A few weeks ago I attended an industry event. I know, the term “industry event” sounds very vague and exciting. It’s not.
If you work in the media biz in NYC there’s bound to be at least 2-4 industry events a week. Once the weather gets warmer that number goes up to 5-7. Most times you find yourself hitting up 2 or 3 different events a night.
The purpose of these events can be a new campaign launch, album/movie release, publication anniversary, a gallery opening, blah, blah, blah. Attendees are always the same: publicists, writers, tv folks, radio folks, marketing folks, those who you have no idea what they do folks.
I walk into this event for a new phone. Immediately, I ran into the regulars (think Cheers where everyone is glad you came and welcome you like they didn’t just see you the night before). The event was stacked with 2 open bars, food out the wazoo and great gift giveaways.
The gifts weren’t for everyone. You needed a black ticket and only one man was giving them out. I walked over to him and asked for a ticket (with the tix you got to pick from 3 gift options).
“Hello, I was told I need to see you about a gift ticket.”
“Yes, they are only for media.”
“Ok, I’m a journalist.”
He didn’t come up off a ticket. I think he gave me a once over before saying:
“Where do you work?”
Here…we…go!
How could I explain to him that being a journalist doesn’t mean you have an employer or an business card to flash. Being a journalist, especially in today’s market, can very well mean you work for yourself. Does that not qualify as holding a job?
I returned to the freelance market in December and have clocked in more hours building a web presence (3 websites, 2 twitter accounts, a radio show, web video series…) than I did when I was working for the man. There’s no way I can say all that in one sentence.
Sadly, people haven’t moved past word association.
You can’t say, “I’m a social media marketer” or “I build websites” or “I’m Diddy’s Tweet writer”. Respect for new media and self-employment hasn’t swept the nation yet.
Folks still want to hear “I work at [insert name of nearly washed up magazine/newspaper/radio or tv station here].”
Dude wasn’t trying to hear my diatribe about what I consider “work”.
Motivated by the free gifts (they were really good) I pulled a publication name from my ass and walked away with my ticket. I don’t condone such behavior but it was worth my spa gift certificate.
- ch
Great read!
LOl I am so happy you got the gift bag. As always Chloe great read and awesome story.
Oh, man… Been there. The same also applies to getting product for reviews, etc. BTW, was this a T-Mobile event? If so, I have some calls to make.
I know the feeling. It’s too bad that we are defined by who we work for.
The pause that comes after the question is always a weird feeling. Especially for someone that’s trying to work in the field, but as usual, I keep my confidence red hot, throw out a company name and extend my hand then tweet about the event.
btw, great read.