Attend that Conference

         All professionals attend conventions, conferences, in-service, or workshops to increase their knowledge in their field, to reinforce what they know, and to learn how to manage their business efficiently. This need to participate in conferences applies to writers as well as doctors, CEOs, and teachers.
         I am attending a conference this coming weekend (the OWFI conference, named one of the top conferences in the Southwest) the first of May, and I want to share why I attend conferences.

Why Attend a Writing Conference?

          Writing conferences increase the possibility of attendees improving their skills, gaining confidence, and building a better presence in their field.

         Most writing conferences have sessions over writing skills. At the LexiCon Writers Conference (several years ago), I presented a session titled “How to Write That Children’s Book.” According to feedback after the hour’s class, attendees discovered how to begin and to write their stories, some things they hadn’t realized were needed. A few said they didn’t realize action was required in a children’s story. At the Oklahoma Writers' Federation Inc. (OWFI) conference, I attended a session concerning romantic suspense given by best-selling author Merline Lovelace . I learned how to balance the two components and follow the writing arc.

         One session covered creating and keeping an effective blog. One of the tips concerned limiting categories used. Another, encouraged bloggers to post regularly. A tip that caught my attention, a blogger should be aimed toward the desired audience, rather than to others in the same profession. Therefore, the need for a new blog.

         A problem area for most writers includes the need to treat their profession as a business, when in today’s publishing world, it must be. Part of the business needs included promotion of the writers’ product: books. Sessions by social media and public relations experts gave suggestions and solutions that allowed attendees to better understand how and why to address their business.

         Other benefits of attending conferences include networking and opportunities for writers to "pitch" their manuscripts to agents, editors, and/or publishers. Being able to interact with other writers helps authors understand the challenges they face aren't only theirs, that others have those obstacles, also. Networking allows writers to learn from others and to help others. Friendships develop that last a lifetime. However, networking and pitching need articles of their own.

         Once a writer gains more knowledge, or reinforcement of what they already know, and learn how to better manage their business, their confidence increases. As a result, writers are better prepared to face their writing world. 

Promotion - Conferences

by Vivian Zabel 

My participation at the book signing at the OWFI conference

                                           

            The idea of promotion is to build a platform for oneself, give people a chance to know us and for our names to become familiar. Then, once we have a product or service, people will recognize the name, creating a “fan” base for our books, illustrations, service.

            One way to become better known is to attend writing conferences. “But,” you ask, “what would a conference offer me? How would attending bring notice to me?”

            Attending conferences not only gives writers, illustrators, and/or publishers a chance to learn more about their craft, but other people attend and are friendly – if we allow them to be and are friendly, too. How to make an impression without being obnoxious?

1. Have business cards and/or book marks to give everyone.
2. Make appointments with agents, publishers, and/or editors. Make a pitch or two.
3. Take part in “buzz” sessions (informal gatherings with speakers and other experts to "talk")
4. Ask questions in sessions.
5. Visit with speakers outside their sessions.
6. Introduce yourself and show an interest in the other people.
7. Smile.
8. Don’t be afraid to ask to join a group around a table if space is available.
9. If the conference has a writing contest, enter.

            If the conference has a book room/store as part of its event and you have a book released, see if you can have your book(s) available for purchase. If the conference has a book signing time as part of its event and you have a book, participate. If you don’t have a book released yet, make the rounds and visit briefly with all the authors there.

            Not only are conferences available in most states, but some are held online. Of course one has to adapt the ways to make an impression a bit for an online conference, but generally the objective is the same: be friendly, ask questions, show an interest in the speakers and others. Rather than business cards and bookmarks, have links to blogs and websites. One online conference I recommend is the Muse Online Writers Conference.

            I not only attended but was a speaker at the OWFI (Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc.) writing conference the first full weekend of May. That conference is one of the less expensive ones with much to offer that I’ve found. OWFI has a 33 category competition, with a deadline of February 1. Usually judges give helpful suggestions which allow writers to improve their work. The judges don’t know the names of entrants, but category chairs and other learn, especially the names of those who place – excellent promotion. I have a pile of business cards given me, and I will use them for reference. I remember names of new friends and definitely those of people I met before. Also, more and more people recognize my name.

            Also, attending sessions that help us hone our craft is always good, and the better we are at what we do, the more others recognize us.

            For more about the OWFI conference recently, go to my blog at  Vivian Zabel.