Networking & Building Relationships in the Industry – How to Get More Bookings

[Picture Perfect Agency]

Hey everyone,

Let's talk about one of the realest parts of building success in this industry: networking and forming strong relationships. Whether you're a makeup artist, photographer, model, stylist, or creative in any field, your network can be the key to consistent bookings and exciting new opportunities.

I created this thread to share some tips, ideas, and personal experiences as well as to hear yours, too!

Let's start with the basics: What does networking really mean in our industry?

It's not just swapping Instagram handles or handing out business cards. Real networking is about making meaningful connections, the kind where people remember you, recommend you, and want to work with you again. And that doesn't happen overnight. It's about showing up, supporting others, and creating value in every interaction.

Here are a few tips to help you build stronger relationships and grow your bookings:

1. Show up and stay consistent. Whether online or in-person, be active in your community. Join local events, forums (like this one!), and workshops. Visibility builds trust.

2. Support others without expecting something back. Comment, like, share, refer. People remember who had their back.

3. Follow up. If you had a great collaboration or chat with someone, check in. Keep the relationship going — it can lead to future work.

4. Invest in your presentation. Your portfolio, online profiles, and communication style should reflect the level of professionalism you bring to every job.

5. Ask for testimonials. A good word goes a long way. Don't be shy — if someone loved working with you, chances are they'd be happy to write a review or refer you.

6. Say yes (within reason). Sometimes doing that one unpaid shoot with the right team can open the door to five paid ones. However, if you really don't want to do something don't. If you are unhappy at an event people will sense it.

Something to always keep in mind is that this industry thrives on collaboration. Some of my best opportunities came from word of mouth, mutual connections, or random conversations that turned into something magical. You never know where your next booking will come from, but if you keep showing up, you're putting yourself in the right places to be seen and remembered.

Let's open this up to the community:

What's one connection that helped you get more bookings?
How do you stay connected in such a fast-paced industry?
Any red flags when networking that we should watch out for?
Share your stories, tips, and shoutouts below! Let's help each other grow.

[Nomad]

It is really difficult to network without building your own personal brand. These days people like to connect only with who is who if the industry. Therefore, focus on improving your portfoilio and building your brand.