Song of the Day: Everything by Buckcherry
It’s conference season again. For romance writers, the mother of all conferences is looming ever closer. Romance Writer’s of America will be hosting their 30th Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida from July 28th – July 31st.
The buzz about this conference is ever growing. Blogs and magazine articles are countless. Topics may include etiquette, travel, volunteering, navigating workshops, and, of course, shoes.
Another subject that will dominate the conference theme is networking.
I say, “It’s all about the networking.” And a couple of my writing buds are rolling their eyes. But I’ve proven to them time and again that networking is very much a part of the writer’s publishing arsenal.
It doesn’t make a difference if that author is published or not. Networking is important.
Why network?
Simple. To get your name out there.
You are a product. You must market yourself as such. If you create something, say a toy, a clothing design, or a new-fangled invention, it will do you no favor by keeping it quietly stashed under the bed. Same is true about you as an author. You have created a masterpiece, an opus to end all opuses. If you don’t get your name out there, will it matter?
Introverts, listen up. Many of these suggestions will work just fine for the shy writer and can be done from the comfort of your own home.
Let’s explore some wonderful networking opportunities. It’s easy and won’t hurt a bit.
Create a website. You can spend upwards of several hundred dollars or you can create one absolutely free (after the purchase of a domain name). Your website should be kept up to date and mirror either your personality or writing style. Trust me when I say a website is a necessity. It’s not just for your friends and family to ooh and ahh over. Other authors, agents, editors and readers do visit websites. Yes, this is a form of networking.
Join writer organizations. Find organizations that make you feel welcome, comfortable and focuses on helping pursue goals.
Now that you are a member of an organization, go to chapter meetings. This is a prime networking spot. Mingle with like minded folks. Many will share your fears, concerns and dreams. You will surely find some who writes in the same sub-genre. Suddenly, you are not so alone.
Live in the boonies where physical contact with humans is minimal? Many organizations are solely on-line communities. Yahoo loops are a favorite amongst these communities. Search the Yahoo Groups page for your preference, i.e., paranormal romance writers, sci-fi fiction writers, romantic suspense authors, too. Need a group that specializes in weaponry or crime scenes? How about fashion throughout the ages? These Yahoo groups can be used for support, reference, discussions, and are great for posting questions and offering answers in certain fields of expertise.
Social Networking. Take the plunge. Join social networking sites such as
Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The potential to connect with others is mind-blowing. Meet other newbie authors. Share book release dates. Post links to interviews. Keep on top of what’s happening in the publishing industry. It’s a virtual cornucopia of networking. Warning! Manage your time on these sites. You can easily waste hours chatting, playing games, farming and raising blood-thirsty legions for your army.
Blogs. Fashion yourself a blog. Be creative. Choose topics that are relevant to what you read, write, or experience. Give people something they want, whether it’s a good laugh, a link, interviews or advice. Blogs don’t have to be overwhelming. You can control how often you’d like to post, though however often, I recommend regularly. Also, you can share a blog with others, just like I share this one. Remember, a blog is much like a website. It should reflect you. And you never know who’ll stop by.
Speaking of blogs, leave comments on other authors’ blogs. Take the time to let the author know how much you enjoy reading their blog. Many with prompt questions or ask for opinions. Don’t pass up a chance to chime in. Do this often enough and you’ll become recognized as a loyal blog follower.
Do online book reviews. Writing book reviews help make you a respectable peer.
Buy business cards. You are marketing yourself, after all. Even if you have an agent, you are your biggest champion. Hand out business cards when meeting new people and at conferences. Leave a card behind with your tip on restaurant tables, leave some at local bookstores or libraries, leave one on a park bench, at the coffee shop, anywhere you might find readers and writers.
Join critique groups, enter contests, judge contests. The main goal here is to learn your craft. Name recognition is a bonus.
The cash cow of networking is attending conferences, most notably Romance Writers of America. Industry professionals, such as agents, editors, publishers, authors, readers, librarians make up the bulk of writer conventions. All of these people you want to schmooze.
How?
Volunteer. Many conferences depend on volunteers to help functions run smoothly. By volunteering, you are throwing yourself into the mix. The person next to you may be the person who can connect you with an agent. Perhaps she needs a critique partner and you’d make a great fit. Maybe she can’t make an editor appointment and passes it to you. Or she gives you some valuable advice. But overall, you make friends and become acquainted with industry insiders. A golden goose in my book.
