Social Media And More for Networking in Broadcasting
Posted by David Huffman on Wed, Mar 30, 2011 @ 01:41 PM
By Dave Huffman
Ohio Center for Broadcasting
Strategic Marketing Manager
LinkedIn | Twitter
If you are an Ohio or Illinois Center for Broadcasting student, you've heard it a million times. You may have even been lucky enough to hear one of the famed Bruce Ryan table pounding speeches about it.
If you read this blog, you have seen us talk about it here. And now, right here with this post.
What is it? [Sound the horns: Doo, do, do, dooooo]
The Importance of Networking
"Yea, yea, yea" you say. I've actually heard some students jokingly complain that this is all they hear, and they'd actually be pretty close to being correct. Aside from all the great technical knowledge you get at one of our broadcasting schools, we will - without a doubt - jam the importance of networking in the broadcasting industry into your head.
Why?
Because the industry is tiny. Literally, everyone knows everyone or has worked with someone at some point.
Personally, I barely worked in Sales for a bit - but I've watched as friends (and my wife) have taken job after job by first being referred by someone they know.
Heck, I think up until this last position she holds, my wife had never even applied for a position at a radio station. Everything had been a direct offer because of someone she had met or engaged with earlier.
So what can you do?
Aside from the typical never burn bridges advice (which IS good advice), there are a ton of actionable steps you can take to network more effectively. Some require a lot of work and some humility and some just require some flat out dedication.
Here are three of those steps.
1. Use Social Media
Sure, you're on Facebook. But what about LinkedIn? How about Twitter? Do you have a blog? Download our quick-start social media for networking in broadcasting guide for some more insight into "SoMe" for networking.
The guide is nothing groundbreaking, just something we put together for our students that we thought we'd share with you.
2. Ask Pros to Aircheck You
My wife (with me in tow) has been anywhere from a no rated market up to a top 20 market, and every step of the way she's asked others in the industry to aircheck her. And most have been more than happy to do it.
Not only does this get your name tossed around out there in the industry, you'll pick up some great advice and other viewpoints along the way.
Remember though: Most are really busy. So keep the aircheck short.
Not in radio or tv? Send off your latest video production project to folks in your industry.
3. Offline is KING
Going back to number 1, social media really helps warm the handshake and keep you in touch with folks - but the relationships are cemented when you make time to get offline.
Make your next tweet an invite for coffee or lunch where you do not talk business. If you're in town for a conference, set up an in-promptu breakout session where everyone gets together to brainstorm.
What say YOU? What have you done to build your circle? Leave a comment or two.
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