Attending a writer\u2019s conference can change the course of your life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I know, because it happened to me. And I\u2019ve seen it happen to many other people, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In fact, there\u2019s not one other thing you can possibly do that will accomplish more for your writing career than attending a writer\u2019s conference. That\u2019s a big, bold claim! But let me tell you why I know that it\u2019s true. And more importantly, how to make sure it turns out to be true for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check out more of our articles and info on Book Marketing<\/a>. I know you want to.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, you will learn:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Thirty years ago, I decided to attend my first writer\u2019s conference. Somehow, I instinctively knew that the most important thing to do was make a personal connection with the staff. Trusting my gut on that was one of the best decisions I\u2019ve ever made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I figured most people would shove their book proposal at an agent or editor, then slump sheepishly in a chair while the agent or editor stared at the pages. And I knew I didn\u2019t want to be most people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By the way, that\u2019s the Golden Rule of How To Get the Most Out Of a Writer\u2019s Conference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t Be Most People<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n But back to my story. While all of that paper shoving and sheepish slumping was going on, I was busy engaging in casual conversations with interesting people. Now it just so happens that the interesting people I pro-actively struck up conversations with\u2026were editors, agents, and other staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One such editor was Steve Laube. Rather than pitching a specific book idea, my goal was to enjoy getting to know him as a person. The approach worked, leading to a win-win partnership that continues to this day. Steve played a key role in the publication of 20 of my traditionally-published books. He now serves as my literary agent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why I believe in writer\u2019s conferences. And I\u2019ve experienced them from every possible angle: as an attendee, a staff member, and even as a keynote speaker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Writer\u2019s conferences work. Well, they work if you do. Here's how to get the most out of them…<\/p>\n\n\n\n The right mindset is key. Think of yourself as a writing professional who is seeking mutually beneficial relationships with other writing professionals. And now here\u2019s the big secret: understand that they need you just as much as you need them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most attendees unconsciously believe that the staff is there to reject them and make them feel inadequate. This, of course, is silly. No one needs to get on an airplane and fly to another city to make other people feel bad about themselves. They can do that right in their own hometown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Agents, editors, and industry professionals from all over the country travel to writer\u2019s conferences for one simple reason. (And trust me, it\u2019s not for the money. Because typically the only people getting paid are the keynote speakers.) It\u2019s because they are looking for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Do you think anyone wants to go back to their boss and say, \u201cGetting out of the office to attend that conference was a complete waste of my time and your money?” Now don\u2019t go crazy and get cocky. But do look in the mirror every chance you get and say, \u201cThe only way they win is if I win, too!\u201d That\u2019s not only the right mindset, it\u2019s a stone-cold fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When it comes to writer\u2019s conferences, it\u2019s definitely not \u201cone size fits all.\u201d So your second step, after getting your attitude in check, is selecting the right conference for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some writer\u2019s conferences have a literary bent, appealing to poets and high-brow authors whose goal is to win the National Book Award<\/em>. Any talk of something as crass as selling books<\/a> is frowned upon. I accidentally attended one and it was a complete waste of time and money. Lesson learned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some conferences emphasize fiction, others non-fiction. Some are more about learning the art and craft of writing<\/a>, or the chance to get your manuscript critiqued. I would avoid those. You can accomplish the same goals without hopping on an airplane. Instead, look for events where you can network with power players in your niche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Here\u2019s a fool-proof strategy:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are now writer\u2019s conferences focused on the self-publishing industry. So if you do not see any advantages to being a hybrid author (balancing both traditional and self-publishing to leverage the strengths of both, which is what I do), then stick with something like The Self Publishing School\u2019s Author Advantage Live<\/a> event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a Christian author, the Blue Ridge Christian Writer\u2019s Conference and Mt. Hermon Christian Writer\u2019s Conference are the two premier events. Everyone who is anyone in the industry will be on staff at one or the other\u2026and often both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key is to choose an event specifically tailored to your niche.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve identified a handful of writer\u2019s conferences that match your basic criteria (i.e. the people you need to meet will be there), it\u2019s time to think about other factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Remember, this is your big chance to make the impression of a lifetime. Choose the conference that\u2019s most likely to be a good fit for you. The best way to do that is to \u201ctry them on for size.