Growing your audience online is important but we believe it’s equally important to invest your time networking IRL as a digital content creator. In-real-life (IRL) connections are where magical opportunities can form. Keep reading for our FOUR most helpful tips on how to network as a digital content creator.
“Magic happens IRL, even in an increasingly digital world.” This is a Vitamin C motto.
We are alllll about the beauty and connectivity of social media. Obviously, that’s the heart of our whole business. It’s amazing that I can admire, comment, and chat with someone across the world all through my phone.
But, we’ve realized that all of our most magical opportunities have been from engaging, calling, setting up coffee meetings, attending events, or grabbing happy hours.
The IRL connection is more intense, obviously. You’ll have to open up about yourself, talk about your ideas, and get to know someone else. It opens up the possibility of disapproval, rejection, or scrutiny. This is why your brain usually says “I’ll pass on that and just network online.” It’s just trying to keep you and your ideas safe.
The IRL connection typically becomes the to-do that you put off, reschedule, or dread doing. Because it’s a lot of effort to put yourself out there and engage with someone else. You will have to plan ahead and schedule time. Taking action and hustling connections can be overwhelming.
We’ve realized that all of the actions we don’t want to take, tend to be the actions that move us forward the most. Making the effort to grow our network has been where all the magic happens. Going out of your way to contact people for referrals, market research, or even just to connect will always be worth it.
So…. here are some ideas on how to get started.
How to Network IRL
1. Look up events
DUH! This is a great place to start. These don’t have to be exclusively networking events. It could be a restaurant opening, a panel speaker event on a topic you find interesting, or a meet-up of like-minded people getting together trying to do the same thing you are! Events are the easiest way to expose yourself to a lot of people and network as a digital content creator.
Different cities also have different clubs based around people’s interests.
Check out Meetup, Eventbrite, Facebook events, or even try certain hashtags in your city to look for an event this week! You can also look in local coffee shops, where event coordinators will typically put up flyers.
TAKE ACTION: Right now, click on one of the links above and select an event to put on your schedule. We’re keeping you accountable! Set a goal for yourself on how often you want to get out there. 1 even per week is a good start.
2. DM someone you follow
You may not know someone personally, but maybe you’ve followed their account for a while. This is kind of a scary one. Sending someone a direct message that you know only virtually can be downright terrifying. But chances are that the person you’re reaching out to is looking for someone to take photos with, collaborate, or plan an event with!
Just a reminder, follower count doesn’t matter! This isn’t about social climbing or clout chasing, this is about relating to and learning from each other. From this point, you can find fun ways to collab and discuss how to creatively grow!
TAKE ACTION: Send a DM right now to someone you’ve followed for a while, asking to connect. Just do it! It’s not going to get less scary if you don’t start now.
3. Cold email a brand owner
Cold emails? Yeah, I know they get a bad rap. But, sometimes the hustle work pays off the biggest reward. Do some research on brands, vendors, and creators in your city and send them a kind note! Tell them that you like what they do and you want to learn about their story. This could end in a friendly convo, a brand deal or maybe they will connect you with Kim Kardashian. The point is that you don’t know until you go! Connecting with other entrepreneurs is an awesome way to expand your IRL network as a digital content creator.
4. Create an event
This is the biggest and scariest one. But if you can’t find an event that you’d like to go to, create one! Take your vision for the perfect atmosphere and type of people you’d love to get in one room. Hosting has many benefits as well. You are the face of the event, which means you’ll be shaking hands and conversing with everyone in attendance. That’s a quick way to grow your IRL network fast.
OH, all the people you’ve gotten coffee with and all the brand owners you’ve met with at this point will be on board to help you! Win, win!
TAKE ACTION: Dream up your ideal IRL event in your mind, from the location, to the content, to the people who will attend. Next time you take an IRL meeting, bring up your idea and let the magic of connection turn your event into reality!
Don’t get stuck online
In this digital age, growing your online audience seems to be the most important thing, but you can get stuck in it. There is nothing quite like an IRL connection that creates an engaged audience member that really gets you, comments, participates, and would even show up to an event you throw. That sounds a hell of a lot more influential than a bunch of random people that followed you only because you followed them back.
Your online presence should be a representation of who you are IRL. Your content should give a virtual experience of what it’s like to hang out with you. Practicing with real people will allow you to show up as your authentic self a little bit easier.
Quality audience > quantity audience. Everytime.
Bringing it back to IRL is a great way to remind yourself of that.
Excuses we will not be accepting…
“There’s no one cool where I live.”
“I don’t know of any events.”
“I don’t know how to contact them.”
And the ole classic “I don’t have time.”
Sorry, they are tired. And if you have enough time to spend on IG looking at photos of girls on a Revolve trip wishing you were there, then you have enough time to create that for yourself right now.
Good luck! Now, get off your phone and take every action step we suggested throughout this article. We believe in you!
