Episode Details

I get it. You most likely chose a creative career because you love working on your own. As a Hollywood film & tv editor I spend the vast majority of my life in a small dark room...alone. I not only chose my profession because I love the craft of filmmaking, I also chose it because I’m not the most social person on the planet. I’m what you would call an “extreme introvert.” (Don’t believe me? Just ask my wife)

Being introverted and socially awkward is not a valid excuse, however, for avoiding the most necessary step to landing your dream career - networking.

I don't care how amazing you are at your specific craft, it doesn't matter if the right people don't know that you exist.

The key mindset shift when it comes to networking is thinking of it as a skill you must develop no different than learning software. Rather than spending time watching Adobe Premiere or After Effects tutorials, your primary objective is developing your ability to persuade. No matter how socially awkward you might be now, networking is absolutely a skill you can master with practice and consistency.

Defining the Term "Expert"

For the sake of clarity let’s first define the term “expert” because it can apply to many different types of people, it’s not about only finding masters of your craft who are the best ever at what they do. Sure meeting Steven Spielberg would be amazing, but getting to know his receptionist is a far more likely path to getting in the door.

• An expert could very easily be someone at the very top of their game and a legend in your field. An example in my specific industry would be Walter Murch, Oscar-winning editor of such films as Apocalypse Now, The Conversation, The English Patient,  Cold Mountain, and frankly too many other classics to mention.
• An expert can also mean someone just slightly more experienced than you. The outside world might not consider this person an “expert,” but they’ve gone further down the path than you have. They are an expert at helping you get from where you are to where you want to be. For example, if you’re working as a night logger on a reality TV show, an “expert” to you could be an assistant editor working on a high profile scripted drama.

Your networking approach is no different whether you’re approaching a legend or someone only one rung higher than you on the same ladder.

Networking Done Very, Very Wrong

There is a right way and a wrong way to go about connecting and building relationships with industry experts and influencers no matter if you're approaching them in person or electronically. Heeding the following warnings could literally be the difference between you landing your dream career someday vs wondering why you “never get lucky.”

1) DO NOT ask for anything. Don’t hand someone your demo reel and/or business card right after meeting them and say, “I’m available for work right now and I have XYZ skills, and I’ve worked for all these different companies and if you hear of anything that might be available I’d love to be considered. And I’d love your thoughts on my demo reel too!”

Put yourself in the expert's shoes for a second. They got where they are by working hard and building their own network. They have an entire list of people at their fingertips for when jobs open. Why would they consider you? They don’t know you from anyone else and they have no id