Networking is now more important than ever, given the economic climate. If you’re worried about redundancies or are looking to find more work or change jobs, your next step could be down to who you know, not what you know.  Yet for many, the thought of walking into a room full of strangers is enough to bring them out in a cold sweat.

What follows is some things that I’ve learned over the years ( having also done the cold sweat thing).

Networking is a way to meet lots of people in the creative sector. If you put the time and effort in, it’s a great way to build strong relationships.  People tend to be open to talking and sharing information – which isn’t always the case when you’re trying to make contact using the phone.  And it’s a quick way of being able to keep your finger on the industry’s pulse.  However, in terms of generating work, you’ll probably need to give it time.  So be patient.

How to do it?
There are reams written on this but here’s a few basics for before, during and after.

Ultimately to be a successful networker – you need to have good manners and the ability to chat.  If you’re curious about other people that helps enormously.  And if you talk less and listen more, you’ll be streets ahead of many others in the room.

If you go along with an intention to GIVE rather than what you can GET, you’ll have more success. Strong relationships are the basis of effective networking and trust is key.