If you want to go places in this business, gone are the days where you can do it without networking. Okay, okay…there’s the one or two rare exceptions. But let’s lump ourselves with the majority and accept the fact that networking is necessary. Especially for the writer seeking publication.
So what exactly is networking?
I’m not going to give you a dictionary definition. I’m going to give you a Katie-definition. Here’s what networking is to me: interacting and connecting with other people within the publishing industry, whether they be fellow writers, agents, editors, or publishers.
I know networking can be an icky word, because it sounds self-seeking. But I say phooey. It’s only self-seeking if you make it that way.
One of the biggest benefits I’ve experienced from networking is the genuine relationships I’ve formed in the process.
Why is networking important?
Because traditional publishing houses do not take unsolicited submissions, and because fewer and fewer agents are taking on clients through the query-system.
So how are writers still snagging agents and yet-to-be-published authors still landing books deals? First, they wrote a good book. Second, they networked.
Here are a few ways to network:
- Attend writing conferences when you’re ready to pitch. I went to my first conference in ’09, and I went with three finished novels that were ready. I met authors. I connected on a deeper level with writers I already knew from blogging. I ate lunch with editors and agents and I got to pitch one of my novels face-to-face to an editor and agent of my choice. I was no longer an unsolicited, faceless submission.
- If you have the money, attend conferences when you aren’t ready to pitch. So many people go to conferences and don’t sign up for editor/agent appointments because they have nothing to pitch. I say, get your money’s worth! Take the appointments and preface it with, “I don’t have anything to pitch, but would love to pick your brain…” Get your name and face in front of industry professionals. Make a good impression. See which agents you click with and which agents you don’t. That way, when you ARE ready to query, you won’t be another unfamiliar name in the slush pile.
- Follow blogs and COMMENT. Sorry. I don’t mean to yell. But lurking does you no good. Find agent blogs. Editor blogs. Published author blogs. Unpublished author blogs. Not only will you learn a load of useful information, but it’s a FREE way to build relationships and get your name and face out there.
- Get on Twitter, follow, and have “conversations” with other writers. I personally think Twitter’s more useful when it comes to networking than Facebook. But that’s probably because I use Facebook for more personal stuff.
- Don’t be afraid to shoot somebody an email. As long as you’re sensitive to and aware of people’s busy schedules, nobody’s going to resent an email. In fact, I enjoy getting emails from people who have questions. I feel like I’m paying it forward from all the times people reached out to help me.
I had a brain wave the other day. A totally, unprofound, no-duh brainwave. Are you read for it?
Networking isn’t about our books. It’s about the person underneath them, and with every tweet, every comment, and every conversation we have, we’re building a reputation. Agents and editors aren’t just buying books. They’re buying the brand behind the books – and that’s YOU! So be real. Be sincere. Be professional. Be you.
Let’s Talk: How important do you think networking is for the writer seeking publication? What ways do you network? What’s worked best for you? Do you cringe when you hear people talking about networking? Why or why not? And happy Valentine’s Day!
Hi Katie, I'm scrolling back to see what I've missed on your Blog. Great Post! Thank you for actively showing me how connections are made through Blogs and Twitter. You were one of my "first friends" and have taught me a lot already by example. One reason I love all this is because I live in a fairly forced seclusion due to of "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity." That means perfumes, scented lotions and soaps, cleansers, etc. knock me out. I can't think straight or often even hold my head up, a few hours later. It got bad about nine years ago and my life changed. I went from being a sociable preschool teacher to a person who might go days without seeing anybody. Social networking has opened up my world to an endless supply of new friends, information, and help as I reach for my dream of a published book and a way into the schools and children. (God has always made a way for the things He directly calls me to do, so I believe He will equip me to be in schools when the time comes.) Thanks!!
Really good advice, Katie. And I have to say, networking helped me get Rachelle Gardner to look at my query and ms! It was well worth it!
I don't mind the word networking at all. 🙂 Great points, especially the comment one. LOL
I hope next time I go to a conference I network a little better with agents and editors. I think I dropped the ball last time. Eek.
This is a topic that we keep taking around and around, but I guess that's because there aren't easy answers.
To me, networking is more about good public relations than it is about promotion, and yet many writers seem to think that it's the other way around. This is my time to establish online friendships, get to know the up and coming writers, the agents and publishers and their reputations, to take advantage of learning from others and to gain a perspective on what the world of publishing is all about. I have the time now; I won't have later.
