The Importance of Networking

Hey everyone,

I was recently talking to someone about networking and how important it is not only as an Entrepreneur but also as a journalist/writer/director/actress.

A lot of people outside of this industry can't understand why I go out so often - I go to at least four events a week, sometimes four in one day, and while a lot of the time I'm wrecked and I'd rather be in my pyjamas, there is a reason I go to nearly every event I'm invited to.

I know most people would say it's for the free booze (and that is obviously) a plus. But genuinely I go to network.

Whether that's talking to business owners, journalists, the manager of the venue or meeting new people.

I always think in this business especially that relationships are give and take - give advice, give help, give contacts, share knowledge and you get the same in return.

When I started out in this industry (working for the Evening Herald) my job was to go to events pretty much every night, and I couldn't leave a party without getting a story. So I learned the power of networking pretty quickly.


The nicer I was to people, the more I effort I made to attend events and talk to the right people - the more stories I got.

Now I don't seek out stories, although thanks to the network of contacts I have now I still get a tip off nearly everytime I'm out.

But going to events now for me is all about talking to the right people re business and advertising.

The best advice I can give is to say yes to invites. Even if an event or a launch looks boring or has nothing to do with your own interests you never know who you are going to meet.

I have five great examples of this.

1. Networking saved me at the Cannes Film Festival

I went to Cannes last year completely on my own and I booked myself in for about a week.

Someone I had only met once or twice told me I should fly over and go to as many things as possible...so I said YES.

Once I got there I realised most people only go for two or three days, mainly the weekend the Irish Film Board party was on.

And also 24 hours in my accommodation completely fell through, so I had nowhere to stay...

After about two days there I was finding it hard trawling around the place on my own the whole time, it was frantic over there so I was really tired and I hadn't really talked to too many people.

I ended up sleeping on a floor one night and I was ready to go home.

I called a friend back in Dublin and said I was going to change my flights and come home early. I had come to make contacts in the film industry, meet producers/directors and pitch a new project to Irish film producers.

Thankfully he persuaded me to stay. And the next day I went out and tried to talk to as many people as possible.

Within the next 24 hours the Mail newspaper in the UK asked me to do some work for them (see number 4 for how networking helped me with that).

I found myself at a very lavish party thrown by Pamela Anderson on the beach - also attended by Vivienne Westwood.

Not only was it a great party, but I got a world exclusive interview with Pamela herself, that was cool.

Then I went to two Harvey Weinstein parties back to back and got to have a little dance with James McAvoy.

By the end of the week I had pitched my new project, started talks with production companies and I met an entrepreneur who has not only given me great advice regarding my business but has been a huge support to me and we still keep in touch now.

2. Daytime launches are always worth it

Another important business contact I have I met randomly at a daytime launch about three years ago.

It was back in my Herald days and I had no real interest in the event I was at. But since I was out to get a story I started talking to everyone.

I helped him out with a story at the time and I kept in contact every few weeks, helping him with coverage for his business and in return he helped me out with lots of stories and introduced me to lots of important people.

Now three years later we're still great friends and not only that he's become a fantastic business mentor to me, I'm so glad I went up that day and simply said "Hi, I'm Ali."

The same thing happened with a global company I have just done a deal with on Goss.ie.

It was another day time event, and I was up to my eyes in articles and emails but I went across town and made the effort to go.

Same thing again I just said hello to the right person and that turned into one of the biggest sales deals we've ever done on the site.

Morning launches can be such an effort as well, but I always go. And sometimes you get nothing from them - no contacts, no stories.

But every other time you will. One morning launch I went to there was no other journalists there but me, and a well known Irish TV presenter was there.

She pointed out that I was the only journalist that made the effort to come in person, instead of writing about it and never attending.

We had a long chat about the industry and what was going on in her station at the time - she's been a great contact ever since and has always given me the heads up on big stories that I broke exclusively in the papers I was in.

3. I opened so many new doors in LA

Another time I jetted off completely on my own was when I covered the Oscars for the Mail on Sunday the year before last.

I was hell bent on going over and attending the infamous Oscar parties but again I knew absolutely no one.

The only thing I could do over there was network or else I never would have got a story and I wouldn't have met the people I did.