Pass out those business cards.
Don’t hesitate to sit with strangers at the dining tables.
Socialize! A great conversation starter – ask what a fellow author writes.
Put on a smile. A friendly smile invites others to chat with you.
Own the room. When you walk into a workshop, presentation or dinner, walk in with your back straight and a purpose, even if that purpose is to find a seat waaaay in the back of the room. Confidence is powerful. People notice 
and are drawn to it.
The idea here is to make people remember you. Always be kind. Always be generous. Leave a positive impression of yourself, and people are likely to support you along your journey to publication and writing career.
Do you have any networking tips to share? I’d love to hear from you.
Great tips on networking, Jenn! You’ve proved this to be true way too many times for any eye rolling on this end. LOL Socializing is a big one for me and I’m still working on putting myself out there. Tip to share – Don’t be afraid or hesitant to tell others outside your writing groups you are a writer. You never know who they might know. They may end up sharing your passion to write and you can never have too many writing buds on this roller coaster journey.
Wish I was going to Nationals this year. You guys are going to have a blast!!
Missy, with your sweet personality, it would be hard not to find you completely likable. And from what I understand, you had no problems what-so-ever at the NOLA conference.
YES! Tell others, no, SHOUT it out that you are a writer. It really is a small world and there is always someone new out there that can impact your writing life, either professionally or as support.
Thanks, Missy!!
Just getting up to speed with these things. You are so right about all of them. Thanks for the jab in the ribs (tee hee), and the broken eardrum.
Hi Sharon!
This time of year is a good time to remind folks of all the different ways to network. I only hope I gave some helpful hints everyone can use.
Thanks for stopping by and…sorry ’bout your eardrums.
For those like me who barf at the thought of face-to-face networking, online can really help pave the way. Thanks for posting these, Jenn!
Was it something I said, Suzan? (sniff, sniff) I did put on deodorant this morning.
Love the little ‘Farmville’ caption. I’ve been guilty of this-I really like my Farmtown acreage. (I think I have to harvest) Great article. I read a lot of blogs, but don’t comment on many. I’ll have to remember to write comments. I have a reserved domain name, but I’m kinda unsure as to how to do the rest of it. Thanks fro the post, Jenn. It’s all about networking!
Raven
Hi Raven
I considered doing a blog on building a website. But, honestly, I could only offer tips on how I did it. There are lots of ways to build one depending on your PC expertise. So I don’t know how relevant what I have to say would be.
Now – stop playing Farmville and start commenting on blogs!
Great post! Very helpful. I’ve been on the fence about business cards. But you make some great points. They’re really not just for National, are they? Will I see you in Orlando? And how will I know it’s you???
Hi Wendy!!
Yep, I have 200 business cards because I made a newbie mistake while printing out my first 100. I put my home address on them. I then decided people didn’t need that kind of personal info.
At any rate, I’ve given my card out at a department store once, at my daughter’s softball games, at the park, at the elementary school and many other places. You just never know who you meet and it’s better to keep some handy.
I’ll be in Orlando. I’ll be the social butterfly with the megaphone. LOL! Just kidding. I’ll be at the leadership seminar, the PRO retreat, the Hearts Through History meeting, volunteering at the literacy signing, etc.
I’d love to hook up and chat with you!
[...] It’s All about the Networking Why you simply have to get out there and make a name for yourself and tips to help you do it. [...]
Funny this (wonderful) post today. I dropped in after having the thought “I need a dose of Musetracks today, yes I do.” I (virtually) met Marie-Claude a few months ago and have met many others since then because of meeting her. I love visiting your blog, ladies. It is always a place of intriguing and helpful ponderings and interesting conversation.
All the above advice is so true. I met one of my closest writer friends at a big conference because we sat down next to each other as strangers. I found my agent through casual contact with another author at a conference, and I’ve made many editor friends the same way. Yay for National Conference where I’ll get to meet you ladies face-to-face!
Wow. What a compliment, Katharine. I don’t know what else to say but thank you.
Last year was my first conference. Though I met lots of people, it was an overwhelming experience. This year since I’m not a Golden Heart finalist, I hope to be able to slow down and really get to know folks.
I do hope we get to meet. What a thrill!