Networking for Authors

Writing is a solitary experience, and I think it’s important that we have a network of authors to help support us. Here are some ideas to help you find your crew.

• Join a writer’s group. I am so fortunate to be a part of Sisters in Crime (Guppies, Central Virginia, Chessie, and Grand Canyon Writers), International Thriller Writers, and James River Writers. My first traditionally published work was in a Sisters in Crime anthology. They provide support, ideas, training, critique groups, networking, and so many other opportunities that I wouldn’t have known about.

• My agent and my publisher have regular group Zooms to share information and marketing ideas with their authors. It’s nice to find partners for online and in-person events and collaboration opportunities.

• Volunteer. There are so many worthwhile organizations that are looking for the skills you have. If you’ve got the time, give back a little. And besides doing good for others, you get to meet new people and network.

• Look for other authors who write what you write. Reach out to see if they are interested in collaborating.

• Plan a book event and invite other authors to be on your panel or to sign with you. This provides a great opportunity for you to network with new readers.

• I am so fortunate to be a part of several group blogs through the years (where each author is responsible for blogging on a specific day). Not only do we provide feedback for each other’s posts, but we share information and ideas.

I treasure my writing friends. They are so generous with their time and advice. I encourage new (or seasoned) writers to find a crew. These are the amazing people who commiserate with you and share your celebrations.

Expanding Your Web - Networking Tips for Authors

Sometimes, networking is a challenge. It can be difficult to step out and strike up conversations. Here are some ideas to help authors expand their network of contacts.

1. Save business cards of people you meet. I usually jot on the back where I met them. It helps later when you have a pile of business cards and no recollection of the meeting.

2. Use some sort of software or contact list (e.g. in your phone or email program) to keep all of your contacts in one place. When you get a new contact, add it immediately. I add notes about where I met the person. I book a lot of programs for my writing group, so it helps to remember what they do and where I met them. I also use the “File As” field to help me find them again. Instead of typing Doe, Jayne. I enter, Doe, Jayne - Web Designer. (Make sure you back up these files, so that you can recover them in an emergency.)

3. If you are shy, quiet, or not outgoing, make a pact with yourself to meet five new people each week. It’s good practice for putting yourself out there and talking to strangers. You will meet some interesting people. You can use this technique on social media too. Follow five or ten new people a week or join in a conversation.

4. Volunteer. It’s good for everyone. There are so many groups out there looking for the skills you have as a writer. And it’s a great way to meet new people.

5. Donate to prize give-aways. I do a lot of book baskets for my favorite charity fundraisers. It’s a nice way to contribute.

6. Let the planners in the organizations that you are a part of know that you’re a writer, and you’re willing to do events. Clubs, book groups, religious groups, charities, and alumni organizations are always looking for speakers and program content.

7. Find an organization that you’re interested in and join. Go to meetings and events to network with new people. The easiest way in an organization to meet others is to volunteer for an activity.

8. Follow hashtags (Twitter and Instagram) and groups (Facebook) to join online communities to meet others with similar interests.

Unless you’re an outgoing, people person, it’s often hard to meet new people and strike up conversations. It’s good practice to get in the habit of networking. Authors are often called upon to do speaking engagements or interviews. What would you add to my list?

Networking - Where Do I Start?

Writing is mostly a solitary effort, and marketing, book promotions, and networking can be a challenge. when it’s not in your comfort zone to socialize or to put yourself out there. And it’s even harder during this pandemic. But being connected is important. Here are some ideas I’ve learned throughout the years to help you meet, connect, and strike up conversations.

Cultivate the Relationships You Have - Make the time to reach out and connect with the relationships you already have. These are your friends, family, and acquaintances. Call, text, Zoom, post on social media, or drop them a letter. Reach out and connect with the people who care about you.

Build Your Social Media Followers - Social media can be overwhelming and time-consuming. Set aside some time each day to connect on your sites. You need to be an active participant. The “social” part is key here. Don’t just post and run. Your readers/followers want to interact with you. Ask and answer questions. Post comments and share others’ information.

Work on expanding your followers. All sites have a “you might know” option where it offers suggestions of who to follow. Find authors like you and look at who follows them and who they follow.

Use Hashtags - Search for hashtags that interest you. Look at the posts and start a conversation with someone new. Follow people who have the same interests. Share and comment on posts you like.

Celebrate with Others - Share others’ celebrations. Be genuine. And don’t hijack the conversation to make it about you.

Allocate Time - It’s easy to get sucked in your sites, and you can scroll for hours. Schedule some time daily and stick to your plan. If it’s too much to do more than one platform, pick one and focus on that. Make sure that you interact.

