Networking Made Easy with Maria Zannini

Please welcome my special guest, author Maria Zannini, as she tours the interwebz on her new blog tour. Thanks for coming by, Maria, and thanks for dealing with my inability to set the autopost to the correct day. I blame drugs. [image error]

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People are always looking for tips on networking. They're looking for that magic bullet, something that will make them irresistible to the people they meet.

Personally, I'm looking for the magic bullet that will make me irresistible to Gerard Butler, but that's beside the point.

Networking is a simple concept. It's about building relationships with people of similar interests using any or all the tools available. Today that includes a formidable online presence.

Think about all the ways we communicate with one another. From live appearances, to chats, to book signings and blog tours. Any time you reach out and talk to people, you're networking.

But the secret to networking is not just chatting with people, but offering them something of value.  A resource.

For example: Tweeting about a great new writing market you just discovered is terrific. But contacting the individuals that you KNOW will benefit most from this information is even better.

Why is it better to contact the individuals? Aren't you reaching more people with Twitter?

Maybe. But are you reaching the people who need this information? I don't know about you, but Twitter is hit or miss for me. If I don't see that tweet when I'm on, how is it helping me?

Another example: You're at a luncheon for a business (or writers') conference and you meet someone high up on the food chain.

Do you: A) Press the flesh, hand out business cards and compliment them by asking for some professional advice?

Or B)  Compliment them on their hair or shoes, ask them how their trip was, or suggest a good restaurant in the area?

Did you catch the difference? Option A was all about you. You're not giving your intended anything of value. Option B is all about the other person. You're thinking about his needs, not yours.

A network is a living organism. It feeds on the energy you put into it. And it can start with little baby steps.

Creating a network is probably a blog post in itself, but here are a few places that have been useful in building my network.

• Commenting on blogs. (Yup. No kidding.) The more people I meet, the greater the opportunity for me to expand my network. I try very hard to make my comments meaningful.

• Volunteering. Some days all I've done was set out chairs, but it gave me an opportunity to chat with up and coming authors, editors and even an agent.

• A job in the business. I edit the newsletter for OWW (Online Writing Workshop) and I meet a ton of fabulous publishing professionals. Think that isn't a perk?

• Join forums that support your passions. (Hint: It doesn't always have to be writing-related.) This is the best way to expand your network beyond the scope of the industry crowd. If the topic is a passion of yours, you have a ready-made in.

Think of networking like money in the bank. The more you put in, the more interest it earns. Every time you help someone with a lead on a job, make an introduction, give an honest critique of their work, or even something as simple as listening, you are putting money in your account.

Will it pay you dividends right away?

Sometimes it does, but most of the time it's the slow accumulation that brings the greatest rewards. I call those friendships. And those are priceless.

Be helpful. Be generous. And be patient. Networking is not about what other people can do for you. It's what you can do for others. Go forth and do good.

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Maria Zannini's latest release is a science fiction romance called TRUE BELIEVERS.

Mix one cynical immortal and one true believer and throw them into the biggest alien-hunt the world has never known. Rachel Cruz is a Nephilim masquerading as an archeologist and she's stuck with an alien who believes she can lead him to his ancestral gods. Black Ops wants to find these gods too. They want them dead.

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Contest time! Every time you leave a comment, tweet or mention "Maria Zannini" anywhere with a link to my blog, your name goes in the hat for a chance to win a Texas sized prize. Go here for more information.

STOP THE PRESSES! Maria has made it to the second round of the Kensington Contest. Vote for her novel, Mistress Of The Stone. (Maria is the one with the very cute dog.) Every vote, tweet and nudge is appreciated. Thanks, everyone!