The message did not come with a job description or a deadline. It simply said, “Hey, are you available for a project?” No application. No interview panel. No LinkedIn post announcing an opening. Just a conversation that quietly turned into paid work. For many creatives in Nigeria, this is how jobs actually arrive, unannounced and already halfway decided.
While job boards are full of opportunities, the truth is that a large number of creative roles are filled long before they ever become public. Designers, writers, photographers, filmmakers, and social media managers often get hired through networks that exist behind the scenes. Understanding this hidden system is not optional anymore. It is how job placement truly works in the creative industry.
Why Most Creative Jobs Never Reach Job Boards
Creative hiring is rarely formal. Agencies and founders often need work done quickly and with minimal risk. Posting a job publicly means sorting through hundreds of portfolios, many of which do not fit the brief. That process takes time most teams do not have.
Instead, they ask people they trust. A creative director checks their contacts. A brand manager asks a friend for a recommendation. Someone drops a message in a WhatsApp group asking if anyone knows a reliable illustrator. Before a role ever reaches a job site, it has usually passed through several personal conversations.
In Nigeria especially, referrals feel safer. Budgets are tight, timelines are shorter, and trust matters. Hiring someone who comes recommended reduces uncertainty. This is why creatives who rely only on job boards often feel stuck, while others seem to land roles effortlessly.
Networking Is Not Begging, It Is Visibility Over Time
Many creatives cringe at the word networking. It sounds forced, transactional, or embarrassing. But real networking in the creative industry looks nothing like pitching strangers for jobs.
At its core, networking is about familiarity. People hire who they recognize, remember, and trust. That familiarity is built gradually through presence and consistency, not one dramatic conversation.
Sharing your work regularly, engaging thoughtfully with others in your field, collaborating on small projects, and being visible without shouting all count. Networking is not about asking for opportunities. It is about making it easy for someone to think of you when an opportunity appears.
If someone can confidently say, “I know someone who would be perfect for this,” you are already halfway hired.
Where Creative Networking Actually Happens
Creative networking rarely happens in conference halls with name tags. It happens in spaces creatives already occupy, often without realizing their importance.
Offline, this includes exhibitions, pop ups, gallery openings, film screenings, fashion showcases, book readings, and creative workshops. These spaces allow organic conversations without pressure. A casual chat can lead to a follow up, which later becomes a referral.
Online, Instagram remains one of the strongest networking tools for creatives. Twitter and LinkedIn also matter, especially when used consistently. Comment sections, shared work, and mutual engagement quietly build recognition. WhatsApp and Discord communities act as informal job pipelines where opportunities circulate quickly.
The key is not to be everywhere. It is to show up regularly in a few spaces where your industry already lives.
How to Show Up Without Feeling Awkward or Fake
The fear of doing networking wrong stops many creatives from even trying. The good news is that most people are not expecting perfection.
At events, focus on genuine conversation. Ask what people are working on. Listen more than you talk. Avoid turning every interaction into a pitch. People remember how you made them feel long before they remember your portfolio link.
Online, engage with intention. Respond to posts you genuinely connect with. Share insights, not noise. When you follow up, keep it simple. A short message reminding someone who you are and what you do is enough.
Networking works best when it feels human, not strategic.
Why Being Known Often Beats Being Talented
This part is uncomfortable but necessary. Talent opens doors, but familiarity decides who walks through them.
When deadlines are tight, people recommend creatives they have worked with before or those they see consistently. Reliability, communication, and professionalism matter as much as skill. A solid creative who is easy to work with often beats a brilliant one who is unknown.
Job placement in the creative industry rewards those who are present, not just gifted.
The Jobs Are Closer Than You Think
Creative jobs are moving around you every day through conversations, messages, and quiet referrals. Networking is already happening whether you actively participate or not.
The real question is simple. When an opportunity comes up, will your name come to mind?
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