A couple of days ago, I called to make an appointment with my manicurist and the woman who answered the phone told me they had fired Vicki. I felt bad for Vicki. My second thought was she doesn't have my phone number, so she can't let me know where she ends up. I would have been happy to follow her to her next salon and help her build her business.
How does the plight of my raggedy nails apply to your creative career?
1. You want to be able to talk directly to your fans to let them know where you are and what you're doing, like where they can see your latest movie or buy your latest book.
2. You want the people who could hire you to be able to find you easily even if you move jobs or cities.
How do you stay connected with your fans and potential employers?
1. Email
2. LinkedIn
3. Your website
Email
You need e-mail addresses so you can send updates when you have good news, like a book or starting a new job. If you build a large following on any social media without capturing e-mail addresses, you do not have a way to contact your fans if the social media platform goes down or closes your account. (LinkedIn is the exception and we'll get to that in a minute.)
It is easy to gather friends’ and coworkers’ e-mail addresses. But how do you get e-mail addresses for people that are following you on social media? By asking them to sign up for your newsletter.
You can’t use Gmail or Outlook to send out mass emails. You will need an email marketing service to send your newsletter. There are many services out there to choose from. I use and recommend ConvertKit. ConvertKit and MailerLite both have free plans to until you reach a thousand subscribers. Substack is always free. All of these choices let you write and schedule emails ahead of time.
You can send a monthly email or only reach out when you have something to share. Email is the easiest way to reach people and build connections.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is one of the first places people go when they have positions (even creative ones) to fill. Make sure that your profile is up to date and professional. Check out LinkedIn for Creatives for suggestions. Anytime you have a professional win, be sure to post it here. When other people share their good news, congratulate them. Make it a habit to connect on LinkedIn with everyone you work with, from assistants to executives.
Check your LinkedIn messages at least twice a week. You never know who might reach out!
Your Website
If you haven't gotten around to building a website or yours needs updating, do it now. You want your professional accomplishments and how to reach you to come up when someone googles you. Check out How to Build Your Own Website Even if You’re Not Techie.
The key is to be easy to find for your fans, customers, and future employers.
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Every weekend there is an interesting conference or convention going on somewhere. I recommend attending at least one a year to grow your skills and your network. If traveling is not in your budget, find a local one. Here are just a few of the things going on in my hometown of Houston this year: The League of Romance Writers Conference, Comicpalooza, and the Houston Film Festival.
Here are my tips and tricks for getting the most out of conferences and conventions.
Before You Go
Booking Your Hotel
While it is cheaper to stay with friends and family, I strongly recommend staying in the hotel near the venue. You want to be where most of the attendees are staying. (There is usually a discounted rate.) Some of the best networking is in the hotel bar and lobby. You will also run into people you have just met in the halls and elevator. Re-meeting people you have been in sessions with often leads to spontaneous meals and wonderful evenings.
Plan Your Conference
What do you want to get out of the conference? Is it sell a project? Meet one of the speakers? Learn a skill? Build your network? What your goal is should inform your plan.
Read the program, concentrating on the session descriptions and the speakers’ bios. Many conferences have tracks of workshops with different themes like craft and marketing. Pick the sessions you want to attend and the speakers you want to meet. Type out the schedule of the sessions you are interested in so that you are not constantly having to page through the program. If the conference has an app, download it and learn how to use it.
Business cards are a must for networking. I use moo.com for my cards. They have hundreds of cool designs, or you can upload your own that you designed in Canva. Be sure to order a month or more ahead of time so you don’t have to pay rush fees. Order more than you think you’ll need. It’s better to have too many than to run out and you can always use them later. If you get in a bind, you can ship them to yourself at the hotel. Also, you need a nice business card case to carry your cards. You don’t want to keep them in your wallet where they have a tendency to get bent and wrinkled.
Conference Business Card Hack: Put your extra cards in a Ziploc bag to keep them from getting bent. Have another Ziploc bag to put other people’s business cards in. This trick prevents you from losing your stack of new friends’ cards.
If there is a spot for you to leave some cards, consider making an about me form. Put your personal logline with your website, newsletter, and socials QRs. To make it stand out, use your brand colors. Put it in a frame with your cards in front of it.
Name tag
While most conferences give you a ticket with your name on it that hangs around your neck, they are difficult to see. Consider designing your own name tag you wear closer to eye level on your shoulder. I got mine from andrea@newbart.com for $3.50. These are magnetic, so they don’t put holes in your clothes.
