Networking can be hard. And for those who prefer thinking over speaking, introspection over socialization, and their own company over human counterparts, it can be VERY hard.
I’m talking about introverts. The one-third of the population who gain energy being alone and find excessive socializing to be exhausting. Not necessarily shy, introverts usually prefer working by themselves while extroverts gain their energy by working with other people.
But what about introverts who want to be involved in media? In this industry, we are most often working closely with other team members. From bouncing ideas around a writing room, to the hustle-bustle of a busy set, introverted creators like myself can easily get overwhelmed!
How many times have we been passed over for a job by someone who just speaks louder, or knows a guy who knows a girl, who has a friend who.... you get the point. What this means for introverts is that we are often out of our comfort zone compared to those who naturally make new friends at every new gig.
But being introverted is not a bad thing, in fact, far from it! From being in TV for several years myself, here is what I have learned to make the most of your introverted-ness.
1. Embrace it
You are an introvert. Being a “people person” is not your strongest trait. And that is okay. However, your reserved personality has power in other areas. With that creative mind, you may come up with ideas that no one else has thought of and be a great writer. Or your dedication to the detailed task at hand will be useful in the edit suite, going through hours and hours of footage. In fact, there are many roles in media that do favor the quiet ones. It just takes some time to try different things and find out what you can provide. Understanding your personality will push you towards the smaller gigs where you can work on your own or be your own boss on the project, rather than trying to work in a big team that you know will drain you.
2. Make the right friends
Quality over quantity! Sometimes, having just a few quality friends in the industry can be all you need. Having some contacts who understand your personality, and who can vouch for your skills on your behalf can get you on new projects again and again. In my experience, most of the jobs I’ve gotten have actually been from my same two friends since film school. Plus, working with the same group of peers on different gigs has the added benefit not having to meet many new people too often.
3. Become the best at what you do
It can be tough to make the right connections to get into the industry. But this is exactly why platforms such as Tongal exist, to give creators a chance to sell themselves with talent, not popularity status. When you work on your craft and keep growing and learning new skills, it shows through your quality work and producers see this effort. And when it comes to pitching your skills to a company, they will want to see what you can provide; which we know is something awesome!
If you’re anything like myself, and the word “networking” makes you shudder, hopefully, you can gain some confidence using one of these tips. This advice has worked for me to maximize my experiences and prove that a passion for creating content does not mean you must be a 'people person.'
---
Note From Tongal: "Networking for Introverts in the Entertainment Industry" is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here and then Pitch us a topic you'd like to write about for the Tongal Blog!
