#166 | CONNECT TO SUCCESS—LET’S TALK ABOUT NETWORKING

This episode is sponsored by Warner Brothers

As many of you know, I work full-time as a fight director in the film, theatre, and television industry here in Scotland. Over the past few months, I’ve been very much in demand, with jobs coming thick and fast—something I certainly can’t complain about! But it’s great to finally be back with you after a bit of a delay.

For Season 14, you’ll be getting 12 new episodes over the next 12 weeks, starting with this one. I’ll share more about what’s coming up a little later, but first.

Have you ever felt like it’s all just too overwhelming to break into or even stay relevant in your own industry? Like opportunities are out there, but you’re not sure how to find them or if you have been around for a while, to re-establish your connections? Well, you’re not alone—and the answer might lie in today’s topic: Networking.

It’s something many of us struggle with—whether it’s feeling uncomfortable putting ourselves out there or simply not knowing where to start.

Today, we’re breaking down how networking can boost your productivity, solidify your professional relationships, and unlock doors you never knew existed. From attending industry events to engaging in online creative communities, you'll discover practical strategies to get noticed and stay connected in the ever-evolving world of the creative industries and beyond.

If you are anything like me and work as a creative freelancer then you will have often felt isolated or unsure about how to approach things like networking. And all this comes from the unique business position that we find ourselves in.

As freelancers, we’re flying solo most of the time. There’s no team around us to bounce ideas off or chat with over a coffee. This topic possibly deserves an episode all on its own and it’s certainly a key reason why getting better at networking will benefit you.

We also usually don’t have a regular steady team to build long-term connections with and clients or employers come and go, and while some relationships last, many are gone a day after they started. I find that perhaps only about 10-15% of my regular employers build relationships beyond the job. On the other hand, I always try to build relationships with those that I work with often, not because I am desperately wanting to be liked and employed again, but because freelancing is a lonely business.

Many freelancers work from home or personal studios, limiting their opportunities for daily in-person interactions, but working from home or a personal workspace can get a bit isolated. The fact that there’s not much opportunity for face-to-face interaction in our day-to-day makes networking that much more important.

Most of us who are freelancers don’t stick to 9-to-5. Whether it's late nights, early mornings, or that last-minute rush to get stuff done, the schedule can be all over the place. It wouldn’t be unusual for me to work till 3am or have to work additional hours to get stuff done. A job I did recently hit me with 7 hours of additional prep for the American insurers on the Saturday before the job started on the Monday. I just had to kill my plans and get it done.

Another thing worth mentioning is that freelancers often have to compete for projects, which can lead to a sense of disconnection from others in the same field. After 30 years of this shit I recognise that competing for gigs is now just part of the deal, and while it pushes us to do our best, it can also leave us feeling disconnected and at odds with others in the same industry.

These factors all contribute to feelings of isolation, but you can alleviate them by actively engaging in networking events, online communities, or collaborative projects.

And networking is definitely not something I’ve enjoyed over the years, but it’s a vital skill if you are trying to get ahead or to stabilise our income. I’ve noticed more and more recently that the traditional methods of trying to get your name out there don’t appear to work anymore (unless you have a new angle on it), so things like networking, getting face to face ideally with a potential employer are even more important than they once were.

I’m going on about networking here as it’s ultimately another productivity skill and the creative industry often runs on word-of-mouth recommendations. It saves time & effort and building a strong network can help you bypass the frustration of cold pitching or endlessly searching for opportunities. Surrounding yourself with like-minded creatives or mentors also keeps you motivated to stay on track and it’s worth mentioning too that many gigs or collaborations aren’t advertised—they come through relationships.

They say that firstly,  you should start small when thinking about your networkingf opportunities:

Join online communities for creatives—Look to Facebook groups, Twitter threads, or LinkedIn posts and comment thoughtfully on someone else’s work or share something that resonates with you. Don’t be afraid to send a message to someone you admire, but make it genuine—compliment their work, ask a specific question, or share why you appreciate them.

Networking thrives on reciprocity. The theory of reciprocity states that people are more likely to respond positively and return favours to those who have treated them kindly or offered assistance. It’s a key part of the productivity world. When you give first, people remember you—and they’re more likely to return the favour.” Share resources, recommend someone else for a job, or highlight someone’s work on social media.

I see many people fail on social media, because they focus solely on self-promotion. They don’t engage with their followers, disregarding comments or messages in response to their posts. This approach stops them from building a genuine and interactive online presence, as it discourages two-way communication and reduces the potential for building stronger connections.

If you are going down this route, then set realistic goals for yourself, to give you focus, rather than approaching networking as a scatter gun approach:

For example, say “This month, I’ll reach out to two new connections, attend one event, and reconnect with someone I’ve lost touch with.” You can further breakdown your networking goals into manageable steps so it doesn’t feel overwhelming.

You can also use tools like a contact tracker or a notebook to keep track of who you’ve reached out to and when and schedule time monthly or weekly to maintain and grow your network.

