Book Plans (?!) and a Networking Pep Talk
I have been brainstorming and keeping notes for a book/book series idea I have had for a few years now. Other things have taken priority so I haven’t focused on it too much, plus there’s also the logistics of how do I actually get this thing I wrote to become an actual book?
That’s where the power of networking comes in.
I think it’s a huge misservice to people that nobody is taught what networking is or how to do it, especially now that social media and social NETWORKS are a thing that make us ALL CONNECTED to people that could essentially help us attain our goals.
Case in point: I know people who are published authors. And in fact... uh... over on facebook today, this happened:
(Alan is an artist friend of mine, super talented, check out his stuff!)
Anyways, I met Eric Eaton when he gave a talk at the Austin Butterfly Forum and his approach to outreach is 100% in line with mine, and I gave him my business card. So we follow each other on fb to keep in touch.
If you don’t recognize his name, he wrote this:
I told him I would love to collaborate with him! I was planning to get around to this eventually, but knowing that a connection is actively willing to help me now is a huge motivator!
Anyways, I know some of you younger folks may be lamenting your lack of connections or geographic isolation. This kind of thing could never work for you, right? “But I don’t attend club meetings! I don’t have the confidence to introduce myself! I don’t know anybody like you do!”
YES YOU DO! You know ME! That’s why it’s called a network! So you’re a lurker? Then introduce yourself and ask your question! I respond to DMs. Maybe I can’t help with everything, but I try! And I know lots of stuff, have worked lots of places, with lots of people, doing lots of things. I have some strange, random niche knowledge and contacts all over the place.
I know it sounds scary and hard, but trust me, a few years ago I never imagined more than ten people would ever read my posts about bugs, and I am still confused about where all you came from and why y’all think I’m any different than any of you. I’m just a little older, maybe a little crazier, and definitely have more moth pee on me.
July 13, 2019
