Ruth Thaler-Carter Member of the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors
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How networking can help a writing business get off to a good start

April 3, 2021 Post a comment

By Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, Networking member, NAIWE Board of Experts

A lot goes into launching a successful writing business, and networking can be one factor in that success. I’ll be talking about the practical aspects of such a venture in the NAIWE May webinar about launching a writing business (link to come). This post focuses on the networking aspect of your writing work.

Writers might not think of networking as an element of their new businesses, but that could mean losing out on valuable ways to learn about craft and business, and to develop connections that could not only improve those aspects of what they want to do, but also lead to a greater likelihood of getting published.

All writers probably share a common goal: for our words, thoughts and perspectives to find audiences and outlets. Individuals might be at different stages of creativity, visibility or success, but every writer wants — even needs — to be seen and heard. For the new writer, that first sale or outlet is so exciting, and networking is one way to get there.

Whether you’re writing a novel or a press release, a poem or a white paper, a play or a case study, a how-to book or a personal blog post, you want what you write to be seen and appreciated. Beyond being seen, we also want everyone who sees our writing to understand it, respond to it positively by publishing reviews or acting on it somehow, recommend it to others, and read or buy the next piece we write. Networking can help that happen.

Where networking comes into play is in providing resources for learning to write better by joining critique groups, taking classes or lining up beta readers; identifying reputable editors and proofreaders, and understanding and managing their input; finding appropriate agents and publishers for our work; getting paid; and related details of a writing business or the writing life.

Through networking, you can meet colleagues who will provide advice, insights and resources, and who might become beta readers or refer you to writing projects and clients. You could be seen by and connect with potential agents to represent your work or publishers who might consider bringing you into their houses, saving you the effort of searching for the ideal agent and outlet. If you plan to self-publish work that needs illustrations, networking can help you find the artist you need.

It’s important to remember, by the way, that networking is a two-way process. In fact, that might be the most important aspect of networking. A writer needs to create a net of contacts and colleagues who can help them do their work better and enhance their likelihood of publication. One of the best ways to do that is to be a useful strand in the nets of colleagues. If you ask questions and get helpful answers, look for ways to provide answers to other people’s questions.

And don’t let being new to writing or networking make you feel that you can’t contribute to the networking process. You can! If you don’t have any answers yet, look for resources you can share — books, courses, blogs, organizations, etc., that you have found useful or have seen in your real-world and online visiting. Keep in mind that we all had to start somewhere, first by actually writing something, next by getting it published, and then by becoming visible and active in some corner of the writing world. Even extroverts like me had to learn the ropes of networking effectively; it isn’t just a matter of paying dues and showing up or using the resources of an association to enhance our own writing work.

In the continuing pandemic era, we can’t do much networking in person, so the introverts among us don’t have to worry as much about fitting in at events as in the past (and, we hope, the future). Nowadays, you can use the virtual world to your networking advantage by “lurking” in online communities and professional associations for a while, to take the temperature of the environment and decide whether it will be helpful before you spend money on a membership or speak up with your questions and suggestions. Oh, and anything you do invest in joining an organization is a tax deduction!

Learn and profit from networking, and try to give as much as you take. Your writing business and efforts will blossom as a result, along with your reputation.

Ruth E. Thaler-Carter is a widely published freelance writer/editor and the creator of Communication Central’s Be a Better Freelancer® conference, now co-hosted by NAIWE and the An American Editor blog. Through her active participation in a variety of professional associations, she is often called the Queen of Networking.

Categories: Personal Perspectives Tags: agents, business, colleagues, give and take, giving back, Insights, learning, networking, published, publishing, resources, visibility, writer, writing

Freelancing and freedom

July 7, 2019 Post a comment

Ruth E. Thaler-Carter

The 4th of July celebrations this past week, along with a prompt from NAIWE executive director April Michelle Davis, got me thinking about the connection between freelancing and freedom.

The link between my areas of expertise — writing, editing and proofreading — and our country’s role as an exemplar of freedom is easy to make: I live in a country where I can express what I believe and want to say, and edit or proofread materials that relate to my beliefs and perspectives. I can accept assignments that are consistent with those beliefs and perspectives, or turn down assignments that go against my principles and beliefs. I can even use my skills, as well as the income those skills generate, to support causes I believe in. I can set my own schedule and fees. I am not just a freelancer; I am free.

That freedom is invaluable, and not something I take for granted. I’m the daughter of Holocaust survivors (yeah, it happened). I’m a member by birth of a religion that is still stigmatized and under constant attack even these days — and sadly, even in my own country — and by choice of one founded on principles of freedom. I see examples of the lack of freedom in the headlines every day. Both in the USA and beyond, there are many, many people who cannot claim the luxury of living in a country or community where they are free to do the work they love, be with the people they love, or simply enjoy comfort and peace on a daily basis.

