So, without further ado, thank you for coming back for part 4/5 of our series "Networking Like A B.O.S.S" for writers. Today we will be discussing the first "S" in B.O.S.S., which is selling yourself while networking. As a writer or creative, this is an important tool that you MUST learn in order to succeed in the industry {or any endeavor where you are your own brand}!

​So, some might think selling themselves and their ideas should be easy, but often times people go about it the wrong way. So today, I am going to share with you the tips and tricks I have learned after attending so many networking events for creatives. When you think about selling yourself, your idea, or your brand, let's consider the following:

SHARE your idea
ENGAGE and ENERGIZE your listener
LEAVE them wanting more
LISTEN to their feedback

So let's start off simple. You have your Business card. You are prepared by knowing how to Organize your time when working your way through a crowd. Now it's time to Sell yourself. You approach someone {or vice versa, someone approaches you}. The conversation begins.

1. SHARE your idea. As I mentioned in part 3/5, when I am organizing my time during a networking event, I tend to initiate a conversation with a fellow creative by cutting straight to the chase and I simply ask them what project they are currently working on. So, when you SHARE your project, here are some simple tips I have learned by observing others.

TIP 1: DO NOT DIMINISH your project. BELIEVE in what you are doing, even if you are unsure of where it's headed-- EVEN if it isn't fully developed. I ask people what they are working on, and they'll dismissively wave their hand and say, "Oh, it's just this little thing, nothing big really. I don't even know..." This is a HUGE mistake. When sharing your ideas or concepts at a networking event be CONFIDENT yet HUMBLE.
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You NEVER know who you are talking to! It could be a TV Exec or Literary Agent who ends up giving you a deal. Crazier things have happened.

TIP 2: DO HAVE your LOG LINE/PITCH ready! You've heard of the 90 second elevator pitch. Write it. Hone it. When at an event, you don't have much time. And if you are able to tell someone in a few sentences what you are working on, it will keep their attention. Which leads to my next tip.

2. ENGAGE AND ENERGIZE your listener.

TIP 1: When you are effectively selling yourself at a networking event, you need to engage your listener when you are talking to them. If YOU aren't excited and energized about your project, they won't be either! But, you need to be genuinely excited.

BONUS TIP: It is normal to have waves of discouragement, but if you are continually unexcited about your creative project, FIX IT OR DROP IT because YOU WON't BE ABLE TO SELL IT!

TIP 2: As you are talking passionately about your log line or pitch, this is a great time to hand them your card and invite them to check out your website, follow you on twitter, check out your FB page or what have you {come back tomorrow to learn more about the importance of social media}!

3. LEAVE THEM WANTING MORE- When pitching someone {or selling yourself} at a networking event, the art of the pitch is to leave them wanting more!

TIP 1: Don't tell them everything. If you leave then wanting more, hopefully this will initiate a follow up call/meeting. Simply say, "You know what, I'd love to tell you all about it, but I need to go grab a drink. We should have lunch soon." This will help seal the contact.

TIP 2: I will say this time and time again. IT IS A SMALL WORLD AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU ARE TALKING TO! SO, even if you think it's not worth it to have your pitch for a project ready at the drop of a hat, you are DEAD WRONG, my friend. As a creative, you should always be promoting your brand. You never know when your breakthrough will happen.

And finally-

4. LISTEN to their feedback!

TIP 1: If the person you are talking to has some advice/idea/or comment, listen and take note.
Do you have to execute their advice? Not necessarily, but they may be in your field, a few years ahead of you, and may have some good things to say!

TIP 2: As a creative, being open to feedback is an absolute necessity! It helps you grow, pushes you, and helps you become a more authentic person.

So, that is it for today! I hope you found this helpful as you consider selling yourself when "networking like a B.O.S.S."
I hope you'll join me for the final installment tomorrow {the final "S" in boss} about the importance of social media in networking.

I have to get to my conference, but as always-

Happy Writing!
Whitney
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"Everyone has a story. Write yours."




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So, today we are talking about the ever important business card. After months of attending conferences, I have learned that these little suckers are one of the most important {if not THE most important} tools when it comes to networking, especially if you're in a creative field, like writing. And listen up, introverts: if done well, an ORIGINAL, WELL- DESIGNED card can do the talking FOR you.
It is NO JOKE when they say first impressions are everything. Why not make it a good one with an awesome business card? Additionally, I think it is perfectly acceptable to have a card for your "day job" and a separate card for your "creative endeavors," or in other words, a card you are free to design yourself. This "creative card" is what we will discuss today.

