Tag: networking

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#WriteWed Inspiration #Amwriting #Amreading

One of the absolute best parts of the writing gig is getting to meet other authors and readers! It’s why I love going to conferences and events. These are the ones I’ll be attending so far this year and if you’re in the area, I would love to see you and get to spend some time with you! Of course, since I’m a reader as well as a writer, I can’t wait to meet other authors and find out more about their books. It’s a win-win situation.

March 18-19, 2017
Liberty States Fiction Writers Conference
Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel
Iselin, NJ

April 19, 2017
5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Ocean County Author Fair
Lakewood Branch Library

April 22, 2017
12 pm to 5 pm
A Day of Wine and Romance
Brook Hollow Winery
594 State Route 94, Columbia, New Jersey 07832

July 26–29, 2017
RWA Annual Conference
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort
Orlando, Florida

October 13th & 14th, 2017
Fall in Love with New England Romance
Reader/Author Conference
Best Western Plus Executive Court
Inn and Conference Center
13500 S Willow Street
Manchester, New Hampshire 03103

#WriteWed Inspiration

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Thursday 13 – Conference Tips!

On the 19th I’ll be at the wonderful Liberty States Fiction Writers Create Something Magical Conference. It’s a great event with some awesome workshops and 20+ editors and agents taking pitches. Plus, there are going to be a bunch of gift baskets, including one with a Kindle, some nice giveaways and a book fair that’s open to the public. If you’ll be in the Woodbridge, NJ area that Saturday, please drop by. The book fair is from 5:30 to 7 pm on March 19th.

So with that conference at hand, today’s Thursday 13 is all about some conference tips. Here goes.

1. Have a business card at hand, even if you’re not published. You want to start making connections and people need to know how to reach you.

2. Mingle. Make connections.

3. Don’t mingle. LOL, yes a little bit of a contradiction, but you need to learn body language. If two people are close together and in a serious discussion, it’s not the right time to butt in.

4. Enjoy yourself. Yes, it’s work, but it’s also a chance for you to unwind.

5. Choose your workshops carefully. Make sure they are ones that fit a need that you have.

6. Dress professionally.

7. Dress comfortably. You can do 6 and 7 and it’s important to find that balance. If you’re not comfortable, those vibes carry to others.

8. Don’t drink too much. You can’t believe how often I’ve seen people break this rule.

9. If meals are being served, choose a table where you can meet new people.

10. If you’ve got the time to spare, stay after the conference ends and the fun time begins. It’s part of networking, but it’s also part of finding time to share with other creative people. It can be really rejuvenating.

11. Prepare your pitch. Stand in front of a mirror or sit with a friend and practice it. See if it sounds natural.

12. Don’t be nervous in front of the editors and agents. They don’t bite. Really they don’t.

13. Have fun! You’ve probably spent some money to attend, travel, stay, get new clothes, etc. Take the time to enjoy yourself a little.

Hope you found these tips helpful! Hope to see you at the book fair!

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Networking

Since I’m headed off to the RWA National conference like many other writers, I thought I’d offer up some tips on networking!

Conferences are one of the best ways of not only improving your craft skills, but also provide wonderful opportunities for meeting new people and expanding your contacts. That kind of networking is invaluable in today’s publishing climate.

So what are some things you can do to accomplish that kind of networking?

  • 1. Get out of your room and down into the common areas. Mingle and don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with someone who is sitting beside you or standing alone in the lobby if they seem open to communication.
  • 2. Know when not to approach. If two people are standing there talking, heads close together or directly facing one another, they probably don’t want to be interrupted. Also, don’t hover by expectantly. Step away and approach only when they are ready to invite another into the discussion. How do you know that? Look at their body posture. People standing side-by-side or not directly facing one another have not closed themselves off to others.
  • 3. Make sure you have business cards. If you’re a published author, have one card for business contacts and another for fans and readers. The first should have detailed contact information and the latter should have info on your books as well as your website.
  • 4. If you’re published, have bookmarks available to hand to fans and readers, but not to publishing people. They don’t need your goodies, but do need your business card.
  • 5. If you want to submit to someone, see if they are attending and wait for a good time to approach them. In the few minutes before their workshop is not a good time! Also, remember they are people as well. They likely will appreciate some general talk and getting to know you first. Let the conversation segue naturally into talk about what you do and your submission.
  • 6. Be positive! Negative talk is a total turn off so always try to look on the bright side of things and always offer a smile and a thanks. Positive vibes are always welcome.
  • 7. Last, but most importantly, have a good time! Meet new people and reinforce old friendships.

I hope you enjoyed today’s Tuesday Tips. We’ll be traveling tomorrow, so look for some photos and updates on Thursday.

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