What I'm doing right now is simple. When I'm not writing, I'm visiting blogs, Facebook sites, and Twitter and listening, learning, leaving comments and making friends. I go to a writing group and attend occasional conferences. I'm sure my focus will change when I get closer to publication, but for now I believe I'm right where I'm meant to be, and doing what I'm meant to do.
Relationships are important in all industries I think! They are huge for support, to develop connections and get your name out there!
Networking can be fun! There are so many people with a jaded view of this aspect of the writing life. It should make perfect sense to connect with industry people and fellow authors to cement our own place. Our words need an audience, and we have to be a part of finding the people who help make that happen.
Love blogging and Twitter:)
As I read this, I'm thinking about all our interactions and smiling.
I love my online friends. That's what its all about for me. Always and forever.
You said it well. We want to know the person behind the writing or art or acting, whatever. We're more likely to support them, buy their books, or see their work. We build relationships, and in the end, that's what life is for.
Thanks!
I agree with you, Katie. I love the relationships I'm forming by networking. There are so many great people out there I never would have found otherwise! Great post.
That last part is so true. It's our names we are getting out there when we network. A lot of aspiring authors wonder if they should even bother with networking until they are published. This is exactly why they should. And sicerity is an absolute must. Great post!
oops! Happy Valentine's day Katie!!!! Can't wait to read YOUR romance! =)
Networking is all about relationships. I strongly believe in making people feel special and needed. =)
I used to cringe when I heard the word "networking." As Erica said, it sounded so self-serving. When I realized that what it's really about is building mutually satisfying relationships, I changed my mind and began having fun doing just that.
Rachel – I can totally understand that concern. What I've learned though, is that even writing a simple, friendly comment to show the blogger that you stopped by for a visit, is a great way to not only get your face/name out there, but to encourage the blogger and possibly start a friendship. I know many of my online writing friendships started via blogging.
Jennifer – you bring up such a valid point. We want to network for the sake of making genuine connections not for pushing a certain agenda or product.
Marla – I laughed out loud when I read your comment. 🙂
I'm more at ease about networking than I used to be. Mostly because the way it was first explained to me smacked (okay more than smacked) of schmoozing and used-car-salesmanship.
I now realize that networking is relationship building with other people who are as passionate about books as I am. Sometimes those relationships develop into supportive friendships. 🙂
Yep, all great points and I totally agree. Networking is important and beneficial and if you do it with the goal of learning about the industry and growing as a writer, you can't go wrong.
Networking's great. I just wish I were better at it. Breaking out of my hermit shell is tough!
Great thoughts, Katie! I love your advice for inexperienced writers to meet w/ editors and agents at a conference and preface it that they want to learn. So many writers go in with their first manuscript and get all worked up about getting it into print. If we're realistic with our expectations, those appointments can be great learning opportunities!
Great post, Katie!
One has to network in any career, especially in writing/art. I do both.
It's all about getting yourself out there.
Michael
I like you, Katie Ganshert.
Great discussion, Katie. I agree. Networking is great, and the Internet has revolutionized the traditional meaning of the word, for sure.
What I think is a detriment and break to the connection is when someone tries to push something on me, via social networking. It's kind of like the door-to-door salesman. We can only take their knocking on the door to sell a vacuum so many times. Sooner or later, we have to shut the door. That is where the networking becomes difficult. Definitely a discussion for another day… But social networking opens up all sorts of possibilities for connecting with others. When used for good, it truly can be great. Thanks, Katie– Jennifer
This is a great blog post!!! It affirms and confirms to me that I am on the right track. I'm planning to attend two conferences this year. The first one is just a day conference by the ACW and the 2nd one is "She Speaks" by Proverbs 31 ministries. I've spent literally hours online browsing blogs and leaving comments…I'm just now starting to add the editors/publisher types. I recently joined Twitter and although I still haven't figured it all out, it has been very useful thus far leading me to articles and blogs and such. I've been reading and learning a lot about the whole process and gaining a new vocabulary, from "querying" to learning how to write a proposal. I feel like a sponge! I have to balance that with the actual writing, but I know that will come. For this season, I am learning.
Most of all, I am enjoying the people I'm meeting! I've "met" so many wonderful, cool folks who are just like me (and maybe not so much). We have the same hopes and dreams, we go through the same doubts and insecurities…It's like a whole new world has opened up and I have received SO much support, encouragement, and inspiration.
Thank you for this truly insightful post. I see a bright future for you in the world of mentoring and guiding young/new writers. Seriously, you're a natural! 🙂 You'll be the one teaching at writer's conferences some day!
Blessings to you, I have enjoyed your posts!
