Anything Goes : About Stage32 Networking by Susan Holtzer

Just accept everyone. More connection the better.

Don't agree with James. I think people with a lot of connects don't care except to look like a "big man on campus" I want a connection that I can relate to and speak to. Another thing I have been meaning to ask is how to un-connect is it in the help ?

Recently I had a money person ask for a complete accounting of the social media reach (everything FB to Stage 32 to Linked In) for talent attached and all above the line personnel involved in a project for which we are actively funding. They also wanted website URLs and IMDB profiles of all involved. They are not thinking about crowd-funding, either.

Philip makes a very good point: "the suits" wonder how big your reach / network / following is. YES, there are Stage32ers who shun connections. Those might the same wallflowers who go to a party, talk to no one, then go home disappointed. Opportunities abound. Those who leave a lot on the table only create more opportunities for the rest of us.

I'm one of those who does connect with anyone and everyone I can. I have a belief that the more connections I make, the more chance I have of hopefully gaining some business. You never know if that next connection could be the one that wants to do business with you and also, they might know someone who does, they may hear in conversation someone needs a (fill in the gap) and they'll say "hold on, I may know someone". It doesn't matter if someone doesn't have the skills that match your genre of business, I also think it's very interesting learning about other skills that people have and I enjoy it, but everyone has their own ways of doing things, there's no right or wrong way, it's what the individual feels is best for them :)

Indeed, there was that recent article explaining that a vast social media presence can often triumph talent when it comes to casting actors. RB summed this up well somewhere but I can't find his comments on the matter. I think it was in one of the On Stage With RB Q&A sessions but I can't find the specific one. But basically people have different approaches to networking online and we should respect that.

I'm reasonably new to the social media networking world and am slowly building my networks. I've always preferred emailing people I know. However, I've come to the realization that social media, for a person like me who is relocating every few years, has some tangible benefits. For example, on Stage32, I've been slowly reaching out to people in Australia because that's where I'll be moving in September. I've basically decided I will accept most requests to connect on social media, although I do read the full profile and links and/or do a google search of the requester. I have ignored a few requests because there just is nothing at all online about the person (which makes me a little suspect). I did remove someone from my network when I found out right after accepting his request that he'd recently been released from jail for using the internet to con people. Maybe he's turned a new leaf, but I'd rather not be dealing with that kind of potential problem. I've also decided not to ignore requests from people with completely different skill sets because even if they're not people you'd actually rub shoulders with on a project, they could know someone who is out there looking for a person with your skills. So far I'm enjoying my dive into the social media world and have met some friendly people who have pleasantly surprised me with their willingness to share insights and tips about the entertainment industry. :^)

Great reflection there Birgit :)

Thanks, CJ... By the way, I accepted your invitation to connect after looking at your profile. Wow! You're certainly not one of the "invisible internet presence" people I mentioned!

LOL! I like to have a lot of friends :)

Hi Susan: I'm not sure what your hestiancy is. Networking to me is not meeting somebody who I have a direct connection with but somebody who might know somebody who might know somebody who would be a great connection! My mother used to say 'too much of anything is no good', except 'friends'. And as an author (I now have a book on Pilot writing published and do a lto of consulting work from it) -- I can't have too large a network. And my wife is into 'network marketing' with a fantastic company called 'Arbonne International' -- and again the key is never to put limits on talking to anybody. Just the view from down south....Bill...

A lot of pros and cons and some good reasons for your opinion - I rarely reach out to anyone most of my network has been others who reached out to me and who have something in common with my goals, many of them I have had discussions with.

I enjoyed your comment, Bill Taub. It is the same "hesitancy" you may have seen at events --- those silent misfits hunched near the buffet, regarding the other attendees with suspicion. Social phobia - it can be contagious so don't get too close. LOL

Or maybe they are just hungry, having spend the last 36 hours working on their shoot and just need to attend the event as promised been there done that

Hi Susan. I think that's a fair question. Like you, I was a little hesitant when I first joined 32. But as I got more comfortable I found that the more I networked the more support and information I received here. Like all social media, there are a few that make you scratch your head wondering what their problem is, but I'm happy to say that that happens less here than other places, and almost everyone I've encountered here has been supportive and helpful when they can. So now, I accept any network requests because you never really know what that person brings to the table until you let them have a chair. It's like R.B. often says here, the more you help people and engage in the conversations, the more you get back, so it's truly a community spirit here.

Well said, Brian. RB is right and it's important to remember that Stage 32 is here to give access by encouraging users to connect, that's a little different to platforms like LinkedIn and Facebook which will actually penalise users for doing so.

I think that's why I've been a little hesitant up until now to actually ask people to connect. Linkedin makes it painfully clear that you need to already have a connection to a person before trying to contact them through the site. The openness on Stage32 creates a much more pleasant feeling. :^) I've basically been asking people to connect and then writing a polite thank you message to those who add me to their network. A few have then started a dialogue, usually as a result of what they've seen on my profile. I'm making it a policy that I won't slam my new connections with a request to look at my loglines or website or read my work unless there has been a little dialogue first and they seem amenable. The hard sell approach turns me off, as I'm sure it does for most people...

That's great, Birgit. I'm totally with you on the hard sell stuff, it's not for me. I like to chat with people and see where it goes.