7 Ways to Network Without Actually Networking — Chapter 3. Woo.
An article I wrote in January, “How Networking Gave Me One of the Best Years of my Life,” made me realize that often I network effectively without having to do much that resembles the classic idea of networking. Each month I share specific examples of the “networking” I do that resulted in paid work, business opportunities and leads, fun collaborations, new friends, or interesting experiences.
Click here to read last month’s (February) article or January for more networking without networking suggestions, and read on for March’s fanciness:
As usual, I’d like to first acknowledge that everyone’s situation is different. We all don’t have the amount of time, network to draw from, family and friend support, or the experience I have that makes a lot of this possible. That said, my hope is that these stories and suggestions spark new ideas for each individual reader to apply in a way that fits their personal journey:
Video for Workbar
Around this time last year (2018), I left my head of events role at a network of co-working spaces called Workbar in order to focus on other interests such as my video production company. Based mainly upon my team and I’s work on the Techstars Air Force Accelerator videos, Workbar reached out to me to direct a video for them in March of 2019, almost exactly one year later after I left.
If you’ve read my previous posts, you know that taking the leap of faith to leave Workbar to try to create the life I wanted in my heart the most was a scary step to take, but one that resulted in an amazing adventure of a year. — After leaving Workbar, over the course of 10 months, I did 20 corporate videos, directed a music video, put on three events in LA and Boston, worked briefly with the “Lip Sync Battle” TV show crew, and travelled cross country twice, among other fun stuff.
I have a long history with Workbar doing my own events or being a member, so it feels like there’s good amount of synergy being back involved with Workbar again.
Bottom Line: While you never know where your next opportunity may come from, it often can be folks you’ve worked with previously. Additionally, opportunities may come up from folks you’ve known in a different capacity than your current business. Your product or service may be needed by even more folks than you previously thought about, so my suggestion is fo folks to take time to consider ways to increase their prospect pool…and to keep in touch with previous contacts who haven’t converted yet or even who you suspect never will.
Video for Los Angeles Startup Weekend
While working with stakeholder at the Boston-based Techstars Air Force Accelerator, through a casual personal conversation, I mentioned that I also produce/edit videos in Los Angeles. A few weeks later, that same stakeholder connected me to someone in their network who was seeking video services for a project in Los Angeles. One other note, “doing regular video work in LA” was high on my list of things I wanted to create for myself when I first took the leap to leave Workbar (see above.)
Bottom Line: Share your story (without TMI) and your journey with folks with no other agenda than connecting on a purely human level, and you might be surprised by what business opportunities come up from that place of sincerity. People generally want to help others, and if you can provide value, that ability can actually make the people who refer you “look good” to their network and strengthen their role as a connector. So, know your value as a person, your value as a business, and understand that despite how the saying goes, all business is personal.
Also, I suggest increase your scope of the customers you think you will be able to reach and take time to map out exactly what you want out of your life and business. You might be surprised that by becoming as clear as possible as to what your goals are, and by being sincerely open with others about what you are seeking, it can bring up opportunities and networking help from others you wouldn’t expect.
Podcast on Video Production
A friend of mine heard the first episode of my “That’s What I’m Saying!” podcast and he was so impressed by my work that he asked me to be the regular host of his upcoming podcast. Shazam.
Bottom Line: Spend time doing projects you enjoy, without expectation other than it will be fun. Maintaining that perspective means the project will be fun for you at the very least, but it also opens up the possibility of other business opportunities to come you way as well.
Los Angeles Filmmaking Panel Event
I put on another event at WeWork-Hollywood (one of six events I’ve planned in a year), this one was a panel event on different aspects of filmmaking. As usual, it was incredibly fun for me, it brought me a lot of joy personally, and i brought a lot of valuable learning to the 40 or so folks in attendance.
My events are free and I cover the costs of food, event assistants, fun prizes, and the leg work needed to organize the panelists…and to plan every detail the event…so the events cost me money. That, and I have yet to get a business lead from the evens. But I put them on because I enjoy putting on events. That’s enough for me.
Bottom Line: As I mention often, do things that you find are fun, that feed your soul, and brings you joy. Or more specifically, do things for others without expectation for reward, and you just might find fun, joy, and a way to feed your soul. And who knows? Maybe these events will lead to something business-related for me later, but I’m not expecting it.
From a networking perspective, what is more “networking without networking” than creating an event that helps others connect and build their own network?
Mojitos
One day I was on my way to reconnect with a videography friend in LA who I last worked with in 2018 on our Techstars production at Workbar…and who I was going to talk with about doing more work with Techstars in LA. I had some time, so I stopped by one of my favorite bars for a mojito. Yes, a mojito.
As I walked into the place, I noticed that the lead singer of one of the very few bands I follow on social media was sitting at the bar. We have a number of friends in common since we are both part of Boston’s local music scene, but to bump into her in LA when I stopped by a bar on a whim, well, it’s interesting at the very least. We talked a little bit and I mentioned that I direct music videos and ‘lo and behold, she may need a music video in the future. Networking Without Networking. Jumanji.
Beyond that, the last time I was in LA and in the mood for a mojito, I asked a random group of people who were leaving the restaurant we were at the same time if they knew of a good place to get one. From that one question, a lively conversation was started and it turned out they were part of an organization I wanted to partner with at my future events. It’s been almost six months since I met them, and we still keep in touch.
Bottom Line: Stay open to serendipity.
Catch Up E-Mail with Your Current Network
I sent an email update to my network that shared a few details about what I’m up to these days. One of the few people who responded with an encouraging word was a friend I hadn’t talked to in a while and who is a video motion graphics designer. The interesting thing about this is that the same day that she emailed me her response the same day that I found that I was in need of a motion graphics person for a project I just signed on to do.
Bottom Line: Reach out to those in your network, especially folks you haven’t talked to in a while, just to keep in touch. Not only is it good for the soul, not only could you reconnect with folks who bring you joy, but you may find that friends and colleagues you’ve lost touch with can provide business value or other opportunities…but again, reach out just to say hello, let the business happen if it’s going to happen…focus on basic human connections, that’s what it’s all about Yo.
My seventh suggestion for how to network without networking is to write a blog about something you’re passionate about, something you’re interested in, or something you know a fair amount about.
And…”scene”.
About the Author
Jeremy Jed Hammel got his start working in TV production in the production offices for NBC Late Night, eventually doing some producing work for “Later” and talent research for “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”. He also worked in the production offices of the drama “ER.” In the independent film realm, he has produced or directed 15+ short films that screened at over 140 film festivals including one that won Best Film at Comic-Con San Diego and has over 1 million views on Youtube. On the commercial/corporate side of video production, Jeremy has produced, directed, or edited projects for clients such as Techstars Air Force Accelerator, Startup Institute, the Cambridge Innovation Center, UMASS-Lowell, and Alienware/Dell computer, among others.
