Armchair BEA: Networking…In Real Life?!
Jun 06
Design credit goes to Nina of Nina Reads
Today’s topic for Armchair BEA is “real life” bookish networking, whether it be community partnerships, book signings or a book blogger meet and greet.
I will be the first to admit that I’m not the world’s greatest networker when it comes to book blogging. I have no partnerships with booksellers in the community – I didn’t even really know that was a possibility…. I don’t own a library card and haven’t yet visited my local library. (Of which I’m deeply ashamed since it’s only two blocks from where I live.) I’ve been to fewer than a handful of signings – and none since last year’s Armchair event – and I’ve only met one blogger in real life. (Hey Jaime!)
I had planned to attend BEA this year, but that didn’t quite work out. And I am planning on attending ALA in Anaheim in a few weeks, where I hope to meet quite a few of my fellow bloggers, but my attendance to that event is not a guarantee either.
I have many excuses (some which are quite legitimate) for not being active in my local bookish community – lack of transportation, lack of time, lack of local book blogger friends. But the reality is I am a terrible networker. I don’t like to “sell” myself or anything else for that matter. I never have. I passed up a career I was pursuing for that very reason.
So, believe it or not, I’m much happier when curled up in my armchair reading my Kindle than I am talking about myself and trying to promote my blog. And the idea of trying to do that in the real world is not something I’m overly comfortable with.
So while I loved the signings and events I have attended, I could still never imagine trying to promote myself at any of them. No matter how many tips and tricks I may know about networking. And while at one signing I may have mentioned that I was Fiktshun, at all the rest I didn’t.
Yep. So creating this post has been more than tough since I have no real life book blog networking experiences to share.
So… I thought I’d share some of my non-book blog networking tips I’ve learned over the years that I think will apply equally well to bloggers.
When networking…
DO be professional. If you are representing yourself as a reviewer and blogger, make sure to act as you’d like to be perceived by others in the community.
DON’T be pushy. Offer up your details, offer to leave a card. But don’t interrupt. Make sure the time is right to introduce yourself. (Ladies room meet-and-greets are always awkward.)
DO the research. If you are going to an event, gather the info about the authors or publishers you may be meeting. If you want someone to know who you are, be sure to know who they are first. Go armed with knowledge.
DON’T make it all about you or what you want. Networking is about mutual relationships. They’re not one-way streets.
DO understand your audience. Nothing is worse than making others feel uncomfortable. While sharing overly personal stories can help to forge a bond, they can also be TMI. Find the right balance.
DON’T cop a ‘tude. Whether you feel you’re being left out of the conversation, ignored or otherwise not treated equally, don’t let it show. People will remember the sullen, unfriendly person who grumbled about things not being fair.
DO take a risk. If you’re at an event or signing, introduce yourself. While you or your blog may not be recognized, if you continue to make those connections – in real life or online – your name will start to stick.
And DO let the conversation dictate your approach. It won’t always be the right time to promote yourself or your blog. Be sure to listen. If there’s an appropriate opening, take it. If not, let it go. There will be other events or other chances to introduce yourself. An after event tweet or email saying it was great to meet someone is more effective than forcing an introduction at an inappropriate time.
Anyway…
That’s all I’ve got off the top of my head at this late hour. Common sense stuff, I suppose. But you’d be surprised at the number of people in the business world who treat networking as their own personal platform.
And since I should probably share something bookish, even though it isn’t networking-related, I have to say my favorite signing was the Lisa McMann and Katie Alender signing at the local Barnes & Noble back in early 2011 with surprise guest Kami Garcia. Lisa McMann was a riot and Katie Alender was awesome! And it was the very first signing I went to after I started blogging. So it will be forever memorable.
See? It was a LOT of fun! I just wish I was a better photog….
This rocks
Though…I think I have to take ONE of those tips REALLY into consideration…since I think I’m not following T_T
Oh noes…
hehehe I always laugh at the irony that is you and your library
hehehe and here I am asking the reapers “WHY!!!!!!!?????????!”
Thanks, as always, for the tips…I can’t believe that even at this hour you sound more sane that I do at waking hours :/
You’ll see what I say about taking that ONE tip into consideration if you read my post for today hehehe
here-> http://bookpics-reading2alba.blogspot.com/2012/06/armchair-bea-lets-talk-networking.html
I’m not a good networker either. I am shy and do not have an easy time approaching others. However, after the awkward phases is over, I become quite comfortable and can enjoy myself. It’s the other people that help that happen though.
