I’m going to say it again…you need a writing network!
I was recently invited to a private shopping party at Akira-Water Tower Place. Upon arriving a personal shopper made sure I had a mimosa while I shopped for the perfect outfit. The offer of buy one-get one half off was a perk I could not pass up! So here I was fully immersed in tops when I was approached by a twenty-something year old man and he asked me what I did for a living?
Just like that.
No, “Hi, I’m…”
Just, “What do you do for a living?”
I loved it!
I told him I was a writer. He gasped and said, “I’m a writer too. I’m about to graduate from Columbia College!”
His enthusiasm was contagious and I just loved the fact that he had the nerve to ask me about my career. I mean I’m a random stranger after all.
Before I finish this story, I want to ask you…
Do you network? Do you let people know who you are and what you do? Do you have business cards available?
He went on to tell me he’s a screenwriter and that he’s also working on a TV pilot. I told him about my business and gave him some tips on marketing and publicity. He asked, “Can I have your information so that I can keep in contact with you and maybe send you some of my work?”
Since then we’ve connected through email and I plan on going to one of his upcoming plays. I was impressed with his work, but best of all his go get it attitude. I meet people often who are looking for a screenwriter. Now I have someone to recommend.
What this new writer did is something that a lot of writers are not taking full advantage of.
Networking.
Outside of the Internet.
Face to face networking is one of the best things you can do for your writing career. Even I have pushed away from the computer a little. Now I’m getting out there, shaking hands, meeting people and putting myself at the forefront of people’s minds.
Once you’ve made the connection, stay in contact! Nurture your network. Your network will help you in many different ways in the future.
Have you been networking? Why or why not? Please share in the comment section below.
Latest posts by Stefanie Newell (see all)
