Colón’s Corner: The Fickle World of Media Folks

On the process of making connections in the media world

On occasion, my commentary in this newsletter is admittedly random. It may not necessarily be topical but the subject, whatever it might be, will pop into my head and I’ll pretty much say: “Ok, let’s write about this!”. Today’s subject matter has been on my mind for some time, and I wanted to jot some thoughts down on it. One of the things I’m proudest of having been successfully able to do is network. There are people I’ve presented myself throughout my time in both writing and podcasting that I’ve gotten to know and am glad to know.

More importantly, I never ever look at these relationships as transactional. Quite simply because I feel that’s both a misguided and selfish viewpoint. Of course, you help out your friends where you can and there’s nothing wrong with asking for a favor yourself here and there. However, if the only purpose of the ‘friendship’ is strictly favors then it’s not a friendship worth having. Truth be told, I think that’s just it when it comes to trying to build rapports with certain media members. This column isn’t directed by any means at anyone specific and is no way an attempt to go after anyone. That’d be downright petty and immature.

But nevertheless, despite all the positive connections I’ve built as a young journalist the one problem I find is it is preposterously hard and at times kind of puzzling is inconsistent communication. You send a message here and there, if you have their number, a text maybe every now and then and…crickets. The part I most find confusing is when you send somebody a message on social media, let’s say Instagram for example, and you get left on ‘seen’.

Now let’s be realistic, people are busy and when you send a message to someone who isn’t working the conventional 9–5 like media folks tend to not do, it’ll be a bit before you get a response. You can’t expect someone to drop everything they’re doing to immediately respond to you. But not getting a response at all despite the fact I’m not coming in with nonsense but rather something worthwhile like a story recommendation or offering assistance on a project they’re working on that my skillset might fit is simply befuddling. Not frustrating, life’s too short to get mad at something like that, but definitely befuddling.

It’s also pretty rude. Sure, you of course don’t have time to type a whole soliloquy and lord knows I take a while to respond to folks when I’m busy, and lately I sure have been since I started my new job, but I make it a point to get back to them. Why? It’s a simple courtesy. It says to the person that I saw what you sent, I won’t leave you hanging, here’s a brief reply regarding what you’ve told me and your message is important to me. Once you do that, on you go. It’s nothing backbreaking.

Being fully transparent, one mistake I was making consistently in the past was in an attempt to get my name out there, I’d send my work around to these individuals to get what I thought would be valuable feedback. Why is that a mistake? Because unless I was specifically pitching them to appear on my podcast or be featured in my newsletter, sending someone a column you wrote or podcast episode you recorded for feedback when after a long day of shooting and editing their own stories they probably want to decompress and not inundate themselves with more media (and may not get the chance to even do that if they’re coming home to additional responsibilities in the form of a family or pet to look after), was a complete failure on my end to read the room.

So a pivot in my networking strategy was needed. Hence, I reached out to a media friend for advice and she subsequently told me that it’d be much better to see when you message them what you can do for?them?as opposed to what they can do for?you?as I alluded to earlier. She was right and I’ve tried that…only to seemingly hit dead ends.

The best success I’ve had networking with media figures has been when I’ve reached out and subsequently had these individuals on my podcast. There of course through our interactions in a long form interview they’ve been able to see my work in addition to how I present myself and then the connection is ironclad. They know me, they like me, and if push comes to shove, can vouch for me. I value those relationships and consider myself fortunate to know those particular people. I don’t doubt my abilities or feel myself to be unproven in any regard. The more I do in the media landscape and the more my network has expanded in other areas, the less doubts I have.

Still, a little recognition goes a long way and in that particular world I’ve gotten some but not a lot. At least not from most of the folks I’ve been trying to network with. Persistence is good but after a while, it’s perhaps better to focus elsewhere. I’m 23 years old and at this stage I’ve accomplished quite a bit. I feel great about where my life is at after a long period of uncertainty, and I’m eager to see what else I can do. There are other challenges to tackle, other opportunities to seize. If things break the way I want them to, the good reputation I’ve worked hard to build will only continue to grow.

‘Build it and they will come’ the old adage says. I’m building something good. I know that. Many have come into my orbit as a result. And once it’s fully built, more doors will definitely open, including the media one. The positive of that? It’ll be even clearer by then to know who’s seeking sincere friendship versus who’s simply seeking favors. A fickle world the media scape is these days and though it’s a world certainly worth having some skin in, it’s one that is perhaps best not to pursue with the ferocity I previously have. Balance is key. After all it’s gotten me this far, right?

Mike Colón is the host of the Mic’d In New Haven Podcast which can be found on all podcast platforms and is simulcast in video form on YouTube