Using Social Media Platforms To Build a Career Profile

Social media has become one of the best ways to build an online profile as a freelancer working within the media industry. It can be a useful method of getting traffic through to your website or ProductionBase profile and getting exposure that you wouldn’t necessarily achieve through other avenues. Plus, it enables freelancers to connect with other like-minded professionals to share experiences and advice, as well as job leads. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of marketing yourself through the successful social media platforms Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

Twitter

Using Social Media Platforms To Build a Career Profile

Twitter can be a great connection point between freelancers and potential clients, as social media platforms like twitter have provided not only easier access to production companies but an easy way of keeping your clients up-to-date regularly. The real advantage of Twitter is that as there is a limited amount of characters, it is quick and easy to keep track of the issues and opportunities arising within the media industry in a short period of time. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of your twitter account:

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The Importance Of Networking

he Importance Of Networking

Whether you are a recent graduate looking for your first runner position, or a broadcasting veteran looking for a way back into the industry, don’t underestimate the importance of networking in a job hunt. Creating a network of professional contacts can help you to find unadvertised jobs, build your professional skills to make yourself more employable and help you get your career on the right track.

No one works in isolation so knowing people who work within the industry is the key to both your professional success and your job search success. Networking is the perfect way to meet the professionals in TV land, who can offer you new perspectives and assistance in seeking that all important new gig.

Attend conferences, discussion groups, workshops and trade shows, and make an effort to meet and exchange contact information with industry folk there – you can find out very quickly who the key people are to seek out.

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Top Tips On Writing Your CV

Top Tips on Writing Your CV

It’s around this time we start telling ourselves that we’re going to get off our backsides and start looking for that new job. And as we know, this year will be as tough if not tougher than last year so it’s essential to market yourself, your skills and experience as effectively as possible.

Following a few simple steps can make the difference in your CV standing out from the crowd and putting you in pole position to be called for that all important interview.

I’ve read many a CV over the years and it still comes as a surprise at how careless people can be with their most valuable document, the ‘passport’ to that job.

Here are some key pointers in knocking that CV into shape:

  • Keep it to a maximum of 2 pages – with good editing you’ll surprised how much you can get in, even for seasoned veterans.
  • The font size should be 11 or 12 point in Arial or Calibri as these are easy to read.
  • No photos of yourself please – you may be gorgeous but if it’s a role behind the camera you want, then it’s simply not necessary.
  • Lay it out in chronological order with your credits listed in reverse order.
  • Be concise – write short sentences and avoid paragraphs.
  • Target your CV to the job you’re applying for – don’t take a scattergun approach.
  • List additional skills such as editing, driving licence, foreign language, scuba diving qualification – it could tip the balance in your favour over someone without these.
  • Bad spelling and grammar stands out a mile and will immediately go to the reject pile. Re-read it dozens of times and always use spell-check.
  • Don’t fib. It’s an incestuous place in telly land – lots of people know lots of people and in turn know lots of people…so you’ll be found out.

Have You Used Your Media Allowance?

Have you used your 3 minute media upload allowance?

All PB members with Pro or Premium membership have the option to add video, audio and images to their profile pages. Uploading media to your profile allows employers to instantly view your work without having to navigate away from the site.

Utilise this by uploading a showreel and/or some images. Here are few pointers!

  • Upload media which supports your current work ambitions and strengths.
  • You don’t have to be the director to upload the clip.
  • Title and Tag your media in the most appropriate way.
  • Use the Playlist creator to put together collections of work.
  • Expose your media by sharing it with others.

If you’re a Standard Member, you can upgrade to a Pro or Premium membership at any time to add media to your profile page, and increase your exposure. To learn more about uploading media to your profile click here.

Want To Remove The Accountancy Pain From Your Life?

Want to Remove the Accountancy Pain From Your Life?

ProductionBase is extremely pleased to recommend Crunch – a company that has transformed the previously grey and stuffy world of expensive accounting into a quick and cost-effective process.

