Networking tutorial!
Added 2017-06-20 01:05:34 +0000 UTCICYMI: A giveaway contest for all $5+ Patrons (that's you) going on rn, just comment before the month is out to be entered :]
ICYMI2: Another giveaway!!! You can win a free signed soft or hardcover Meek V1 book, simply reblog to this post to enter~
Did you know (you probably do) that it takes a lot of networking to be a successful professional in any industry?
Did you know (maybe you don't) that by being part of my Patreon, you are in fact networking with me RIGHT NOW? Any time I see your name on the internet, we're networking! aaa
Just being present is a form of online networking... the more familiar I am with you, your name and your general demeanor, the more of a sense I get about you! If I meet you in person, that solidifies even more. You can make a lot of friends and connections in a ton of fields by practicing varying levels of passive and active online and in-person networking techniques.
A bit of a caveat, I have social anxiety, not the "a little shy at parties kind" but the kind that negatively impacts my day-to-day ability to do normal stuff. To get around it I've developed a bit of hyper-sensitivity to other people's actions and I have to plan out some of my interactions in advance so I don't freeze when I'm actually carrying them out, which is where a lot of the thoughts in this tutorial come from. I thought it might be useful to point out a few common-sense cues for dealing with people online and otherwise, so apologies if any of it is obvious! but sometimes it isn't for some people, and I wanted to make sure that even socially-challenged folks like me feel like they can muster up the courage to make some new friends in art.
Thanks for reading, and the worksheet will be up soon!
Comments
I absolutely love networking (I think of it as just making new friends-- takes the pressure off and helps guide what is appropriate and what isn't) but I still picked up lots of new tips and tricks! Thank you, can't wait to check out the supplemental worksheet :)
Joie Foster
2017-08-17 19:16:55 +0000 UTCI was v excited to see this tutorial, because networking is seriously my weakest skill! This is so so helpful; I also have detrimental social anxiety so all the kinda obvious stuff in the tut is really valuable to me. Also that line about artists not knowing they exist and need confirmation is... so real...
Hannah Krieger
2017-06-23 15:44:17 +0000 UTCYour tutorials were a big part of why I finally decided to become a patron and this one is so relevant to my focus these days that it feels like a sign. I really appreciate that it feels written by and about actual people? I work with a lot of aggressive sales people at my day job, so it’s reassuring to see a discussion of networking that isn’t focused on the job prospect or sales opportunity over the human being. I definitely relate to the social anxiety-driven preparation – it’s why online interaction is often so much easier for me, personally. I also just wanted to take the time to say thank you! Not just for your posts, but for a really nice sketch I commissioned from you many years ago at Comic-Con. It’s nice to finally support you in a more official way!
Genevieve Hammang
2017-06-22 23:04:10 +0000 UTCThanks for this! Lots of stuff that seem so.. simple, but never crossed my mind (like seeing commissions as networking!), because I think a lot of times "nooo they're so good and well-known, why would they talk to me abloobloo" but that's just me kind of excluding myself lol
Nathalia B.
2017-06-22 12:47:16 +0000 UTCSweeet, thank you!
Bex
2017-06-20 23:08:05 +0000 UTCThanks again for a great tutorial! I really liked the do's and don't when it comes to gifts, I had never thought about that. I can be kind of awkward with people I don't know yet or look up to so this all helps. I've been at a few cons and have had some great and some awkward experiences. Not all interaction clicks together and that's ok. It doesn't mean people don't like me, doing cons is hard and exhausting too, I can imagine. So someone could just be tired. I also frequently hear about artists who feel uncomfortable if someone is clearly in awe of them. (When it goes from genuinely being thankful for the value they brought in your life or the awesome art they make to "you're a superhero") Everyone wants to be appreciated for what they do but being placed on a pedastal makes a lot of people feel bad too.
Henrike Dijkstra
2017-06-20 21:17:27 +0000 UTCadmittedly the first sentence is how I've been feeling lately ^^; sometimes it's easy to get overwhelmed with envy when you're in a low place in life. but being social and enthusiastic for other artists is something I'm still working to improve at. thanks for making this, and for being encouraging!
Dee
2017-06-20 20:33:34 +0000 UTCPretty elaborate. Go with that. I look forward to the fruits of your labor. xD
Tym Palmlund
2017-06-20 20:31:29 +0000 UTCThis tutorial is WAY more helpful and informative than any networking class I was forced to take in college. Everything they taught us there was cold business strategies, and it all comes off as needy and desperate from a mile away. This is a great angle on networking that I'd only just started to consider. Thank you so much!
Kelsey Norden
2017-06-20 17:33:11 +0000 UTCOh dang, yeah that's a unique challenge... but honestly I don't think any artist, unless they were a total dick, would care? They might be confused or unsure about how to proceed but if they actually were rude then man, don't network with people like that anyway. Also: if you ever see me at a con in the future please feel free to come by to say hi and and test out anything on me! You shouldn't feel excluded from having a good time and meeting people.
