DanceSurvival

How to network in the Dance World Make dancer friends and get dancing jobs! Some say, "It's not what you know but who you know", however, dancers that have connections AND skills seem to go a long way in this dance business... Our Survival Strategies class talked to our friends in the industry to hear how their networking strategies have led them to full careers in dance. The following networking tips present the highlights of our findings! Be open to opportunities who knows the people you'll meet, which could also lead to your next dance job, the next one, and the next, etc. This leads me to my next point... Perform anywhere and everywhere why not? It's an opportunity to dance, be seen, and network. Take your reputation seriously learn to handle yourself in a professional manner. Build a positive rapport with teachers and choreographers (be present, on time, cooperative). How you act in the classroom and beyond can encourage or discourage possible connectiong. In a small community the words spreads, so stay sweet. Maintain relationships personal connections can lead to many surprising job opportunities. This is also useful if you move away but keep in touch with your contacts here. If you return, you will be able to ease back into the community. Have versatile training prepare yourself for a variety of jobs. This makes your dancing skills more accessible to a wider range of contacts. Make artist friends collaborative projects=innovative new work Pursue the people you want to work with take their class, tell them your name, and see their shows Market yourself be ready to present people with a resume, business card, and/or website

Making Connections: Specific Actions to take Attend a party/event/performance Attend a non-dance performance Carry your business card Volunteer for a choreographer or organization Have a website Perform whenever you can. Anywhere Take a dance class Teach a dance class Mail out your resume Mail a letter of interest Send an email Audition Ask to be introduced through a mutual friend Go to a summer dance festival Don't be intimidated by talking about your work Introduce yourself Don't play with the kitties at the cast party (talk to the PEOPLE not the PETS) Be careful not to belittle yourself too much Talk to teachers, choreographers, performers, fellow students, and audience members after classes and performances Open your mind to the student/artist relationship transitioning to a peer/collaborator relationship Broaden your horizons Allow a contact to network for you Use bios as a resource to identify people you meet		Keeping Connections Write a thankyou note Mail out newsletters Write a blog/letter Send out postcards about upcoming performances/holiday cards Send out your updated resumes Send out invitations to non-dance events Meet for coffee or a meal Volunteer Become Facebook friends or a Linked in connection Keep connections organized with a spreadsheet (with headings) Say "Hi!" even if they don't remember you Have a get together with friends/Have a party Set up events or fundraisers where you can invite lots of people Invite everyone you know to performances that you are a part of Give them a call on the phone Support others work Be proactive! Audition for everything and work hard! Check the 550's in the Star Tribune Check websites of companies for upcoming auditions Attend informational meetings Volunteer for a choreographer of organization Check bulletin boards after class Make sure friends and colleagues know what kind of work you are looking for Attend performance/class Get an agent Seek out non-dance company opportunities (opera, theater, music, visual arts, clubs, festivals, etc.) Create your own opportunity Be confident Apply for a grant

Networking