Comments on: The Hive #14 – Networking

By: tips

tips — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:13:29 +0000

VERY GOOD WEBSITE!I LIKE IT.

By: Wiz Rollins

Wiz Rollins — Thu, 02 Nov 2006 15:08:34 +0000

Would you say that the best course of action is get to know some folks online, start a conversation there, and then meet up with them at a con? I mean, the idea of going up to someone cold, with no previous groove, at a con seems a little off-kilter– unless there’s an organic opportunity that presents itself.

By: Elton Pruitt

Elton Pruitt — Wed, 20 Sep 2006 04:36:49 +0000

I am ready to rock SDCC next year like a fish out of water!

Having made several friends online in the last several months, I am really looking forward to meeting some folks in person.

I just don’t see how people did this before the Internet…

By: Caleb Monroe

Caleb Monroe — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 18:42:33 +0000

But now that you’ve seen and tasted and know what to expect, you’re ready to rock the next con, right?

By: Jason Copland

Jason Copland — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 08:52:08 +0000

This years SDCC was my first con. I was like a fish out of water.

By: Jiba Molei Anderson

Jiba Molei Anderson — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 01:10:10 +0000

Great article. That’s exactly how I operate during conventions.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s great to geek out and enjoy the spectacle. But, when you’re trying to get that first gig, or that next gig, you’ve got to put the fanboy in the box.

In short, this is a business. You’ve got to be about your hustle. I work more in a weekend at WizardWorld Chicago and San Diego in regards to the business of comics than I do the rest of the year. Because, at the cons, you make that new alliance, that new and useful contact.

The conventions are where you start to build your career.

By: Jason Rodriguez

Jason Rodriguez — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 19:41:21 +0000

Great call, Caleb and Joe. My first SDCC I was attached to Josh Fialkov’s hip. With the second one I was able to branch out more.

By: Caleb Monroe

Caleb Monroe — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 01:45:16 +0000

I agree with Joe, and have found that is precisely what online communities like The Hive are for. I had a great networking year at SDCC this year, but it all began with my circle of online aquaintances, then spread to who they knew, etc. So, if anyone reading this isn’t, then hit the messageboards, the MySpace, whatever, and start making friends and meeting collaborators. Your con experience will thank you.

By: Joe Williams

Joe Williams — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 22:34:55 +0000

A friend and I went to Wizard Chicago this year and talked to a lot of people yet didn’t really get anywhere because we were starting cold. I found that unless you’d connected with people before the show or even during the day it has hard to connect to them at the bar but it seems that on the floor everyone else knew someone else and were kind of the odd men out. So, next year we’ll make sure to make more connections BEFORE the show since one people get there, they seem to be interested in trying to hook up with people they already know.

By: mark dudley

mark dudley — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 23:00:03 +0000

I have never made it to San Diego, sad to say, but I can attest to the important of bars and parties in the entire process. I am currently working on some animation pitches that are being seen by some high profile eyes.

Eyes that I never would have had the opportunity of connecting with had it not been for parties and bars. At these venues professionals really relax and unwind, taking the time over a beer or two to share their experiences and insights on the medium they work in.

I have had the opportunity to talk to alot of these guys and gain their respect because I am a people person and truely interested in their opinions. It doesn’t really matter whether they pick up your pitch or not. A lot of times it is really just their honestly giving you advice on how to get in the Game and STAY IN that is the most important.

I am still struggling to do my creator owned comic property, but as far as animation goes I think that the Cons have truely helped.

By: James Patrick

James Patrick — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 06:11:04 +0000

Every time I do a con I leave with work — or at least an avenue to it pretty quickly. And so this year, what do I do? Not go to any cons because of money. Even though it’s money well spent. San Diego, Chi — all around a grand to go, but it would have been worth it.

By: Jason Rodriguez

Jason Rodriguez — Thu, 17 Aug 2006 22:32:35 +0000

The articles a bit dated, I know, but I wrote it on the way home from Comic-Con. It holds for all conventions, however, and we can tell stories to prepare folks for next year.