The importance of networking

Someone in a writing group on She Writes asked for advice on how to get into freelancing. There is one essential secret I can share on how to break into any kind of writing, and it is this: networking.

I got my first regular writing gigs, both as a freelancer and an intern, from networking. My first published short story was sold because of networking. My first big girl job interviews in newspapers came about from networking. Networking is the key to writing, if you want to get published. (This is a big "if." There's nothing wrong with writing for fun or putting publishing off while you explore your style and learn more about the business. But, even so, it's still good to network.)

It can be as simple as reading a network blog and sending out an email for advice or as complicated as attending a convention. There is LinkedIn, Twitter, blogs, Myspace, Facebook, magazines, newspapers, books on the writing market; all of these can be used as ways to touch ground with people. Not to mention She Writes, which is a social network for women writers.

It's up to you to find an approach that works, but here are some tips:

• Don't be afraid to approach pros for help. They are usually flattered.
• Put your best foot forward. Be professional, courteous, and patient.
• Don't be afraid to send out your resume in an email. Two of my big opportunities came from me asking professionals if I could get some resume advice from them.
• If you want to be a writer, have writing samples, a blog, and/ or a website ready to show to people.
• Join writing groups and critique groups online and in real life to share support and connections.

Comments

[Eugenia]

Dear Wendy - thank you for accepting me into the Jewish writers group in SheWrites.
I hope you can give me a couple of tips. I have written a couple of stories (actually been writing for myself many years, just never did anything about it). Would you mind looking at my blog and commenting on the stories? Are they interesting? Written well?
http://i-ponder-by-eugenia.blogspot.com

And since I am just beginning: where are these writing groups online? What are the critiquing groups and how to be a part of them... Sorry for many questions - but know no one in this industry yet.
Warm regards and Shana Tova.
Eugenia