Taking Notes
Here are two AI note taking tools that record and transcribe lectures, panels, and workshops so that you can focus on the content instead of worrying about taking notes.
Otter.ai is an app that runs on your laptop or phone.
Your bag will get heavy quickly. Instead of a backpack, I like a rolling bag. This one has a laptop sleeve, a place for your water bottle and lots of pockets. As a bonus, it fits under the seat on a plane.
Sweatshirt – It is always cold in convention centers.
Laptop
Laptop and phone chargers
Power bank– to charge your phone. This one is light and can charge a cell phone one and a half times.
Hot spot – sign up for a hot spot with your cell phone provider so you can connect to the internet if you need to.
Different conferences have different dress codes. For comic and animation conventions, the standard uniform is a funky tee shirt, jeans, and sneakers. Others everyone is in suits. Check the conference website for pictures of what people wore last year. When in doubt, go for business casual. Whatever the dress code, you should look put together and professional. The most important part of your wardrobe is comfortable shoes. While you sit a lot, you also are on your feet a lot, walking to sessions and networking.
Pro Tip for Women: If you wear heels, carry comfortable shoes in your bag in case your feet hurt.
Pro Tip #2 for Women: Get a good blow out so you don’t have to do your hair in the morning.
Network the Easy Way
You are there to meet people! Introduce yourself to at least three new people a day. Conferences are the easiest place to network because everyone wants to meet people. They are friendly and open.
Don’t Eat Lunch Alone
Eat meals with new friends you have made. It is fun to bond over burgers or a cocktail.
Take Breaks
It’s easy to get tired and overwhelmed at a crowded and busy conference. Plan down time to rest and rejuvenate. It’s okay to go back to your room for an hour or two. Or get some fresh air by the pool.
If you have energy during your downtime, start adding business cards you collected to your contacts and LinkedIn.
Pro Tip: In the notes section, add the conference and the year so you can remember where you met them. Also, add other details about them.
After the Conference
Follow Up
I like to send a nice to meet you email, referencing something you talked about or did (to help your new contact remember you.) 99% of people do not email. It will make you stand out.
Continue inputting the business cards and sending nice to meet you emails. If you have promised to send someone something, do it. If some of your new friends live near you, reach out for lunch.
I know you will be exhausted after days of meeting, greeting, and learning so give yourself a week to finish your follow ups. Again, most people do not follow up, so you will be memorable.
Ever wonder what it’s like to work with me? Watch me evaluate pitches on The Dialogue Doctor podcast!
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Last week we talked about the importance of building your community in the real world by attending in person events. Today we're talking about three things that can help you stand out at events!
1. Business Cards
Business cards may seem old school, but they are still an important part of your marketing and networking tool kit. They are a way to stand out and help people remember you. With an eye-catching logo and a clever tagline, you make a memorable impression when you hand someone a card. And of course, if they have your name and contact information, they are more likely to keep in touch.
Your cards don't have to be complicated or elaborate. Concentrate on expressing what you do and your personality through color choices and your tagline. You can write a fun tagline by starting with your personal logline. Shorten it and use punchy, vivid words to create a tagline.
I get my business cards from moo.com. They have hundreds of fun designs, or you can design your own in Canva.
2. Name Tags
Some bigger conferences have attendee badges that have your name on them. But those are often hard to read, or they get flipped around. And most smaller events don't offer name tags. To stand out and help people remember your name, wear a name tag.
I got the idea from a couple of clubs I belong to that have name tags. It makes the meeting so much more fun when you're not worried about remembering everyone's name. These are plastic name tags with a magnetic back so they don't ruin your clothes. I just ordered mine from a company called newbart.com. Here’s the rough design.
3. QR Codes Plaque
If you have a table where you're selling merchandise, like at a comic convention or book fair, have a plaque with QR codes to your website and social media. I got this idea from my chiropractor. Hers is fancy with the social media icons molded in plastic, but you could print one, put it in a frame, and it would look great. It's quick and easy to make a QR code at free sites like adobe.com.
Check it Out!
Ever wonder what it’s like to work with me? Watch me evaluate pitches on The Dialogue Doctor podcast!
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If this blog adds a little spark to your writing week, would you consider buying me a coffee? Your support helps me keep creating practical, joyful resources for writers.
