Episode 11: Networking
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@burvantill I know how you feel! But i've noticed the more i'm into the common denominator in interest with someone the more excited, inquisitive and joyful I get! The nerves usually die down after 5-10 mins easily.
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I love every episode of the podcasts! You guys are so funny and I learn a lot. I look forward to each new episode. This week I have invited a few friends to my house and we are going to paint together. I am just starting to learn myself and I've been posting my progress online like Jake told us to; some friends saw it and really wants to know how it's done. We will start with painting simple dandelions with toilet paper rolls. Hope to just have a good time and spread the love for art.
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Yup, this podcast idea was a good one. I have liked every episode.
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THanks guys! glad you liked it! Sorry for the audio. I was traveling and so we had to make do with what we had.
SVS Faculty Instructor
www.leewhiteillustration.com -
@lee-white there is a gap in audio between 13:40 - 14:50 where there is no audio at all. Idk if you are already aware of that or not.
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I like how there were tips for networking online. many of us are freelancers working online so meeting in person would require us to have a USEFUL superpower
like teleportation 
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Thank for the episode guys, I had a backlog of sbs podcasts to listen to and each one always has something invaluable to offer. I have always found networking to be a difficult thing to get right, as I never wanted to be seen as wasting the time of those that I look up to, but I think what you mentioned about how you approach that and what you can offer them (in the case of Jake's student/friend) was a great example of getting to know those you admire. On the flip side I have managed to build up a small following myself and occasionally get asked for advice and although it can be frustrating when you type out a long message to someone asking for a portfolio critique and you simply get a reply saying just "thanks", there can be occasions where you build up a good connection with that artist and they can teach me something I wouldn't have known otherwise.
I recently contacted an illustrator who isn't on social media but I managed to spend the time to find out their contact info (not in a creepy way) and they gave me some great advice on moving forward with my own work and they seemed recently appreciative about the books I had bought that they had published. I now figure the worst that can happen when trying to contact others either for advice, to comment, or to assist, is that they just don't reply or acknowledge your effort, but that doesn't mean it was time wasted as you have to be consistent, which was a great point touched upon in the podcast.
For my challenge I recently made an art group for local artists to meet up every Saturday morning and we go together to paint outdoors rain or shine and I will be continuing to do that. It's been slow to get started as the weather was insanely hot recently, but some people are really making the effort to come and I have enjoyed both teaching and learning through that.
I'm curious, but do you guys know how many podcasts your will produce? Will it be ongoing or will there be a finite amount of episodes? In either case thanks for the great advice and information
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Love listening to your podcast guys! Does organising a trip down to London to see the Frida Kahlo exhibition with a friend from uni who moved away count for the challenge? (I'd been meaning to organise this for ages but gave her a call after listening)
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FORM !!
this is beautiful !
am going to try this at the nxt convention that i attend -
so glad you guys are accepting the networking challenge! It makes the world a better place! : )
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@eric-castleman Thanks for pointing that out. Our editor caught that tech prob a little late, but he fixed it and re uploaded the episode. So if you go download it again it should be fine.
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@gary-wilkinson Thanks for sharing your experiences with networking. Great idea to meet Sat mornings.
To answer your question we are planning on doing the podcast for a year, so until next April. Then reevaluating if we have the time/resources to keep doing it like we've been doing them, or up them to once a week, or to retire it all together.
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@burvantill I'm with you! I'd go with you if you asked me but making the first move... pretty scary to me.
Funny how I can perform on stage doing plays etc. but making new friends (in person) is so tough lol all those insecurities about being me rise up again.
Personal superpower hmm -went a whole year once only making right turns in my car to get from point A to B - does this count? -
BTW, I'm having my first meetup with local Nashville kidlit folks on Monday. SO excited!
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@jake-parker I vote to keep them going forever. I listen to a lot of podcasts and yours is by far my favorite. Besides the good content, the chemistry between the three of you is very entertaining, even when Lee is phoning his part in. In fact, it's more entertaining when he's not in the studio with you because I'm always wondering what he will break while he's fidgeting. You really shouldn't leave that man alone
Laurie DeMott
instagram.com/demotlj -
Quick note- I think the illustration is wrong for this post?
That being said- love this episode! In my college program they pretty much said "networking is important!" without offering anything in the way practical advice or strategies. So thank you! Networking in real life has always been a struggle for me, so I really appreciate your very specific pointers.
Thanks so much for having a well rounded podcast. You are hitting upon so many important topics.
Website: www.tessawrathall.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tessawrathall_art/
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Networking is pretty tricky and most of my network is actually online, which has bugged me for a while.
The thing you touched on here that I think is really important is to just let people know that you have these skills. Because opportunities can come from really unexpected places. The first time I got the chance to illustrate a book was when I worked in an office. I had the habit of doodling on a big whiteboard as I discussed job stuff with my colleague. And this turned into one big drawing over the entire whiteboard, people saw it and suddenly someone I hadn't met in the organisation came up and asked if I wanted to illustrate his book.
And this year I invented my own drawing challenge, #catsofjune, where I just drew tons of cats for a month. It was mostly to break through my artist's block, but to my surprise it actually gave me job opportunities when people saw these cats.
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@demotlj im always playing with something around my desk or drawing while we are filming!
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Great chat guys! Totally texted some old art school buddies that are still in the area. One to let them know Iām still so happy they are creating awesome work. I always assume they are busy with other imporatant things. But sometimes we all just need a good piece of pie, or doughnut, or cake. Whatever.
And ārelationships of trustā @Jake-Parker ! Iāll give you $5 to work in āthe commitment patternā on a podcast!
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Great podcast. Thank you for discussing this. I think many people who find it hard to network are actually paralyzed by their their lack of objective as to what they are trying to achieve. On the other end of the spectrum you have people who want to achieve too much from a first interaction that might only last a couple of minutes (ie. "you just met me for the first time, please review my whole portfolio and also show me how to be as successful as you"). The goal should be something in the middle: very specific, focused goals that can be realistically achieved in a couple of minutes.
"Hey just wanted your quick thought on whether I should try taking commissions at my skill level?"
"What courses would you recommend in my city?"
"Can you name the most obvious area where my art needs improvement?"
...etc
