Dan Mitchell in 'Damn Yankees' A great lunch today at The Polish Tea Room. (No misprint. It’s the nickname for Café Edison.) I was with Daniel Mitchell, a young actor and singer who I’ve known since he arrived in NYC in 2012. (Check out Dan’s website.)
Among many other things, we talked about the challenge shared by writers and performers alike of gearing up to network . . . to put yourself “out there,” whatever that means. If you’re a networking type, it’s like dessert before dinner. You love it. You can’t wait for it. You see the value in every encounter. If you’re not, you have to push yourself to do it amid doubts about the value (and then, of course, about your value).
In the hour we sat in our booth, a producer who will have his name on two Broadway shows next spring walked by, smiled, nodded. We office in the same building, and our paths have crossed several time recently. So we have a “nod in friendly fashion” relationship. A theater critic from Connecticut—a member of the Outer Circle Critics organization said hello. And she introduced us to her lunch guest, one of Broadway’s top publicists.
After lunch, what struck me is that that was networking. That was being “out there.” Lunch?!? Yes! And there was value in it. First, I had a very enjoyable lunch. (Networking Rule No. 1: If you go to a networking event, enjoy the event. Have a drink. Eat a slider. Learn about someone’s life.)
Second, there was value in each encounter. My “nodding” acquaintance now knows I’m more than just the quiet guy around the corner. I get out! I eat at the Polish Tea Room! I have actor friends! Dan got to meet a very well-respected critic, and we both got to say, “Congratulations!” to the publicist because she has just written a book. (You can see her book here.) We did something we enjoy—lunch. We made positive connections with three people in our industry. (Networking Rule No. 2: An encounter does not have to land you a role or get you a contract to have value. There is value in every encounter, so have encounters, make them about the other person and lighten up as to your expectations.)
Third, this happened because we got “out there.” (Networking Rule No. 3—You cannot network alone.) My office has four walls and no windows. I work hard all day every day. I need to get out. Why not make a connection with someone when I do?
So what are you waiting for? Network already!
OK. That's it, and that's enough.
Among many other things, we talked about the challenge shared by writers and performers alike of gearing up to network . . . to put yourself “out there,” whatever that means. If you’re a networking type, it’s like dessert before dinner. You love it. You can’t wait for it. You see the value in every encounter. If you’re not, you have to push yourself to do it amid doubts about the value (and then, of course, about your value).
In the hour we sat in our booth, a producer who will have his name on two Broadway shows next spring walked by, smiled, nodded. We office in the same building, and our paths have crossed several time recently. So we have a “nod in friendly fashion” relationship. A theater critic from Connecticut—a member of the Outer Circle Critics organization said hello. And she introduced us to her lunch guest, one of Broadway’s top publicists.
After lunch, what struck me is that that was networking. That was being “out there.” Lunch?!? Yes! And there was value in it. First, I had a very enjoyable lunch. (Networking Rule No. 1: If you go to a networking event, enjoy the event. Have a drink. Eat a slider. Learn about someone’s life.)
Second, there was value in each encounter. My “nodding” acquaintance now knows I’m more than just the quiet guy around the corner. I get out! I eat at the Polish Tea Room! I have actor friends! Dan got to meet a very well-respected critic, and we both got to say, “Congratulations!” to the publicist because she has just written a book. (You can see her book here.) We did something we enjoy—lunch. We made positive connections with three people in our industry. (Networking Rule No. 2: An encounter does not have to land you a role or get you a contract to have value. There is value in every encounter, so have encounters, make them about the other person and lighten up as to your expectations.)
Third, this happened because we got “out there.” (Networking Rule No. 3—You cannot network alone.) My office has four walls and no windows. I work hard all day every day. I need to get out. Why not make a connection with someone when I do?
So what are you waiting for? Network already!
OK. That's it, and that's enough.
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