Anything Goes : Building a strong network by Chris Diani

thats how I feel about the connection thing. I get asked to be connected by people who know nothing about me. I didnt want to spoil the fun and added them. But what for?

I've been working a bit at connecting on here the last couple of weeks ... and I have made connections with people I do not yet know. But there is purpose behind the "madness..." I'm in the final stages of production of a current feature, so I'm strapped for time. But I have new projects coming up almost faster than I can finish the preproduction. So - I want to make some network connections of people who may want to work with my production company in our upcoming projects NOW - even though I don't have a lot of time right at this moment to screen and get to know everyone well. It's enough for me that they are here networking (a sign they are open to network opportunities), living and working in my area, and doing jobs that I know I will need filled in the next few months.

No. Like any other business, it's all about the numbers. It's not what somebody knows, it's who they might know. You probably won't see that in their profile or in their network list.

.....and it may turn out that you need them in the future! Just as they may need you too!

Darva, at 58 people in your network, I don't think you're guilty of anything I railed against in this post. ;-) That said, I think your network will be that much stronger if you just send a quick note of intro before you request a connection with someone. It doesn't even have to be personalized; just write a summary of what you said here: "Hi, I'm in the final stages of production on a feature, and have new projects coming up quick. I'm looking to network with people in my area who may want to work with my production company on our upcoming projects. Let's connect!"

I understand what your saying Chris, but I do have a different method. I started by adding everyone in my city, I've moved on to adding everyone in my state. If someone asks to connect with me- I accept them.... then this is where I'm different than the average "bump up my karma score page 32er".... I actually connect. Every person in my network has had their page looked at by me, I have watched reels, read profiles and made friends. I've bantered and chatted and been snarky and sweet. I've learned from others and been witness to people's amazing work that I would have never ever seen before had I gone with your method. Now I know there are people out there who just add me without looking at my projects, that's on them not me... as for me, I've shaken 470 hands, looked at 470 profiles and made some great connections :)

But this is all wrong, somehow. Your scenario, where you're clicking away with abandon, is a bit like going to a networking event. You collect business cards: now, you could say "hmm, I don't think I'll take hers because she wouldn't be of any use to me", and that's fair enough if it's the business card which breaks the camel's back. But look - who among us can plan that exactly into the future and say exactly who we need to connect with? None of us! And none of us is precisely how many can plan, every time, down to the merest fraction of an inch, and from the very beginning, our every requirement for a project; at least none of us who hasn't got crystal balls. Besides, we can search in vain, individually,for the very person we need to scratch any particular itch, but a wide circle of friends will probably know of someone, if it doesn't already contain them. Besides, as they help you in your hour of need so do they help you in yours. I know this is a slightly communist idea, but share the love and let the world be a better place. That said,you have to make the effort with your network as well...

Well said Andrew. Why you're a perfect example. You added me- you don't know me from anybody, but you asked me just the same. So I went to your page, and I looked you over and found you a regular funny guy. Why you live across the pond! In what real world would we ever work? Perhaps never, or perhaps we might, nevertheless, you might know of someone in your network that could help me here, or visa versa. At any rate, I've shaken your hand, and I read your posts and everyday I come to know you better. :)

{takes a bow} thangew, thangew etc. Would that all my critics were so easily pleased! It's not impossible we would never work together (after all, everyone has a unique gift to give the world, and it might just happen I have the perfect back-scratcher for you and vicey versey), but that's not the point. We live in an inter-connected world where each of us needs different things, and it's so easy to get it this way, whereas in the days of smoke signals, where it doesn't mean "help, my blanket's on fire", we would have to make do with what's available, thus making the perfect theatrical souffle all the more difficult.

Oh Andrew stop stop! My husband and I are in stitches! and yes, I've listened to your opera music, it's lovely, we very well may work together :)

There's a big difference between attending a networking event, where you introduce yourself, have a conversation, and actually connect with people vs. clicking "ADD" to profile after profile (after profile) with no initial or further contact whatsoever. It's like going to a networking event, throwing a stack of business cards at the crowd, and walking away. Not my idea of a quality contact, and not the business card I'd keep.

... yes, but Chris you do see that I am connecting with people yes?

Loralie, if you connect with each of your contacts, you're building a quality network. But hey, my opinion is just my opinion; do what works for you. (And for the record, my Facebook friends list is about twice the size of your Stage 32 network, so take all of this with a grain of salt.)

well no see, there ya go. My facebook is mostly friends and family and less than half of my stage 32 page. :)

Nice job, Loralie!

Thanks Robert!

