Networking is not just about giving your business card to everyone in the room. Its about making a lasting connection.
But how do you do that when you meet them? Chances are you have only spoken long enough to grab their name and business card. How do you keep that connection so that they remember you the next time they meet you? You have established a connection and now you need to maintain it.
The best way to do this is to send them an e-mail after meeting them. I recommend the next morning but within the next two days is crucial. You don't remember what you had last week for breakfast do you? How about 50 breakfasts ago? Well the person you connected with probably met at least 50 to 100 other people that night for a SMALL event. Events like SIGGRAPH and you are one in several thousand trying to establish that connection. The longer it takes you to e-mail them the harder you are to remember.
If you can, try to arrange a meeting. Buy them lunch or dinner or a beer after work. Many people will take you up on this number one because it doesn't cost them anything and number two they need to keep making connections too. You could be the next John Lasseter or Milt Kahl. How would the know if they didn't take the chance?
(By the way, if you don't know who the aforementioned names are and you are in the animation industry please do some research!)
Also, be nice to people. Offer to help them with a project or with something personal if they mention it in passing. Offer to volunteer with them. Volunteering is one of the best ways to meet people. Volunteer for your local film festival or for an animation mixer. People you meet there are likely the kinds that are either in the same industry or are like minded individuals such as yourself. The more positive connections you make with people the better.
LinkedIn is another great way to maintain that connection. LinkedIn is great because it not only connects you to that person, it adds all their connections to your extended network. This can be a great tool when trying to find out who the recruiters are at a company.
There is one major thing to keep in mind when trying to connect with people. If you can't connect with them quickly or can't seem to find some common ground thank them for their time and for listening to you, give them your card, then move on. Don't try to force a connection with people who aren't willing. Sometimes you just can't click with person and it is no fault of your own. You can't possibly be friends with everyone but what you can be is polite and professional. By thanking them for their time you acknowledge that maybe they don't have time to take to you now but you are leaving your business card signifying that you are willing to contact them again soon and maintain a professional relationship. That in itself demands respect.
All that being said it is not impossible to start up a conversation out of the blue. Keep trying and you will get better every time you get out there.
Good luck and remember: have fun! This is supposed to be fun!
But how do you do that when you meet them? Chances are you have only spoken long enough to grab their name and business card. How do you keep that connection so that they remember you the next time they meet you? You have established a connection and now you need to maintain it.
The best way to do this is to send them an e-mail after meeting them. I recommend the next morning but within the next two days is crucial. You don't remember what you had last week for breakfast do you? How about 50 breakfasts ago? Well the person you connected with probably met at least 50 to 100 other people that night for a SMALL event. Events like SIGGRAPH and you are one in several thousand trying to establish that connection. The longer it takes you to e-mail them the harder you are to remember.
If you can, try to arrange a meeting. Buy them lunch or dinner or a beer after work. Many people will take you up on this number one because it doesn't cost them anything and number two they need to keep making connections too. You could be the next John Lasseter or Milt Kahl. How would the know if they didn't take the chance?
(By the way, if you don't know who the aforementioned names are and you are in the animation industry please do some research!)
Also, be nice to people. Offer to help them with a project or with something personal if they mention it in passing. Offer to volunteer with them. Volunteering is one of the best ways to meet people. Volunteer for your local film festival or for an animation mixer. People you meet there are likely the kinds that are either in the same industry or are like minded individuals such as yourself. The more positive connections you make with people the better.
LinkedIn is another great way to maintain that connection. LinkedIn is great because it not only connects you to that person, it adds all their connections to your extended network. This can be a great tool when trying to find out who the recruiters are at a company.
There is one major thing to keep in mind when trying to connect with people. If you can't connect with them quickly or can't seem to find some common ground thank them for their time and for listening to you, give them your card, then move on. Don't try to force a connection with people who aren't willing. Sometimes you just can't click with person and it is no fault of your own. You can't possibly be friends with everyone but what you can be is polite and professional. By thanking them for their time you acknowledge that maybe they don't have time to take to you now but you are leaving your business card signifying that you are willing to contact them again soon and maintain a professional relationship. That in itself demands respect.
All that being said it is not impossible to start up a conversation out of the blue. Keep trying and you will get better every time you get out there.
Good luck and remember: have fun! This is supposed to be fun!
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