Don’t respond to comments three weeks later. I check my key social media sites in the morning, at lunch, and in the evening to make sure that I am responding in a reasonable amount of time. Find a routine that works for you. Every hour is probably too much, and once a week is probably not often enough.

Join Groups - Look for clubs or groups connected to your interests. These are great places to be a part of the conversation. And don’t limit yourself to just books. Make sure that you participate in groups in your own community (e.g. neighborhood associations, places of worship, alumni groups, neighborhood Facebook groups, charities, volunteer organizations, etc.)

Find a Writers’ Group - Find a writers’ group for your genre. These offer many opportunities for networking, learning, and special projects.

Volunteer - Volunteer your time. Organizations are always in need of people to serve on committees and to help with events. This is such a great opportunity to give back, and you will meet so many interesting people.

Tag You’re It - Post about public seminars and events you attend. Post about interesting books, movies, and shows. Tag the speaker or the people involved even if you don’t know them. You’ll be surprised at the number of responses you get, and it often starts a conversation.

Post about events you’ll be attending and tag people. After a public event, post pictures (even if it’s a Zoom screen) and tag the panel or the speaker. (Just a note of caution: we have a lot of law enforcement speakers at our mystery events. ALWAYS ask before you take and post a picture. Sometimes there are professional and security reasons, and they don’t want to be identified publicly.)

#FF or #WW - If you want to start a conversation on Twitter, use the Follow Friday (#FF) or Writer Wednesday (#WW) hashtags. Post a meme or a gif and list a bunch of accounts that you think people should follow. People will comment, add other names, and share. It’s a great way to expand your reach and pick up followers.

Ask Questions - If you want to strike up a conversation on any platform, ask a question. Make sure to add related hashtags. Examples: It’s the weekend, what are you reading? It’s snowing here, what’s the weather like outside your window?

Look at the lists online of fun “holidays” and post a picture or a meme for topics related to your book.

Ask for advice or recommendations. People are always willing to assist.

Help Others - People are always looking for recommendations and information. If you can help, reach out to them. Share the knowledge and resources you have.

Tag Your Friends - If you see a post on a topic that would be of interest to a friend, tag that person in the comment with a brief note. You’re helping to make connections.

I love looking at all the “Bookstagram” and “Book Stack” photos that readers put on Instagram. If I see a friend’s book in the picture, I always tag them in a comment. You’d be surprised at the number of times authors didn’t know a reader had highlighted them.

Keep Your Contacts Organized - It’s important to keep contact information where you can access it. You never know when you’ll need to reach out to someone.

When someone gives me a business card, I write on the back where I met them or who introduced us. When I’m back at my desk, I transfer the contact to my email address book with enough notes to jog my memory later.

I also have a spreadsheet where I keep subject matter expert (SME) contacts that I meet. You never know when you or someone else will need the connection. I attend a lot of workshops and training sessions, and the speakers often offer to be a resource in the future.

Just Do It - It is not in a lot of people’s nature to strike up or jump into conversations with strangers. It’s hard, but make yourself try it. Find some online conversations and jump in with your comments or questions. Or start a conversation on your site.

It is difficult, but you can learn to network. And you improve the more you do it.

How Do You Get Recharged? Tips for Writers

Everybody hits a slump or a block from time to time. Sometimes, there's an awful feeling of being overwhelmed. The key is not stay there or wallow in doubt, despair, or fear. Here are some ideas to get you recharged and back on your writing projects.

1. I go to my monthly critique group meetings. Having a deadline for submitting work to be reviewed helps me keep on track. Plus, I love interacting with talented and creative people. I learn as much from others' critiques as I do from those of my work.

2. I also attend writers' group meetings and events. Many of these have a learning component, and experiencing new things always recharges me. It's also a great way to interact with other writers. I can't say enough about how valuable my writing network is to me. I get ideas, critiques, and support from people who have the same experiences.

3. If it's not feasible to join a group in your area, there are plenty online. I receive a digest of the threads each day. Even though I don't have the time to read and respond to every thread, I do check out interesting topics and keep up with new projects. And it's nice to know that you're not alone in your writing cave.

4. Take some time off and do something interesting or fun. Usually, the break is all I need to get back into writing mode. 

5. Volunteer some of your time. There are so many  groups that appreciate the help. Time away helps you clear your thoughts and get focused.

6. Exercise. Get those endorphins pumping. You'll feel better. (I recently got a stand-up desk at my day gig. It is wonderful. I feel so much better at the end of the day.)

