Do you ever fall behind and think you’re failing at everything because you fell behind with one thing? I am sick this week – like what the hell is this, let’s just call it the plague, and why is it in Arizona in the middle of summer kind of sick. It started with that (in fun sing-song voice) ‘you’re gonna get sick’ tickle in my throat about two weeks ago. Yesterday I barely left bed. I barely worked. And let me just take a moment here and thank the stars that aligned just in time for me to take a day without projects in my lap so I could rest. Today I feel as if there is hope for me to join the living again. Soon, I hope. But, when I take days of rest – and they are few – I so often feel I am failing myself. My business. My brand. You all.
You can tell me I am not. I probably need a virtual pat on the back.
I started thinking of all the things I do every day in my world behind my laptop and just what it means when I refuse to connect.
Networking was top on that list.
Networking.
What does it mean to you? How do you do it? Do your networking activities vary based on writing your own material and gaining clients?
I live in a world of writing. I write fiction, children’s books, scripts, blogs, and fun Facebook posts for my partner’s pool business and various clients.
Readers tend to know when I’m in a lull because my humor changes.
Writing is a lonely world. I work from a beautiful office filled with desk toys, books, office chairs, and comfy armchair for my cat. The floor is never navigable because my two Saint Bernards and chocolate lab are usually sprawled around waiting for me to get up and suddenly decide to toss a tennis ball into the pool. Sure, three dogs and a cat or two office sharing don’t necessarily make for a day of solitude, but writing is still lonely.
Networking saves my sanity, reminds me I don’t live in a world where I can just belt out song lyrics whenever I’d like, and it opens opportunities to sell my work. Through my partner’s website and Facebook pages I’ve run for the past few years, I’ve gained clients. Oddly enough, my clients are not only her customers, but they are often people she networks with.
It’s expected in today’s world. Many years ago, I was in the music industry. Networking meant going from bar to bar and listening to a few bands to see if they were the next best thing. What fun! And what a great thing to outgrow by the age of twenty-five. At least for me.
Networking sure has changed over the years. Now it’s an expected part of business. A few weeks ago, a friend of mine name dropped in a conversation with me. “Do you know Pam?” she asked. My virtual Rolodex spun. I don’t think I’ve known a Pam since high school. My friend proceeded to tell me she was the premier contact for the Phoenix Gay Chamber of Commerce.
There’s a gay chamber? With a premier contact? I suppose we must know her. With a premier contact, we usually see business grow quickly then settle. Is this different with a gay chamber? What is this new networking?
Networking is expected.
In the business of selling books or selling content, relationships matter. I understand I will sell more books if I build relationships with readers than I will if I publish and go quietly back into my Saint Bernard covered office and hide in a comfy armchair. Luckily for me, I can even network online. Blogs, twitter, photos of my shoes – because they are a big part of my brand (and a new soon to be released logo for my children’s series) on Instagram -help me to connect with readers, other content producers, potential clients.
Networking with other writers does something really cool. It allows to people with common ground to sit either quietly or passionately and soak up knowledge from one another. Never miss an opportunity to learn from someone who does what you do.
Writing is a lonely world. Networking opens opportunity, allows growth, and is expected – especially if you ever want to sell your writing.
So from bed, hiding the world from my plague or summer cold, whatever that is called, I’m networking. It matters.
Get out there and connect!