I had an actress friend of mine with me and she introduced me to her circle of acting and producing friends - and that started my plan to move to LA full time.

On Oscars night itself we went to an Oscars Viewing Party in an Irish bar on Sunset and I met so many Irish actors there, including a director who is a huge name now, we just chatted about a movie he had wrapped, and it turned out to be one of the biggest blockbusters recently...

But when it came to the Oscar parties, the huge events...I was all on my own.

Landing there a few hours I was already on my way to the Oscar Wilde party (thanks to my contacts) and while I didn't stay at that one I went across town to an even BETTER event called the Unite4:Hood.

I had got on the press lists for so many events over there but this was an important one.

I had been in contact with the fabulous Marissa Carter before I went over because Cocoa Brown Tan were tanning the A-listers ahead of the Oscars at the amazing Oscar Pamper Suite.

Marissa had told me she was going to the event too, but I never thought we'd find each other. Once I got inside we were sat right by the stage.

It was a really small event so we were right beside stars like Alicia Keys, Selena Gomez, Adrian Grenier, Demi Lovato, Katherine Heigl, Robert De Niro and even Bill Clinton.

The second night I was in LA I was so jet-lagged and just wanted to sleep a few extra hours but I pushed myself to go to an event ran by InStyle.

Again I was so thankful I made the effort and I met Carmen Electra, Kate Meara and most importantly I got chatting to some US acting agents over there, and got a real insight into the industry.

It was also thanks to Marissa Carter that I got to enjoy the Pre-Oscar pamper suite in the Beverly Hilton.

A few great things happened thanks to that trip - my plan to move to LA, awesome interviews which meant great coverage in the Mail, long term relationships with PRs in California which meant AMAZING invites to Oscar parties this year, relationships with journalists over there and also a great relationship with Marissa.

Cocoa Brown sponsored our 1st year Goss Birthday Party and she's also joining us at our first event event Goss Meets LIVE! - all because I made the effort to meet all these people and networked my ass off.

4. Networking was VITAL for me in London

While I was working for the Mail I was asked to edit the Showbiz Diary over in the London Mail offices - of course I said yes.

The first few days there though the editors wanted me to find my footing and show them what I had to offer - so about one hour after landing I was asked to list the exclusive stories I had for them.

One hour after landing - and I'd only been to London once, and I had absolutely no contacts there whatsoever.

So the networking hat was back on...we all had a list of all the events happening in London and I went to nearly every single one of them.

I went out of my way to meet the PRs at every event, every company and I stayed for hours and hours at events instead of going home so I could make relationships that would last.

By day two I had done an exclusive interview with Billy Zane, I had been to four events and I was the only journalist to get quotes from Jonathan Rhys Meyers at a launch where everyone was told they couldn't interview him.

Johnny was standing outside the venue we were at having a cigarette. While journalists were told an interview was not going to happen I walked right up to him and turned on the Irish charm, told him I had to run but could I get a quick word.

Once he heard the accent I was in.

Not only did I get great interviews that time I made relationships again with PRs and journalists that are still going strong.

I have written pieces for various UK publications since I worked over there and I still get invites to huge events there.

On top of that I caught up with a friend I had met in college, Meghann Scully, who is now one of my best friends and a full time reporter at Goss.ie.

5. Networking got me my entire production crew on my TV pilot

I have so many more examples of how networking was key to making situations a success - but one in particular was how I got my production team together for the TV pilot I shot last year.

I met a producer through a friend one time and had discussed the project with him. I randomly bumped into him at film events and luckily at a party an actor friend of mine was throwing we met again.

It's so easy to just pretend you don't see people, especially when you don't know them that well, but that night I went up and said hi and I told him we were pushing forward with the show.

He loved the concept and said he would get me in touch with the right people.

That same very night I actually met two of the actors I ended up casting in the pilot (both well known) and through word of mouth they had heard the script was good (another power of networking).

Two weeks later I was sitting down with a producer who was recommended by the other producer, and within a month we had the TV pilot ready to go.

He got the entire crew together and found people who believed in the project and believed in me.

They were the best crew I have ever worked with, and I know we will work together again.

Obviously working hard and talent is a huge part of getting places, and all of that can get you to the right doors, but sometimes networking is the key to unlocking the doors and getting inside.