I've made some great connections and next week go to a screening of a film that I composed the score for. I met the director on stage 32, and luckily he was based in Melbourne and we caught up, had a coffee and away we went.

That's the way to do it, Simon! Have a great screening next week!

Very nicely written. Social networking is all about making connection and not about how much you can spam or how many people you connect to without having a relationship with. That's not only a problem on here but also in the literary world as well. You can tell the spammers on Facebook and Twitter too. No one likes to see a spammer.

Everyone has their own reason.......I'm not trigger happy myself. I build connections with the idea that they may be someone in the future that I can collaborate with or has an expertise that can enlighten me. We all have something to learn from each other; so in essence, if I ate with both hands while having just one mouth, not only would there be waste, but my consumption would be tainted......Hence.... quality reigns!!!!!!!!!!!

Then Loralie, may I suggest you stop running into sharp objects in tandem (or even riding into them on tandems). That's got to hurt... But anyway, to get back to the point (a sharp object it's always good to have a dalliance with, at least once in a while), if we are going to be super-dooper-party-pooper selective in who we relate to, or who we allow to relate to us, then we are bringing limits into our lives. Of course, I know more than most that we have limited time to do our stuff, and the time we can spend doing the verbal shimmy with anyone is short. But by adding someone you're saying "hey, I like you; maybe we can have an explore or something". And if you don't bother, you may as well not be on the network, to be blunt.

It's just a matter of being nice to everyone instead of trying to sell them something.

@ Andrew :p

Exactly my point, Allison. People buy when they want to. You can't sell to them when you want to.

I completely agree with the premise of this thread - I sometimes feel like perhaps I am being elitist with my selections to approve certain people in my network, but in the end I read every profile requesting an add, and sometimes will usually send a message as to why they want to connect with me, I don't always have the time to do that - but I focus a good 15% of my week on social networking. It is absolutely imperative that you focus on a professional network, not just for the folks that you feel can help you, but essentially for those you also feel you can help. while that is a broad statement, an easier example is seen in LinkedIn - I use it extensively in my professional career - I get requests from friends that have nothing to do with the film industry, let alone - nothing to do in a professional sense, i.e., a retail clerk at a local video gaming store. My answer to this is simply, friend me on facebook, on linkedIn I only attach myself to those that are involved in some way with my businesses or can at some point collaborate with me on a professional level, and the concept of my profile has to be justified to those I associate with in my professional life. Some people simply do not understand this...(while method of delivery is important). Networking as a whole is about discovery, and perhaps someone that is not, where a discerning eye would deem, ready professionally - does not mean they won't be. However, it's about polite and professional communication - don't simply add people - talk to them first, see what they are doing, does their project fit your abilities? Is there potential for the future? Or are you specifically targeting them with an agenda, vice versa? Sometimes you simply have your instincts to go on for these choices. Definitely consider them, as opposed to simply growing a massive network of faces you do not recognize that you never actually communicate with or plan to utilize...

I couldn't agree more, Michael.

Thing with contacts as well - whether or not you use them, your other contacts probably will. And the more contacts you have, the more probable that your SEO will work better.

Thank you, Emanuel. What seems to have gotten lost in this discussion is the idea (which I floated in my original post) that you build a stronger network by considering not only what your potential connections can do for you, but what YOU can do for them. As for the idea that you're not really part of the community if you're not connecting with every person in it or that you "may as well not be on the network" if you're not accepting all connection requests, I respectfully disagree. If accepting all requests is your thing and you feel like your network is stronger for it, more power to you. I prefer a more deliberate approach, where real relationships are valued over list building.

You're telling me I can't respectfully disagree with someone? I'm sorry, who's the controlling one here?

I would rather add people to my Network or join theirs if I read they at least have looked at my work and mentioned something or find that maybe we have something to offer each other. Its true in the last weeks seems there is a pick up in Network requests...maybe its the summer, sunshine and people feeling more positive:-).

Don't agree with you Chris. I consider idea of socialising on Stage 32 or any social media is just like going to a bar or nighclub, it is to expand my social circle. Each person will bring in a different gift, or different perspective and which can only enrich the group. Also, I believe in giving, not taking. Tom

Thanks for your comment, Tom. I thought I was clearly advocating giving vs. taking, so I'm sorry if this thread gave you the opposite impression. And I'll say this again: it's your network, do what works for you. I started this discussion hoping people would stop and examine the quality of their connections, and MAYBE dissuade someone from taking the I-need-8000-contacts-or-I-won't-succeed-in-the-biz approach. But you have a small network and it looks like you take the time to personally connect with each of your contacts, so I'm honestly not sure where we disagree.

