bit – stop it right now …
networking is all about meeting people you would not run into in your usual circles and having a chance to have a really friendly casual chat in a neutral environment .
1. don’t just talk about you
you know who you are and what you do, find out about the other person – not just what their day job is and how they may or may not be useful to you –
it can be suprising and amazing where this can lead. also so much less dull for all concerned. Even if the person is A&R for universal they aren’t going to sign you at a network meeting – but finding out you both love japanese cooking might lead to an extended conversation on twitter
2. don’t stand on your own looking at your phone
everyone is cued to talk to people they don’t know – if they don’t play the game properly they are either rude idiots or the host is doing a very poor job of introducing people
breathe and expect that you will talk to someone
if you smoke, try going outside with the smokers and ask for a light
same idea – be near food, drink table easy to start the crisps are great gambit
be helpful to someone else who looks like they don’t now anyone
find an organiser say ‘ i am new and feeling a bit shy’
decide to go home but that you have to talk to 3 people before you do
3. don’t assume
just because someone looks like your aunty maureen that they are not worth checking out – seriously I know several serious movers and shakers who look the spit of my aunty mo
4. don’t give the person you are talking to your cd (unless they ask)
you have already said you are a musician right ??
so they will guess you will have a cd or music site –
if they don’t ask for a cd or card or your music site, don’t force it –
honestly they already have some cds – and they know what they are ..
keep the conversation flowing. and then keep the conversation going – this is what Twitter is for.
5. don’t leave other people out
even if the conversion you are having is really fun
if there is some standing close by – who is not talking to anyone, or is doing the fakey thing with their phone.. include them in – its the easiest thing in the world
it makes you look super confidant, specially if you are talking to someone important as it shows you don’t think this is your one and only chance with them and everyone will love you for it.
If you disagree – please come to the uber friendly smart musicians meet up and tell me why !!
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