5 Tips for Attending Writer's Conferences
#1. Attend Writing Conferences
This may seem obvious, but it is an important first step to take in your writing career. Show up. Even if you have an MFA, you can learn a lot at conferences. There are conferences on writing in general, like the Willamette Writer's Conference. There are also more specific genre-focused conferences, like those for Romance Writers, Children's Authors and Sci-Fi. Google and you will see there are hoards to choose from.
#2. Volunteer at Conferences
Volunteering gets you behind the scenes, meeting and networking with people who have probably been in the industry long before you. If you listen in, you may just learn something. Besides, you can usually get a discount on registration costs. Show up with a smile, be flexible and try to be helpful.
#3. Take Notes
Listen to others more than you speak. You are there to learn. I suggest handwritten notes over a laptop. Computers need to be plugged in and if it's a popular conference, those seats by the plug outlets are usually taken. Also, some of us are loud typists and it just may annoy the person next to you. Not everyone has to like you, but I think it's a good general rule to try and avoid being annoying. Besides, scientific students have proven that writing notes by hand leads to better learning. As much as you want to take a break and grab an adult beverage at the bar, don't. Instead, go to every workshop you can. You can rest after the conference.
#4. Network
You wanted to get an adult beverage, yes? After the conference, head to the bar, even if you order a sparkling water. Find a familiar face, or listen in and find a group talking about writing. Find someone, anyone, who also attended the conference. Then, flashback to seventh grade, take a deep breath and ask if you can join them. The worse they can do is turn away while saying, "I'm actually meeting a group here." Which actually happened to me. I lived through it and found a livelier group. Next, chat it up. Ask how the conference is going for them. Compliment their hat. If you meet an editor or agent, DO NOT PITCH. That's just annoying. You can ask about their cats, their tattoos or what they're working on, just be interested in them and you may find yourself learning something, or making a new writing friend.
Make yourself a business card so you can exchange it with others. Ask anyone you speak to during the conference if they have a card you can have. People love handing these out. Go back to this pile of cards at the end of the night and follow each person you meet on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or whatever social media they can be found on. Message them letting them know how nice it was to meet them. You've made a writing friend, try to see they remember you. These industry professionals post helpful things and may even be a connection for you in the future. Learn from them.
#5. Share What You've Learned
When all is done, go home and post about what you've learned. Hashtag the conference and your new writing friends. 'Connection' doesn't have to end on the last conference day. Writing can be a solitary journey, some of us prefer it that way, but keep your writing friends close. They are valuable beyond measure.
Repeat.
#1. Attend Writing Conferences
This may seem obvious, but it is an important first step to take in your writing career. Show up. Even if you have an MFA, you can learn a lot at conferences. There are conferences on writing in general, like the Willamette Writer's Conference. There are also more specific genre-focused conferences, like those for Romance Writers, Children's Authors and Sci-Fi. Google and you will see there are hoards to choose from.
#2. Volunteer at Conferences
Volunteering gets you behind the scenes, meeting and networking with people who have probably been in the industry long before you. If you listen in, you may just learn something. Besides, you can usually get a discount on registration costs. Show up with a smile, be flexible and try to be helpful.
#3. Take Notes
Listen to others more than you speak. You are there to learn. I suggest handwritten notes over a laptop. Computers need to be plugged in and if it's a popular conference, those seats by the plug outlets are usually taken. Also, some of us are loud typists and it just may annoy the person next to you. Not everyone has to like you, but I think it's a good general rule to try and avoid being annoying. Besides, scientific students have proven that writing notes by hand leads to better learning. As much as you want to take a break and grab an adult beverage at the bar, don't. Instead, go to every workshop you can. You can rest after the conference.
#4. Network
You wanted to get an adult beverage, yes? After the conference, head to the bar, even if you order a sparkling water. Find a familiar face, or listen in and find a group talking about writing. Find someone, anyone, who also attended the conference. Then, flashback to seventh grade, take a deep breath and ask if you can join them. The worse they can do is turn away while saying, "I'm actually meeting a group here." Which actually happened to me. I lived through it and found a livelier group. Next, chat it up. Ask how the conference is going for them. Compliment their hat. If you meet an editor or agent, DO NOT PITCH. That's just annoying. You can ask about their cats, their tattoos or what they're working on, just be interested in them and you may find yourself learning something, or making a new writing friend.
Make yourself a business card so you can exchange it with others. Ask anyone you speak to during the conference if they have a card you can have. People love handing these out. Go back to this pile of cards at the end of the night and follow each person you meet on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or whatever social media they can be found on. Message them letting them know how nice it was to meet them. You've made a writing friend, try to see they remember you. These industry professionals post helpful things and may even be a connection for you in the future. Learn from them.
#5. Share What You've Learned
When all is done, go home and post about what you've learned. Hashtag the conference and your new writing friends. 'Connection' doesn't have to end on the last conference day. Writing can be a solitary journey, some of us prefer it that way, but keep your writing friends close. They are valuable beyond measure.
Repeat.
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