7. I get overwhelmed when I have too many projects going at once, even if they're in different stages. I need to prioritize and focus on the critical tasks. That helps me quell the anxiety and stress.

8. Learn how to say "no" nicely (but firmly). It's hard. There are so many people making requests of you, and you can't do it all. It takes a lot of effort to balance your writing with the rest of your life. I would love to participate in every author or volunteer event that comes along, but sometimes, it's not feasible. Your time is valuable. Guard your writing time.

9. If you don't have a writers group, invite a couple of writers to lunch or coffee. Make time to network and share ideas. Peer groups are important.

How do you recharge? What would you add to my list?

One is Often the Loneliest Number for Writers

Writing is typically a solitary activity, and it is very easy for authors to become isolated. I believe writers need to balance their time between the writing life and the social one. They need to focus on researching, writing, and revising, but networking and learning from others are also important to the writing life.

Here are some ideas that work to help with balance.

1. Find your group of like minds. Locate a writers' group for networking and idea sharing. My groups provide classes, workshops, seminars, networking, and book signing opportunities. I'm in several online groups, and they offer me training and critique group opportunities. To me, these groups are invaluable. The members are so generous with their time, and they're willing to answer questions and provide guidance. Just make sure that you're not over extending yourself by joining lots of groups.

2. My critique groups are invaluable for their feedback and beta reads. I am in an online one, and we exchange critiques via email. My other group meets monthly at a local library. Both of my groups are made up of mystery writers. That's my genre, and that's where I want to focus my time and energy. Some groups are open to all genres. Find what works best for you. I agree to review and critique their work, and they do the same for mine. It is an investment of time, but it is well worth it for me. I like the feedback from different perspectives.

3. If there isn't a writers' group in your genre near where you live, check out other genres. There are several writing groups in my area, and we often open our programs to the other groups.

4. Find authors who are similar to your style in your area to share author panels and book signings. I really don't like to do book signings alone. It's more fun when there are others . Plus, it's an opportunity to share your work with a variety of readers. I love going to events and meeting new writer friends.

5. Use social media for discussions, feedback, and research. You can find subject matter experts in a variety of fields to answer your questions. (Twitter is great for this.) Plus, it's fun to chat on social media with other authors and to share their celebrations.

6. Look for partnership opportunities with other authors (e.g. anthologies, boxed sets, special sales, guest blogs, and social media take-overs). These are great ways to share your work with readers with similar interests and to broaden your audience.

7. Look for volunteer opportunities. There are many groups that are looking for speakers and instructors for workshops. It's a great way to meet peoples (and readers). I am very fortunate that librarians and others contact our writing group with events that we share with our members. I've done programs at libraries, schools, senior facilities, and book clubs.

8. Take advantage of your library. There are so many resources there. And many offer programs that need speakers and instructors. Get to know your librarians. 

What else would you add to my list? 

Selecting Book Appearances - It's Not All ROI

I have a writer friend who chooses all of her appearances, conferences, and events by how many books she thinks she'll sell. She calculates her transportation costs and expenses, and then makes her decision on whether or not to attend. I admire her attention to detail - down to her mileage spreadsheets.

Writing/publishing is a business, and authors need to treat their time, resources, and expenses in those terms, but a strict return on investment (ROI) may overlook some tangential or long-term benefits. I've done some smaller events or events where we didn't sell that many books, but I did gainother benefits and opportunities. Here are some examples:

At a small, independent book store, I met two women who later invited me to be on a panel at their group's writing conference.

At a school-sponsored book fair, I met several folks who had an interest in mysteries and joined our local chapter of Sisters in Crime. Both are active members now in our organization.

At an outdoor festival, we met a local DJ who asked us to do interviews for his radio station.

I also collect email addresses and contacts at every event. This expands my audience for newsletters and announcements.

I love to talk to school groups and colleges. These don't usually lead to direct sales, but every kid gets a bookmark. It's important to encourage others, especially young talent. And as a student, I had authors who took the time to visit my schools.

I try a lot of events. I like opportunities to network and talk about my book. I am very fortunate that I'm part of several writing groups and anthology groups. We're often asked to provide panels, workshops, and authors for special events. And we partner at events and book signings. There is nothing worse than sitting in a book store all by yourself.

My guidelines for choosing events are:

1. I don't have to do every event that comes along.
2. I should enjoy the events I choose to attend. If I don't, I can skip it next year.
3. Do I have the availability? I need to make sure that I have time to write the next book. My free time is limited, and I can't be on the road every weekend.

What advice to you have for choosing book marketing events?