My pilot has already been seen by top Irish TV producers, channel controllers as well as heads of stations...and that's thanks to knowing the right people.

Obviously they wouldn't have looked at it if the script was crap, but if I didn't know the right people there probably wouldn't be a script for them to look at because I wouldn't have known who to give it to.

Also the places I filmed, the people I filmed with were all at no cost because I had good relationships with people. Venues, brands and people themselves were happy to help.

And like I said it's give and take in this industry.

I have helped people land roles in movies, get a modelling campaign, get their story in a paper, feature on a TV show...you name it, and it's all thanks to networking.

So...

My point with this post is just to say always say yes, go to the event that sounds crap, go alone to that party that has no really important guests at it, jump on a flight even if it means being on your own for days and always, always go up to people and say hello.

You never know who you are going to meet, and how they are going to impact your life.

Ali

x

Dreaming, Believing and SERIOUSLY Werking...

#ThrowbackThursday - 7 weeks after the Goss.ie Birthday Bash

Hey guys,

As usual I've been way too busy to even think about writing a blog post, but since I started out as a blogger (about six years ago now) I am trying to keep it up!

I can't believe it's been 7 weeks since the Goss.ie birthday party, it felt like we were planning it forever and then it all happened so quickly.

My sister sent this pic to me the other when I was cutting into our 1st birthday cake (at 1am I might add) and I thought it was a fitting #throwbackthursday.

My main aim with the party was to bring in more advertising and introduce the company to new commercial teams and media buyers who maybe didn't know us so well.

Throwback: The Goss Team took some serious selfies

I'm delighted to say sales have seriously increased since the party and there are some really exciting things happening with Goss that I will be able to talk about soon.

Expansion has been on my mind since day one and I will be expanding the business very soon in more ways than one.

So what have I been doing over the last 7 weeks?

First of all I've fallen in love with PERISCOPE.

I started seeing one or two people in the media using Periscope and then discovered the likes of the Huffington Post and TMZ have all jumped on the band wagon so I thought...why not?

I started Periscoping at the Galway Film Fleadh, where myself and Goss Entertainment Reporter Meghann Scully wandered around the streets of Galway and did a Periscope from a hot tub (as you do).

Now I'm integrating Periscope into the daily Goss TV posts we do. So every day around 5pm we're sitting down and chatting about the big stories of the day.

My Periscope is @SweetLikeAli

The Galway Film Fleadh was a big ole event this month. I go every year but this year was by far the most fun.

I'm pretty sure I didn't sleep for two full days and I spent most of my time sitting in the Radisson hotel drinking with producers, writers and actors and just soaking up the atmosphere in general.

Fleadh Fun: I've literally just recovered

When I can join my two loves together (Goss.ie & Film making) at the same time I'm a happy woman, so I really mixed work and pleasure that week...and to be honest I've only just recovered from it now.

The TV pilot I made is STILL in discussion with broadcasters and at this point I'm thinking of reshooting it a bit and giving it a new feel, I'm also working on two feature scripts now and had a few conversations about that at the Fleadh.

I am married to Snapchat.

Although like I said I've become shite for blogging I am on Snapchat all the time and probably a tad too much.

I've totally ghosted Instagram and I feel like we're about to break up for good because Snapchat is much more conversational, it's quick, it's direct and it feels more in the moment (same as Periscope).

If you're on Snapchat too, add me: alir23.

Goss.ie have a Snapchat as well of course, and we actually did a feature really on the top Irish people to follow on Snapchat, check out the feature HERE.

At Goss.ie I'm all about moving with social media and moving fast, from Instagram to Periscope and Snapchat we're on everything and we'll be playing around with all of that even more now.

We've properly started Goss TV.

Since the conception of Goss.ie I was always very focused on getting Goss TV off the ground. And now we are filming a minimum of one showbiz round ups/chats a day and we've just started getting into more fun/feature videos too.

I really think video is the future of online, and while it's going to be slow to get lots of viewers I think we have something unique and cool going on here, and we're all coming up with new video ideas everyday.

The aim eventually is to get some videos viral/trending, so we're working on that. Goss is only 14 months old so we've a lot left to accomplish but I'm proud of what we're doing so far.

Finally one of the biggest things that happened over the last 7 weeks and in my life in general was my older sister getting married.

