There is no doubt that social and digital media have transformed the way we connect with each other but, while much can now be achieved without even leaving our desks, for some people there is still no substitute for meeting in person.
The museum sector is a sociable one and there are no end of opportunities to physically meet people. Subject-specific networks, museum groups and sector-wide bodies such as the Museums Association (MA) all hold regular conferences, which are an opportunity to network as well as hear from interesting speakers.
“It can be difficult to get out of the office, and conferences can be expensive,” says freelance museum and heritage consultant Hilary McGowan. “But it is important for your own sanity to feel you have connections.”
There is no one way or right way to network in person and much depends on individual personalities. “Do it on your own terms,” advises Sacha Coward, a community participation producer at Royal Museums Greenwich in London.
“Know what your strengths are and what you can bring to the table,” he adds. “Find out what your friends think of you. I like to make people laugh and if I can manage to do that, I feel I had that moment of rapport with them.”
1. Start local
“If you are the only curator in your museum then find similar venues nearby,” McGowan suggests. “Join your local federation as there will be other like-minded people in similar organisations.”
Go to local MA events such as free members’ meetings, adds freelancer Lyndsey Clark, who works on interpretation, exhibition and engagement projects with a variety of venues.
These can be found via the MA’s Find an Event search on its website.
“It’s an easy way to meet colleagues in an informal setting. There is usually a relevant talk or access to an exhibition.”
2. Don’t overlook your own organisation
It is very easy to become blinkered by a day-to-day job, but it always worthwhile to take the time to speak to people in your own organisation.
“Reach out to the people you see in meetings,” Clark suggests. “Take time to make a human connection, appreciate their work and find out what they do all day.”
Lunchtime is a good opportunity to network internally, adds Alex Bird, the sector development officer at Museum Development North West. “Sit with someone you wouldn’t normally and get to know them”
3. Getting the most out of big events
The key thing to remember is that you are probably not going to have deep and meaningful conversations at a big conference, says McGowan.
“If possible have a look at the delegate list before the event and mark out those you want to speak to,” advises Bird. “If you want to meet someone you follow on Twitter then contact them to arrange a time. If you’re not sure who to speak to find someone who has a role you’d like to do in the future and meet them.”
Once you have found the person you are looking for, don’t just steam in with your questions. Becki Morris, a steering committee member at the Disability Cooperative Network for Museums, suggests asking if they have time to talk.
“Just ask: ‘Do you have five minutes ‘.” If not, you can arrange another time.”
But McGowan warns against planning an agenda “to the exclusion of serendipity”. She explains: “The women you meet in the queue for the loo might be more use to you than the people you think you need to meet.”
4. How to break the ice…
Have a few questions up your sleeve, suggests Lucy Harland, a former freelancer who is now the content delivery manager at Paisley Museum Reimagined. “Practice saying who you are and what you do. Nothing too long, just a sentence or two.”
If you already know each other via social media then highlight that connection, says Becki Morris.
Meanwhile, Sacha Coward opts for self-deprecation. “I often tell a story from my journey, such as the time I was forced to carry out an impromptu science experiment at Belfast Airport because I was taking a submarine to an event.”
5. … and how to move on
Ending a conversation can be awkward for both people involved. “It is important to thank them for their time, ‘arrange next steps’ if appropriate, and wish them a good conference,” says Tamsin Russell, the professional development officer at the MA.
“The danger of getting stuck is a reality but remember the other person may have exactly the same fear so by moving on you are both happier.”
6. Pick your moment
Do not collar someone for a chat 15 minutes before they are due to deliver the keynote speech, Lynsey Clark says. Similarly, she adds, if there are 100 people queuing up to talk to the speaker after an event, it may not be the time to approach them about your project.
7. Be yourself and be good company
“Be yourself. If you don’t know what that is, find out,” advises McGowan. “It’s a rule of life.”
If you are asking questions, it is important to listen to the answers and be properly engaged in the conversations. “Always have an opinion on something even if it’s just on the session you have just been in,” McGowan adds.
Royal Museums Greenwich’s Coward believes it is important to share a bit of yourself without expecting anything in return. “Give compliments,” he adds. “If you liked a speech say so, but only if you really mean it.”
Clark echoes this latter point. “Be true to what you believe or you will end up working on projects you don’t believe in or advocating for something you shouldn’t.”
It is necessary to have some boundaries, she adds. “Always be your professional self. You shouldn’t be off-loading personal things on people you have just met.”
Finally, make sure you are good company, McGowan says. “Don’t be miserable. Talk if you are asked questions and don’t depress people, no matter how cheesed off you are.”
8. If it still sounds terrifying…
Reframe it, says Tamsin Russell. “This is a conversation, not networking.”
Set yourself a micro-objective, she suggests. “For example, I will speak to two new people, I will ask one question and I will reply to one Tweet. If you make it achievable, you can do it and then relax.
“That relaxation will help you network more effectively in person.”
9. Always follow up
And do it relatively quickly, advises McGowan – by the end of the week following the event.
“Make a list of emails you need to do when you are back in the office,” she adds. “And always do what you say you will.”
Similarly, always reply if someone gets in contact with you, Clark says. “It can be difficult to find the time but take the blinkers off and make the time. It will pay back as you just don’t know who you will end up working with.”
