Many professionals dread the word “networking.” I get it. It can be associated with individuals who are trying to climb their way to the top.
I attend a lot of graphic design/creatives related events and I’ve encountered a bunch of people throughout the years.
I have definitely encountered some people who only want to talk with you to pitch themselves, or maybe they won’t want to talk to you unless you can do something to advance their career.
These people are not very fun to talk to. I’ll admit that I’ve been this person in a conversation or two.
This post will help us avoid being this person and give you tools that helped me get excited about networking!
Mindset/Goals
If your goals are “get a job” or “give my business card to an art director,” you won’t be set up for success.
You can shift those goals to more productive ones easily. “Get a job” can be “learn more about a position by talking to a hiring manager” and “get to know a company by speaking to someone who works there.”
“Give my business card to an art director” can be “Have a conversation with an art director about a project they’ve worked on.” Have a meaningful two-sided conversation instead of trying to pitch yourself.
Goals don’t have to be so career-focused, they can be more simple, like “talk to 3 new people.”
Going into an event with set goals is important, but mindset is going to help you set your tone and approach to each conversation.
I find the most meaningful connections come when I go into events with the mindset of wanting to learn. Whether it’s to learn about the community or the different fields in the design industry, the best conversations come from wanting to learn about other people’s passions!
Take Notes
Take notes (maybe not in the moment) on the people you’re talking with. This one may feel a little weird and unnatural, but I think it makes a huge impact.
These events go on for hours, maybe days. Your brain can’t realistically process all of the information from the event on top of who you all met at them.
Usually I write down their name, social media handle, where we met, and one or two things I connected with them on. If your memory is like mine (bad) and you see them again, you can more easily hold a conversation and pick up where you left off!
And be honest! If someone asks you how you remembered them, tell them you wrote it down. It means your connection was significant enough to want to remember it.
Discussion Topics
Research the field, what are current events? Be sure you can give a recap on these current events before bringing them up in case someone in a group is unaware.
If there are speakers at the event, research their work and come up with questions. Ask them during the Q&A section or talk to them after the programming. If you can’t speak to them at the event, reach out to them on social media afterward!
Have an interesting business card
Not only does this make you stand out, but it also allows you to be creative and excited about handing them out!
There are a few ways to have an interesting business card.
NFC
I’ve been super interested in these lately. One touch to a phone and it can bring you to a specific link. My NFC business cards link to a page of links.
SuperPrints3D, an artist I found on Instagram reels, embedded NFC chips into a 3D-printed keychain.
There are a few NFC business card products out there. I myself have a dot bracelet. It’s made out of silicone and I don’t have to worry about not having business cards during events.
The only downside is that not every phone has an NFC reader, so this option should be paired with another in case you encounter that scenario.
Heavily inspired by SuperPrints3D, I modeled this keychain using Womp3D.
Interesting Shape
This option can be tough, especially if your business card is going to be stored in a wallet. If it goes beyond wallet size, it might get lost in a purse or pocket. The edges might get banged up easily, so the material of the card can be more important.
Material
This is where creativity can come into play. Say you’re an illustrator, your business card can be one of your illustrations as a sticker with your information on the backing paper or social info incorporated into the design.
If you’re big on sustainability, maybe your business cards can be hand-made from recycled content or biodegradable and made out of seed paper.
I know these options above mean that your information would essentially disappear from the material. Still, I would argue that your business card’s overall lasting impression is more important than the amount of time your information is readable on the card.
A standard business card will likely get thrown into a drawer anyway. If someone wants to keep the information on a business card, they will.
Multi-Function
These are business cards or simple giveaway items like stickers, lip balm, or a microfiber cloth. Bonus points if it’s related to what you do!
Here are some stickers that were handed to me instead of business cards (I’ve used some of the stickers, oops).
Post-networking event
Get to know your network, Refer clients to your connections.
This is where your networking notes from before can come in handy!
If someone approaches you with a project and you don’t see yourself as a good fit for it, see if you can reach into your network to refer someone else to the project.
Being able to provide a list of potential connections and why they might be a good fit for the project will create a lasting impact on the client.
How do I find networking events?
Look up conferences in your field of interest.
See who’s speaking at these events and follow them on social media. They may post when their next speaking events are. Follow the sponsors of conferences you’re interested in.
Design related networking events:
Creative Mornings – Go to talks given by members of the design community. There are Creative Morning talks all over the country!
AIGA – Follow your local chapter of AIGA on social media! If they’re active, they’ll share any local events sponsored or related to AIGA! I am not a member myself, but I’ve attended many AIGA events.
Cocktails for Creatives – A Minnesota event held by the AIGA Minnesota chapter.