You are definitely NOT the only one with this problem. I completely skipped today’s post, because even though my blog is almost 2 years old, I haven’t been able to go to a single signing in the time (mostly due to geography – I live in the middle of NOWHERE!) Even if I did go, I feel like I’d have a hard time promoting myself and my blog.
But you know what? Those tips you shared aren’t just for networking! I know people who could definitely benefit from most of those in a normal conversation! I think it’s great that we can share such things in our community.
I’m so glad to hear that! I’m not particularly shy, except with introductions. But I still don’t like the focus on me or pushing my agenda in a conversation. I much prefer finding out about others. Not the greatest trait for someone who wants a successful blog, but oh well. I’m happy doing what I do most of the time.
And I suppose that’s true. I like studying behaviors and there are people who like the focus on them, who don’t realize that conversation means that two or more people are conversing. Otherwise it’s a speech.
I think it’s great too. I love this community most of the time!
Wonderful tips! I don’t really market my blog in the “real world” either. I think blogging sometimes still has this stigma about it and I’ve experienced that look that people give you when you mention you have a blog.
My memorable signing involves Kami too
I think this is excellent advice. People who love books are often slightly or more than slightly introverted. We have to work harder and be more deliberate about networking. But it is important and the effort pays off.
Awesome post! I like that you incorporated some do’s and don’t's <– is that a word? Thanks for those! Since I'm attending BEA for only tomorrow I needed a refresher! My favorite: "DO take a risk." I have issues with doing that. So I'll be make an effort to do that tomorrow! I'll be thrusting my business cards at everyone!!!
Here are my posts so far for Armchair BEA:
Day 1 | Introduction
Day 2 | Best of 2012
Day 2 | Giveaway | Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
Day 3 | Networking
What great advice, Rachel! Though, I’m the same as you. I don’t think I could ever “sell” myself or my blog to anyone. I have a hard time just opening my mouth in front of people I don’t know because I’m always worried to say something wrong or inappropriate. I wish, oh I wish, I knew any bloggers in my area because even though I’m extremely shy, I would love to meet other bloggers in person. I really wish book conventions/signings weren’t always so far away. *sigh* Anyway! Great advice which you can definitely apply to the blogging world!
Rachel this is a beautiful post!!
The tips are awesome 
Enjoy aBEA! And hope to see you at the Twitter party!! 
Get a library card! I get so many of my books from the library I can’t even imagine not having a library card. Love my library.
Great tips! Common sense is not as common as one would think
Thank you for all those tips! Really helpful all those bloggers out there! I could learn from these. Thanks again.
Happy Day Three of ArmchairBEA to you!
My entry to the ArmchairBEA topic networking
Great list of tips! Thanks for posting it for us non-networking types.
I’m terrible at networking too. I have to force myself to do it! Thanks for a great post.
Great post and hey
Great advice for others.
I totally agree about the “selling yourself” aspect of networking. I suck at that as well.
The Flashlight Reader
Such great advice about networking and its great to curl up with a book too. But meeting other book lovers is just as fun too.
I’m not big on “selling myself” either (ew, that sounds all hooker-ish). I DO like meeting people that share my interests, just so I have someone to talk to. So in that sense, I get excited about meeting other bloggers and authors.
But marketing…nah. If they like me, hopefully they’ll come visit me. If they don’t like me, I really don’t want them lurking around telling me they don’t like me.
Here’s my Armchair BEA Networking Post!!
I love all your tips! And they apply for so much more than blogging, very professional.
I could never “sell” myself if I was a blogger. I have a hard time as it is with my real life things where I HAVE to. Ah the perks of being shy…. #sarcasm
I really wish that I lived near some other bloggers, but I don’t. There aren’t many events in my area either. Also I have a toddler, my hubs works long hours, and I am out of work, so it’s not really easy for me to get out and go to events if there are any. I really would love to meet more bloggers and authors though and I am hoping to get to an awesome event like ALA or BEA next year.
Great tips.
Even if some are common sense, I still think it’s really helpful to have them compiled like that…plus, it’s always surprising how many people there are who have no common sense or choose to ignore it. 
lol
Also, I’m not a very good networker either, so don’t feel bad.
Ambur
My Armchair BEA Networking Post