A recession is looming large over the world and writers like us have started feeling the pinch. Did you know that networking could be the key to maintaining a professional balance during recession?
Here’s how writers can use a professional network like Chillibreeze to stay afloat during recession.
- It’s a small world and the Internet made it just a little more so. Online social networking sites are not just a means to stay in touch with friends and family but are an excellent way of communicating with your peers.All you need to do is find out which social networking sites are preferred by your peers and colleagues post your profile and connect with people in cyberspace. Chillibreeze is one such platform available to Indian writers.
- A “local to global” approach is all about taking the first step.Your peers in the city or town where you reside are the people you need to get in touch with first.Who are the people you’ve worked with in the past and are working with now? Can you think of any appreciative clients, editors or publishers who can vouch for your work?Include all these people in your “local” network.You could even meet with members of your network at regular intervals, say once every month or so and discuss issues affecting writers.
- All the talk about “inclusive growth” is not economic and political jargon but is in fact a common-sense approach to critical problem-solving.It’s important to be inclusive in building a career network.Don’t discriminate among people based on their abilities and or specializations.Instead celebrate differences and incorporate everyone you can, irrespective of their genre of writing.Recommendations from current or former colleagues could go a long way in helping you bag a new project.Alternatively, each member of your network could introduce you to several companies and people, thereby exposing you to new ideas and places.
- A little bit of helpfulness will open the door to many opportunities within your network.This is precisely why you should offer information and advice to people in your network.So if you know about a new project that your copywriter friend is perfect for, then put her on to it.Chances are she may tip you off on that fiction-writing project you always wanted to do.
- Brainstorm and blog your way through these trying times.A monthly writer’s meet could be just the time for you to brainstorm about recession-proof areas for writers in your network.It could also be an occasion for you to share your expertise in writing, or your experiences about what writers can do between projects.Use your personal blog to let everyone else know what’s on your mind, and you’ll be surprised how many other writers will be prompted to join in on the conversation. If you post often enough, blogs can be extremely lively places where many a brilliant idea originates and is propagated throughout the community.
- Webinars are valuable resources for writers. Webinars are web seminars organized by various organizations from time-to-time and many are available for free. These are places where you can not only encounter new ideas, but also meet people from other parts of the country and the world that you can connect with.
- If you have the flair for drafting and writing business letters or are adept at making PowerPoint presentations then find a partner with whom you can impart these skills to school or college students in your city. Alternatively, a few advertising copywriters could get together and provide a web marketing consultancy.
Before you begin networking, remember the golden rule of networking is that it is a two way street. Make it work for you and others in your network by “giving” first and then thinking about “receiving”. Happy Networking!
- Mariam Noronha
Please Note: Chillibreeze does not endorse techniques or views mentioned in the articles here. The articles listed here are provided as reference material for writers as a support service.
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