WORKING WRITERS
Don't Underestimate Networking
Don't Underestimate Networking
In an environment where the entire scope of journalism and writing is rapidly changing, the internet is now where people go for news, stories, opinions and communication. Just think how many hours you spend on Facebook, or scrolling down the pages of lovely YWS material.
Therefore it is becoming more important than ever to have an online profile. In these series of posts, entitled Working Writers, I shall be guiding you on how to make it in the modern world.
It's about WHO you know
As much as it's important to have good quality writing - and it is important - getting somewhere in the writerly world more often than not depends on who you know. Whether you're looking to get published as a journalist or poet or fiction writer, you still need to know people - people are publishers, editors, interviewees, etc.
The same happens with self-publishing too. Sure, you can publish something, print something, maybe even sell a few copies on self-publishing websites or global distribution with a good description and lots of hope, but you're not going to get anything more. If you want to make it big in self-publishing then it all falls down to Public Relations (abb. PR), social media networking, online profile, reputation, and more. All of these things require you relating to and communicating with the people around you.
Where do I start?
The best place to start is to be brave and talk to people. Do a little research into the field you're interested in and send a couple of emails to individuals who interest you - ask about what they do, if they have any advice for a fellow writer, etc. There's no harm in curiosity and, more often than not, they'll see it as quite flattering that you've come to them for advice. This is where you can get started.
It helps to create a document where you can keep note of who all your contacts are - otherwise things can get very confusing later on!
Once you've entered into conversation you may start feeling comfortable enough to send them copy (copy is the term used to describe creative written work pre-edit and publication). Make sure they're in the position to accept copy first if you're intending to get published, unless you're just looking for some friendly advice on your writing.
If you can, also try to attend events around your area and meet people. You can learn stories from them or assess characters that inspire your fiction, or meet potential interviewees for journalism features. The phrase, "It's good to get out", is a true one.
Online - Social Media
Twitter - Twitter is a great open social media environment for building connections and an online profile. As long as you remember to behave on it (as anyone can see your profile), you can use it to interact with hundreds of people and find opportunities in your field.
Recommended age to join: 16.
LinkedIn - A bit like a "business Facebook", LinkedIn is a place where you can put your online CV and build business connections. It is a great way to keep track of all the contacts you've met through your casual emails and it helps you get noticed in media job interviews if they recognise you. LinkedIn is also a good place to find and build contacts with publishers and editors you can send copy to.
Recommended age to join: 18-20*.
*It's best you join when you begin getting contacts, otherwise it is quite a ghostly non-happening environment. It is also no place to mess around!
Facebook - Not much to say on this front, apart from to behave yourself! It's said that if your photo privacy settings are set to "friends of friends" and you have 200 friends, that means around 150,000 FB members cans see your photos. That means if you publish drunk or risque photos, your employer may well see!
You can expand your online profile by creating a page about yourself that users can like. This way you can keep your profile personal (but well-behaved!) and use your page for writing means. Make sure to post content often to attract new likes and interest. This will get you more publicity on your blog, published work, or self-published stuff.
Recommended age to join: 16.
Any questions? Do ask!
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