In the 19th century, the renowned French author Gustave Flaubert was a regular attendee at prestigious salons in Paris, such as the Salon de Madame de Récamier and Salon de la Comtesse d’Agoult. These gatherings brought together some of the most influential minds of the time, including writers, artists, philosophers, and intellectuals for networking.
At these salons, Flaubert would engage in lively discussions with prominent thinkers like Victor Hugo, Charles Baudelaire, and Théophile Gautier, debating topics such as literature, art, politics, and philosophy. He would share his own ideas and works-in-progress, seeking feedback and critiques from his writing career.
Fast forward to today, and the concept of networking remains just as important in various fields of work. With the rise of digital platforms, it’s easier than ever for content creators to network with others. But with so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.
In this post, we’ll explore the best platforms for networking with content creators, including social media, online communities, and more. Let’s get started!
1. Social Media
Social media is the most obvious and accessible way to connect with other content creators online. You can use platforms like Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook to follow, engage, and message people who share your interests, goals, or niche. You can also join groups, hashtags, or challenges that relate to your content creation field, and participate in discussions, events, or collaborations.
The story of Selena, a student and content creator, sheds more light on what proper social media networking should be like. Early enough, Selena realized that social media was the perfect place to connect with other content creators who shared her interests and goals.
So, she started engaging with people on Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn, joining groups and participating in discussions related to her field. However, she quickly learned that sending generic messages like “Hey” or “Love your work!” wasn’t getting her anywhere.
That’s when she remembered the importance of clear and upfront messages. She started sending more detailed messages, introducing herself, explaining what she admired about the person’s work, and stating what she was looking for. She also made sure to give people options and follow up with them in a professional manner.
One day, she received a message from someone who seemed interested in connecting on a personal level, but turned out to be someone who needed advice on blogging for Huffpost. She felt used, realizing that his intention should have been clear from the start. This experience taught her the importance of authenticity and transparency in networking.
She learned that successful networking on social media requires more than just sending messages – it requires building relationships, being patient, and being professional. She started connecting with people who shared her interests and values, and even met a few amazing individuals who became close friends.
Through her experiences, she understood that networking is crucial to success, and social media makes it easier than ever.
However, it’s important to do it right – with clear intentions, respect, and professionalism. By following these tips, you should be able to build a strong network and achieve your goals.
Also, if you want secret strategies to build a strong social media presence, then check out this video as well.
2. Online Forums
Apart from social media, online forums are another great option to connect with other content creators online. Forums are dedicated spaces where you can ask questions, share tips, give feedback, and find resources related to your content creation field. You can also find opportunities to collaborate, join projects, or get hired by other forum members.
These are statements by those who have benefitted from quality networking on Quora:
“The best and easiest place to start networking is with people you already know. They will connect you to people they know, who will connect you to people they know, etc. The more difficult part of networking is the internal mental work for you to do to clarify the profile of who you’d like to meet and the purpose. Keep in mind that the purest definition of networking is: Creating a genuine human connection.” – Suzi Pomerantz (MCC Executive Coach, CEO, Best selling Author)
“In the forums, you will be able to know the networking, branding, product, boosting strategy, conversion rate, and others.”– Amjad Shuwo (SEO Consultant and Digital Marketer)
“Networking is all about communication on Internet, or we can say between computers, mobiles or other electronic devices. All of us uses Internet, Google, Gmail, YouTube etc., but how these things work with each other that is known as Networking.” Amit Khumar Jha (Engineer)
Some of the most popular online forums for content creators are Reddit, Quora, Medium, and Stack Overflow. You can also look for niche-specific forums that cater to your content creation field, such as Writers Cafe, Behance, or FilmFreeway.
3. Online Courses
In the early 20th century, the Bauhaus school in Germany offered a series of workshops and courses that allowed artists, designers, and craftsmen to learn from each other and collaborate on projects.
This pioneering approach to online learning (or rather, in-person learning, but with a similar spirit of collaboration and community-building) allowed students like Marcel Breuer, Wassily Kandinsky, and Paul Klee to connect with peers and instructors, exchange ideas, and refine their skills.
Today we see a similar approach in online courses for content creators. Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, Coursera, and edX offer interactive features like live sessions, peer reviews, and discussion boards, where learners can connect with each other, instructors, and experts.
Just as the Bauhaus school fostered a community of practice among its students, online courses can help content creators expand their network, find mentors, and join communities of like-minded individuals who share their passions and interests.
Online courses are not only a way to learn new skills and improve your content creation quality, but also a way to connect with other content creators online. But if you’re having challenges with making out time to create content, then check out this video.
4. Online Events
Alongside online courses you can also connect with people through online events. Online events include webinars, workshops, conferences, meetups, or hackathons, where you can learn from industry leaders, showcase your work, or collaborate with other participants.
In my first virtual conference, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. I had attended online events before, but this one was different – it was a large gathering of professionals from my industry, and I knew I had to make the most of it.
I remembered the lessons I learned from my first networking event: be approachable, find common ground, and be prepared. So, I made sure my camera was on, my microphone was working, and my name tag (or rather, my username) was visible.
As I entered the virtual room, I saw hundreds of faces on my screen, each with their own username and profile picture. I took a deep breath and started to navigate the virtual space, smiling and waving at people who caught my eye.
I approached a few people who seemed lost, just like I had done at the in-person event, and introduced myself. We chatted about our shared interests and experiences, and I found myself connecting with them easily.
I also made sure to visit the virtual booths, where vendors and sponsors were showcasing their products and services. I asked questions, collected digital brochures, and even scheduled a few follow-up calls.
During the virtual breakfast session (yes, they had a virtual breakfast buffet too!), I sat at a virtual table with strangers who became fast friends. We talked about our work, our passions, and our challenges, and I found myself feeling like I belonged.
As the event went on, I listened to inspiring speakers, participated in group discussions, and even landed a few new connections and potential collaborators.
As I logged off at the end of the day, I felt exhilarated and grateful. I had applied the lessons I learned from my first networking event to this virtual one, and it had paid off in a big way. I had connected with people, learned new things, and even found inspiration – all from the comfort of my own home.
So you can use online events to network, exchange contacts, or find opportunities to work with other content creators. Some of the most popular online platforms that host online events for content creators are Eventbrite, Meetup, Zoom, and YouTube. This video will also help you make more money as you network through online events.
6. Online Communities
As you network on social media, online forums and online events, you should improve it further with online communities. Online communities are groups of people who share a common interest, goal, or passion for content creation, and who interact regularly online.
You can join online communities to find inspiration, motivation, or guidance from other content creators, and to contribute to the collective knowledge, experience, or culture of the group.
You can also find opportunities to collaborate, partner, or grow with other community members. Some of the most popular online platforms that host online communities for content creators are Discord, Patreon, Medium, and Substack.
Conclusion
In conclusion, networking with content creators has never been easier, thanks to the plethora of online platforms available. Social media, online forums, online courses, and online events all provide opportunities for connection, collaboration, and business.
As you engage in business, you’ll likely meet difficult clients. This video has the best tips for dealing with them.
So, what are you waiting for? With so many options at your fingertips, start building your network today and take your content creation to the next level. Which platform will you use to start networking with content creators?
