The art of networking is essential for the success of creative professionals. After all, no one has ever achieved anything alone, and creativity can only be successfully marketed in a symbiosis of competencies. Promising collaborations, access to technology, equipment and know-how as well as existing production and distribution structures lie dormant in the networks of the creative industries. In addition, interests can be bundled and demands made to politicians, which is invaluable especially during the Corona crisis.
NetWorking as A Business
In addition to one’s own phone book and followers on social media, there are many professional networks that have declared networking to be a business in itself and which creative professionals from different positions can join. Their service consists of connecting their members with each other and bringing them together at networking events. In this way, a certain circle of interests or professions gets to know each other and can build trust and break down social barriers. This makes it possible to talk to CEOs, marketers and even politicians at eye level.
Professional Friends
The various networks each have a specific focus and their members join them for very different reasons. Within the networks, members can build up a professional “circle of friends” from which they can benefit at any time for their projects and plans. In our experience, it is especially important for newcomers to show their presence and to constantly talk to people about their work and goals.
But which network fits to whom and who is allowed to join where? Using a small selection, largely based on Berlin due to our proximity to the capital, we would like to introduce some networks and explain what they do, who benefits from them and how they are in turn networked. The social networks such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter & Co. are of course an important basis for constant networking, but that’s not what we’re talking about here.
Finding the right legal form
With regard to the legal form, a basic distinction can be made between two types: the association/club and the limited liability company. In the case of the second form, the network itself focuses on economic interests, so that in a sense it is a service. Here, very good offers and very effective networking are usually accompanied by a high membership fee or other access restrictions.
On the other hand, there are associations and societies which, as political actors, have a somewhat different orientation and social function than the limited liability company. Based on a charter, the association/club regulates the joint activities of the members and can establish standards and regulations, such as general terms and conditions. The members have voting rights and elect the board of directors. In addition, the association represents the common interests externally and can do advocacy work (lobbying). Associations/clubs function through sponsorship, which is either internal from membership dues or external from third parties. Even though clubs and associations can in principle generate profits, economic interests are not the focus here.
Umbrella Organizations
Most associations and clubs are locally oriented in their work. For this reason, they are usually members of a national umbrella organization. What the federation does for its members, the umbrella organization in turn does for the associations that are members there; here, the scale is enlarged, so to speak. Even though only associations and clubs can become members here, they are also very interesting for the creative professionals themselves. This is because the lists of members can be used to find associations and federations that work locally and that one can join.
The Bundesverband der Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft e.V., or Kreative Deutschland for short, is this kind of umbrella organization. It promotes the establishment of state associations of the cultural and creative industries as well as municipal and regional networks and, as mentioned, develops standards for the industry. Associations, networks or other organizations from this sector can thus become members. The amount and due date of dues are determined by the general meeting. The association represents the interests of creative players vis-à-vis politics, business and the European Union and strengthens the acceptance and perception of companies in the cultural and creative industries. The interest groups are networked and develop projects to promote the cultural and creative industries. They also offer information and advice to their members.
Since we stay largely in Berlin in our listing, we recommend that anyone not based there take a look at the list of members. While the cultural and creative industries are particularly well organized and networked in Berlin, many other cities also have networks that perform the same tasks and offer services.
Cross-industry networks
Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH
The network is characterized above all by the heterogeneity of its members and is more cross-sectoral than almost any other. With over 230 partners from business and science, Berlin Partner für Wirtschaft und Technologie GmbH is committed to Berlin as a business location. The target group is Berlin-based companies of all sizes and from all sectors, which are networked and mediated through the network. Start-ups in particular can make good contacts with business leaders from other companies at the numerous networking events and can exchange ideas with representatives from other industries at the international events and build and expand networks. However, the fee is relatively high and ranges from 2,000 to 80,000 euros. The network’s performance varies with the amount of the fee paid.
AusserGewöhnlich Berlin GmbH & Co. KG
As the name suggests, Aussergewöhnlich Berlin GmbH & Co. KG is a club for Berlin executives and freelancers from the creative sector. You are explicitly invited to join this network after having participated in one of its events several times. So not just anyone can become a member. The contribution is then 980 euros per year, whereby there are free quotas for creative professionals. The network promises a systematization of its own network work and greater media visibility. The core competence, however, is Berlin itself and its infrastructure. With its Berlin-Concierge Service, the network organizes locations, offices and apartments for its members, as well as tax advice, a dentist or a limousine.
media:net berlinbrandenburg e.V.