Myself and my younger sister were bridesmaids at the wedding and we had the most wonderful few days.

It's been a hectic summer and I'm knee deep in meetings and paper work for the next few weeks.

But only grabbing 4 hours sleep is worth it when I see all the hard work paying off.

Ali

x

Dreaming, Believing and Seriously WERKING....

My first holiday in 12 months - and taking a moment to reflect

So,

Last week I jetted off to Greece - marking the first time I've left the country in 12 months.

Not only that but it was also the first time in 6 months I took more than a few hours off. I was scared, excited and honestly all over the place because I was just exhausted.

But once I touched down in the stunning island of Zante (Zakynthos) I felt an overwhelming sense of relief.

Instead of sitting in front of my laptop all morning, every hour of the day and late into the night, I spent my mornings by the pool, sunning myself on the beach and sometimes partying into the night.

I've spoken before about how important it is as a CEO, Editor and Managing Director to make sure I don't burn out, and that's what taking this holiday was all about.

Honestly I agonised over whether I should be taking a holiday at all, but I forced myself to let go of some control for just seven days, to take a deep breath and take time to sort through my thoughts.

Sipping on a strawberry dacari in a bikini listening to the sound of the ocean...I did finally have a moment of peace.

I've always been an over analyser and a worrier but I really tried to focus on the positives during my holiday, and for a few days I took off my CEO hat and became a 25-year-old girl again...it was lovely.

I can honestly tell you I didn't miss my laptop...not for one second. I struggled with the idea of bringing it or not, so instead I brought my iPad, thankfully I didn't even use that in the end.

WiFi and an iPhone was enough to access emails and communicate with my staff, so I stuck with that, and was even bold enough to turn off my phone completely at times.

This month has been very important to me. Because I got to celebrate the first birthday of Goss.ie and that means working on our second year in business, expanding our team, innovating the site and creating new ways to make my business modern and fresh.

Just weeks after our big birthday party I am already working on new commercial deals, exciting new ways to spread our content and our team is continuing to grow.

On a personal level I got to do work on a project I've had in the works for a while. I'm always writing scripts, books etc, and I finally pushed through something I've been trying to finish (in between my cocktails and playing pool tennis of course).

I am a creative person so relaxing for me still means writing, or at least thinking about writing something, let's just say there are a lot of bullet points sitting in a draft on my phone now.

Being away made me appreciate the little things I used to enjoy when I had free time... like reading a good book, going to sleep before 2am, losing my thoughts in day dreams and creating characters and stories in my head instead of worrying about the next deadline, signing off on accounts or chasing sales.

I visited Olympia (where the Olympic Games began), I took a boat trip around the island and saw some beautiful caves and the clearest waters I've ever seen. If mermaids existed they would live in Greece (seriously).

Of course I partied as well. It's been a long time since I've gone out for drinks when it hasn't been for a launch/function/fashion show/work event... it felt nice being able to let loose.

The highlight of my partying nights was the infamous White Party, which took place on a small island just off Zante.

Sitting on the rocks with my toes in the ocean, listening to dance music and sipping a Sex on The Beach I reminded myself that I'm still in my twenties, I'm still just a girl and I'm still at the beginning of my life.

Having time to reflect in Greece I took a step back and really looked at my achievements so far and realised that hard work well and truly has paid off and will continue to.

I'm already planning another few days away for the end of the summer, and I'm not allowing myself to feel guilty about that (planning a lot more strawberry dacaris to be fair).

Everyone has so much going on in their lives, in their minds and I'm learning more and more that focusing on the positives, ridding myself of negative people and negative situations is the only way to live.

I thought about that a lot while I was a way, I've always been a huge fan of The Secret and I'm going to be putting that back into practice again in a bigger way.

A happy and healthy CEO means a happy and healthy business :)

PS... I heard some cracking tunes over in Zante, so here is a Spotify list I made with some of my favourite songs.

Ali

x

Dreaming, Believing and seriously WERKING...

Here's To Taking Risks! #HappyBirthdayGoss

Hey everyone,

Goss.ie finally had it's official launch party as we celebrated the site's first birthday on June 4th.

I was completely overwhelmed by the turn out on the night and can't thank everyone enough for coming and I hope you all had a brilliant night.