How it works:

  • Unlike a traditional accountancy firm, Crunch is geared to your needs, not the accountant.
  • They remove every single task so you’ll be able to focus on what you’re good at – making programmes.
  • You’ll get your very own account manager – that is with you every step of the way.
  • From the quick setup process or simple transfer from your old accountant, to looking after all that boring paperwork from HMRC and Companies House.
  • You’ll have an expert accountant to talk to, precisely when you need them – especially when you know you are not being charged by the minute.
  • They are there to answer all your accountancy and tax questions as well as checking everything you do is correct before it’s submitted.
  • Designed for the non-accounting mind, its one of the easiest accounting systems available.
  • You’ll be sending invoices in minutes, dropping in expenses and seeing the health of your business instantly.

To find out more, visit Crunch – Online Accounting.

Get People Caught In Your Own Web(site)

Get people caught in your own web(site)

Since we launched the fantastic new upgrades to your membership, we have had a great response, in particular, to the inclusion of your own website.

It’s a fantastic way to showcase your profile and as its part of your PB package, saves you lots of dosh on running and maintaining your own site.

But are you utilising it to its full potential? Here are a few key reminders of getting the best out of it:

Make sure you add the URL to your email signature and business card – it increases the potential of production companies contacting you.

  • Your website can be accessed by anyone at anytime.
  • Employers and colleagues do not need to be logged into PB or be active members to see your site.
  • Your website can be searched via the various search engines in the usual way.
  • The content displayed replicates your internal PB profile so there is no need to write duplicate information.
  • You’re in control! If for any reason you want to go incognito, you can use your Privacy Settings to restrict the information people see about you.

As always, the PB team are on hand to take you through any questions you may have on this great new facility, so give us a bell if you need profile and set up advice. Give us a call on 0845 496 1418 or email info@productionbase.co.uk.

Be A Show Off…Or Not

Be a Show Off…or Not

Since the recent media hosting upgrade, all members now have an external webpage, as well as their ProductionBase profile.

By default, these external profile pages are set to appear in internet searches, such as Google, Yahoo and Bing etc. This is great for people who want to show their profiles to people who are not members of PB, as you can give the link to anyone, or add it to your email signature for example.

However, if for any reason you would like your external profile NOT to appear in searches conducted via search engines, then please follow these simple steps to remove it from public domain.

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A Starter For 10

A Starter For 10

This summer, like the last one (and many before) will see graduates unleashed onto the workforce looking to gain that all important first rung on the ladder of their media career. PB’s Joe Mahoney offers up some valuable tips to those about to embark on the hunt for their first job.

1. Keep in touch with as many people as you can – uni mates, past employers from work experience can be a good source of information and can give you a heads up on what’s happening.

2. Think about your online profile and the impression it gives of you to potential employers. Although production companies don’t actively search for graduates via networking sites such as Facebook, they may do a quick check on you prior to an interview. So make sure it doesn’t have embarrassing photos of you throwing up on the pavement from a night out nor has derogatory comments about other people.

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Let Your Criteria Be Known!

Let Your Criteria Be Known!

When posting a job on PB, let your 3 most important prerequisites be known. You can ask freelancers up to 3 Yes or No questions that they must answer before sending their application. Setting criteria questions will assist you in filtering the most relevant applicants and will also deter those without the necessary experience from applying.

We’ve been encouraging freelancers to only apply for jobs that their qualified for and it seems to be paying off. Over the last 30 days 85% of employers received fewer than 50 applications per job posting. Email us your job posting today and we’ll gladly post it for you – get in touch with the team on info@productionbase.co.uk.

Complete That Profile!

Complete That Profile!

This week’s top tip may seem obvious but you’d be surprised how many people we talk to about this problem. The situation is this: you upload your CV and then leave your profile blank, thinking that all the information is on your CV. Whilst we appreciate that you may have spent a long time on your CV and realize that it contains all the information you want to convey, it is still important to get as much information as you can onto your online profile.

The reason for this is that everything on your ProductionBase profile is searchable, and employers do a lot of searches. Research has told us that more people get jobs on ProductionBase through employer searches than through posted jobs. So why not take a day to make your profile shine a bit, and increase your chances of being found for the job your dreams.