It's all about the networking

We writers are purported to be a shy bunch but in reality, if you want to sell a book you need to get out, shake hands, make acquaintances. Whether you attend a writers' group, a gathering over coffee, or take advantage of the many conferences that are held virtually year 'round all across the country, you need to get out there and get yourself and your name known.

I recently attended a Communication Central meeting in Rochester, NY. The gathering was a mixed bunch of multi-published writers in various genres and disciplines and those who really wanted to get their foot in the door and learn to make a living -- or at least enough to buy a cup of coffee -- with their craft.

While I boast no skills in telling who will or will not make it in the writing world, it is rather easy to predict that those individuals I met at the meeting who introduced themselves, handed out business cards, and/or made small talk between sessions and over lunch, will likely go farther than the shrinking violets.

I've found that if I want people to know who I am and what I do, I need to tell them. In a perfect world, everyone I meet will know that I co-authored a book, "The Complete Idiot's Guide to 30,000 Baby Names" but chances are, they won't unless I tell them -- and tell people I do, every chance I get. 

In a perfect world, people would be knocking at our doors, asking what we are writing/publishing next and would camp out until that book or article was released, but (sigh!) we, as writers who want to get our names known, have to get out there and knock on their doors and announce, "Here I am, read my book!"

It takes a while (hey, I failed high school public speaking classes) but shameless self promotion is something every writer must learn to embrace. Take baby steps. When you receive a check for something you've written and you take it to the bank to deposit, make sure the bank teller knows why/how you got that check. Take every opportunity to introduce yourself and make sure you say, "I am a writer, or editor, or whatever your speciality." Get your name known whether you are seeking writing jobs, editing gigs, or have written a book and want to get it in the hands of the reading/buying public. Remember, if they don't know about it, they can't buy it.

Okay, say it out loud with me, "My name is (insert your name here) and I am a writer!"

Comments

[Yvonne DiVita]

Great post, Robbi. It's astonishing how many writers think their writing will speak for them. In the real world, you'd better be out their hustling yourself - if you want to sell your book or make it into a glossy as a freelancer.