For the sake of example, I have inserted the front and back of an older version of my business card into this post. I designed this one AFTER attending at least 4 conferences. I think this was version 2. And I may be on version 4 now {I forget} as my business has evolved!

Below I have offered some tips for creating the perfect business card in order to network like a boss! Let's consider the following about your C.A.R.D.

C- CREATIVE, CLEAR, CONCISE, CORRECT!
A- ADD SOCIAL MEDIA!
R-REQUEST!
D-DELIVER!

1A. CREATIVE- MAKE YOUR CARD STAND OUT! When you attend a conference or networking event, you could potentially be crossing paths with hundreds, if not thousands, of people, so you need to STAND OUT. Here are some ideas!

• TIP 1: PUT YOUR HEADSHOT ON YOUR CARD, INSTEAD OF a LOGO IMAGE! I can not tell you how helpful this is, especially when you meet so many people within a span of a few days.
• Like we discussed in the last post, YOU ARE YOUR BRAND! It helps if people can put a face to your name! And in the age of selfies, I think it would be remiss of me if I did not remind you of the following. For the love, if you use a selfie... make it a professional looking one! :)
• TIP 2: DO SOMETHING UNIQUE! As you can see, I had Literary Consultant under my name in this version, but don't be afraid to be UNIQUE! One of the most memorable cards I ever received was at the Writers Digest Conference last summer from a fellow creative, Christian Berkey. On the front of his card, he had a great headshot, with his name directly underneath. Below his name, it simply stated, "Writer, Runner, Tall Guy." I never forgot him​!
• So, for my version of unique, I simply put my company log-line on the back of my card. "EVERYONE HAS A STORY...WRITE YOURS." Because that's all there is on the back ...it stands out. I always got compliments on this aspect of my card, I think because it was simple, and it made a statement. Which leads to the next point...​

​1B. CONCISE, CLEAR and CORRECT- MAKE SURE IT'S EASY to READ, CLEAN and SIMPLE and HAS THE CORRECT INFO!

TIP 1: Include NAME, TITLE, WEBSITE, and the best NUMBER and e-mail address at which to reach you. Make sure all information is correct before ordering the cards!

TIP 2: In the same vein, Do NOT put TOO much information on your card. In this digital age, I think it's ok to leave your physical address, fax number, etc. off of it!

TIP 3: If your information changes, ORDER NEW CARDS! There is nothing more frustrating than receiving a card and not being able to reach the person who gave it to you! Additionally, it can come across as unprofessional to hand someone a card and then apologize that several aspects are incorrect. Just get new ones. :)

2. ADD YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLE: Something that I didn't do on this previous version, but have since added, is my social media handle. If you truly want to network like a boss, you need to be active on social media (we will discuss this at length during part 5 of this series).

AWARD-WINNING BEST TIP OF THE POST: MY FAVORITE PLACE TO ORDER CARDS IS MOO.COM! I absolutely love, love, love them! And they offer a FREE ZIP FILE WHERE YOU CAN DOWNLOAD ALL THE SUPER CUTE SOCIAL MEDIA ICONS! Check out this link! So lovely! They are the best! And no, I am not a paid endorser of MOO! I just heart them.

3. REQUEST- Okay, you're almost there. You have an AMAZING, CREATIVE CARD that shows your smiling face and all your info, and it will do a lot of the networking for you. But you're still an introvert, you say?
TIP 1: When you approach someone at a conference, ask them what they do! Trust me...people love to talk about their passions and what they are working on. So, if "networking" makes you nervous...ask your colleague about their work and then....
TIP 2: REQUEST THEIR CARD! Just ask them for it!

4. DELIVER YOUR CARD! If you want to "network like a boss," your card doesn't do you ANY GOOD if....um let's say, you leave it in your car, or your hotel room, or at home, or in ANOTHER BAG! People! Bring your cards and give them out like they are goin' out of style! {because in reality, it probably will be soon!}

So, now you have networked like a boss, people loved your card, and you accumulated a ton of cards yourself.

Here comes a...BONUS TIP! You can download an APP for your phone where you take a picture of the business card and it automatically uploads the contact information on the card to your phone! There is one called SAMCARD, which is fantastic. This way, if you are a creative like me {and a bit scatterbrained} you won't lose their card...ever! Well that is, unless you lose your phone....

Seriously, your business card, if executed well, can do most of the work for you. If you need help thinking of ways to brand your card or need ideas on how to make it unique, don't hesitate to contact me!

Join me tomorrow on how to approach networking by ORGANIZING your TIME {the "O" in BOSS}. We will discuss helpful tips on working your way through a room.

Happy Writing!
Whitney
"Everyone has a story. Write yours."