Tips for Writers Networking in Person or Virtually

From finding cowriting partners and writing prompts to meeting potential clients, networking is valuable to writers for many reasons. Networking helps you:

1. 1. Establish professional relationships. Networking events give new writers and veterans alike the chance to take their writing and careers to the next level. Networking opportunities can lead to meeting fellow writers with information on freelance writing jobs, access to literary agents, and details on publications that accept submissions, writing samples, or query letters.
2. 2. Grow personal connections. While networking is important for writers looking to expand or enhance their writing careers, networking is also beneficial for personal reasons. The writing life is, for many, a solitary pursuit: You spend a lot of time alone with your own words. Networking meetups introduce you to like-minded people with similar writing goals and interests. Joining a writing community offers many opportunities, from job leads to lifelong friendships.
3. 3. Provide and receive support. Writers network to make connections that benefit their writing and help others with the writing process. Serving as a critique partner for other writers is a two-way street: When you share revisions or constructive criticism of people’s work, you receive valuable feedback in return. Critique groups are a great way to bounce ideas about character development, word counts, and more to improve your writing skills.

Networking is essential to develop your career as a writer. Here are some practical networking tips:

1. 1. Attend conferences. Writers’ conferences bring together writers from across the globe to give and attend workshops, brainstorm ideas, and network. Conferences are typically in person, but some are virtual, which can further help you connect with writers who you may otherwise not have a chance to meet. Various writer platforms and writers host conferences, from bloggers, podcast hosts, and freelance writers to authors of science fiction, thrillers, and fantasy novels. Use conferences to meet other aspiring and professional writers and ask them about their work; these connections can generate job opportunities.
2. 2. Be prepared and proactive. Always arrive prepared, whether you plan to meet writers at a networking event, fiction writers at a literary event, or fellow screenwriters at a Hollywood screenwriting forum. Introduce yourself and ask questions about the event, the writing industry, or other people’s work to break the ice and forge connections with fellow writers, literary agents, and potential clients. Get their business cards or contact information so you have their phone number and email, and ask if you can reach out and follow up on the conversation.
3. 3. Join a writers group. Joining writing groups is a great way to meet people and establish good writing habits. Members of the group may share valuable information about writers’ conferences and literary events and tips on self-publishing and book marketing. You may find a writing partner or co-writer in your writing group.
4. 4. Look to social media. Writers build communities on social media, making it an accessible way to connect with others in your field. You can join groups specifically meant for writers or take part in conversations about different aspects of your industry.
5. 5. Pay a compliment. Good writers know that expressing appreciation and support for other writers is not only kind but a smart way to forge connections with other writers in their industry. If you liked a book, blog post, or short story, let the author know how you feel. Your compliment could lead to a lifelong collaborator.

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