A massive thank you to Cocoa Brown Tan who were our title sponsors on the night, and of course Cadburys, Clarins, Mane N Tail and The Body Shop for all the treats in our Goodie Bags.

Huge shout out to Buck Whaley's on Leeson Street who hosted the party, Yellow Tail who provided everyone with their gorgeous wine and Odessa Vodka.

Also to Sugar & Spice who gave us a table full of branded treats and of course Jen's Couture Cakes for their stunning four tier cake they made for us, people were snacking on the red velvet cake at all hours of the night!

Everyone loved are gigantic GOSS letters as well, and that was thanks to the lovely Linda at Lovin Letters.

Also my dress was from the amazing Starla Dresses - Rental and Hire and the lovely team at Sugar Cubed did my hair.

Plus I was lucky enough to have Lancome's elite makeup artist Laura Pye do my makeup on the night, with Laura looking after me in Debenhams.

See behind the scenes at the Goss.ie Party

I was so nervous on the night, and although I had written down what I wanted to say none of it properly came out really.

The last 12 months have been a complete rollercoaster, and nothing that has happened has really sunk in.

It wasn't until the end of the party when I looked around seeing everyone having fun and the Goss signage everywhere that I realised how far the site has come, and how far I have come in the last year.

The Goss.ie party was the marking of a brand new chapter for me and everyone at the company... and it was nice to say goodbye to the first year in business.

12 months ago I set out to create something that hadn't been done before, it was a risk and I had no idea how I was going to run a company, train staff, expand and edit stories all without taking a break.

I never imagined I would be running the company on my own, but I believe everything happens for a reason, and if I got through the last few months I think I can get through everything.

Although things didn't entirely work out as planned right now the site is everything I want it to be, and there is so much more to come.

It's easy to share images at fancy parties and show off free products, but being in this business isn't easy, and although the title of CEO and Editor sounds fun, it's been a very tough year.

There were times at the start of the business where I genuinely couldn't afford the Luas into work, I couldn't put petrol in my car, I could barely afford food for the week...but I kept going because I believed in what I was doing.

Before I left to start up Goss.ie I was in a cushy job, with a great salary, and suddenly I wasn't able to get taxis anymore or go home to visit my family... every cent was going into the business and it had to be that way.

Weeks would go by before I even got a few hours off and I was overwhelmed and exhausted, but I kept reminding myself of the bigger picture.

And months later the bigger picture is nearly formed and business is better than ever.

We are working with several brands in the coming months, new advertising campaigns and a new focus, which will all be gradually rolled out.

On Thursday night we announced that we have new sections on the site: a Beauty section with product reviews and how-to videoes, a dedication section for Goss TV - where we will now post daily showbiz segments and a new lifestyle and travel section called We Love - where we will post features on hotels, restaurants, travel destinations and much more.

See all the pics from the Goss.ie Party

We also announced that model and former Big Brother star Hazel O'Sullivan will now write a weekly Showbiz Column on the site - sharing her week and her reaction to the big showbiz stories.

And we have also welcomed model and fashionista Jo Archbold to the team - who will be writing a weekly Style Diary starting next week.

There are more changes to come on the Goss.ie site too, and expansion plans are only at the beginning stages.

I know I said it on the night but again I want to thank my family for sticking by me, my true friends who have supported me this year and to those who have become more than friends and transformed into mentors and life coaches.

Some people might overlook the difficulties I have faced, but my family and friends have seen it all and have been there for me every step of the way.

Sometimes I forget what I've done and how this has all happened. The plan for the summer is to try and find some time to take a few days off, take a breath and focus on the present...and how great everything is going.

I'm getting a few days away in Greece so I will take some moments to relax in between running the site from the pool side.

I often get asked what advice I have for young entrepreneurs and honestly I feel like I'm learning something new everyday.

All I can say is if you really have enough ambition anything is possible. It's still early days for Goss, but I won't stop until I reach all my goals with the business (and there's a lot, trust me).

It's been a terrifying, stressful, difficult year but it's also been one of the best years of my life.

They say the first year in business is the most difficult so I'm looking forward to a slightly less stressful year ahead.

I have so many plans, so many dreams and an endless amount of ambition, so watch this space.

Ali

x

Dreaming, Believing, and seriously Werking...