My advice is number two.

So where do you start?

1. LinkedIN - the new age networking tool for people who don’t like talking to people face to face. If you don’t have an account, its easy to sign up at LinkedIN.com. Some groups to join: Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Professionals, Outdoor Business Network and Outdoors Marketing. Note that some groups have criteria to join.

When sending an invite, please don’t take the standard response LinkedIN automatically gives you. Take a few minutes to craft something so the recipent knows you are a human being. Special credit if you can say something like, “I saw you in this….” or “I enjoyed your writing here…”

It also annoys me when people send an invite and say they worked me at a current or past job. No, you didn’t. I know that and you know that, so why put that? You have other options, use them.

2. Reaching out – the real, old-school way. A mentor of mine started “LeAnn’s Networking Thursdays.” It wasn’t a party she threw; instead, it was her way of consistently reaching out to new contacts. Every Thursday, she would dedicate time to network with X amount of people. This was in a variety of ways:

• She would send congrats notes to women in high places who just won a special award.
• She joined her local Chamber of Commerce
• She asked recent contacts if they knew anybody else she should connect with.

 The key here is consistency. Networking isn’t something you do once and you are done. Maybe on your networking Thursdays, you commit to finding three new contacts on LinkedIN, or you connect with the store manager at your favorite hunting store and ask him for three people you should know.

Me with Scott Leysath of "HuntFishCook" on Sportsman Channel. I've worked with Scott since my first days and he's become a great friend and mentor

 3. Find your local TV personality and ask for a few minutes of their time. Most TV hosts and personalities are flattered by adoring fans – so pucker up and ask if you can buy them lunch or coffee. Or better yet – how much is it worth it to you to get that insider info? Would you consider paying them for their time? If its a well-known personality, getting through to them will be difficult. But if you offer a “consulting fee” those closed doors will open.

4. Join organizations AND attend their conferences/monthly meetings: I’m talking about Professional Outdoor Media Association, Outdoor Writers Association of America and other, professional, organizations for your field. I’m a member of Public Relations Society of America and have gained great network contacts just by attending the local monthly lunches.

I just returned from SHOT (Shooting, Hunting & Outdoor Trade) Show in Las Vegas where the average guest walks an estimated 5 miles a day for four days. Not to mention you lose your voice, your face hurts from smiling so much and your body has officially decided it will no longer carry that 10 pound computer bag.

Taken in our booth looking out on the crowded show floor

So the 40,000 of us who attend the trade show must really like our jobs/careers – or we are suckers for pain.

I have a very gifted graphic/web designer friend seeking a job and it made me think, she would be in heaven at an Adobe graphics show.  So much so she probably wouldn’t even notice sore feet or tired shoulders.

My version of super-fun convention was a Creating Keepsakes scrapbooking show I attended in Iowa with my mom and sister. I could have taken class after class and spent all my money very happily there.

I also think a travel-related convention would be exciting to work in/attend.

My husband’s trade show heaven would probably be the PGA show in Orlando.

My point is – all of us are seeking that perfect mix of a job you love that doesn’t feel like a job. If you can happily stand a 4-day trade show and leave ENERGIZED saying,  “Man, I can’t wait for next year.” Then I think you found your calling.

But what inspired this post is the opening paragraph: “Whether it was due to political sensitivity, a lack of interest in shooting sports, or because producers couldn’t figure out how to make shows about guns appeal to a broad audience, things have changed. At one time the only shows that covered any shooting sports were typically hunting-focused and only available on select networks.” (Wow – what a generalization.)

When I scrolled down to read about the author, I discovered she’s not from our industry and typically writes about education. When I googled her name, I found articles on obesity in college kids, embracing social media in schools, and coping with ADD in college. I did not find an article about guns, outdoor TV and anything related to TV whatsoever.

The remainder of this skeleton article simply regurgitates show summaries and where that show is found. She does not talk about any new gun shows that aired on traditional outdoor networks in 2011. 

Which, by the way, Sportsman Channel debuted three new shooting shows in 2011, including

Patrick Flanigan photo courtesy of Sportsman Channel

Ultimate Shot and Tac TV. And four shooting shows returned in 2011 including Modern Rifle Adventures and the iconic Guns & Ammo TV.  We also have a brand new shooting show debuting next week with world record holder Patrick Flanigan with Shell Shocked!

Okay – my point of this post is to WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW. Stick to one genre and do that genre well. Become an expert and people will seek YOU out. It is your brand. Don’t muddy the waters of your brand and write about something so completely out of your circle, it will confuse your readers and editors.