Let's imagine a freelance filmmaker attending a film festival:

Instead of rushing from person to person, trying to introduce themselves to every attendee, they notice a fellow filmmaker whose work they've admired for a long time. They approach this person and engage in an earnest conversation about their shared experiences in the industry, discussing the unique challenges they've faced on various projects, the techniques they've developed, and the aspirations they have for future films.

Through this one interaction, the filmmaker not only gains valuable insights but also forms a connection that could potentially lead to collaborations, referrals, or even just a supportive friendship. Networking isn't about collecting contacts; it's about creating and building upon genuine connections through authentic conversations.

So if you were that filmmaker, what would you do to help lock in that new contact? Here are a few examples of how to ensure the new contact stays strong.

1. Exchange contact information: Ensure that you can stay in touch by swapping business cards, social media handles, or email addresses.

2. Follow-up communication: After the event, reach out with a friendly message. Reference something specific from your conversation to show you were genuinely engaged.

3. Schedule a follow-up meeting: Propose a virtual coffee meeting or a visit to each other's studio to discuss potential collaborations, share more ideas, or simply continue the conversation.

4. Collaborate on a project: If the chemistry is right and there's a mutual interest, explore opportunities to work together on a future film project, or perhaps offer support and feedback on each other's individual projects.

5. Attend future events together: Keep an eye out for upcoming film festivals, workshops, or panel discussions where you can continue to build your professional relationship and support each other's careers.

And yes, you have to nurture networking over time—plant your seeds, water them regularly, and let them grow organically and I’d add too that you really want to avoid waiting until you’re desperate for work to start building connections.

Imagine yourself this time as someone who actively participates in creative gatherings, engages with fellow professionals on social media, and collaborates with diverse talents on multiple projects. You allocate your time and effort to grow genuine relationships within your creative influence, focusing not only on potential work opportunities but also on exchanging expertise, pooling resources, and championing collective growth.

As you develop your network, you can then expect to:

• Receive referrals or recommendations for new projects or job opportunities, and this does happen – eventually…

• Forge connections with like-minded individuals for future collaborations. These can come back into play even years later.

• Gain wisdom and guidance from seasoned professionals in the field. Seize the opportunities as the arise.

• Share your knowledge and contribute to the growth of your network.

The quote "Your network is your net worth" by Porter Gale highlights the value of relationships in achieving personal and professional success. It suggests that the people you surround yourself with—your network—can be just as important, if not more so, than financial resources. A strong network offers opportunities for support, collaboration, learning, and growth, which can ultimately contribute to your success.

Porter Gale, popularized this idea in her book "Your Network Is Your Net Worth: Unlock the Hidden Power of Connections for Wealth, Success, and Happiness in the Digital Age." In the book, she explains how building authentic, mutually beneficial relationships can lead to greater happiness and success, both personally and professionally. It’s about focusing on quality connections rather than quantity and fostering genuine relationships that align with your values and goals.

And I’ll end by hammering home three key takeaways from Porter Gale's book "Your Network Is Your Net Worth":

1. Focus on Authentic Connections: Building genuine, meaningful relationships based on trust and mutual value is far more impactful than simply collecting contacts.

2. Quality Over Quantity: A smaller network of strong, authentic connections can open more doors and provide more support than a large network of superficial ones.

3. Give Before You Receive: Generosity and helping others without expecting immediate returns strengthen relationships and often lead to unexpected opportunities.

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So let me wrap up here and give you a wee call to action.

Who can you reach out to this week? A mentor you’ve lost touch with? A colleague you admire? Or someone new whose work inspires you? Start small, but start right now.

I must add too that, in today’s world, everyone—including the people you want to connect with—is overwhelmed by information. Social media feeds, emails, and messages pile up, making it harder than ever to stand out. That’s why networking needs to be intentional. It’s not about bombarding people with endless updates or self-promotion—it’s about building genuine, meaningful relationships.

To stay visible, focus on consistency and authenticity. Check in periodically, share something valuable, or simply remind them you’re around. It’s not about being pushy—it’s about being present.

Over the next 12 weeks I’ll be presenting new shows on taking action, reasons why creatives fail, Self Sabotage, Productivity Lies, Chinese battle strategies that are relevant to productivity in today’s word, firing bad clients. The art of letting go, the bad apple effect and jealousy and grace, but next week I’ll be presenting an episode called You Reap What You Sow: Hard Truths About Success so stay tuned for that.

If you are enjoying the show, I do urge you to subscribe, leave a review on whatever podcast app you listen on, and I do urge you to share this episode with a friend or colleague who might benefit from better networking habits.

Just remember folks, that Networking isn’t about selling yourself—it’s about showing up, giving value, and letting relationships grow naturally.

Let me end today with some anonymous but well-kent words from the universe that you are sure to recognise. “It’s not what you know, but who you know that makes the difference.”

Now take control of your own destiny, keep on shooting and join me next time on Film Pro Productivity and Success

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