19 Things I Learned about LinkedIn

This week, I attended a seminar, "The Power of LinkedIn" by Bridget McGovern, Senior Nonprofit Relationship Manager for LinkedIn. She provided a good overview of the platform and a workshop for us to improve our sites. Here's what I learned...

1. Your profile is your professional brand. How do you want to look to others? Your brand is your promise of what others can expect of you.
2. Your LinkedIn profile is not your resume.
3. Follow organizations and causes you care about.
4. You are the brand ambassador for you and your company.
5. Networking is key. Make connections.
6. When you send a connection request to someone, make sure to personalize it (e.g. Hi, John Doe. I enjoyed meeting you at the ABC Conference in Atlanta.). I sent one recently from the mobile version, and it didn't let me personalize the request.
7. Your profile should show where you've been, where you are now, and where you're going.
8. Seventy-five percent of hiring managers use LinkedIn to look for and at candidates. Hey hiring managers, candidates look a your company and profiles too.
9. Make sure you have a professional looking headshot. It can show your personality. Just be careful with selfies. Profiles with pictures get 21x more views.
10. Your photo should be from the shoulders up, and you should smile.
11. Your summary should be short - no more than two paragraphs. This should be your elevator pitch about you. What do you bring when you walk into a room?
12. Add a custom headline under your photo - not just your current job title. This allows you to be creative in your description of yourself. State the essence of what you do.
13. Keep your experience concise (about two sentences). Highlight the value of what you brought to the team.
14. Think about publishing content, photos, and videos. This increases your reach.
15. Your skills tell your story. If someone endorses you for something, and it doesn't fit, you don't have to accept it.
16. Make sure to include your volunteer experience.
17. Connect with people you know, people who belong to similar organizations, and your alumni groups.
18. Look at groups and join what interests you. This is another way to network.
19. Be creative and don't be afraid to show your personality in a professional way. You don't want to look like a robot. Sometimes, we're too formal in our descriptions, and when others read it, it's bland or boring.

I learned a lot from Bridget McGovern. I've had a LinkedIn profile for a while, but I don't do that much with it. I have noticed over the last year that I'm getting more and more recruiters send me information on jobs they think I'm a fit for. It's nice to be noticed. I'm off to revamp my profile.

How to Network When It's Not in Your Nature

Writers tend to be solitary creatures. My last Myers Briggs personality test results listed me as an ESTJ. My "extrovert" score was just over the axis, so I'm really on the fence between introvert and extrovert. I love being around people, but there are times when I have "peopled" enough, and I just want some solitude. 

But, relationships are key in everyone's personal and professional lives. Even if it's not in your nature to be outgoing, networking is a skill that writers need to hone. Here are eleven tips to help you with your online and in-person networking.

1. Look for opportunities to volunteer. Helping others is an incredible way to give back. And it gives you an opportunity to meet new people.

2. Join a book group to meet other readers. What a great forum to talk about books!

3. Stay involved with your alumni groups and organizations. Many of these have newsletters for member celebrations. These are great places to announce book launches.

4. I use Facebook to keep up with friends from my hometown and college days. Most of my book news goes on my author page, but I do post every once in a while on my page - especially if it's a book event in a town where I know I have friends and family. 

5. I use Twitter to network with readers, book bloggers, writers, and librarians. It's a vast source of information, and if I have a research question, I can always find help.

6. I have joined several blogging network groups on Facebook. These have helped me set goals and promote my blog and social media sites. Search for blog network groups. There are lots out there.

7. Find your writing tribe. I'm a member of Sisters in Crime Central Virginia, Guppies (online), and James River Writers. Members of each are so supportive of writers, and they offer great programs on the craft of writing and book marketing. You're not alone. 

8. If public speaking terrifies you, look for a Toastmasters group in your area. I joined years ago, and it helped me FINALLY get comfortable with talking in front of all kinds of groups. The public speaking experience and feedback were invaluable.

9. Talk with your local librarians about co-hosting a program - a writers' panel, a publication discussion, a book reading, or a workshop. My groups partner regularly with local libraries. They get an education event, and we have an opportunity to talk about our books.

10. If your book's main character has a hobby, talk to folks in your area with related shops (e.g. knitting, craft brewing, sewing, crafting, etc.). There might be an opportunity for you to visit and talk with their customers.

11. Create a signup sheet for your newsletter and collect email addresses at all of your events. make sure that guests can sign up on your website too. It's important to have contacts for people who are interested in you and your books.

It does take a lot to muster the courage to cold call or network in a room of strangers. But it is worth it. I've had some really great opportunities because I made a phone call, sent an email, and offered my services. Let me know what other ideas you have to add to the list.