For those of you who’ve been following the blog (or just started and want to get caught up) you know I recently got a job as an AE for a small publishing house. As I’ve been working on the “inside” of an industry I’ve always loved I’ve learned a lot, and I mean a lot, of stuff that they never really talked about in my college classes as an English major. (Although I was also a B.S.Ed but even the writing and publishing classes I took didn’t prepare me for the real world of publishing). And since the majority of the people who follow me are writers, readers, or just love books. I thought it might be worthwhile to share what I’ve learned (I could be pretentious and call this “insider advice” but I’m still learning, I don’t consider myself an insider, I’m just doing the best I can).
Networking 101: Not a class (or even a lesson) I had in college. Sure, any writer’s guild meeting will extol the virtues of making connections and I knew this was a huge part of publishing but did anyone ever tell me how to start? No. No they did not.
So how did I learn you ask?
Being told I had to go to a work event and mingle and then learning on the go. Most awkward experience of my life? Not quite, but that didn’t keep me from feeling sick and totally inadequate. But did I learn something? Absolutely. Did I spend a large portion of the event walking around and nodding to people like I knew who they were before I settled into some conversations? Oh yes.
What did I learn?
1. It’s perfectly acceptable to use an ice breaker such as: What is your connection to (company/organization hosting the event)
2. Once you know what someone does, ask them questions about it. This way you have to talk less and still learn something about people.
3. When someone asks you what you do don’t just answer with your job title (learned that the hard way) spend a few sentences worth of words saying something about it even if you assume the person you’re talking to already knows. Otherwise, like me, you’ll look like an idiot for some of the longest seconds of your life while someone tries to decide if you’re being rude or just awkward.
4. Saying the same thing to 5 or more people isn’t a bad thing. If, like me, the idea of social contact in a professional setting is terrifying, write down some opening lines so you can start conversations on your own terms. You know what’s a really good opening line? “hi.” Who’d have thought?
5. The longer you’re in the business the more people you know. Which means when (like me) you’re new, you’ll feel like you’ve yet to be initiated into some kind of club while everyone around you hugs and catches up. That’s okay. Look around at booths, signs, whatever, then when the reunions are over you have something other to say then “I’m uncomfortable, when does lunch start?”
6. There will be at least one other person (or more) that feels just as awful as you. Find them, join forces, and conquer. There was a new employee my age that just got hired in my company’s digital department. We recognized each other but never actually spoke. But as everyone else was catching up we teamed up, got to know each other, and then joined forces to conquer the new employee networking challenge. It helps to have a friend.
7. If you’re a writer. Don’t go up to an AE (or an agent I guess, I wouldn’t know what they’re preferences are but I assume similar) and introduce yourself by saying “I’ve got an idea for a book can I tell it to you.” It’s not that I’m not interest. It’s that there is too much going on for me to remember when ambushed. To do your proposal any kind of service, I need to be able to write things down, take notes, do some research. Instead, tell me what you’re an expert in, what you read, let’s find a common book we both like. Not only will I remember you, I’ll know if I’m looking to commission an author with your expertise, or if we’ll work well together. (And when you do send me a proposal I’ll be willing to work for your acceptance).
8. Free stuff is another good conversation starter, like “I see you got a free jump drive, I also have a free jump drive. Aren’t jump drives awesome.” (Or something slightly more pithy).
9. Don’t be afraid to trade cards/contact info. I take notes on the back so I know what author writes about what. If you’re a writer you should do the same, but what AEs work with what so you don’t send the science magazine editor your science fiction short story. It also makes you look like you care when you act interested in the details.
10. Know where the bathrooms are. For two reasons. The first being, well, the obvious, nerves and unlimited supplies of bottled water aren’t the best companions. The second, it is inevitable that at least one person will ask you where they are. Knowing just makes you look smart and prepared and gives you more to say then “nope, bye.”
Any tips you’d like to share? Leave them in the comments. And be prepared, this year, I’ll be doing a fabulous Christmas giveaway and you won’t want to miss details on that.