And if you stray from your usual topics – ask an expert to get an understanding before writing incorrect, or even damaging, articles. A simple google search will turn up the answers you need. Or visit Outdoor Blogger Network to find experts of all sorts of genres in the outdoors.

Larry Vickers being B.A. Photo courtesy of Sportsman Channel

I need to correct this writer – there is no “lack of interest in shooting sports.”  National Shooting Sports Foundation will be able to give you plenty of stats to show the INCREASE in shooting sports participation. And did you catch this recent article in the Wall Street Journal about more women taking up shooting? Huh.

If you are seeking an expert in the gun field – call on our friend, Larry Vickers, or perhaps one of the gents from the 50 year-old-brand, Guns & Ammo. They know a thing or two about shooting sports and personal defense.  Or reach out to me at Sportsman Channel. I can connect you with more than 100 experts in their respective genres.

But I think a lot of people write posts about observations. How many blogs do you know have the word “musings” in their title or subtitle? Like, “This Blog is John’s Musings.” And its all about John’s observations into his life. I guess that’s truly what an online weblog, or blog, is really about.

Don’t we want more than that? Don’t we want real substance? We have too many emails flooding our inbox as it is and don’t we want the ones in there to be something that will enlighten us, teach us, make us laugh?

Maybe I’m putting too much pressure on myself. This is, afterall, just a blog.

Lately, I’ve come to write odd, little posts on my local Patch.com website. There, no one knows me and feel freer. This blog is attached to my company (though not endorsed by my employer, anything I say in here can be used against me – so that’s always good to have over your head).

So should I keep this up? And how do I find focus for this blog? Or should I just write about whatever the heck I want?

Society tells us to find what we love and then we will perform that task with gusto and greatness. So if you absolutely love being a cop, you probably take pride in your job and you actually WANT to be the best darn cop on the streets. And precincts from all around will want YOU to be a cop in their area because you are so good at your job. 

How do you find that one person who is not only great at their job, but loves it to? (Because we all know of people who are good at what they do, but really hate their job – Wall Street comes to mind.)

And how can you become a person who both loves their job and is good at it?

Make a plan - then follow it. Photo credit: jojo nicdao

Pray on it. And ask Oprah.

But seriously. Those of us in the outdoors aren’t here for the multimillion dollar companies and the benefits they provide. We are here because we absolutely love the outdoors and this is where we want to stake our claim.

You don’t make beaucoup bucks being a “star” on outdoor TV. (Hopefully I didn’t burst anyone’s bubble there.) I think production companies assume that just picking you for the job is pay enough. I mean, hey, you are on TV after all.

If you are on TV, you obviously love your job and you are probably pretty good at it. Society tells us money will follow.

And I believe that. Because people will notice how much you enjoy your job, they will want to be around you – and by that I mean they will want to hire you. So while your first step into a job you love may not pay – I truly believe it will lead to bigger and better things. Should you allow that. (Self-sabatage is a whole ‘nother blog topic.)

If you want to be in the outdoor industry – find any way in. Work at Cabela’s. Intern for a producer. Carry someone’s camera around for awhile just to “learn the ropes.” I don’t care if you are 18 or 58. If you need a step in, that’s how you do it. Then you network like crazy. You talk to everyone you can. You attend trade shows and show how much you love your crazy job. Potential hiring managers will see that enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge.

You may not earn big money right away, but it will come.

It has to, right?

The clock read 7:57

She stared at the building entrance and watched her coworkers drudge through the snow to begin their day. The clock turned 7:58

She glared at the clock, daring it to turn to 7:59.

It flipped to 7:59 and then she counted 59 seconds before getting out of the car and walking in.

“This isn’t right. This isn’t normal,” she told herself. And she knew she had to do SOMETHING, but wasn’t sure what that “something” was just yet.

This true story is from Sunny Anderson, host of Cooking for Real on Food Network.  She recently spoke at a Women in Cable Telecommunications event where she was one of several inspiring women who spoke about their experiences climbing the corporate ranks.

Sunny spoke more about her stumbles and trials of finding her perfect job. She actually started out in the military, being a military brat herself, and leaned toward radio broadcasting. “Like Good Morning Vietnam,” she recounted to us.

The above story is when she took a radio DJ job inDetroitand loved the job at first, but it eventually headed south.

She stuck with it for awhile thinking the feeling would move on, or the job would improve or whatever we tell ourselves to get through the day.

photo credit: emohannink

It didn’t, of course. I can’t remember exactly what pushed her onward, but it had to do with asking for more money & responsibility, which was denied.

She eventually did move on to a bigger, better radio station, but the “7:59:59” bug returned again. This time she moved quicker to land her next happy place.

