Networking

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No, not the computer networking with nodes sharing things. The networking I am referring to involves connecting with people who share a common interest.

The definition is as straightforward as that. So why is it important in the creative industries? With the creative industries, as previously mentioned, it is all about people who know other people.

Think of it like trying to make friends with people in high school – you don’t just push yourself into a group (unless you’re that desperate but that kind of approach is just rude)! You start talking a little, then find things in common and then before you know it you all get along.

When you consider this, you might realise you already have great contacts already, such as university staff, relatives and even people you know in or outwith university (such as at work or even friends from school days).

Networking can be a benefit to freelancers and those who work from home, namely those in the web designing industry. There is a great deal of designing and coding and very little time for interaction in person, but instead they can communicate and bond with people online.

Why networking?

So not only does networking mean you can make friends but also is advantageous in other ways such as:

Collaborations

With these friends, you have the opportunity of working with various people on projects. These could be one-time or there could be multiple needs for their assistance or they may require yours.

Helping

Stuck on a problem? Has anyone had a similar experience? How did they sort it? StackOverflow is a prime example of a network full of people who ask constant coding questions and people answer it. Turning to people to ask is a constant thing people do with those they trust in person so why not do it online?

Opportunities

A person with more contacts will be more likely to encounter companies and receive employment than someone just as skillful with fewer connections. We know that already many employees look at applicants’ social media links.

How would web developers go about networking?

Social Media

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn. They are the major sites to go on to promote things about yourself, particularly LinkedIn. Many people use them every day, and if you start your own page you can advertise by posting photos and linking your personal profile with it to show to your friends. LinkedIn, in particular, goes in for having connections (the more connections you have, the more popular you are is the basic key) but that could be said for any social media account. Take a look at Selena Gomez, she is the most followed celebrity on Instagram – over 144 million followers on Instagram (and counting!) – and look how successful she is!

Selena Gomez's Instagram Page

Blog

Some designers keep a blog on their portfolio, adding even more of a personal touch which may draw more potential clients. Bloggers tend to read other blogs so as not to copy information, and to see other people’s view on the subject they are interested in writing about, so again you are attracting more of an audience.

Events

There’s an article on a list of upcoming UX (user experience) events for this year. To add to this list, there is UX London from the 29^th-31^st May 2019 but there are plenty of UK events on the list.

Attending events means you can interact with various people who work from companies who can give advice on the work you have already done and see what you can do to improve it. Obviously, do not do the “hey can you look at this work I’ve done for a sec?” lark; strike up a proper conversation, and be very polite because they have given up their time to be at the event. So don’t try and waste it for them.

You can also meet other people who share the same interest and stay in touch with them so you have even more names to add to your contacts.

It does not necessarily need to be socialising – there are web design competitions you can enter too, which is something you can add to your portfolio if you win! See these 7 different types of web development competitions you can enter where you can earn awards such as “Website of the Day” or “Month”. The A’ Design Award and Competition is one of the largest design competitions featuring a whole variety of categories from interior decorations to photography design.

Recommendations

Once you’ve done projects with people, they will hopefully start talking about you – and your invaluableness to the project – to others and that will in turn form a chain reaction where they get in contact with you, you provide work for them and they recommend you to their friends too!

So, bottom line is knowing people who know people is very important, so be sure in some way or another to interact, make new friends, keep old ones and remain in contact with them! Nothing like this happens overnight, of course, but networking is a key feature in which to become successful in the web industry.