Buy my bookHow to Turn Your Screenplay into a Novel! Turn your scripts into books and start earning money today!
An important part of marketing yourself and your work is networking. And while we have all gotten used to connecting over Zoom, nothing beats in person events for connecting and building relationships. For the Hollywood crowd, the biggest event of the year is Comic Con in San Diego. But you don’t need to jet off to big-ticket events to make magical connections. Stellar opportunities are knocking at your doorstep every single day – if only you know where to look!
How to find networking events near you:
Ask friends and colleagues.
Google
Your LinkedIn feed
Meet Up
Creator newsletters like this one.
Podcasts
Join industry groups.
Alumni groups
I had an absolute blast at a meeting of the League of Romance Writers last weekend! The best part? Meeting the fabulous Jami Albright and diving deep into her newsletter wisdom. The meeting was half an hour from me, and I could have attended over Zoom, but I wanted to meet people in real life. Also, I was thrilled to find such a cool event in my hometown.
I learned about it from Jami and Sara Rosett’s podcast, which I have recommended to ya’ll before - Wish I’d Known Then. I love this podcast because it’s authors talking with other authors, and I learn something from every episode. It was really cool to meet someone I had been listening to for over a year. I felt like a fangirl!
So, here’s your mission for the week: Seek out an in-person event. Dive into lively conversations. Expand your universe, one connection at a time. Remember, the wider your network, the brighter your constellation of opportunities!
Stay connected and keep shining!
Check it Out!
Ever wonder what it’s like to work with me? Watch me evaluate pitches on The Dialogue Doctor podcast!
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If this blog adds a little spark to your writing week, would you consider buying me a coffee? Your support helps me keep creating practical, joyful resources for writers.
Buy my bookHow to Turn Your Screenplay into a Novel! Turn your scripts into books and start earning money today!
I love to help. I realized in the past couple of years that being a helper is a large part of my identity. I feel lucky that I have found a profession that is centered around helping people. Seeing people light up and gain confidence makes my day.
I encourage you to look for opportunities to help people. Being a helper will change your life.
Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours.
Les Brown
Help Other Creators
Don't see people in your industry as competition. Instead, recognize the more you connect with and help other creators, the quicker you grow your network. Meeting people in your industry will have a positive impact on your career.
Here's a few easy ways to help your favorite creators.
Write a testimonial for their website or sales page.
Reply to their newsletters or comment on their social media posts. Creators like to know people are enjoying their content. And the mysterious algorithms reward posts with more comments.
Tell a friend about an amazing book you are reading, the podcast you just heard, or the newsletter you never miss. Word of mouth is invaluable. It is still the best way for creators to grow their brand and gain customers.
If you come across something that you think someone in your network would find helpful, send it to them in an e-mail.
The man who owns my gym is writing a book. Recently, I read a wonderful book called On Good Authority by Anna David about how nonfiction authors can build their brand while they're writing and then how to launch their book. I dropped him a quick e-mail about this book, and he was thrilled.
When you are helpful in small ways like this, people remember you. And when you have a new project, they will be eager to support you.
Be a Helper and Connector in Your Industry
Be known as someone who is always happy to share a resource like a book or refer someone for a job. This reputation grows your network and makes you more visible. Ultimately it makes you more top of mind. Keith Ferrazzi’s Never Eat Lunch Alone is a primer on becoming a connector through thoughtful networking.
No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.
Charles Dickens
Helping People Feels Good
When you help someone, you get a flood of dopamine that makes you feel good. A common piece of advice is when you're having a hard day, sad, and struggling, help someone else. For a moment your mind is off your troubles. It makes you feel better. And again you're growing a relationship and nurturing your network.
Know When to Ask For Help
Oddly even if you are a helper, most people have trouble asking for help. We think we can do it all. And this can lead to burnout. Here are some easy ways to ask for help.
Email or call someone with a specific question.
Ask someone for a referral, review, or testimonial.
Be open to accepting help when it's offered. I've noticed that my go to position when someone offers to help me is to feel bad that I'm putting them out. And so, I often don't take them up on it. This week I made a commitment to myself to shift that behavior, recognizing when people offer to help, they mean it. I said yes to an offer to drive me to the airport!
