Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Get out there!

I'm working on getting some more blog writers so that when I'm too busy to write someone else can slid in here. I'm also working on getting a universal logo so that this blog isn't just about ShadowDog Productions. I want this to be about the industry, not just about my business.

Get Out There!

The most important skill you can have as an indie filmmaker (whether that's writing, acting, directing, whatever) is networking. You should always be trying to make contacts, exchange business cards, and get yourself out there. This is hard for the Type B personalities, which most of us are. It's hard to walk up to someone, stick out your hand, and introduce yourself.

I'll be talking in a future post about where you can network, but for now, here are some tips on HOW to network:

1) Obviously, say your name and shake their hand. Everyone knows that, but that's because it's important.

2) Right after the handshake, ask them something about themselves. If there are nametags involved which list specific occupation, ask them about that. Otherwise ask them about their occupation. Ask a followup question. It's universal that people like talking about themselves so it's a good way to break the ice. Again, obvious but important and you'd be surprised how many people don't do it.

3) Next they'll probably ask you about yourself. Here's the hard part, be honest if you're good at something. This has always been hard for me because I'm not a raging egomaniac, but you have to promote yourself. If you don't blow your own horn, there's not going to be any music. So if you're an awesome writer or artist, mention that.

4) If you know two people who don't know each other at a networking party, bring one to the other and introduce them. This is very important because the more you do this, you encourage people to do it for you. Some of the best contacts I've made have been because someone I knew introduced me to someone they knew. Plus, if you bring two people together who go on to make beautiful movies together, they will always remember the saint who brought them together.

5) A less formal but another good way to cold introduce yourself to someone is to ask them a question rather than sticking out your hand. "Are you an actor, you have that suave actor look." "Are you a writer, you look very smart." Whether you're right or wrong, the ice is broken. The key is talking to as many people as possible. The natural instinct is to gravitate towards the six people you know in the room and hang out with them, but that doesn't get you anywhere. You're there to meet new people, or why did you come? Get get your ass out there and make it happen!

6) At the end of the night, cruise back through the room and say good night to everyone you met for the first time, shake their hand, and tell them it was nice meeting them (assuming it was). We all met a lot of people tonight, so this helps cement you in their brain and them in yours.

Networking is kind of like going through all the terrible parts of dating without being able to look forward to any of the fun parts ... a couple nights a month for the rest of your career. So that aspect of it can suck. But, on the other hand, most people are fun and interesting once you get to know them, so after that first night of introductions are out of the way you can forget about the awkwardness and the next time you see them, you know them!

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