The Museums Association’s early careers conference, Moving On Up: Building a Dynamic Museum Career, takes place on 26 February at National Museum Cardiff and includes a wide variety of networking opportunities including speed mentoring
The museum sector is a sociable one and there are no end of opportunities to physically meet people. Subject-specific networks, museum groups and sector-wide bodies such as the Museums Association (MA) all hold regular conferences, which are an opportunity to network as well as hear from interesting speakers.
“It can be difficult to get out of the office, and conferences can be expensive,” says freelance museum and heritage consultant Hilary McGowan. “But it is important for your own sanity to feel you have connections.”
There is no one way or right way to network in person and much depends on individual personalities. “Do it on your own terms,” advises Sacha Coward, a community participation producer at Royal Museums Greenwich in London.
“Know what your strengths are and what you can bring to the table,” he adds. “Find out what your friends think of you. I like to make people laugh and if I can manage to do that, I feel I had that moment of rapport with them.”
1. Start local
“If you are the only curator in your museum then find similar venues nearby,” McGowan suggests. “Join your local federation as there will be other like-minded people in similar organisations.”
Go to local MA events such as free members’ meetings, adds freelancer Lyndsey Clark, who works on interpretation, exhibition and engagement projects with a variety of venues.
These can be found via the MA’s Find an Event search on its website.
“It’s an easy way to meet colleagues in an informal setting. There is usually a relevant talk or access to an exhibition.”
2. Don’t overlook your own organisation
It is very easy to become blinkered by a day-to-day job, but it always worthwhile to take the time to speak to people in your own organisation.
“Reach out to the people you see in meetings,” Clark suggests. “Take time to make a human connection, appreciate their work and find out what they do all day.”
Lunchtime is a good opportunity to network internally, adds Alex Bird, the sector development officer at Museum Development North West. “Sit with someone you wouldn’t normally and get to know them”
3. Getting the most out of big events
The key thing to remember is that you are probably not going to have deep and meaningful conversations at a big conference, says McGowan.
“If possible have a look at the delegate list before the event and mark out those you want to speak to,” advises Bird. “If you want to meet someone you follow on Twitter then contact them to arrange a time. If you’re not sure who to speak to find someone who has a role you’d like to do in the future and meet them.”
Once you have found the person you are looking for, don’t just steam in with your questions. Becki Morris, a steering committee member at the Disability Cooperative Network for Museums, suggests asking if they have time to talk.
“Just ask: ‘Do you have five minutes ‘.” If not, you can arrange another time.”
But McGowan warns against planning an agenda “to the exclusion of serendipity”. She explains: “The women you meet in the queue for the loo might be more use to you than the people you think you need to meet.”
4. How to break the ice…
Have a few questions up your sleeve, suggests Lucy Harland, a former freelancer who is now the content delivery manager at Paisley Museum Reimagined. “Practice saying who you are and what you do. Nothing too long, just a sentence or two.”
If you already know each other via social media then highlight that connection, says Becki Morris.
Meanwhile, Sacha Coward opts for self-deprecation. “I often tell a story from my journey, such as the time I was forced to carry out an impromptu science experiment at Belfast Airport because I was taking a submarine to an event.”
5. … and how to move on
Ending a conversation can be awkward for both people involved. “It is important to thank them for their time, ‘arrange next steps’ if appropriate, and wish them a good conference,” says Tamsin Russell, the professional development officer at the MA.
“The danger of getting stuck is a reality but remember the other person may have exactly the same fear so by moving on you are both happier.”
6. Pick your moment
Do not collar someone for a chat 15 minutes before they are due to deliver the keynote speech, Lynsey Clark says. Similarly, she adds, if there are 100 people queuing up to talk to the speaker after an event, it may not be the time to approach them about your project.
7. Be yourself and be good company
“Be yourself. If you don’t know what that is, find out,” advises McGowan. “It’s a rule of life.”
If you are asking questions, it is important to listen to the answers and be properly engaged in the conversations. “Always have an opinion on something even if it’s just on the session you have just been in,” McGowan adds.
Royal Museums Greenwich’s Coward believes it is important to share a bit of yourself without expecting anything in return. “Give compliments,” he adds. “If you liked a speech say so, but only if you really mean it.”
Clark echoes this latter point. “Be true to what you believe or you will end up working on projects you don’t believe in or advocating for something you shouldn’t.”
It is necessary to have some boundaries, she adds. “Always be your professional self. You shouldn’t be off-loading personal things on people you have just met.”
Finally, make sure you are good company, McGowan says. “Don’t be miserable. Talk if you are asked questions and don’t depress people, no matter how cheesed off you are.”
8. If it still sounds terrifying…
Reframe it, says Tamsin Russell. “This is a conversation, not networking.”
Set yourself a micro-objective, she suggests. “For example, I will speak to two new people, I will ask one question and I will reply to one Tweet. If you make it achievable, you can do it and then relax.
“That relaxation will help you network more effectively in person.”
9. Always follow up
And do it relatively quickly, advises McGowan – by the end of the week following the event.
“Make a list of emails you need to do when you are back in the office,” she adds. “And always do what you say you will.”
Similarly, always reply if someone gets in contact with you, Clark says. “It can be difficult to find the time but take the blinkers off and make the time. It will pay back as you just don’t know who you will end up working with.”
The Museums Association’s early careers conference, Moving On Up: Building a Dynamic Museum Career, takes place on 26 February at National Museum Cardiff and includes a wide variety of networking opportunities including speed mentoring