I am very lucky.

My country is not perfect, and certainly is seeing an unprecedented level of hostility and threats to our freedom in the current political realm. But it is still a, if not the, leader of the free world. Most of us are still free to express our beliefs and advocate for what we think is right and fair. We owe it to ourselves, our families, our histories, our futures to use our communications skills to keep it that way, for all of us.

Categories: Uncategorized Tags: choice, editing, free, freedom, freelancing, peace, proofreading, writing

2104 conference for freelancers – discount for NAIWE members!

July 4, 2014 Post a comment

NAIWE members are eligible for the colleague’s discount on registration for “Be a Better Freelancer! (Re)Invent Your Business,” the ninth annual Communication Central conference for freelancers, Sept. 26–27, 2014, in Rochester, NY, with an Editorial Bootcamp on Sept. 28 at the same location. The early-bird registration deadline for the best rate is July 31.

The conference is a great resource for anyone wondering how to launch or improve a writing or editing business.

Topics include launching your business, macros and other efficiency/productivity tools, working with MS Office, organization tips, a self-publishing roundtable, balancing freelancing and family life, resources, benefiting from social media, and more. Keynote speaker is Jake “Dr. Freelance” Poinier. Other speakers include Erin Brenner, Ally Machate, April Michelle Davis, Daniel Heuman, Katharine O’Moore-Klopf, Dick Margulis, Greg Ioannou, Geoff Hart, Jack Lyon, Laura Poole, Ben Davis, Amy Schneider and Ruth E. Thaler-Carter.

Make your hotel reservations early – the conference coincides with the last weekend of a film festival and space will be at a premium the closer it gets to September.

To register, go to:
http://www.communication-central.com/2014/events/registration-open-for-2014-communication-central-conference/
and click on the link under the image.

Info for the Editorial Bootcamp is included in the conference registration PDF. The Editorial Bootcamp may be taken without attending the conference.

NAIWE members are eligible for a registration discount; conference-goers get a discount for the Editorial Bootcamp.

Questions? Contact Communication Central owner/NAIWE member Ruth E. Thaler-Carter, at conference@communication-central.com or 585-248-0318.

See you there!

Categories: Events, Resources, Uncategorized Tags: Ally Machate, Amy Schneider, April Michelle Davis, Ben Davis, conference, Daniel Heuman, Dick Margulis, discount, Dr. Freelance, editing, Editorial Bootcamp, Erin Brenner, Geoff Hart, Greg Ioannou, Jack Lyon, Jake Poinier, Katharine O’Moore-Klopf, Laura Poole, registration, resources, Ruth Thaler-Carter, skills, writing

Webinar on working with nonprofits

July 4, 2014 Post a comment

Hi, all. If you’re interested in writing or editing for not-for-profit organizations or charitable agencies, I have a resource for you! I’m presenting a webinar/audioconference for copyediting.com Copyediting.com on “Editing for Nonprofits and Agencies” on July 16. Details at: http://www.copyediting.com/buyproduct/editing-nonprofits-and-agencies

Categories: Events, Resources, Uncategorized Tags: charitable agencies, copyediting.com, editing, freelancing, nonprofits, not-for-profit organizations, resource, Ruth Thaler-Carter, webinar, writing

Early bird deadline approaching for 2012 conference for freelancers!

February 18, 2012 4 Comments

The deadline for the best rate to attend “Be a Better Freelancer: Resources for a Successful Editorial Business,” the 7th annual Build Your Business conference of Communication Central (www.communication-central.com), October 12-13, 2012, at the Marriott Suites in the Harbor East area of Baltimore, MD, is fast approaching. You have until August 30 to register at the best rate!

2012 C-C Conf Registration Form3

Speakers include NAIWE founder/executive director Janice Campbell, and NAIWE members are entitled to a colleagues’ discount on registration. Session and speaker details are available at:

www.communication-central.com

This unique conference for freelance writers, editors, proofreaders, etc., is aimed at launching, building up and enhancing your business success.

Conference attendees get a discount on registration for an offering of the Editorial Bootcamp on October 14 at the same location.

Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Baltimore, conference, editing, freelancers, freelancing, Janice Campbell, NAIWE members, opportunity, writing

Why attend a conference?

August 21, 2011 Post a comment

Every time I turn around, I see or hear from colleagues who are having trouble succeeding in their freelance businesses, yet only a couple of dozen have signed up to attend an event designed to help freelancers make their businesses (yes, writing and editing is a business!) do better. Granted, this event isn’t free, but it has to generate enough income to cover its costs, including travel and accommodations for speakers.

Details are are:
www.communication-central.com

See you there!

Categories: Uncategorized Tags: business, editing, entrepreneurs, freelancing, success, writing

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