Der-shing Helmer
2017-06-20 16:39:29 +0000 UTClmao... well I can't help you with internal issues, but externally I don't really see a problem? I think you did a great job as Shagia, I still have a bunch of random trivia about you in my head, like you do some crazy engineering thing and your sister is ES on DA, I think, and your art is very precise and also ultraviolent at times in a way that isn't annoying. A lot about what you do sticks out in my head and personally I've always been extremely flattered that you even talk to me? You seem like a IRL cool and very intelligent person to me and I'm always shocked at the quality of the comments you leave, esp since they pop up randomly out of nowhere and are so insightful, haha... anyways, I wish you wouldn't question yourself so much XD As far as I'm concerned you're already such a memorable and skilled art person in addition to being a memorable person in general. The things you've already achieved are likely way easier than putting yourself out there~
Der-shing Helmer
2017-06-20 16:34:19 +0000 UTClol, don't worry I haven't forgotten... unfortunately my notes for the tut so far are "do the good pacing and don't do the bad pacing"
Der-shing Helmer
2017-06-20 16:28:37 +0000 UTCThanks for the tutorial this week, Shing! You do excellent work, as always. Now about that story pacing tutorial... *cough* lol
Tym Palmlund
2017-06-20 16:16:31 +0000 UTCJust reading “Learn 2 Network” made my liver drop a little, it’s because it’s something I am always so reluctant to do but I know how important it is. This tutorial seriously makes me think about my self-esteem issue. You’ve placed tons of great advice, but I feel blocked. I can’t quite answer the question “Why are you someone worth knowing?” other than “I am not”. It’s such a pestering thought, even at the thought of giving out my “worthless” gift art. But I guess if I am thinking about this at all, and being aware of it, it’s a start. I feel bad now, for being so self-focused. You are human too, you’ve got projects you really care about, worked your butt off for it, and always welcome validations like everyone else, and all I do is sit here and think about “what if I get rejected”. I think one thing I am really bad at is stop seeing myself and everything in terms of “performance”, so I really like that this tutorial focused a bit more on emotional aspects of networking. Thank you putting together really awesome tutorial as always. I really enjoy hearing your input; you always seem to have something really neat to say. and now….the main point of this comment…CAN WE BE FRIENDS???? Notice me senpai
M Jang
2017-06-20 14:20:15 +0000 UTClol'd at the patreon icon comment.
Denmo
2017-06-20 12:15:35 +0000 UTCMan, that "artists aren't sure they exist" quote is so dead on it hurts. This is all incredibly helpful, thank you. I've worked tables at shows like APE and SPX in the past, and one thing that makes me nervous about trying to approach other creators who I admire is the language barrier--I'm Deaf and usually communicate with people by writing back and forth in a notebook. I don't want to cause any awkwardness because of how unusual it is. I'd also worry about unintentionally causing the other person to feel even more awkward, especially if they’ve never interacted with a Deaf person before. In fact, when I was at APE in, I think it was 2010 or 2011—I saw your table, but was too shy to come up and talk because of this exact reason. Limiting the entire interaction to no more than 2-3 minutes seems like it would be a particularly good rule in this situation though, especially since writing is slower than talking.
Bex
2017-06-20 09:04:23 +0000 UTCI've never thought of spreading the word about my favorite artists as networking, but I can see that. I just love helping others find great stuff to read and buy. Also, you made me laugh so much while reading this, so thank you for that! Today was a tough day, and I needed a laugh (or 15). And I was relieved to see that your cat has hidden wings. *whew* -jess
NJGR
2017-06-20 04:28:44 +0000 UTCYeah, commissions are one of the best ways to network because you get a sweet pic out of it too, haha XD I got to talk to so many artists who are otherwise too busy (working on other people's commissions probably), who I would never have gotten to know if I hadn't bought art from them.
Der-shing Helmer
2017-06-20 03:11:40 +0000 UTCVery good advice, and some I can attest to!I love showing off commissions I receive from artists and getting to chat with them through social media nowa days is really nice. Keeps me up to date with new projects they're working on!
Cliffe
2017-06-20 02:28:50 +0000 UTCcongrats~~ (you exist btw)
Der-shing Helmer
2017-06-20 01:58:13 +0000 UTC"Artists aren't sure they exist, and the only way they can be sure is to get other people to confirm it." wow I guess I am a real artist after all
Thomas Whitney
2017-06-20 01:52:58 +0000 UTCI think the best gift I get is when people have mini printout of their comics, if they have one... like one of those 5 pg cheap minis or whatever, it's just nice to see some of their work and humor in one place, also they can fit in all of their contact info and usually 5 pages leads to a "read more!" site link that I'll feel obligated to check out because: cliffhangers. Really good stuff if you can afford to print out some of your work! But then at ECCC someone also gave me a neon tiger and fuck, everyone likes neon tigers too
Der-shing Helmer
2017-06-20 01:43:21 +0000 UTCYesss, good advice! i loved it! Networking is mega scary for me too since I'm ALSO incredibly anxious, and can have mini inner freak outs if something doesn't go as planned. That said, I can definitely vouch for gift giving. I give my fav people tiny prints of my fanart of Jiji from Kiki's Delivery Service, everyone loves Jiji, everyone loves cats, it took me like no time to make, and it's small enough most people don't think they have to give me something in return, which is good because I don't want to make anyone give me free stuff (I love free stuff but omg I will give you my money). ALSO I've found it's much easier to not feel weird networking if you have a table at a convention, at least you have a reason to say hey to a ~fellow exhibitor~ and don't feel creepy (who am I kidding I still feel creepy).
Alisa Bishop
2017-06-20 01:27:15 +0000 UTC