Individuals and companies from the media, creative and digital industries can apply for membership in media:net berlinbrandenburg e.V.. It is a networking association that strengthens Berlin-Brandenburg as a business location and works closely with politics, business and science. One of the main topics is digitalization. Members can participate in continuing education and networking events, post their employee searches on the job exchange, and take advantage of numerous discounts from cooperation partners such as Deutsche Telekom or berliner fenster. The membership fee starts at 100 euros per year with the supporting membership and increases depending on the year of foundation and the industry in which the person or company is active.
Creative industry players looking for a free network will find what they are looking for at Creative City Berlin. The network is a central portal for artists, cultural workers and companies from the creative industries. A profile can be created free of charge and both the job and project exchange can be used, where creative professionals in the capital can network, exchange ideas and collaborate. The platform also offers access to training, consulting and networking events. Creative City Berlin is connected to the advisory network Kreativ Kultur Berlin, is funded by the European Regional Development Fund and supported by the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Europe.
industry-specific networks
We recently reported in detail about the Berlin Music Commission (BMC). The association has over 600 members from the Berlin music industry. In addition to networking and strengthening the members and Berlin as a music location, the focus of the work here is on representing interests vis-à-vis the Berlin Senate Administration. Members include not only solo artists, labels and publishers, but also other associations such as the Clubcommission. Especially during Corona, it became clear how important such interest groups are for the creative industries. The membership fee starts at 100 euros per year for solo self-employed and then varies between 300 and 800 euros per year depending on the size of the company. Members have the opportunity to participate in networking events, consultations and further training. Furthermore, the BMC announces funding programs to which all Berlin musicians, whether members or not, can apply.
Professional filmmakers who live or work in Berlin can become members of the Filmnetzwerk Berlin. The network is an initiative of the Deutsche Film- und Fernsehakademie Berlin (DFFB) and is completely free of charge. All Berlin filmmakers who are creatively active as the head of a creative department behind the camera (e.g. directing, producing, screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound, etc.) can join and benefit from the network. In addition to networking with each other, members can also attend network events and receive discounts from partners, including iSFF, Masterschool Drehbuch, MediaTech Hub Conference and EPI. Particularly exciting here is the mentoring program, which matches newcomers with experienced professionals from the industry and allows them to learn from each other’s expertise. Such matches can last up to six months.
Members of the book industry n Germany can join the Selfpublisher Verband if – as the name suggests – they are self-publishers or want to become so. The association represents the interests of German-speaking authors who publish their works internally in the association. Associations can also join the association. There are two different categories of members: full members and associated members. Full members are those who have already published at least one book in the Selfpublishing Association. Associates are only aspiring to have one. The former pay an annual membership fee of 96 euros, while the associates pay 72 euros, which is somewhat less. The interest group strengthens its members’ power to act, so that they can be much more easily present at trade fairs (including the book fairs in Leipzig and Frankfurt) and become members of other associations, which is otherwise often difficult for self-publishers.
Allianz deutscher Designer e.V.
The Allianz deutscher Designer (AGD) e.V. also operates nationwide. The alliance has been in existence since 1976 and today forms a network with around 3,000 members. As a professional association, it negotiated the VTV Design, the collective wage agreement for design services, at an early stage, which is now regarded as the industry standard. All designers can join the AGD. However, those who are employed under the VTV Design are excluded, as otherwise conflicts of interest could arise. The network offers consulting and further education in the areas of design as well as law and taxes and represents the interests of its members in their lobbying work. Good networking is also achieved through cooperation with other regional and national associations, institutions and networks. The annual membership fee is 240 euros; reductions are possible.
Anyone working in the field of fashion might be interested in the Fashion Council Germany e.V.. The network aims to strengthen the German fashion and design landscape for a visionary, technological & sustainable future in a global market by championing German fashion design as a cultural and economic asset. Any member of the design industry can become a member. Membership fees are based on membership forms, which in turn depend on the type and size of the company or activity. In addition to internal networking, members can participate in weekly webinars, read the monthly member newsletter, book showrooms for events and exhibitions free of charge, and attend and take advantage of other exclusive events and benefits. Additionally, the network offers mentoring and promotion. Through lobbying, members’ interests are represented to policymakers.
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