Networking & Facebooking

Networking. What exactly does that mean? Shaking hands? Collecting business cards? Going to social events? Why is it important? My personal life coach suggested that I start networking to help get my writing business off the ground. What??? How could that possibly help? Well, what he heck. I tried it. I went to a ladies networking luncheon and met a wonderful group of professional women, had a good time, and got to meet a few potential contacts. True, I now have a giant box 'o' business cards. But, 4 of the 40 were actually useful. I got hooked to write a spec story for a local women's magazine. I also found a new hairdresser. Interestingly, when I told others about my interests, they were able to refer me to a wider network of their contacts. Aha! Some leads to local authors, editors, and a writing coach! So, the luncheon was a worthwhile and productive event.
The other face of networking, besides meeting real live people locally, is online networking. What's exciting is that I've met people from around the world who have similar interests. I've become a Facebook junkie. It's truly as addictive as videogames. Through Facebook I have discovered several local "meetups," folks who start a local get-together to socialize and . . . network. I am helping to organize a local aspiring authors' group. We set up the time, the place, and the theme. 18 people are signed into the meetup, and hopefully, 6 or 8 will show up! I also discovered a regional chapter of a national writers' organization who meets locally. So, I'm hooked. Networking. Facebook. All because I ventured outside of my comfort zone, fired up by my personal life coach. It took a push and a leap of faith. Net-work it!