The importance of networking within the creative industries.

 

In this blog post we will talk about social networking; we will cover what networking is why it’s important to do as a website designer/ developer and will cover how to get stated creating your own social network.

What do we mean by networking?

Social networking is the process of connecting with other people who have similar interests and or professions in order to share information and share ideas. Social networking can be used to create a support network that you can rely on if you need them. Connecting with the correct people in the website design and development industry can boost your professional reputation and could lead to you getting job offers or collaboration offers from different website developers to assist with their projects.

Networking is a great tool to take advantage of especially if you want to become a freelance website developer as if you have a lot of connections in the website design and development industry then if you are ever struggling or need advice you will have the people in your network that you can ask. Networking is also a good way to find out what is currently trending or being updated in the industry.

Why is networking important in the creative industries?

Networking in the creative industries more specifically the website design and development industry is important as it let’s you connect and build lasting relationships with others in the website design and development industry. Your network will become a big community of people in the industry that could influence, inspire and support you in your career. Having connections in the industry could end up leading to you finding employment without having to fill in applications or going through the interview process as employers can view your work and personally reach out to you to offer you positions.

Networking can be difficult as a lot of effort and timekeeping are required for it to show successful results. One way to help this is by ensuring that the content you share or post is relevant to the website design and development industry, you should also try to only follow and connect with people that are also in the website design and development industry as it will help keep the content you see relevant to the industry.

So how do you get started creating your network?

To get started creating your network you first must remember that as it is a professional network you are trying to create you have to act in a professional manner in all areas related to your network. Such as ensuring that all the posts you create are respectful and relevant to your industry.

One of the best ways to start networking is by having a good online presence, we covered this is a previous blog post so refer back to that for more information by clicking here. I know I have mentioned it in every blog post so far but having a good portfolio website is one of the strongest tools a website designer/ developer can have, your portfolio is your first impression on people who have never seen your work before, so you have to ensure that your portfolio is strong and displays your best work.

Networking at events compared to networking online – how should you conduct yourself?

In the website design and development industry there are a lot of opportunities to go to in person networking events and seminars.  Going to in person events can be nerve wracking and can be scary especially if you have never attended an event like this before, don’t worry there will be a lot of people who feel the same way as you and are nervous about attending. Don’t let this stop you, you should attend as many events as you can they are a great way to put your name out there and get yourself on different company’s radars.

You should remember to conduct yourself in a professional manner even though you are nervous remember to be yourself as its yourself that you are promoting. At in person events its easier to make connections as speaking to people face to face gives it more of a personal touch and makes it easier for you to leave a lasting impression on people.

Networking online can be easier for some people as you can connect with a larger network of people at once and its easier to share resources or display your work online. While networking online its important to remember to engage with your connections and make posts frequently so that you are memorable, if you don’t update your page frequently you could start losing connections as no one wants to follow a page that isn’t active.

Wither you are networking online or in person its important that you remember to be respectful and polite to everyone as your professional and personal reputation are on the line.