Have you ever felt alone—completely alone—at
a huge conference like RWA National? Hundreds
of people wandering corridors, riding elevators,
attending workshops, and there you are: a lone
entity among the masses?
Such an experience can be uncomfortable and stressful.
And that’s not what you’ve paid for,
right?
Sure, you share a room and a few meals with a
friend, but ultimately you’re on your own
at National. I know. I’ve been there. Oh,
yes, I had to get out there, but I had no idea
how to do it. Everyone, it seemed, knew someone.
Friends met in lobbies, authors met each other
or their agents or editors. In other words, everyone
seemed to have a raison d’être to
meet someone somewhere—to network.
Until recently. Until I realized conferences
weren’t quite as scary as I’d once
believed.
The difference? A smaller conference. One with
only a couple hundred attendees. Suddenly, the
chance to meet the same people in hallways, elevators,
the restaurant, lobby and in workshops increases
and strange faces become familiar in less than
a day.
Of course, you still need to get out there and
network. But because the crowds don’t crush,
the intimidation diminishes and opportunities
for networking multiply.
So, go ahead, choose a smaller conference and
practice these strategies:
- Walk into the luncheon room before most arrive
and find a table near the podium or the buffet—
a table you know will certainly fill up with
other attendees. In other words, they join you.
- Ask smart questions when you first meet someone.
We’re all writers, so it’s logical
to ask, “What do you write?” or
“What workshops have you attended?”
or “Are you a member of the local chapter?”
Questions that initiate conversation. And try
not to talk about your published books or wip.
That gets dull fast!
- If someone you’ve just met walks into
the restaurant, invite him or her to join you
for breakfast or coffee.
- Invite new friends to join you and/or your
roommate for a relaxing dinner. And if you’re
a published author, don’t hesitate to
ask unpublished new friends to join your dinner.
- Sit with fellow attendees on lobby couches
or linger at the coffee stand or registration
table—or introduce yourself to the person
behind you in the pitching line. Most people
are as nervous as you, so say hello and calm
each other with a smile. You’ll be surprised
how quickly a conversation begins.
- If you want to join a group, hover at the
edge—with a smile!—and allow the
group the choice to let you in. Then be gentle
in how you participate in their conversation.
- You’ll probably recognize people wandering
through the lounge, so invite them to join you.
- Walk with an approachable attitude. That means
having a genuine smile on your face and a light
in your eyes that tells others you’re
glad to be there. People will be more inclined
to talk to you or invite you into their group
if you present a friendly face.
- Smile and say hello to the person next to
you in a workshop; you never know, you could
be seated beside an agent or a big name author
who is there supporting the speaker.
- Share tips and positive aspects of a workshop
with someone who wasn’t able to attend
that particular workshop.
- Lastly—if, by chance, you’re introduced
to an agent or editor outside an appointment,
be sure to shake their hand and ask how they
are enjoying the conference. Don’t talk
about your writing or the book you want to pitch.
If they ask about your work, sum it up in a
short sentence. Don’t dwell on the entire
plot or what the hero has to do to save the
heroine. Keep discussions about your work short
and to the point!
Most importantly, enjoy the conference—and
don’t forget to have fun, because one day
you’ll be using all the strategies you’ve
learned at...National!
Mary J. Forbes is multi-published with Harlequin
Silhouette. Visit her on the web at www.maryjforbes.com.
Articles may be reprinted in RWA® chapter
newsletters, attributed to the Spotlight.
Non-RWA® newsletters may not reprint articles
without the permission of the authors.
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