I was struck by your advice to actually comment on blogs. Guess I've been more of a lurker so far 🙂 Stupid as it may sound, I find it often hard to actually leave a comment. I don't want to be seen as someone who has to comment all the time just for the sake of commenting, so I'm usually fairly reluctant. I do comment, but only when I feel I really have something to say. I feel the same way about Twitter (which I absolutely love, it's a great way to network), mainly because lots of times people don't respond to a tweet, which has made me think twice before replying to a tweet.
Thank you thank you! Great post! This is exactly how I feel. But you said it way better than I could have Katie:)) It's been awesome watching my online friends get agents, sell books and grow as writers. We all begin the same place, why not support each other during it all?
Essential.
One way I've enjoyed networking is to invite guests to provide a post for my blog. I do this rarely and I'm selective. But, I do it in hopes to connect people and I've been blown away to see how often others will bond through this means.
Otherwise, I comment and tweet often. I've left FB in the dust. Sorry FB, you still get my pictures.
~ Wendy
I love the networking online. We don't get judged by what we wear, our weight or anything external. We are accepted for the things we say, even if we aren't perfectly polite or well versed.
I've met more than a few great people on here (Katie, you're one of them) and sometimes I wish I could meet people in real life.
But would it be as good?
Great post!
Oh yes, I cringe when I hear the word networking. Not because I think it's unnecessary, but because I'm too busy. Like most writers, I have precious little time to spend on writing, networking, learning, etc. It's SO important, though. I do it because, in the end, it helps me manage my time better. My online writer friends are always giving suggestions.
One important thing I'm learning in this crazy business is editors and agents are craving stories that wow them.
Writing is still #1. Everything else is gravy.
Having said that, networking is one of the components that tie the industry together.
At last year's ACFW conference, I had an opportunity to see my agent in action. She pitched two different novels to an editor of a large Christian publishing house. Her enthusiasm and joy for those projects couldn't be matched in an e-mail or telephone call.
Those face-to-face connections are terrific ways to make your submission more personal.
Solid advice, Katie!
Great blog post today! I would actually like to do more networking, but unfortunately there has to be a limit set somewhere based on other obligations – I think it's interesting where we all prioritize (for me, it's writing conferences, getting on Twitter once a day, and writing a blog post/visiting blogs at least once a week).
Networking is a lot of fun, too – I enjoy talking to other writers and it's amazing how interconnected we can be today. It's not "work" if you're building relationships instead of just pitching a product.
Tabitha – touche! I want it to be about building relationships too! I want it to be about making authentic connections with others. That's why I write. To connect with my reader. I never want it to be about getting ahead. 🙂
One more thought from Sherrinda's comment:
While it's very difficult to break into this industry without networking, it has been done before. On the other hand, you can network until you are blue in the face, but if your writing and craft isn't there – if you haven't put the time into it – then you won't get anywhere. So story first. Always the story first. The networking should be something we make time for after we establish that first priority.
Yup. I too am a fan of networking. It's not about us, it's about building relationship. I don't care who you are or what you do, that has to be important, right? 🙂
Sherrinda – you bring up an excellent point. Such a very good point! And that is not to jump in too early. Network, yes. Form relationships, yes. Whenever possible. But our writing HAS to come first. In fact, I emailed my agent about this recently, and she said the most important thing I can do to help sell my books is write killer stories and continue to work on my craft. That always has to be our first priority as fiction authors. So if we find that we're networking to the detriment of our writing, that's when we need to step back.
I think your brain wave just about sums it up. It's about us – not about our book. As soon as it becomes about the product, most readers get turned off.
Oh goodness. I am torn on this. I definitely think networking is a must, and is a benefit to a writer professionally and emotionally. But I think some of us, especially myself, jump in too soon. We spend too much time networking, instead of actually writing. We learn alot for blogs and we make great friends, but if we aren't honing our skills and creating good stories, then it is just going to delay reaching our destination on the journey. It's funny, but I blogged about this today and how I need to step back and just write. 🙂
Great post! Your brainwave is spot on!
I think networking should be one of the writer's top priorities if they want to sell books. But not to just plug plug plug – the important thing is to interact, get fans INVOLVED in the process so they feel appreciated.
No, I don't cringe, WHEN, the person isn't just trying to sell their work! I hate networking that is only about a product. I need personality in order to want the product. So that's certainly the best way to go about it in my opinion.
Just say I want to plug something on my blog. I won't ever write a whole post about it. I write a post about something interesting that readers are going to want to read, and then, briefly, at the end, I add in the thing I want to plug. I think that's the best way to go, otherwise it just seems like you're trying to sell something. That doesn't interest me and I don't think it interests other either. DOn't you think?