Task 3a - Current Networks:

There are many tools that I currently use in order to engage my professional network such as:

• Computer - I use many web 2.0 tools on my computer including: Facebook, Wikipedia, Flickr, Youtube and Blogs. Since I started this course I have learnt to embrace these further by developing my knowledge of what is accessible to me. I would have never thought of promoting myself with a Blog before for example, but now I know the power that such a web page can have and I definitely think it is a valid networking tool.
• My Blackberry - I use this when I’m out and about, being away from my computer doesn’t mean that I can’t keep up to date with new information coming in. My email account and Facebook profile are both synced in with my phone and get automatically updated. More obviously than this I use my phone to call people such as work colleagues and friends in order to stay on top of new jobs available.
• Books - I know it may sound old fashioned but I still like to use specialist books to find certain information. Although it is probably all available on the internet I find books such as ‘The Actors Yearbook’, ‘Contacts’, and ‘The Actors Guide to Getting Work’ very useful. I like to have a hard copy so I can go through and make notes, highlighting important information. I am a visual learner so having something physical such as a book helps as a reminder when trying to keep on top of my correspondence.
• Friends - I find one of the best ways of meeting new contacts is through ones I already have. Meeting new contacts through parties and social gatherings is really useful as it is so much more personal than any other form of contact. Getting to meet someone in person means they are much more likely to remember me and this is useful if they hear of any jobs in future which I may be suitable for.

I am sure that there are many other ways of networking such as setting up your own website, being seen in the ’right’ places, playing to press to your advantage. Such things don’t yet apply to me as a performer but it’s important to think BIG!
As described in the course reader a Professional Network is ‘a work related community held together by either close working affiliation or more distant but common work interests or needs’. Therefore to be a Networked Professional it is important to become an active part of as many of those communities as possible.
Everyone who is trying to network will have a need, whether it be to find a job, to find and employee or even to gain affiliation. I find the theory of affiliation to be one of great interest. The fact that professional networking may simply be another way of meeting our affiliation needs could be beneficial, at least we know that the people we are networking with need something from us as well as the other way around.
My ideal Network would consist of as many people as possible that I could keep up to date with and learn from. I would also like to think that I would also be able to help them in some way too. Being in contact with up and coming and established producers, directors, agents etc. could be a really good way of getting a foot in the door when an audition opportunity arises. In order to create this dream network I need to start getting in contact with people, I need to send out copies of my C.V and headshot, include links to my Flickr page and Blog. I need to put myself out there. If nobody knows who you are then how can you expect them to employ you!
I have only been out of college for a few months but I have already learnt that jobs don’t come looking for you, you have to put yourself out there and make yourself seen or you’ll simply slip off the radar.
I need to research into getting some business cards printed, I think this is the next step in my professional networking. Handing out your email address on a bit of scrap paper makes you look unorganised and unreliable. You have to promote yourselves how you want to be seen, even though I don’t feel I have much to write on a business card I still think it would be an attribute to my professional self.
Another thing I would like to do is to set up a Blog, similar to the one I have created for this course but dedicated to the work I have done so far. I think this would be particularly useful as then anybody who wants to see what I am capable of will have an easy link to follow. I understand now that networking is an essential part of being a successful performer and I intend to work hard at promoting myself as a well networked professional in order to develop my career and my knowledge of the industry I wish to be a part of.