Chris, I see your point. I too agree to that to get contacts for the sake of it is a waste of time. Let's both agree we are on the same wavelength after all. Now let's have some some dialogue. You can buy me the beer should we ever meet. :) What are you working on right now? Tom

I am a firm believer in the 6 degrees of separation theory-- everyone knows someone who knows someone who knows someone who could help you. I'm here to expand my network of people who have the skills that would actually be useful to one or two of my productions as well as collaborate on theirs if the chance arises. I actually do sit and look at each profile that requests a network connection and when the time comes to collaborate, I'll have a pool of people I can go to. There may be one location scout in my network that can find something another can't and it can vary from project to project. I'm getting private messages from location scouts, composers, stunt people, art directors, production designers, ADs, cinematographers... you name it and my network is growing with them every day. You can't grow in any business if won't allow your network to grow... and this IS a business. That's like finally making it to Hollywood but only choosing a few people to exclusively be in your network when there's a whole world of talented people to surround yourself with. You're just limiting yourself and the potential of your production. And, besides, when I've made it that far, I'll have the freedom to tighten my network of players, if I choose to do so. At this point, I'll take all the networking numbers I can get. If I have my choice between building a network of 1000 people on Stage 32 and a useless circle of 1000 "friends" on Facebook.... I think I'll take the 1000 here with whom I actually have something in common. Besides, I am pretty sure that when any of us makes it far enough in this industry to be hanging out at a party with Spielberg and he asks for any info about connections, that person will have plenty to tell no matter where those connections came from.

@J. Brian--I couldn't agree with you more. FB for me is all about friends and family. I won't include 1,000 people there. This is all about networking and putting the business in "show business". I reached 1,000 people here very quickly. I'm able to put projects together with people from other states who I wouldn't have known otherwise.

I take a more pragmatic approach to accepting connection requests; if these people have made the time to connect to me, then I'm willing to give them a chance to audition or prove themselves when the time comes that I need someone in their field. For all I know, one of the dozens of actors who've connected to me may not be good for the project I'm working on today, but they could be perfect for the project I'm working on five years from now - what's the point in my seeking them out again when I can have them in my online Rolodex? That said, I'm pretty careful about who I send requests to - usually it's agents, managers or producers I'd like to get into business with. One of my favourite connections was a writer/producer that I'm a huge fan of - I even interviewed her for an article a couple of years ago - that just happened to be a connection of a connection. I'm not trying to raise numbers for the sake of it, but if people want to know what I'm up to, far be it from me to resist that unnecessarily. And, frankly, I think Spielberg has better things to do than look through my Stage32 connections all day. Actually, talking of six degrees of separation - one of my friends, a writer, was hired by Spielberg himself for Terra Nova. So I'm sure if I had something he desperately needed to see, it could be arranged.

Just so we're clear: nowhere in this thread have I advocated a wholesale rejection of all connection requests. A deliberate approach to networking is still a valid form of networking. I do love hearing about how other people connect, even if their networking style is completely different from my own approach. Like I've said before: do what works for you. One thing no one has really touched upon yet is the difference between a network and an audience. Kriss mentioned connecting with people who want to know what he's up to; I prefer to use Facebook and Twitter for that purpose, leaving LinkedIn and Stage 32 for professional connections and potential collaborators. That's not to say someone can't be both a professional connection and a member of your audience (in fact, I'm planning on working with a young filmmaker I met via a fan letter she wrote after watching my first feature), but the larger your network gets, the harder it can be to discern who is who. Tom, I'm a bit of a moving target right now, but beer will definitely be on me if we ever do meet. I'm currently developing a screwball rom-com set at a furry convention titled "Let's Pretend We're Bunny Rabbits." What are you working on?

I have network connections with people in my own city and state, but keeping my network that tight would be choking the life out of anything bigger I want to accomplish. Keeping a close circle of friends is one thing, but when you're trying to build a career in the entertainment business, it's about numbers because those number can produce contacts for you that some of your best friends could never get. For example, I live in Louisiana, yet I am closely working with producers in Missouri and Michigan who were able to use their connections in their networks to secure two well known sci-fi actors and a well known sci-fi director for my next movie. These 3 guys have lots of pull in the Roddenberry circle of actors and producers, among other groups. No body I know personally in Louisiana could have done that. In this business, you're going to work with people from all over the world at some point... some of whom you may never meet face to face.

I try to reach out across the vast pond from Asia. so I try to connect with lots of people through social media as I am not often able to network at many usa film fests