Networking Mistakes
As well as being an author myself, I work with writers. This means I see A LOT of writers making the same old mistakes when it comes to networking, especially on social media.
Many writers believe in ‘book spam’ – dropping multiple links without care in Facebook groups, copying and pasting the same tweets, or effectively yelling ‘BUY MY BOOK’ endlessly into the void. Others draw lines in the sand between themselves and others, slagging off books, TV shows and movies and other writers … As if that would endear them to their peers!
So when I was offered a place on the blog tour for Networking for Writers by Lizzie Chantree, I jumped at the chance to read it. Though I am experienced at networking as a writer, I am always interested to see what others are doing. I also wanted to know if I was missing out anything in the networking writer’s toolkit.
In addition, lots of my ‘Bang2writers’ have been asking for my recommendations on how to avoid big networking mistakes and I hoped this book would provide an insight for them.
Networking For Writers
At just 100 pages, Networking For Writers is a concise and easy to follow guide. It’s written in a conversational tone and I particularly liked the author’s references to her life outside writing.
Despite its brevity, the book is comprehensive. Lizzie takes on both social media networking and real life events, shining a light on how writers can use both to source opportunities. She also suggests running one’s own events, both in ‘meat space’ and online, plus she breaks down how to go about this.
I particularly liked Lizzie’s thoughts on author branding and creating what she calls ‘a bestseller support system’. Her explanations about brand mottos, mission statements and ‘the story of you’ are right on the button in my experience. I have followed this remit myself for both my Bang2write and author platforms and found it to be very fruitful.
Other advice Lizzie includes
There’s a wealth of material in Lizzie’s book. Here’s some of the elements I identified …
- Using libraries and other local resources
- Developing relationships with your peers
- Developing your USP (‘unique selling point’)
- Writing sprints and lockdown buddies
- How to utilise Twitter hashtags effectively
- Increasing online reach via guest posts & blog tours
- Making the best use of Pinterest
- How to measure and evaluate your interaction & engagement
- SEO (‘search engine optimisation’), keywords and blogging
- Marketing plans and scheduling
- Time management and routines
- How to run promotions and giveaways
- Avoiding procrastination
- Newsletter swaps, lead magnets
It’s A YES! From LVH
In short, I think Networking For Writers is a super-useful book. So many writers tell me they just don’t know where to start … I will be telling them from now on to START HERE!
Networking for Writers by Lizzie Chantree
Are you swamped with book marketing and looking for a way to find new sales? Learn simple and effective networking techniques, to grow your readership and connect with other authors and book lovers, today!
Whether you are a new or experienced writer, self-published or traditionally published, this book will show you how to grow your readership and author network, through some of the most powerful of all marketing tools – word of mouth and recommendation.
This book will show you:
- How networking can help you sell more books.
- Why author branding is important.
- How networking hours work.
- Specific Facebook groups for writers
- How to utilise social media to grow your readership.
- How not to waste valuable writing time.
- How to make our marketing more effective
Throughout Networking for Writers, we will explore running or attending book signings, hosting seminars, finding a writing buddy or mentor, author networking groups, social media planning and so much more.
About The Author
International bestselling author and award-winning inventor, Lizzie Chantree, started her own business at the age of 18 and became one of Fair Play London and The Patent Office’s British Female Inventors of the Year in 2000. She discovered her love of writing fiction when her children were little and now works as a business mentor and runs a popular networking hour on social media, where creatives can support to each other. She writes books full of friendship and laughter, that are about women with unusual and adventurous businesses, who are far stronger than they realise. She lives with her family on the coast in Essex. Visit her website at www.lizziechantree.com or follow her on Twitter @Lizzie_Chantree.
