You’re probably reading that title and then thinking ‘networking is scary, for business people or for people in suits.’ But networking as a blogger is one of the best things you can do to promote your profile, connections and opportunities. Here’s why…
Not everyone is your competition
When there are bloggers/writers/media outlets all doing similar things, it can get competitive. Full stop. However, why does it need to be a bad thing. You can be competitive without being a bitch about it – use your contacts to help each other to stand out. Just because you’re all going to that ‘restaurant review’ make your own take on it. They didn’t invite you because you write like someone else, you write like you. Your photography is different from the next. Focus on the things that make you unique and use your friends as a way to helping to promote that.
Making friends in the media industry, that’s tough
Trying to explain to my family what I ‘do’ is pretty tough without underselling it. I don’t just work in social media or go out for dinner – despite how it may look.
The connections, friends and network you create around you be it on a social platform or out in real life can help you as a place to vent. Need to discuss that brand partnership with a likeminded contact – want to celebrate reaching that milestone on insta? Tell a friend who gets it. If you worked in an office with a team, you’d discuss your jobs with them and the pros and the cons to it – so treat your fellow bloggers like your colleagues. Only the real bad eggs will steal or not celebrate your success.
Opportunities won’t come to your front door – you have to work for them
With the opportunities of freelancing, working from home and online side hustles being all too appealing to many these days, no opportunity will land on your lap. You may have a fantastic following on social media but does that mean you have enough experience for an agency role, maybe not.
I always make a point of saying I’m not ‘lucky’ to have my role, I’m ‘fortunate’ because it wasn’t luck that got me here, it was the graft that went with it. I don’t just take photos and blog then people speak to me, it’s about building a relationship. I have helped other business contacts as a ‘blogging expert’ a phrase I rarely go by, but yes there are others who are also blogging experts but we built a relationship that they want to work with me. Not out of spite but out of trust.
It’s required me to network, talk to strangers, introduce myself and explain my businesses. Educate the people you want to impress, they won’t make the effort – you need to. Like I always say, tell someone why they need you, not the other way around. Be it in a job interview or pitching, nothing will land on your lap and despite how it looks for others, they’ll be some serious graft behind that job promotion, new deal or sponsored content.
People who ‘get it’
The best part about Instagram is that there are always people available to listen, chip in or engage. This network took me a while to build but I feel that these days there are people I talk to daily that whilst we don’t talk every single day like you would a best friend from school, we’re there to bounce ideas around and support each other. As someone who moved to this area with no contacts, it’s been fantastic to build a little community around me that supports, likes and shares my content. Why wouldn’t you support likeminded people? Be genuine and the rest follows.
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Have you thought about networking with likeminded people? Do you find yourself feeling like you ‘could’ be friends with someone but not sure where to begin. Think about your network within blogging. Find out more about how you can work with me.