Pointless Networking
Posted By 1st Turning Point Guest Columnist on June 3, 2010
- Carrie Lofty, Author
by Carrie Lofty
1st Turning Point Guest Columnist
Copyright © 2010 Carrie Lofty
When I first started attending conferences, both at the national and regional levels, I did so with clear goals. Primarily, I attended workshops to better hone my storytelling skills and scheduled pitch appointments to secure a few precious minutes of face time with an editor or agent. In later conferences, I expanded to presenting workshops or sitting on panels.
My experience in attending conferences this spring has been very different. I have an agent and I recently sold to Pocket, so the pressure of pitch appointments has dissipated. But that doesn’t mean conferences are any less important than when I was just starting out—and I don’t just mean promoting my newest release.
I call my current conference task “pointless networking.”
I don’t mean that networking is pointless. Far from it. Networking is quite possibly the single most important task you can perform outside of refining your skills as a storyteller. Instead, I mean networking without a particular goal in mind. This sort of networking is literally “without a point.” There is no way to quantify it, no goals to meet. But everyone should try it!
For example, I went to dinner at the Romance Writers of America national conference last year with a large group of romance readers and bloggers. My goal for the evening was to make a good impression on these influential women. I happened to sit next to a fellow historical romance author with whom I’d never have the opportunity to make a good connection. Over dinner we talked about our respective works in progress. This was social time, where she and I simply shared our enthusiasm for our current ideas. I had no indication that the conversation we shared for roughly an hour would come in handy.
But now she and I share an editor. I was able to email her with questions about her experiences and generally solidify the relationship that had started at the accidental dinner.
The same accidental process has taken place numerous times, even though I’ve only been actively working toward publication for a few years. My friendly online interaction with the blogger led me to an on-camera interview sponsored by RT Book Reviews. The positive impression I made on the woman in charge of that interview has since led to more opportunities, and I’ve been able to introduce her to author friends seeking promotional prospects. I made one such introduction in April on the dance floor at the Ellora’s Cave party at RT!
Good connections are never wasted. And whether you make those connections online, on the dance floor, in the bar after hours, or in a more formal setting like sitting on a panel or pitching your manuscript, all of them have the potential to bear fruit.
My advice, then, is this: When interacting in any professional forum, maintain appropriately professional behavior. However, don’t forget that the writers and industry professionals you meet are also human beings. If you can connect with them as people, you may be able to make a lasting impression that provides more than simply a night’s entertainment.
So buy a round of drinks and tell silly jokes. Be yourself. Have a nice time—within limits, of course—and remember that when it comes to networking, nothing is ever truly pointless.
Song of SeductionBy Carrie LoftyPublisher: Carina Press In 1804 Salzburg, Austria, a widowed violin prodigy begins a steamy affair with the composer she idolizes, only to learn he stole the symphony he’s most famous for. “Lofty writes adventure romance like a born bard of old.” ~ RT Book Reviews “Historical romance needs more risk-takers like Lofty.” ~ Wendy Crutcher, Misadventures of Super Librarian Look for Carrie’s next Austrian-set romance, Portrait of Seduction, set for an early 2011 release from 2011. Then join her in the 19th century as she embarks on a new Victorian series from Pocket, beginning with Flawless. And coming soon from Berkley Sensation is the “Dark Age Dawning” trilogy of hot-n-dirty apocalyptic romances, co-written with Ann Aguirre under the name Ellen Connor. About the Author: Born in California and raised in the Midwest, Carrie met her English husband while studying abroad-the best souvenir! Since completing her master’s in history, she’s been devoted to raising their two precocious daughters and writing romance. |
 Song of Seduction, by Carrie Lofty |
About the author
Carrie, this is a very pertinent article.I’m fairly new to book publishing and there have been several authors who stepped forward just out of the kindess of their heart to help me. I met these people quite by accident in chats and author forums. I’m so glad! I think whenever one offers to lend a hand or mentor another, they need to be treated with the utmost respect and I also think we need to look for ways to repay that kindness. Sometimes the one who helps us seems so out of our league and we think there’s nothing we could do. A simple, handwritten thank you can mean so much. And as you said, just being myself and talking about everyday things with them builds a friendship I treasure.
CARRIE-good thoughts. The fact is we never know when some connection will provide a sale–or sales. I’ve had odd things happen–one of my blog posts was picked up by a magazine, they printed it, and I got 500 bucks. Yep! One of my romances is set in 1880 Nacogdoches, Texas. I wrote an entire blog about the modern town and their blueberry festival, complete with photos and a recipe, and sent it to their Chamber of Commerce–made some sales. They we so pleased. I do feel as though I waste too much time on internet connections, but something’s working–I’m selling books–not rich yet, but I am happy. Thank you-Celia
Although it may seem so at times, no writer is truly an island. We work best with moral support and camaradarie (uh-oh, that might be a spelling error). For the most part, we don’t mind sharing what we know with others and we are very willing to commiserate when bad news comes down the pike. It could be us. Heck, it is us, at one time or another. In my view, forging those connections is vital. Excellent post.
What very good advice! Thank you.
John Klawitter
Carrie,
I love the idea of pointless networking. It eases the guilt I sometimes feel when I’m sitting in the bar instead of attending a workshop. I can honestly say that networking (linked with other platform elements, such as giving workshops) has taken me further in this career than so many other solo endeavors. Thanks for another great article here at 1st Turning Point.
Ann Charles
As I mentioned, the potential benefit of sitting at a bar is hard to quantify, especially when you feel compelled to attend as many workshops as possible. After all, isn’t that what we pay registration for? But I’ve learned that balance is good, not only for networking but for keeping conference-induced stress levels down! Thanks for stopping by, everyone.