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n How? By studying their website and social media presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At this point, don\u2019t be overly concerned about workshop titles (we\u2019ll get to that aspect in a minute). Instead, search their site \u2014and especially their prior-year event hashtag \u2014 and ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If the website features attendees gathered in a chapel singing from a hymnbook and you\u2019re an atheist, you might want to rethink it. Conversely, if you are religious, you might want to pass up on the event that humorously recommends packing twice as much whiskey as you think you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some things to consider:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Setting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Where do you feel most alive? At the beach or in the mountains? Maybe you prefer the sophisticated energy of a cosmopolitan city. Where would you feel more at ease? At an upscale hotel or staying in a rustic cabin?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a city girl who\u2019s terrified of spiders, you\u2019re not going to feel confident sitting on hay bales around a campfire. If you\u2019ve lived in a town of 2,000 people your entire life, you might not want to be dodging traffic on the streets of New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s no right or wrong answer. It\u2019s about finding the conference that\u2019s best for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Distance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You may want to begin with a writer\u2019s conference within driving distance. One advantage is that you might just find a local writer\u2019s group (although you could just as easily find one on Meetup.) What you can\u2019t find online is a true kindred spirit to serve as your live-in-person accountability partner. That alone might be worth the price of admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re willing to fly, decide how far you\u2019re willing to go. But keep in mind that distance isn\u2019t the only factor affecting time and cost. It\u2019s sometimes faster and cheaper to fly across the country to an airline hub city like Atlanta then it is to fly to some obscure town in the middle of the country, requiring connections and expensive puddle-jumpers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Registration & Total Cost<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Some events are more expensive than others. Some are all-inclusive, but most are not. So don\u2019t just look at the price of admission. Factor in hotel costs, meals, taxis, etc. If it\u2019s held in New York City or Los Angeles, lodging alone might cost far more than the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Potential ROI<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Just because an event is cheaper and closer, doesn\u2019t mean it\u2019s a smarter financial decision. Be sure to factor in networking opportunities and how likely you are to be able to connect with industry insiders. If you land a major book deal, the event will be the best money you\u2019ve ever spent. And remember, all of your expenses related to your writing career are tax-deductible. So keep the receipts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you\u2019ve chosen and registered for your writer\u2019s conference, it\u2019s time to learn all you can about the staff:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be Ready to Meet the Staff<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on what you discover during your research:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people won\u2019t be able to match staff faces to their names and won\u2019t be able to strike up casual conversations. They\u2019ll be too busy staring at name tags and stammering in awe. Don\u2019t be most people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re familiar with who\u2019s who, it\u2019s time to join the event Facebook Group:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Send Friend Requests to Attendees & Staff<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to send friend requests to all staff members. Not all will accept you, but many will, especially when they see the increasing number of mutual friends you share. So the smart play is to connect with fellow attendees first, then build your staff connections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The day of the event will be pure pandemonium. Flight delays. Lost luggage. You name it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a result, most people will be frazzled. That\u2019s not a good look on anyone. So don\u2019t be most people. You want your first impression to be a great one. Arrive at least a day early. Guess who else will arrive early? Right. The staff. And a big reason why they arrive early is because these events become like annual family reunions for \u201cthe regulars.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n So the day before the crowd arrives is probably your best chance to network with them, while they are still relaxed and not surrounded by people shoving book proposals at them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tim Ferris hit the New York Times<\/em> best-seller list using this one strategy. He attended industry events to network with key people during their informal downtime. If it\u2019s good enough for Tim, it\u2019s good enough for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people will slouch around the writer\u2019s conference in jeans and workout clothes, lugging the event-monikered tote-bag everywhere. Don\u2019t be most people. We\u2019re not talking about donning an evening gown or tuxedo. Or being so over-dressed that you look ridiculous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You want to dress one notch above the crowd. Guess who else knows the rule about dressing one notch above the crowd? Again, the answer is: The staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Take Your Wardrobe Cues from the Staff<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Check on social media for photos from prior years.