Benefits of Networking: An Introduction
For the past couple of years, all people have heard about is networking. Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Wave, Google Buzz, various blogging platforms… it’s amazing the number of websites that connect complete strangers with the click of a few buttons.
For most, it’s just a fun way to pass the time. But for writers, networking can be both an essential tool to success and a source of endless information.
It’s a tool because a steady platform can only help you in the search for an agent, an editor or publisher. Have no cause for doubt: they will Google your name. Seeing that you have a regularly updated blog, a good following on Twitter, connections on LinkedIn — it takes pressure off them because you are already marketing yourself. They see that people know your name, and they won’t have to worry as much about trying to sell a completely unknown person, particularly if you write non-fiction, such as self-help books.
It’s also a great research source if you’ve ever tried to find information on the Internet and just could not find it. You can go to these networking sites (Twitter, especially) and you are almost guaranteed to find someone who knows something about it, or where to find the information.
As a confessed Twitter addict, let’s take this a bit further. For those of you not on Twitter, you join and set up your profile. Your updates are confined to a 140 character limit. You follow whoever you like, provided their profile is public, and anyone can follow you unless you block them.
Agents are on Twitter. Editors are on Twitter. Publishers and other writers are on Twitter. Not only is this an opportunity for you to learn what these industry professionals are looking for, it’s a chance to meet other writers. News travels at impossible speeds with the click of a “ReTweet” button. You’ll hear about the newest agents, the newest book deals. What’s in, what’s out.
As a bonus, you might even make some really good friends. I know I have.
Is networking for everyone? Not at all. Would it work for you? That’s entirely up to you – what you put in is what you get out. But I do believe that every writer should give it a shot.
Like anything else, it’s hard to build something without a foundation.
How much do you network? Please let us know how networking has benefited you in the comments below!
Mireyah Wolfe is a seventeen year old brunette who suffers from occasional blonde moments. She writes urban fantasy, blogs regularly at Where Plot Bunnies Roam and avoids homework as much as possible. A confessed Twitter addict, she can almost always be found tweeting away.
So when I was told social networking was something writers really should be doing I *may* or *may not* have giggled a bit and been all “Zoinks, you mean I get to talk to people and procrastinate and call it networking for reals??”.
Now.
After setting up a blog and twitter account to do just that I have come to realise that this networking lark is really very useful. Not only do I get to meet other people in my exact situation and ask for help, I ask get to meet agents and published writers along the way!
Sure you have to put the hours in, but what you get out is worth it. Mireyah is indeed correct *nods*
ALSO
I sincerely hope she was talking about me there when she said she’s made friends.
That is all.
I had a similar reaction when I first saw people were saying that networking was something I should do. I tried it out, started to enjoy it, and I finally ended up just doing it for fun. The career benefits of it are a nice side dish, but I love the connections I’ve made. (And of course I mean you! Sillyness.)