Often at conferences we see many examples of authors behaving badly. So in honor of our conference excursions, here are some Do's, Don'ts, and Be Sure To Go tips for attending conferences:
Industry Focused Conferences
An industry conference
focuses on the business and craft side of the publishing industry. Only
aspiring authors, published authors, editors, agents, and other industry
professionals are permitted to attend.
- DO put your best foot forward and wear professional
attire that is comfortable for long days. It is better to err on the side
of being too conservative than show up at an event in clothing that is too
casual. You also don't want the distraction of pinched toes, rolled
elastic, or scratchy fabrics. Look Good and Feel Good to present your best
professional self.
- DON'T sit in a corner or huddle with only people you
already know. You are paying money to attend a conference - and publishing
professionals are investing their time to meet you and learn about your
projects. Try to break out of your shell and network with new people - how
else are you going grow your network? If you're an introvert, stand tall
beside an extrovert author friend to smile, listen and learn!
- BE SURE TO GO to the bar...yeah, yeah, twist your arm.
All sorts of folks hang out in the hotel bar during conferences. Grab a
soda, or beverage of your choice, and take a stroll around the room.
Morgan typically wears steampunk jewelry - it's a great conversation
starter. Therese has chatted with many agents and editors in the smoking
areas but don't hang out there unless you are a smoker and understand the
etiquette of that social sphere.
Reader Focused Conference
At reader focused
conferences you should be fully in your author persona, but still be
professional. Many of the folks who attend industry conferences also attend the
reader events. Overall, the atmosphere is much more casual. Reader conferences
tend to have more of a party atmosphere.
- DO have fun with your author persona. Wear your persona
specific attire and engage your audience.
- DO take the time to reach out to bloggers. One author
friend made formal appointments with bloggers who specialized in her genre
before the conference. She even had little thank you gifts for them.
- DON'T forget that you are still a professional. Do you
really want to be remembered as the author who got sloppy drunk and sang
"Free Bird" at the top of your lungs? No, no, triple no!
- BE SURE TO GO to the lobby. If you have to get your
word count done for the day, write in the lobby. Yes, it may be hard for
you to get your words on the page, but you never know who you are going to
meet. Morgan bumped
into two key editors form St. Martin's Press while looking for coffee. And
of course, there is always the bar....but, see the DON'T note above.
:D
Overall Essentials:
- DO have business cards. (See our posts here, here, and here on business card content.)
- DO have your pitch ready. And we mean both your pitch
for new projects and the answer to the question "So, what do you
write?".
- DO have some books and free reads to give to readers IN
YOUR AUDIENCE.
- DON'T canvas or blanket the conference with your fliers
and bookmarks...(Canvasing would be exercising the shotgun method.) Many
of these items end up in the trash. Be selective on who you give your
promotional materials to, know and find your audience. A promo piece
handed to me personally by an engaging author will get read.
The HUGE pile of promo materials in the conference bag often don't make it
to the second day of the conference before hitting the recycling bin -
this is because it is information overload. Our primary message here at
AM101 is not to spend cash on what goes in the trash!
- BE SURE TO GO to a variety of events or sessions and
HAVE FUN! People will want to approach the person having fun. If you would
rather be somewhere else, save your time and money and go there.
<harsh, we know...but so true>
How To Work A Conference
What do we mean when we say "work" a
conference?
There are two kinds of people who go to
conferences and conventions:
1) People who are there to ATTEND the
conference (attendees).
2) People who are there to WORK the
conference (workers).
Each of these types of conference /
convention goers is there for specific reasons. The attendee's primary
objective is to learn and be entertained. The worker's primary objective is to
network and make a sale. Both types are there to make connections.
It is what they choose to do with these connections that differentiates an
attendee from a worker.
How do you "work" a
conference?
1) Choose your conferences wisely
There are loads of conferences and conventions
that you can attend throughout the year. There are national, regional, and
local shows that cover all aspects of the craft of writing and publishing
industry. No matter how much buzz is associated with any given show, take the
time to do some research before you sign up. Find out who typically attends. Is
an editor from one of your target publishers going to be there? How about your
top three agents? Will your favorite author be signing books or speaking on
panels? Are there panels or classes that will help you with research or
otherwise further your career?
2) Set Goals
Now that you've selected the conference(s)
you want to attend, set some goals. The first time you go to a conference go
primarily as an attendee. Make having fun your primary goal while you discover
all the things a given show has to offer. At future shows, maybe set a goal to
talk with at least five readers and two bloggers. Or maybe your goal is to
pitch your latest manuscript to at least three of your target publishers in
attendance.
3) Leave Room for Serendipity
It is easy to 'over' schedule your time.
Running from panel to panel or meeting to meeting constantly can leave you
exhausted. Allow time for sitting, observing, and random conversation. Everyone
at the conference is a potential reader, until you know if they are or aren't
in your audience. Some of the people attending will become great contacts for
your writing career. You never know who you are going to sit next to or bump
into.
4) Be Prepared
Have your pitch for your latest book
practiced and polished. Have a quick answer ready for the question: "So,
what do you write?"Mentally prepare yourself for the social interactions
at the conference. Be in your author persona. Have your business cards and
promotional materials ready to give to business contacts and members of your
audience. If you are signing books at a book sale or fair, confirm that your
books have been ordered and find out how much table space will be available for
your book signing set up.
Attending conferences and conventions can
be both fun and rewarding. Take the time to plan and prepare to squeeze every
ounce of opportunity out of the experience.
