I have been putting on a writers’ conference for 13 years. And during that time, we have worked to bring in famous writers to share their experiences, unveil tips to aspiring writers – we call them “Pre-published authors” – offer encouragement, admit their failures, and visit with those who attend our conference. These have proved helpful to many, both pre-published and published writers.
We bring in editors, agents and publishers to give insight into how the publishing industry works. These come from large and small companies. That is, we try to provide a complete picture for those who attend. Over the years, many of the attendees have gained representation or had a manuscript accepted for publication.
We have workshops to give hands-on, practical work on improving each attendee’s writing. These have covered all aspects of writing, from crafting the perfect query letter, to explaining exactly what the synopsis is supposed to do and how to do it. We’ve had excellent workshops on developing characters, crafting scene, how to start the story with a bang, and how to end to make the reader look for your next book.
And on and on.
These benefits are clear-cut and recognized by most who attend.
But, I like to point that a very important part of the conference is networking.
Once the writer has the fundamentals down, once he or she can craft a good story, interesting three-dimensional characters, a good hook, a solid closing, what comes next. Networking. Okay, but where do I do this networking? How do I do this networking?
First the where. You network in person, on the web, on the beach, at conferences, at any gathering of more than one person (where that one person is you). At church, at the mall, at the doctor’s office, or standing in a line of people.
Let me give you an actual example. I attended a memorial of a woman I had known briefly in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. One person I had never met before, mentioned he was from Kansas. I said we had a daughter who lived in Kansas, and she was a writer. (Point: quickly get in “writing.”) He asked what kind of writing she did and when I said young adult, he became very interested. He was giving a conference at a local university in a few months and needed a speaker on young adult writing. I gave him our daughter’s telephone number.(Point: always have cards you can get out quickly.) Our daughter wound up speaking at that conference and other opportunities came out of that.
At a memorial in Mexico, where I knew basically nobody? You never know.
Always have cards with you. If you have a book published, have the cover picture on your card. If you have a website, have that on your card. It’s probably more important than your telephone number. Make sure the cards are professional, and then hand them out freely. Engage people in conversation and be sure to mention that you are a writer. Ask what they do and take an interest in them. Remember the old saying: to have a friend, be a friend. But get in writing and have a card handy.
This applies to the Internet as well. I’m not suggesting saying to everyone, “Follow me and I’ll follow you back.” But don’t expect to get and not give.
Network. If you go to a conference, consider it a top priority to meet other writers. Hopefully, you’ll get to know some of them. Some will enrich your life. And some will become important assists in your writing life.
Forgot to say that I like the lightning bolt!
Thanks. It was a magnificant storm.
Thank you — I am going to get cards printed. Someone asked me for a bunch today. I appreciate all tour good advice.
Excellent advice. Many of us are introverts. Got to lose the shyness. If you don’t blare your own horn,who will? Incidentally, Bill, Vistaprint offers small and large magnets with a person’s biz card or other design at a reasonable price.
Thanks for the info on VistaPrint.
I love it! That’s just what we need to do. And people enjoy it – enjoy being included. Thanks for the story.
Quick story. I went out to lunch with friends recently and was telling them about the new book trailer I was going to build. I needed a photo of an older woman, from the rear — I didn’t want her face to show. We looked up and a nearby table was packed with Red Hat Ladies, and one was exactly what I was looking for. I explained who I was and asked if I could take her picture, and she was delighted. (You can see her in the trailer I just published.) Anyway, I ended up passing out my cards to everyone at her table and the surrounding tables. Fun lunch!
Well put, Jim. I don’t use a book cover on my card – I prefer my picture, hoping they’ll remember me.
In my experience – people are immediately interested when you say, “I’m a writer.” Perhaps everyone wants to be a writer. I seldom have any trouble breaking the ice.
Good point, DAC. In truth, you are trying to sell yourself, not just one book. Or brand yourself, not a single book. I guess I just have trouble putting my picture on — anything. But, I’m learning.
I network everywhere I go, every time I leave the house. I’m interested in the people I meet and like you say, Jim, you never know when an opportunity to disclose yourself as a writer (or your daughter as a writer) will come up. At an art opening last Friday night I picked up one, maybe two new students for an upcoming memoir workshop. My advice is sought about editing and publishing, even as I’m standing or sitting there networking. Business cards are essential; I’m not into magnets yet, though, Bill. But it’s a clever idea.
Everywhere is good enough.
Two words: refrigerator magnets. Take about a hundred of your business cards and attach them to business card-sized self adhesive magnets available at any paper supply store. Then decorate the universe. You have no idea how many different things you can stick a magnet on!
William Doonan
http://www.themumiesofblogspace9.com
Thanks for the suggestion, William. That just might keep my name in front of people a little longer.
In addition to self promotion, it helps to have family members and friends promote you too. My mother has always supported me in my writing efforts but I didn’t realize, until my mystery novel, “Mixed Messages,” was accepted for publication, exactly how supportive she could be! Wherever she goes, she tells anyone and everyone, “My daughter is an author! I’m so glad I lived to see it.” How can I loose with her on my team?
Good advice, Patricia. And often, family and friends really want to promote you. They just need permission.