Hello, my creative friend!

Listen:

I know that you are fantastic at what you do.

I know that there is a potential audience of people who would be utterly devoted to you – and would love either to hire you, or buy your art.

I also KNOW that there are people in the world – influencers, well-connected types, or those who are in a position to give you a leg up – who can help you reach these future raving fans.

So, how do you get this last bunch of people to want to help you?

The answer: networking. But Yes Yes Marsha-style networking – that’s actually FUN.

 

Here’s what I want you to do

 

1. Write a list of five people you know could help you. Do it right now!

Make them a range of those who are small-deal and potentially easy to contact, and those who are dream-associate big (I’m talking level of Ai Weiwei, Jeff Koons or Oprah).

2. Rank them from easiest to contact to most famous.

3. Pick the easiest – and write them an email.

To find their email address, you can use the (awesome) free app, Rapportive For Gmail.

Here’s what to bear in mind:

• Make the email about them BEFORE you say anything about you

• Keep it brief
  

• Find a way to ADD VALUE to them. For suggestions on what value you can add to them, watch THIS video
  

• Send them a link to somewhere that shows what you do (a website, a blog, your LinkedIn) 

• Sign off the email with a smile (but not necessarily a smiley). Hints on how to here – but ignore the second part of this videos sign-off, at this early stage (because you’re NOT asking for anything in response)

• Write an eye-catching, curiosity-inducing subject line. Find out how to, HERE. 

4. When you’ve done it, BE ACCOUNTABLE! Tell someone you sent the email.

Either:

• post in the Underground Art Initiative Facebook group
• post in the comments below 
• send ME an email, to hello@yesyesmarsha.com. I will reply, I promise! 

5. Block out one hour a month in your calendar, to send another, similar email to someone on the list. Or a second one to this person. It’ll probably take you less long than that, but thoughtful emails can take time!

6. Give yourself a massive high five. YOU ARE NETWORKING! And no one had to schmooze anyone, and no business cards were palmed.

 

Want more good stuff?

If you have any questions about networking or emailing big shots, feel free drop me a line. Or if you feel like you want some focussed, one-on-one help, and a tailor-made plan that YOU feel comfortable with, I’d love to help you out. Find out how you can work with me, HERE.