What are the best ways to network as a stage manager using social media?

1 Choose your platforms wisely

Not all social media platforms are created equal when it comes to networking as a stage manager. You want to choose the ones that best suit your goals, your audience, and your style. For example, LinkedIn is a great platform to showcase your resume, portfolio, and recommendations, as well as to join groups and follow organizations related to your field. Twitter is a good platform to follow industry news, trends, and influencers, as well as to engage in conversations and debates with other stage managers and theatre professionals. Instagram is a good platform to share behind-the-scenes photos and videos of your work, as well as to follow and support other stage managers and shows. Facebook is a good platform to join groups and pages related to stage management, theatre, and specific regions or niches, as well as to keep in touch with your existing contacts and friends.

3 Share valuable content

Using social media as a stage manager provides an opportunity to share your work, insights, and achievements with your network and potential employers. However, you want to make sure that the content you share is relevant, valuable, and not overly self-promotional. For example, you can post photos and videos of your stage management process that demonstrate how you organize, communicate, and solve problems. Additionally, you can offer tips and advice on topics such as budgeting or stress management based on your own experiences. Finally, you can provide recommendations and reviews of shows, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources relevant to stage management or theatre in general. When sharing content online, it is important to be respectful of the privacy and copyrights of others and to be honest, humble, helpful, constructive, and supportive.

4 Engage with your network

Using social media as a stage manager involves engaging with your network and building relationships with other professionals and peers in the industry. You don't want to be a silent user, but rather an active and vocal participant. To do this, you can follow and support other stage managers and theatre professionals who inspire you, ask and answer questions related to stage management or theatre, and connect and collaborate with those who have similar goals as you. Additionally, be sure to like, comment, or share posts, congratulate others on their achievements, thank them for their contributions, seek feedback or suggestions from your network, offer your expertise or perspective to others, invite them to join your network, chat with them, meet them in person, propose ideas or partnerships - all of which demonstrate your appreciation, curiosity, generosity, initiative and enthusiasm.

5 Be respectful and professional

The final and most important tip to network as a stage manager using social media is to be respectful and professional at all times. You should remember that social media is a public and permanent platform that can affect your reputation and career, so you must avoid any behavior or content that might harm or offend yourself or others. To be respectful and professional, you should be polite and courteous to everyone you interact with on social media. Use proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and avoid using profanity, slang, or abbreviations that might be misunderstood. Acknowledge and apologize for any mistakes or misunderstandings. Additionally, you should be positive and constructive in your tone and attitude. Avoid complaining, criticizing, or arguing on social media, instead focusing on the solutions. Give and receive feedback with grace and gratitude. Lastly, you should be authentic and ethical in your content and communication. Avoid lying, exaggerating, or plagiarizing on social media. Give credit where credit is due, respect the confidentiality and intellectual property of others.

Using social media as a stage manager can prove to be rewarding if done correctly. By following these tips, you can create a professional profile, share valuable content, engage with your network, and remain respectful and professional on social media. You can also learn from other stage managers, discover new opportunities, and showcase your talents as a stage manager - making networking more enjoyable!