5 Networking Tips for Writers

All independent publishers know that they have to take responsibility for getting their work out there. Networking is one of the ways to do this and it has the potential to be very useful, but if you’re new to it, it can be a little bit intimidating. With this in mind, here are five networking tips for writers that you might find useful.

Make sure your writing is ready

First of all, before you start networking, you need to be confident that your writing is ready for the next stage of your plan – whatever that plan might entail. Take your time to get where you want your writing to be; you’re sure to appreciate that extra effort later and it will make you more confident in what you’re trying to do.

Know why you want to meet people

When you are meeting new people, it also helps to know why you want to meet them. For instance, why are you interested in meeting that person but not that person? Do you want to meet that other writer because you think that they could help you achieve a professional goal or because you just like what they write? If you are hoping to network with specific people, it can be useful to know a little bit about them first so you can be clear on your reasons.

Know what you have to offer

You should also know what you have to offer – networking is about benefitting both parties involved. You might not want to bring up the subject of your writing straight away, depending on where and how you meet the people you’re networking with, but it’s useful to know where you can add value and support to others as well as how they could be useful for you.

Focus on creating good contacts

It makes sense to focus on creating fewer, good quality contacts than lots of contacts that you only ever meet once or twice and who aren’t really relevant to what you’re trying to do. If you’re writing a novel, for instance, you might like to focus on people who write or are involved in a genre similar to yours.

Utilise social media – and the real world too

Social media can be great for networking. Twitter is probably the best example of this for writers; there are lots of chances to chat to other people in a relatively informal setting and get to know them. However, don’t forget the real world. There are plenty of conferences, readings and other events that you could attend. Even if you’re just hoping to put a face to name and say hello, making the effort to attend is a crucial first step.

Finally, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Your networking might not always go to plan – and you never know where you’ll meet that really useful contact. Don’t be too pushy when you’re meeting new people; let things build up slowly and take your time. Relationships don’t happen overnight, but with time, your networking could well pay off and be a benefit to your writing career.