Networking!

Don't be the person at the dance party

who sits in the corner petting the kitty.

Here is a list of fun networking activities:

Networking
Specific Actions We Can Take:

Making connections:
Ÿ Attend a party
Ÿ Attend an event
Ÿ Attend a performance
Ÿ Attend an non-dance arts event
Ÿ Carry your business card
Ÿ Volunteer for a choreographer or organization
Ÿ Have a website
Ÿ Perform. Whenever you can. Anywhere.
Ÿ Perform at your church/place of worship
Ÿ Perform at your old high school
Ÿ Perform in your home town
Ÿ Perform at an open-mic night (Balls, Patrick’s Cabaret, etc.)
Ÿ Perform an informal showing in the dance program as a grad
Ÿ Take a dance class
Ÿ Teach a dance class
Ÿ Mail out your resume
Ÿ Mail a letter of interest
Ÿ Send an email
Ÿ Audition
Ÿ Ask to be introduced through a mutual friend and/or family
Ÿ Go to a summer dance festival
Ÿ Don’t be intimidated by talking about your work
Ÿ Introduce yourself (it can be brief!)
Ÿ Don’t play with the kitties at the cast party (talk to the PEOPLE not the PETS)
Ÿ Be careful not to belittle yourself too much
Ÿ Talk to teachers, choreographers, performers, and fellow students and audience members after classes and performances
Ÿ Open your mind to the student/artist relationship transitioning to a peer/collaborator relationship.
Ÿ Broaden your horizons
Ÿ Allow a contact to network for you
Ÿ Use bios as a resource to identify people to meet

Keeping Connections:
Ÿ Write a thank you note
Ÿ Mail out newsletters
Ÿ Write a blog
Ÿ Send out postcards about upcoming performances
Ÿ Send Holiday cards
Ÿ Send out your updated resumes
Ÿ Send out invitations to non-dance events
Ÿ Meet for coffee or a meal
Ÿ Volunteer
Ÿ Send an email
Ÿ Become Facebook friends or a Linked In connection
Ÿ Keep connections organized with a spreadsheet (with headings)
Ÿ Say “Hi!” even if they don’t remember you
Ÿ Have a get together with friends
Ÿ Have a party
Ÿ Set up events or fundraisers where you can invite lots of people
Ÿ Invite EVERYONE you know to performances you are a part of
Ÿ Give them a call on the phone
Ÿ Write a letter
Ÿ Support others’ work

Word of Mouth:
Keeping a Good Attitude and Acting Professionally
Ÿ Be on time
Ÿ Be prepared
Ÿ Be positive about the work and the process
Ÿ Go beyond what the choreographer asks
Ÿ Help the choreographer clarify their vision by asking questions
Ÿ Contribute to the process
Ÿ Deal maturely with health issues/injuries
Ÿ Do your best
Ÿ Be helpful to the choreographer and other dancers
Ÿ Participate in the non-dance parts (networking, schmoozing, marketing, etc.)
Ÿ Keep a sense of humor
Ÿ Be kind to yourself and others when mistakes happen
Ÿ Avoid spreading gossip or rumors
Ÿ Don’t burn bridges
Ÿ Talk about yourself without being egotistical
Ÿ Be careful not to overextend yourself
Ÿ Be constructive with your criticism

Be Proactive, Audition for Everything, and Work Hard
Ÿ Check the 550’s in the Star Tribune
Ÿ Check websites of companies for upcoming auditions
Ÿ Attend informational meetings
Ÿ Volunteer for a choreographer or organization
Ÿ Check bulletin boards after class
Ÿ Make sure friends and colleagues know what kind of work you are looking for
Ÿ Attend performances
Ÿ Get an agent
Ÿ Seek out non-dance company opportunities (opera, theatre, music, visual arts, clubs, festivals, etc.)
Ÿ Create your own opportunity
Ÿ Be confident
Ÿ Apply for a grant
Ÿ Take dance class
Ÿ Go to a summer dance festival