The One Thing Aspiring Writers Take For Granted
Filmmaking isn't the thing that requires much pre-production. Writing does too.
I can definitely understand that before writing a book, aspiring authors go through certain phases. First, they need to come up with a big idea and develop their characters. Then, they get into their writing zone and start feeling the story. They also need to come up with the plot and theme while doing thorough research. Research is a crucial part of the writing process that cannot be overlooked.
One thing aspiring writers may overlook is the valuable lesson that can be learned from visual content creators. Some successful YouTubers began building their online presence on Discord and Twitch, and once they had a large enough following, they converted those followers into YouTube subscribers. This approach helped to boost their channel faster than starting from scratch on the platform as a 'nobody'.
One tool that aspiring writers can leverage is networking. If you believe that writing is what you were meant to do, or something you'd like to dabble in as a hobby, then networking can be beneficial.
During my first week at a writing residency, my mentor shared a saying that went something like this,
"If it hurts to write about it then maybe now is not the time to write about it".
I confided in her about my struggles with writing the first few chapters, and she quickly reassured me that she disagreed with my negative self-talk. Hearing this washed away my worries like a rain of relief. Her affirmation of my willingness to be brave, even when it was difficult, boosted my morale. At that moment, I made three observations;
(1) I joined this residency to accomplish my writing goals, and it is my responsibility to fulfill them.
(2) Writing this story hurts, so I may not publish it immediately.
(3) If I have a completed manuscript but am not yet ready to publish it, I need to prepare for its future publication.
I took inspiration from the YouTubers I follow and realized that building my audience while pursuing my passion as an author would be a great idea. In this regard, networking can be a useful tool to connect with potential readers and grow your audience. Let me show you how you can build your audience as an aspiring author through networking.
I like to follow a few 'Studygrammers' on Instagram. These are influencers who post about studying. However, I am mainly interested in their posts because I have a passion for stationery. I know it might sound strange, but please hear me out. Studygrammers usually share tips on how to study effectively, and in the process, they also showcase their stationery, calligraphy skills, and desk organization tools. These posts often attract the attention of major stationery companies worldwide, and Studygrammers can land brand deals with them.
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The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines networking as the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions, specifically the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business. As an aspiring author, you should consider sharing useful information with your followers on your social media platforms. This is how you can build a reliable community that will support you in everything you do. Influencers who launch their clothing lines, hair care lines, and other businesses often see a surge in sales due to their strong network of followers.
How then can you start networking to prepare for a successful book publication - whenever that may be?
I'm sure there are numerous ways to approach this, but here are four options for you to consider in the meantime.
It is a common misconception that a writing residency is just a place where writers gather and work on their projects. However, some writing residencies go beyond that and invite published authors, editors, and publishing consultants to assist with workshops. This gives writers the opportunity to build relationships with these professionals and potentially receive help with launching their work in the future. So, if you're attending a writing residency, keep in mind that it could be a great opportunity to connect with influential people in the publishing industry..
Not many places host book festivals, so you might need to save up a bit to attend one. But what's a little investment for a big dream? With book festivals like the Frankfurt Book Fair, which is the world's largest trade book fair, you are guaranteed to see many big-name publishing companies gathered in one place. While these companies may not necessarily be there to scout for new writers, you might still find a golden opportunity to connect with one of the publishing consultants and make magic happen.
If you're looking for a more affordable option than attending a book festival, consider attending a local book launch instead. You're likely to find publishing companies' stalls there where you can ask about the publication of your book and get the latest information on trends to ensure you do it right.
Social media is one of the most effective ways to keep up with trends in today's world. It is also the most affordable option, in my opinion. You can learn a lot from people like Joseph Awuah-Darko and Case Kenny who share their thoughts, feelings, and words of encouragement with their audiences. I became a huge fan of Case Kenny after coming across his sticky note posts, which were very relatable. To see him come out with a book after all that is exciting for me and many others who were inspired by his writing. If you aspire to be a writer, social media is a great platform to showcase your creativity, passion, and consistency. You never know who might be following you and looking for your unique writing style.
Networking is not about holding your champagne glass and sucking up to executives at events. Networking is personal. It's about forming genuine connections with people based on trust. Once you have established trust, you will undoubtedly find allies that you can count on when you need them the most.
What are some other ways you think aspiring writers could use to network? Comment down below!