Writers Networking Tips

In his Small Press Blog, Tom Nixon suggests some strategies for writers to use when networking in Find the "Big Dog":

The point is that you need to build relationships with the people that can make your career, your website, your book become successful.

Some things to remember are:

1. Build real relationships. No one likes to feel they are being taken advantage of by the new guy. In other words, don't abuse the relationship. Constantly asking for help gets old fast.

2. Look for the "big dogs," but don't hound them. Yes, lousy pun, but you get the point.

3. You need to promote the "big dogs." One way people reach that level of big doggedness is that others link to them and mention their writing/blog/book.

His points are so accurately on the mark! I can't count the number of emails I receive from complete strangers asking me to link to their websites (sometimes not even related to writing). That's all. That's all they say, just asking for a big favor. Free advertising. I literally can't count them, because the messages go to the electronic equivalent of a round file (they're deleted). I don't ask much from others, but I mine the "big dogs" mercilessly for materials, promote them and then let them know about it by simple Blogger emails that say "FYI" and give links to the posts mentioning them. Don't skip the "build a relationship" part when networking, or it all falls apart.