Task 3a

When it comes to professional networking, as a graduate, I feel very much oblivious and 'out of the loop'. I am hoping, by emercing myself in this module, I will be enlightened with the idea of networking.

A teacher I had when studying at college, told us that we MUST socialise when we get our first job. He said it was of vital importance that we go to the pub after rehearsals, whilst obviously behave in a professional manner. The reason for this is to increase our networks. As graduates, we were told to socialise and ask questions. As Emily has said in her blog; 'it isn't what you know, but WHO you know'. This is something I'd like to improve on, I am generally a very chatty person however, when it comes to talking to other professionals and practitioners, I can get a little shy so I'd like to push myself in this area of professional networking.

Having thought for a couple of days about my current methods of professional networking, my original thought was that I didn't really have any but after a day or so, I realised, much to my surprise, as a performer, I do! Spotlight is a tool that most performers should have, this enables casting directors and other practitioners to access your personal information and photographs, easily. My CV and headshots are on the internet for any professional to find, therefore by having a Spotlight page I am broadening my professional network. Getting your face seen and recognised can get you one step ahead.

Another 'tool', I realised I had, was an agent. Agencies are an already set up network that you can join to get auditions. Most agencies have links with casting directors, choreographers and other professionals, and get breakdowns of jobs sent to them, your agency then decides if you are suitable and then contacts the professional and you. This is an instant network, although you must give a percentage of your wage to your agent if you get a job, you are widening your professional network by being a part of the agency. Professionals trust many agents to 'come up with the goods' so will have no reason to not see you for an audition.

As well as the mentioned ways of networking, social networking ie; Facebook, Myspace, Twitter etc can also be used to enlarge your personal and professional network. At most, I use Facebook as a way of personally contacting friends or family. However, I do have a group on my Facebook of one of the schools I teach at. I post comments, useful videos and websites to my students, fellow colleagues and even my boss! Although I do not have these people as friends on my facebook, I use it to connect with them on a professional level. Another example I have is casting director Debbie O'Brien's professional facebook page where she posts auditions and workshops. Again, I have contact with professionals by merely using a social networking site I use to contact friends.
Personally, I do not use Twitter but I can see the benefits of using it. It is a great way for celebrities to get in touch with their fans and also other celebrities. Celebrities post their comments, friends and fans follow these. It can increase their fan base and also their professional network with other celebrities, directors, choreographers etc. However, Twitter like Facebook can have disadvantages. Whilst working out at the gym this morning a documentary came on the television, 'The Wanted, Backstage Special'- The Wanted are a recent boy band and were filming their tour in Brazil, from one post on Twitter saying they were at the airport, a whole load of fans turned up for autographs and photos! The boys handled the situation very well but one of the band's members said he couldn't believe the fans had followed them from seeing one post on a social networking site!

As for my professional network I'd like to keep my personal facebook page private so I can still use it for leisure. I want to enlarge my network so maybe having two facebook pages, one for professional and one for personal would be a good idea. I do not like the idea of other practioners and professionals seeing photographs of me on holiday with the girls! I would like to look into the use of websites, I do not know much about websites as I am a bit useless with technology but I think having a website especially for my teaching would be very beneficial. It could have lists of open and private classes, timetable of classes, prices, contact details and information about my teaching on it. This would develop my network so if anyone typed my name into google, my professional webpage would appear on the screen. Linking my professional facebook page, website, youtube channel, spotlight page and agency page is something I would also like to look into, links on each page taking you to different websites and videos. This would help to keep my professional 'online' network structured and easy to access.