Are you in a 7:59:59 place? When I heard Sunny recount that she actually waited for the clock to hit 59 seconds before heading into the office, I thought she was crazy. It was as if her subconscious was screaming at her, “You hate this job! You are better than this! Get out!”

It took her a bit before she listened to what her “inner voice” was telling her. Once she started listening, she eventually landed the gig on Food Network. 

Are Sunday nights filled with anxiety, fear and hopelessness because Monday looms so close? It is very difficult to do, but seeing these little clues, like sitting in a cold car until the last possible second to head inside, are the keys to our happiness.

Whatever gets them outside, I say.

Jackson was on a panel with Hank Shaw, author of Hunt, Gather, Cook. They were discussing their respective books, the locavore movement and how writers can capitalize on it.

So there were two authors, one actually touring the country as we speak, who have successfully reached out to a WHOLE different audience with their books. Jackson even recently spoke at Mother Earth News Fair in Pennsylvania about how to quarter venison. WHAT??!! He was someplace I would think “our kind” would never be welcomed and THEY ASKED HIM TO BE THERE.

Why didn’t we think of this sooner?

prepping venison taco meat at a shelter in Milwauke for Sportsman Channel's Hunt.Fish.Feed.

And then there’s Tovar Cerulli. Another great blogger and someone I’ve grown to respect immensely. He is a vegan-turned-hunter. How much more contradictive is that? He’s also writing a book about his adventures and how others can follow suit. I’m currently reading his thesis, which is the basis for the book. Good stuff so far.

So that’s three books reaching out to communities we never touched before: foodies, people who like to eat locally (locavores), organic lovers and those who just like to know where the heck their food is coming from.

I think the foodies category is poised to really grow. CBS just started a show “The Chew” to replace “All My Children” and it’s all about preparing food, loving food, sitting around food and displaying food. How about getting Chef Mario Batali prepping and cooking venison on national TV? Before I would say that would never happen, but you should never say never.

What do you feel when you watch this video?

http://www.realtree.tv/watch/dmlkZW89ODk0/gameface

Oh, and I choose to show you a video on Realtree’s website for a reason. There’s something a brewin’ in the air!!

However, I know I will miss the comraderie, the impromptu conversations with co-workers and just the “popping in” people do. While it may steal time from you, many times those conversations are more than just “Did you hear..?” You are keeping tabs on the current culture and keeping up with the newest fall-outs, or partnerships. Why is that so important? It is the political game you have to play while working. I know, you say you don’t need to play games while at work and everyone must just do their job. That’s fine, but that just means someone (or several people) are playing you. So a part of me worries that eventually I’ll lose touch with my colleagues and I won’t be “in the know” like I have been for the past seven years.

The time passed at it always did today and I’m pretty sure I can handle my new desk job, as long as my cat entertains me when I need to gossip about something.

If you work at home and have any suggestions – I’d love to hear them!!

Things I’ll Miss About Life In Wisconsin

• The quiet country roads
• The commute – it gave me time to listen to the upteen Podcasts I subscribe to.
• The railtrail right by my house
• My kayaking/rock climbing/zip lining outdoor buddy
• Looking out my bedroom window at the wetlands. Very relaxing
• Interaction with my co-workers. They are TOO funny
• Lake Michigan was only an hour away for beach, sand and salmon fishing
• Quaint Wisconsin towns like Kohler, Door County, anything along The Great River Trail
• My awesome patio with a pergola and water feature. I hope the new owners appreciate it.
• My cat’s vet – he is one of the “good ones” and Sybils was starting to like him.
• The local meat shop
• The hunt club that’s 10 min away and has awesome fish fry
• Pretty much any Wisconsin fish fry
• All the hard work my husband and I put into the yard & home
• The little brewery that doesn’t sell food or have ice, but they have great bands on the weekends
• Fellow Packer, Badger and Brewer fans. So I’ll miss Camp Randall and Miller Park.
• Madison airport – for a regional, it is really nice and easy to get in/out.

Things I Won’t Miss At All, Not One

• The commute – I drove 80 miles a day. It’s not so much the gas and wear and tear as the time out of your LIFE
• Neighbors
• Looking at ugly houses
• The non-stop road construction on I-94, Hwy 26 and every other road around me
• The insanely high property taxes
• The lack of culture in the area
• The post office that’s only open ONE AND HALF hours on Saturdays
• People who drive in our subdivision like it’s a race track
• “Capital Chaos” ‘nough said
• Cleaning sidewalks in the winter. (Why do subdivisions have sidewalks when everyone walks in the street anyway?)
• Illinoisans driving “up north”
• Having three grocery stores a minimum of eight miles away. Same with pharmacies, doctors and hospitals
• Non-direct flights