This week I did something that was WAY out of my comfort zone.
I traveled across the country, solo, to attend the Grow With Video Live conference in Las Vegas.
This conference is put on by Think Media, the team behind all I know about production, gear, and everything creator-related! Two years ago, I actually attended virtually when I was going through a tough time, and it was a massively inspiring experience.
Back then, I told myself that no matter what, I was going to attend the next one in person!
😥 My Inner Introverted Voice
This year, my chance finally arrived. But at the same time...I was also freaking out. My YouTube channel had taken a turn, focusing less on sample libraries and more on the ups and downs of a composer's career journey.
It's felt like starting from scratch, and that momentum I had built over three years felt a little diminished.
Plus – I'm super introverted. Being around big groups and networking completely drains me. The thought of being alone in Vegas, for a full-on networking conference sounded... like a nightmare. 😅
But I'd been struggling, and this trip felt important to me. I'd also been loving my 2024 Book Challenge, learning a ton about goal setting, communication, and creating my ideal career.
So, I decided to use the conference as a real-world testing ground! I set 3 goals for myself:
👂 Actively Listen: Genuinely focus on who I'm talking to and ask questions that show I actually care.
❤️ Be Vulnerable: Avoid the small talk, get real about my YouTube struggles, and see what connections happen.
🤔 Be Adaptable: I wanted to be mindful of the "matching principle" from the book, Supercommunicators. I tried to adapt and adjust my energy to create more natural conversations with different people.
📈 Confidence Baby Steps
📝 Registration: The first day, I went to registration and immediately ran into Think Media's CMO. We had a fantastic chat – it was surreal to meet someone I'm used to seeing on a screen! This set the tone. I kept reminding myself: small steps.
☕️ Coffee Chats: The next morning, I went for coffee before the sessions and ended up talking to a Think Media editor. Just went for it, which is NOT something I'd normally do. We hit it off, and I learned so much about his own journey with the team but also as a content creator himself!
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🎤 Q&A: They had a special VIP lunch where you could ask speakers questions. I found myself second in line at the mic ... without even having a question ready!
But I went up anyway and asked how you balance content with personality. Turns out, the question was actually really appreciated because people came up to me later saying how valuable it was for them.
I was even complimented on my public speaking?! I thought I was a nervous mess but it goes to show that sometimes, we make up the worst scenarios in our heads!
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👥 Community: Now that night, I almost bailed on the networking party... I was about to eat dinner alone, but then a woman invited me to join her group. This was that fork in the road moment that could have completely changed the trajectory of my trip...
And I went for it!
They were all creators from different places, different niches – and they welcomed me like I'd been there the whole time. We ended up going to the networking party together! -
🤝 My Dream Connections: The next day was a blast, more amazing sessions and connections. But that night was my personal highlight. I was in a top floor dining room and bar overlooking gorgeous Vegas mountains, filled with creators whose work I've admired for years.
I even got to chat with Pat Flynn, an incredible content creator, podcast host, all-around down to earth guy. He even shared his signature Pokemon throw (he was into karate, so a kick was 100% involved!). By far, an absolute dream come true.
🙌 Comfortably Confident: By the last day, I was front and center, soaking it all in. I'd become a different person – not shy and only there for sessions, but genuinely comfortable to start up a conversation. My YouTube spark is back, I made true friends, and I'm already reaching out to some of the people I met!
🔑 Key Lesson: What Happens When You Push Your Boundaries
So to my fellow introverted composers, musicians, and creatives: this is possible. It's not easy, but it's worth pushing yourself! Yes, networking can feel scary, forced, and draining. But here's what I learned:
Be Real: Your vulnerability is what attracts genuine connection. Share your struggles, and the right people will gravitate toward you.
Listen Deeply: Put away your agenda. Don't overly rely on "prepared" questions. Be genuinely interested in the person you're speaking with, and they'll likely open up, building lasting trust.
Be a Little Flexible: Adapt your energy level to the conversation. It takes the pressure off and makes interactions flow much smoother!
The rewards of going outside of your safe space are HUGE. Your spark, your network, your creative life – they all get such a powerful boost! 😁