New York is a State of Mind: Lessons from Living and Networking in the Big Apple

In 2015, my husband David and I had an opportunity through a tech incubator program to spend time working from New York.

Having visited before, I knew I enjoyed the city, but living in the Big Apple was an eye-opening experience that I’ll never forget - and if anything, I adore the city even more now than before.

My experience in getting involved in the business community (which especially includes the arts and entertainment sector), taught me many lessons that are valuable to anyone who:

• Wants to make it in New York
• Wants to make it anywhere

Here are three highlights of how to do business - and build a network - like a New Yorker.

1. Social Currency: Know How Much You Have and Spend it Wisely

Whether you’re in general contracting or voice acting, professionals who are working in the city are acutely aware that time is a luxury that comes at a premium.

People have very limited ‘mental’ real estate to give to their day-to-day work, never mind when an outlier comes along asking for a meeting. Asking someone to take time to get to know you can be a bigger ask than you realize.

So how do you get a meeting?

You offer to ‘give’ something in return. And perhaps there is nothing that New Yorkers value more than knowledge. It’s a currency in itself.

So beyond the obvious social etiquette when asking for a meeting (i.e. showing an interest in the individual’s business and career), express also that you have something to share with them that they would find valuable. For instance, insights from your own experience in your professional life - or insights from your business. Information that is owned by you but offers a new perspective is highly alluring because it offers your coffee date a professional advantage.

This takes a little pre-work on your behalf, because before reaching out, you should know what’s important to them. And even better if you know what they don’t know.

2. Don’t Make Them Come to You - Go to Them

Knowing that time is a well-defended resource, it only makes sense that if you want to make solid connections, one of the best ways to ease the process is to simply be where your target network is.

For instance, one sector that interested me - and where I was hoping to make more connections was in actor’s education.

So although it seems simple, I made sure to join in the classes. Sometimes that meant reaching out to assess if there were guest lecture or observer opportunities, and other times that meant becoming a participant.

By taking part on many levels, it opened the door to a lovely experience that I wouldn’t have had, if I’d asked the educators or students to come to me. Plus, by being in the settings that they’re in every day, I got to be part of natural interactions. I highly recommend that other professionals find where their audiences naturally congregate - and to go there.

All that to say - just jump in.

Get involved and become an active participant in the community, and the connections will naturally - and authentically - grow.

3. Take Advantage of Free Events and Networking Meetups

Sometimes ‘going to where your target network is’ can seem like an enormous task. Where do you start? How do you know where to go? What if you make an investment to attend a high-profile event or conference and end up with no connections?

In New York, there are a wealth of free (or low cost) networking opportunities such as meetups, that can help you suss out where your time is best spent, without investing a lot of cash upfront.

For instance, as a tech company, we often took advantage of events listed in Gary’s Guide. However, a more general website that has groups in communities around the world is MeetUp.

Having events to attend where the risk is low also gives you freedom to dabble into areas that are of interest and pique your curiosity (e.g. Not sure what Irish Pitch Night is? Sign up and find out!).

Those Who Leave their Comfort Zone and Take a Chance Can Achieve More

New York City is a place where people go to give their dreams their all. It’s a place of taking chances, being vulnerable and passionately pursuing your dreams.

But it’s also a state of mind.

You don’t have to leave your city to reach for new heights in your career and business, but you will have a better chance of succeeding if you rally your gumption and choose to participate - New York style.

?Stephanie Ciccarelli is the co-founder and Chief Brand Officer of Voices.com and the host of Sound Stories, an inspirational podcast for storytellers who want to improve their lives at work and at play.