By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, NAIWE Board of Experts Member for Networking
At a recent meeting of one of my local professional organizations, the value of such affiliations was clear.
We talked about what that organization provides to members — why it was worth joining and being active; services and resources that could be used at any level of involvement; what made it different from other organizations, etc. The keyword was “connection,” and it applies to NAIWE.
Association membership is a great way to enhance a writing or editing career. Associations offer learning experiences through training sessions, webinars, courses, conferences, and publications; opportunities for visibility through discussion lists and forums, publishing, and presenting; even ways to earn a few bucks by presenting and contributing to or creating various projects and events. Interacting with colleagues builds our skills, answers our questions, provides access to resources, offers encouragement, and creates long-lasting friendships.
You might not have thought of it in these terms, but participating in any and all such activities is networking, especially if you remember that effective networking is a two-way process: It works when you give as well as get.
Networking through NAIWE means you have colleagues and friends to turn to for advice and for fitting into a new niche of some sort. Fellow members can refer or introduce you for projects and give you a strong leading edge over other candidates. Perhaps most importantly, association membership creates a connection that you can carry wherever you go, whether it’s to new clients and projects, a new industry, a new city, even a new country. That’s especially true of an association like NAIWE, because it’s national.
Despite all of the advantages that networking can bring, though, some colleagues aren’t comfortable with the concept. It might feel more natural and doable to think in terms of connections instead. When we connect with colleagues through associations like NAIWE, we strengthen our professionalism and often contribute to that of others. That makes networking even more than a two-way street; it’s a win for everyone.
However you define it, consider giving networking and connecting a try. If you haven’t tried to connect with colleagues to provide resources, ask for advice, answer questions or other actions, it’s time to start. If you’ve made efforts in that direction, think about new ways to make an impact. You might be pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable, and beneficial, it can be.
Let us know how connecting with colleagues has worked for you!
So exciting — a version of this blog post has won an award in the Specialty Articles: business category of the 2025 Communications Contest of Missouri Professional Communicators (MPC), the St. Louis-area affiliate of the National Federation of Press Women (NFPW)! I tweaked this post as “Connection is the Essence of Membership Value and Networking Success.”
This is one of six awards I’ve received in the 2025 MPC contest, which moves me to consideration for recognition in the NFPW’s national awards in the fall. Perhaps more importantly, though, receiving the award certificates seems to have unlocked my writing voice. I’ve had so much editing and proofreading work lately that I’ve neglected my writing self, which I’ve always seen as my primary professional identity. I’m looking forward to being more communicative here and in other places — I’ve already submitted articles to a magazine and another of my professional associations.