Be Grateful
When someone helps you, be grateful in the moment. And send a thank you note a few days later. I am a big proponent of thank you notes because people don't write them anymore. If it's someone close to you, a handwritten note or a card makes the thank you extra special. If it's more of a business acquaintance, an e-mail will do. And to nurture that relationship follow up with them to let them know how their help has impacted you. If you followed their advice and tell them, they are more likely to help you again. If you've had great things happen, they would love to hear it. I love hearing good news! It is another dopamine hit.
Have Boundaries
The one caveat to being a helper is to have boundaries. Don't do a bunch of free work. Keep an eye out for energy vampires who want to take advantage of your good nature. And always value your expertise and the work that you do.
Here’s how I strike a balance. The other day I met a neighbor while I was walking my dog and it turned out she was prepping for a job interview. I gave her a couple of ideas and suggested some resources on my website. That's what Josh Spector calls micro coaching. Because I like talking to people, I usually do at least two or three of these a day. However, I do not spend my entire day coaching people for free. Another cool timesaving trick is to write out email templates to your most frequently asked questions or write a blog post on your website, Medium, or Linked In that you can refer people to.
Do not let fear of users keep you from moving through life as a helper. There are so many benefits from your mental health, to growing your network and your career by being a helpful and enthusiastic person.
Who can you help today?
Check it Out!
Ever wonder what it’s like to work with me? Watch me evaluate pitches on The Dialogue Doctor podcast!
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If this blog adds a little spark to your writing week, would you consider buying me a coffee? Your support helps me keep creating practical, joyful resources for writers.
Buy my bookHow to Turn Your Screenplay into a Novel! Turn your scripts into books and start earning money today!
This week a friend was listening to me dictate a text message. She said, “You use a lot of exclamation marks.” She didn't mean it as a compliment. Unfazed, I responded “It's because you cannot tell tone in emails and texts.” In fact, I believe that just like some people suffer from resting bitch face, emails and texts sound naturally bitchy. Without hearing tone of voice and seeing body language, emails read negative. This negative tone is especially problematic in business emails. Hence my love of exclamation marks.
Exclamation marks get a bad rap. And I do agree that using too many of them can make you come across like a 6th grade girl. But I believe judicious use of exclamation marks is important to convey tone in emails.
How to fix Your E-Mail Tone
Don't try to overcompensate resting bitchy e-mail by writing like a text message. Don't use emoticons. Don't use texting abbreviations like LOL or IDK. As parents are fond of saying, use your words.
Keep it short and sweet. When at all possible, emails should only be a few short paragraphs. Do not make people scroll down to continue reading. Often they won't so they miss vital information. And it will be tempting to reply in an irritated tone.
Before you start writing take a moment to think about what action you want out of this e-mail. Do you want a yes to your request? A new meeting on the schedule? Time off for vacation? Write your e-mail with your end result in mind. Knowing what you want the reader to think and do will help you craft a concise, clear message.
Organize your e-mail. Use bullet points, numbered lists, and bold titles to make the information easy to read and remember.
Before you hit send, read your e-mail three times for typos. One of those times, read it out loud to help catch typos and nasty tone. If you still are not sure of the tone, call a friend and read the e-mail to them to get their feedback. Finally, think about who you're sending it to and what your relationship is with them. If it's at all contentious, is there any language that you need to change to sound more congenial? In general, it never hurts to adjust your language and consider throwing in an exclamation point or two.
Never write in all caps. It comes across as SHOUTING. (It always reminds me of the wonderful Discworld books by Terry Pratchett where Death speaks in capital letters.)
Beware of corporate email jargon. For those of us in corporate jobs, there are a lot of common email phrases that have loaded meanings. Here a few:
Sometimes you have to use them (or you just can’t help yourself). Be aware they can covey a negative tone. I suggest avoiding corporate email speak whenever possible.
This e-mail is brought to you by the exclamation mark!
Wading through work emails isn’t fun. But taking the time to review your writing before you hit send can save your lots of headaches and protect your reputation. Remember that email is a kind of conversation and conversations build relationships. You want to make sure that you are not coming across negatively so that people like and trust you, and consequently, like working with you.
Exclamation points are especially handy when conveying excitement or support, which is why, as an enthusiastic person, I use them a lot. When in doubt, when you are trying to shift the tone of your e-mail and are not sure how to do it, use an exclamation mark.
Just For Fun
You may remember the Seinfeld episode (season five episode 4, The Sniffing Accountant) where Elaine breaks up with someone because he is anti-exclamation mark. Lots of people feel strongly about them!
Here is an article on resting bitch face and how to fix it.
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