\u2019 Then take your wardrobe cues from the staff, rather than the attendees. If you inquire about the dress code, you\u2019ll invariably be told it\u2019s business casual. Err on the side of business not casual. Once you arrive, if people routinely mistake you for staff, you\u2019ll know you\u2019ve picked the perfect wardrobe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And whatever else you do, don\u2019t carry the dang tote-bag because most people will. And, for sure, you don\u2019t want to be most people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many articles on the internet that tell you the obvious practical stuff. My goal here is to give you real strategy. But let me just hit the highlights:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re certain you have a winning book idea, using Book Idea Validation Mastery, create a one-page summary that includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Give this to staff members, rather than a 20-page proposal. If they want a full proposal, they\u2019ll ask for it. More likely, they\u2019ll ask you to send it to them after the conference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Have Your Answers Ready<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Make a list of questions you are likely to be asked and know your answers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your big writer\u2019s conference is no time to catch up on your zzz\u2019s. Instead, you want to make the most of every opportunity. There are two types of people on staff:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So wake up early to connect with the morning people. Then stay up late to kick back with the night owls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you need rest, take a cue from the Spanish and plan for an afternoon siesta. Because there\u2019s no such thing as an afternoon person anyway!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people won\u2019t bother to follow-up. So don\u2019t be most people. You should already be connected to most of the staff members on social media, so you can shoot them a direct message. But if you really want to stand out from the crowd, send a handwritten note. You know, the kind that requires paper, an envelope and\u2014wait for it\u2014a stamp. I can guarantee you this: almost no one else will go to the bother of doing it. So this is probably the easiest way to make an impression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Send Them Your Selfie<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Make it a fun goal to take a selfie with all of the key staff members. It\u2019s an easy way to break the ice. Afterward, you can print out the photo and include it in the card, adding a face to your name so it\u2019s easy to remember you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re fortunate enough to hear those glorious words, \u201cSend me a proposal,\u201d consider it a high honor. And be sure to send one immediately after the conference. Send one copy via email, for convenience, and another copy via FedEx so it looks official.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Writing Is a Real Career<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n All of this assumes that you are interested in writing as a real, long-term career. Because that\u2019s what it is. And what it can be for you. Now that you know the value and how to get the most out of writer's conferences, I wanted to share with you a list of conferences to check out:<\/p>\n\n\nTable of contents<\/h2>
Why I Believe in Writer\u2019s Conferences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Have the Right Mindset<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nOf course not. They want it to be worth the trip, just as much as you do. Their goal is to report, \u201cI may have just found the next big author!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Pick the Right Writer\u2019s Conference for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Consider a Niche Writer\u2019s Conference<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Study Writer\u2019s Conference Websites & Social Media Presence<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
4. Know Who the Presenters Are<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
5. Join the Writer's Conference Facebook Group<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
6. Arrive a Day Early<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nMake the Most of Downtime to Network<\/p>\n\n\n\n7. Dress to Impress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
8. What To Do While You\u2019re There<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
9. Wake Up Early & Stay Up Late<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
10. Follow-up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\nThis message should not be about you, but about them and how, specifically, they made a difference in your life. I can tell you, as a speaker, that there\u2019s nothing that means more to me than receiving a message like that after an event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I wrote my first book thirty years ago and have made a full-time career based on my books ever since. That\u2019s because books are the perfect springboard to my online programs and live events. As a result, I\u2019ve consistently earned a six-figure income, year after year.
If you want to do the same, you can begin your journey today. Sign up for a writer\u2019s conference. Because now you know how to get the most out it.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWriter's Conference List<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n \n\n Conference Name<\/th> Date(s)<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n 2022 Writing Heights Writers Conference<\/a><\/td> April 28-30, 2022<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Woodhall Press Writers Conference <\/a><\/td> Saturday, August 20, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n The San Francisco Writers Conference<\/a><\/td> July 21\u201324, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Idaho Writers Conference<\/a><\/td> May 20-21, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Historical Novel Society North America<\/a><\/td> June 8-11, 2023<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>\n \n ASPC (Atlanta Self-Publishing Conference)<\/a><\/td> April 23, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Nebraska Writers Guild<\/a><\/td> April 21-23, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n The Writing Gals<\/a><\/td> October 5-8, 2022<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>\n \n OWFI 2022 Breakthrough<\/a><\/td> May 5-7, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Carolina Christian Writers Conference<\/a><\/td> March 11-12, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Fox Cities Book Festival<\/a><\/td> October 13-16, 2022<\/span><\/td> <\/tr>\n \n 6th Annual Taos, New Mexico, Writers Conference<\/a><\/td> July 29-31, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Jackson Hole Writers Conference<\/a><\/td> June 23-25, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Lakefly Writers Conference<\/a><\/td> May 6-7, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n WriteNow! Conference<\/a><\/td> September 16-17, 2022<\/td> <\/tr>\n \n Kanab Writers Conference<\/a><\/td> July 28-30<\/td> <\/tr>\n <\/tbody>\n <\/table>\n