Episode 11: Networking

[Joen Söderholm]

Networking is pretty tricky and most of my network is actually online, which has bugged me for a while.

The thing you touched on here that I think is really important is to just let people know that you have these skills. Because opportunities can come from really unexpected places. The first time I got the chance to illustrate a book was when I worked in an office. I had the habit of doodling on a big whiteboard as I discussed job stuff with my colleague. And this turned into one big drawing over the entire whiteboard, people saw it and suddenly someone I hadn't met in the organisation came up and asked if I wanted to illustrate his book.

And this year I invented my own drawing challenge, #catsofjune, where I just drew tons of cats for a month. It was mostly to break through my artist's block, but to my surprise it actually gave me job opportunities when people saw these cats.

[Lee White]

@demotlj im always playing with something around my desk or drawing while we are filming!

[Whitney Simms]

Great chat guys! Totally texted some old art school buddies that are still in the area. One to let them know I’m still so happy they are creating awesome work. I always assume they are busy with other imporatant things. But sometimes we all just need a good piece of pie, or doughnut, or cake. Whatever.

And “relationships of trust” @Jake-Parker ! I’ll give you $5 to work in “the commitment pattern” on a podcast!

[clipant]

Great podcast. Thank you for discussing this. I think many people who find it hard to network are actually paralyzed by their their lack of objective as to what they are trying to achieve. On the other end of the spectrum you have people who want to achieve too much from a first interaction that might only last a couple of minutes (ie. "you just met me for the first time, please review my whole portfolio and also show me how to be as successful as you"). The goal should be something in the middle: very specific, focused goals that can be realistically achieved in a couple of minutes.

"Hey just wanted your quick thought on whether I should try taking commissions at my skill level?"

"What courses would you recommend in my city?"

"Can you name the most obvious area where my art needs improvement?"

...etc

[lenwen]

I listened to all the podcasts and for me this is the best art related podcast I ever listened. Thank you for creating and sharing this awesome talks @Jake-Parker @Lee-White @Will-Terry .

This episode is so special for me. I am super introvert and socially awkward person, so networking (especially in real life) is really hard for me. My problems with anxiety also make it worse. Sometimes even to post an illustration in social media take me a bit long to decide because of my anxiety. Since long time I want to share my step by step or process video but I didn't make it. I managed to open a booth in convention some years ago but I didn't really make any networking. But I know I should work hard to connect with people, not only for business reason but also freelancing is a lonely job somehow.

This is a super nice episode to listen to.

[rcartwright]

@tessaw Clearly the illustration is Will Terry giving one of his kids a parenting speech

[TessaW]

@rcartwright
Lol, I thought it was supposed to be Will and Jake
But on this post they have the image for the critique episode:

Instead of the one that is up on the podcast page:

Not that it's a big deal. Just pointing it out.

[LauraA]

@jake-parker I really liked the idea of having ice breaker questions prepared, and the idea that networking is in many ways a form of mutual self-giving.

Networking a real challenge here. I'd love to share a studio! Recent experiences such as the Bologna Book Fair and Ars in Fabula in Macerata were a real shot in the arm, but they both required a long drive and accommodations away from home. But this reminds me to get back in touch with the girls I went to Macerata with, because they were really pleasant and at least we could meet for a coffee and share news! Thanks for the reminder!

[Christine Garner]

Just wanted to say thanks for this episode, I'm trying to make more of an effort to come out of my shell so the tips are super helpful. I'm pretty introverted and get social anxiety in unfamiliar situations so it's difficult and I don't know any other artists in real life (not counting my twin sister). I even get anxiety about social media which drains me after a while. I really want to go to an art / illustration convention this year to see what it's like and meet actual real people with similar interests to me. My hometown is depressing, but I researched potential conventions to go to recently.

[bnewman]

Good episode and good advice. My networking skills are dreadful. I struggle to share my thoughts on social media let alone in real life. Most of the time I feel like I'm out of my depth and have nothing to offer. Definitely an area of my life that needs improvement. It's funny though, I met some local illustrators recently who are all about 20 years younger than me, but were trying to organise a drink and draw kind of thing. I said I was keen, but so far nothing's happened. This episode made me think I should do something about that.

[SarahLuAnn]

My favorite episode so far! I'm really not sure how I can do the challenge though, with two littles. @lmrush just needs to move back to make this easy on me.

[DaveLeekArt]

After listening to this episode I built up some courage (sounds dumb but it’s actually hard!) to contact my tattoo artist to see if he wanted to join me to a local life drawing workshop.

He’s a well steeped artist who’s been through art school, spent time doing graffiti and is now a well established tattooed so I was beyond nervous to even sketch next to him but I went ahead and asked anyway.

Unfortunately he was unable to join the next day but we made plans to get together in the near future. Hopefully this still counts as ‘meeting the challenge’ haha.

On a side note though, I’d never actually been to a life drawing drop in and decided to step outside of my comfort zone and hit it up by myself. Again, it sounds silly getting excited about this but I was proud of myself for going. Not only did it feel beneficial (and I plan on going back on a weekly basis) but it was awesome to just sit with a bunch of other creatives and take in all of the amazing styles and artwork around me.

Thanks for the push guys!

[Chance McGee]

@jake-parker this is literally the only thing I listen to when I draw now....you guys have the best chemistry.

[Samu]

@jake-parker Hi. I just listened to this podcast, and about what Will Terry mentions, the thing about students who don't participate, I think this Ted talk can be very interested for you and perhaps you can use some of that techniques when you are teaching:

https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are/transcript?language=en

Thank you guys for what you are doing!!!!