Why Connect?
These days, people usually get into 3D printing for one of two reasons: work or play. Both are important for developing new interests and passions. And connecting with people doing the same things as you can help you expand your knowledge and gain access to new opportunities.
3D printing is a process that requires a lot of technical know-how, and sometimes the best way to learn is through other people. Whether in person or through digital platforms, there’s a lot to be gained from interacting with others, from tips that help improve the quality of your prints to offers for new or better products.
Connecting can also be useful if 3D printing is important for your work. As anyone in the business world will tell you, the more people you know, the higher the chances of furthering your career or business.
Whether it’s going to 3D printing events, messaging people through social media, or scanning threads on Reddit, interacting with others in the 3D printing world is extremely beneficial.
In the following, we give you a general overview of some of the ways to connect with people who are doing 3D printing.
Let’s dive right in!
3D Printing Events – Tech Shows & Conferences
Attending big tech shows like the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is a great idea. Many manufacturers showcase their latest and greatest developments, offering you the chance to learn about the industry’s trends. Not only that, by entering the stands, you can talk with employees, exchange knowledge, and make new contacts.
Say, for example, you have a website where you post the latest developments in the industry. In that case, a tech show would be a great event to visit. Just walking around and talking to the various company representatives is a fantastic way to generate content on the newest products.
It also works the other way around. If you’ve got a business, why not introduce it to the people in the stands and ask them about partnerships or exposure?
Aside from business opportunities, 3D printing events are a great way to meet hobbyists and enthusiasts. It’s important to speak to as many people as possible in order to learn, connect, and have a good time. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even make some friends or form a small community of people who can rely on each other for help and advice.
A helpful tip: Before attending a 3D printing event, make sure you have a plan. Tell yourself what you want to achieve going in. That way you’ll likely get greater value out of the event. With so many things to see, it’s sometimes easy to be a deer in the headlights.
If you’re thinking about attending a 3D printing event, take a look at our calendar for 3D printing and additive manufacturing conferences.
Online Platforms
Online platforms are bigger than ever, so why not use some of them as a way to connect with people doing 3D printing? Naturally, there are hundreds of popular platforms available for interacting with other people. Here, we focus on some of the big ones.
Let’s kick things off with LinkedIn. In case you don’t know what it is, LinkedIn is an online platform focused on the business world. People share their business profiles, including schools they attended, companies they’ve worked for, and many other things.
What’s so great about LinkedIn is that it enables you to type “3D printing” or “additive manufacturing” and select a location. LinkedIn will then display a list of people’s profiles, all of which you’re free to contact.
Don’t be afraid to send messages, nicely introducing yourself and explaining why you think you could help each other.
Meetup
Meetup is another platform worth giving a try, and here’s why: It’s number one purpose is to connect you with people interested in the same things as you!
When you first sign up with Meetup, you’ll be asked to choose the topics that interest you most. The software then presents you with various groups and events in your area. People are constantly organizing get-togethers for particular purposes, from mountain-biking to cooking to 3D printing!
Probably you’ve heard of Reddit, the largest online forum with countless subreddits, each for a particular area of interest. As you can imagine, there’s even a 3D printing subreddit. (In fact, there are many.)
In order to interact, post comments and wait for replies. Just be warned, the level of interaction can grow exponentially. You never know what doors a single comment can open!
Social Media
Surely you’re well-acquainted with social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Each is used in a slightly different way, but all of them are built around the idea of connecting with people and sharing experiences.
Apart from interacting with people directly, social media platforms are becoming increasingly useful as news sources. That’s because many companies use them as a way to spread awareness around latest developments.
If you’re looking for a way to connect with other hobbyists, try searching for hashtags like #3dprinting on Instagram. Take a look at the profiles tied to the images that appear and see if any catch your attention. It never hurts to send someone a message!
Fab Labs
In case you didn’t know, fab labs are small workshops which offer access to and education on tools and equipment. Many allow you to use 3D printers, and most importantly, meet people who are into 3D printing.
Fab labs organize various events, promote 3D printing for schools, and are generally a great way of getting in touch with the maker community.
Finding a local fab lab is just a Google search away. Try typing “local fab lab” and see what pops up!
Author's Account: Developing My Business Through LinkedIn
I, myself, have had an interesting experience using online platforms to develop my knowledge around 3D printing, as well as to further my small 3D printing business.
A year ago, I created a LinkedIn account in order to connect with people as well as promote my work and my website. Essentially, my business involves selling 3D printers and filament, acting as a sort of reseller.
In the first six months, I struggled to find people who were doing the same thing, especially because I live in a small country where there are just a few companies actively working in 3D printing.
Initially, I used only Instagram for marketing my business, and it didn’t go very well. That’s when I decided to set up my LinkedIn profile. Since then, I’ve collected over 500 connections, some of which have really changed my career path.
One day, scrolling through my LinkedIn feed, I came across a local company that was selling and developing 3D printers alongside modeling in CAD and 3D printing on demand. I sent a message to one of the company’s founders, introduced myself and my little business, and we started talking.
Eventually, we arranged a meeting, and their PR team collected everything I said and are soon to produce about me. If I hadn’t sent that first message, it never would have happened!
Another opportunity that arose through LinkedIn was an opportunity to work on a 3D printing education project. That, too, came as the result of me first sending a message to someone I found through a search.
Despite not having gone into many details, I hope my examples demonstrate just how important reaching out to people is. Sometimes, all it takes is a single message to the right person!