You don’t establish meaningful connections with creatives by simply networking. Authentic bonds form when you lead with your work. What really sparks interest in someone you admire isn’t your ability to talk—it’s the substance of what you create, especially in the creative world.
The work matters because it’s the ultimate evidence of who you are. It speaks louder than anything you could say. When you create something truly great, you reveal qualities that matter:
- You show you understand, with empathy, what someone wants.
- You prove you can overcome resistance and get the work done.
- You demonstrate that you’re introspective, curious, and passionate.
A single piece of work can convey more about you than a thirty-minute conversation ever could. If you want genuine connections, start by sharing what you’ve made. It’s not about networking—though that will play a role eventually. It’s about the quality of your work and how it inspires people, creatives or otherwise, to truly connect.
We’ve all heard the crazy stories: someone randomly introduces you to an investor, a believer, or a talent scout, and your life changes. These moments of serendipity show up in every successful creative’s journey. But the thread running through all of them is this: it begins by leading with the work.