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Am I the only one who struggles with this? How do I reach out to someone I know? I always thought it was weird emailing out of the blue asking if their company was hiring, is it just me? I've been freelancing for a while and I have never used my network because I always feel it'd be cringey...
Don't "ask" people for a job or for work or if they'd send your resume unless you're close friends. It puts them in an uncomfortable position to have to figure out a way to say No to you if they can't help. People psychologically don't like to have to "reject" a request. The way to do it is to simply "let them know" that you're available starting X date (make it up if it's not real) and that these are the type of skills and experience you can bring and this is how you can help if they or their org ever needs it. You go about it by presenting what YOU have to "offer" versus "asking Them" for anything. It's just a different spin to how you present it. It should come off as sharing not asking. Good luck!
I find the best way to grow your network is to pass along opportunities that are offered to you that you have to turn down due to being booked. Once you’ve helped a colleague get a gig they are usually happy to return the favor. And it also ingratiates you to the recruiter by helping them fill a role. The more people you help get gigs the bigger your network
Definitely not weird. Your friends might even get some money if their agency hires you. Just email them and ask if they are looking for a copywriter. They may refer you to a recruiter’s email or better yet bypass the recruiter and send it straight to a CD.
Cold emails feel weird because they’re just that. Instead, foster relationships with people in the industry. Drop them a line when they make cool work. Grab drinks. Talk to other teams who are at the same post houses. Find creatives with similar interests like drinking or running or yogaing or whatever. Then, when you’re looking to make a move, it won’t feel cold. And you can return the favor as well
I don’t think it’s weird at all. Just don’t act entitled and don’t reach out to the same person too often. Something as simple as ‘I just finished up a gig at xx-place, if you hear of anything coming up, let me know!' Also if i you’ve just done some cool work, throwing that in too: ‘I just finished up a campaign I’m really proud of, if you have the chance I’d love for you to check it out’ etc
+ what ACD1 said in addition. Their answer just popped up for me. This is community building long-term and it never stops. Relationships and professional connections have to be maintained and nurtured for sure, especially when you DON'T need anything from anyone.
Gotchaaaa, that helps. Because sometimes you work with people but aren't always THAT close. Guess it just felt weird. So if you see something cool they did, maybe send them an email saying you liked something or to grab a drink? For instance what if that person is higher up and you weren't that close just cause they were higher up. Thanks for the responses so far, I feel George Constanza levels of anxiety with this kind of stuff
AD1: What about the referral system on Linkedin when applying for a job? If you have worked with someone for a couple of years at another agency, that type of tapping an x-colleague seems valid to me. As long as you have a meaningful connection with someone. Doesn’t always have to be a friend. A trusted colleague could work too. Thoughts?
When I reach out to former colleagues, I'll say something like "Oh, by the way, I'm available for freelancing if you hear of anything" rather than "I need a job. You guys hiring?" Also, if I have a few friends at a company I want to work for, I start with the one who has the most influence in terms of the position I'm looking for. If someone from a totally different department recommends you, it may not matter as much. Finally, don't blow anyone off if they don't have work right away. Keep following up. I got asked to freelance months after reaching out.