Last week in my initial installment, I wrote on the importance of building your brand and how. This week, I will focus on networking and contacts. Now days, they are essential in gaining valuable experience, advice and job leads.
The Indianapolis Colts public relations wiz Craig Kelley spoke the other day in Bloomington and said one thing that really resonated with me. He said, “networking is one letter away from not working.”
Think about it. Sometimes, people today put too much emphasis on networking, thinking it’ll basically ensure them of a job.
Not so fast.
First, it is important to understand what you want to be known for? How do you want to leave an impression?
Personally, I want to cover Indiana sports like nobody else, be at all the big games and have a strong and unique perspective. All of my various jobs have given me unique insight and access to some of the biggest events in the state.
Indiana Pacers games, check. Indiana Fever games, check. Anything IU athletics, check. Big Ten Tournament, check. Indianapolis 500/Brickyard 400, check. Just last year, Colts training camp, check. The list goes on.
If writing is what you want to do, intern for a prominent news source, offer your services to various avenues like Yahoo Contributor or your college newspaper. There are no excuses not to get involved. Most organizations love free help because most are hard workers and willing to do what employees hate.
Next, while at these events reach out to proven personalities with a track record. Ask someone in the profession to share his or her story. Very rarely will anyone turn you down to talk about themselves. If you seek out professionals when you don’t need anything, they will be impressed and more willing to help later down the road.
Get others talking about you. Once other key names know you, hopefully your name will be brought up and next thing you know, they’ll be introducing you to another figure.
Social media is a huge asset for kids today. Just this year, I reached out to NFL guru and Sports Illustrated Senior NFL writer Peter King. He was in Indianapolis for the NFL combine and I wanted to meet with him to talk about the sports field. Thus I was proactive, sending King a tweet. He responded and the rest is history.
One can never have enough experience. With the ever-expanding technology of today, there’s always something to learn and improve upon.
Networking helps me a lot—especially in a business with fierce competition. It has helped me learn more about the sports broadcasting business, another’s path to their job today, expectations, and how to gain an advantage.
Not only should you network with those in the business, but also your peers. The young minds of today are the world’s future. It doesn’t hurt knowing others that can possibly help you out down the road.
Need a job, guidance or an introduction to someone else? They may be able to help you out. Or maybe you sell suites for the Indianapolis Colts—maybe this guy is a future CEO. You guys most certainly can do business together. Keep that in mind.
They help you, you help them.
Don’t ever pass up opportunities to help. One of my favorite sayings is that, “99% of life is just showing up.” Outwork the competition, network, and get to know others in your field—both your peers and elders.
You never know when one can be of a little help down the road.
Follow Scott Agness on Twitter: @ScottAgness