Networking for Writers

In my early career, I thought networking was all about building as many connections as possible. But I quickly learned that effective networking isn't about the quantity of your connections—it's about the quality. Throughout my career, the connections that have truly made a difference weren’t the ones where I just asked for help—they were the ones where I made it easy for others to want to help me. If you want to make others genuinely want to help you, it’s crucial to move beyond simply asking for favors. Instead, focus on creating value and building relationships where both parties benefit. So, how can you do the same? Here are four tactical tips to help you network effectively: ✅ Do Your Homework Before reaching out, research the person or company you’re interested in. Understand their work, challenges, and how you can add value. For instance, instead of asking a connection for job leads, do your own research first. Identify specific roles and companies you’re targeting, and then ask if they can help with an introduction. This approach shows initiative and respect for their time. ✅ Be Specific in Your Ask Whether you’re asking for an introduction, advice, or a referral, be clear and concise about what you need. For example, instead of asking, “Do you know anyone hiring?” say, “I noticed [Company Name] is looking for a [Role]. Would you be open to introducing me to [Person]? I’m happy to send you my resume and a brief write-up you can pass along, too.” This shows that you’ve taken the initiative and makes it easier for your contact to say yes. ✅ Offer Mutual Value When requesting a meeting or advice, frame it as a two-way conversation. Instead of saying, “Can I pick your brain?” try something like, “I’d love to exchange ideas on [specific topic] and share some strategies that have worked for me.” This not only makes your request more compelling but also positions you as someone who brings value to the table. ✅ Follow Up with Gratitude After someone has helped you, don’t just say thank you and disappear. Keep them in the loop on how their help made an impact. Whether you got the job, secured the meeting, or just had a great conversation, let them know. This closes the loop and makes them more inclined to help you in the future. Your network is one of your greatest assets—nurture it well, and it will be there for you when you need it most. What’s one networking tip that’s helped you build stronger connections? *** 📧 Want more tips like these? Join Career Bites - free weekly bite-sized tips to supercharge your career in 3 minutes or less: lorraineklee.com/subscribe 📖 You can also get behind-the-scenes stories, updates, and special gifts for my upcoming book Unforgettable Presence: lorraineklee.com/book

You can't solve today's career pivot with yesterday's networking habits. Most professionals think reinvention means starting from scratch with their network. You want to become a novelist, but your connections are all in tech. You're pivoting to consulting, but you only know people in academia. You're moving into nonprofits, but your rolodex is full of investment bankers. So you do what everyone does: cold email strangers in your target industry. Ask for informational interviews. Try to prove you're worth listening to. But here's the reframe. You don't have the wrong network. You're just not using it the best way you can. Your tech friends? One of them went to college with a literary agent. Your academic colleagues? Someone's spouse runs a consulting firm. Your finance contacts? They sit on nonprofit boards and know every executive director in town. The connections you need already exist in your network. Just not in the obvious places. But there's a bigger strategic shift most people miss. Stop chasing people. Start attracting them. When you're constantly reaching out, asking for coffee chats, requesting time from strangers, you're positioned as the outsider who needs favors. When you share your expertise publicly - through writing, speaking, or thought leadership - the right people come to you. They come to you as someone worth learning from. I've seen this work repeatedly: A friend's wife went to college with a well-known independent filmmaker. A television newscaster met at a weekend writing workshop two decades ago. The high-value connections rarely come from obvious industry networking. The shift isn't "I need different connections." It's "I need a different connection strategy." Here's what actually works: Get specific about who you want to meet. Not "people in publishing" but "agents who represent business book authors." Ask your existing network for introductions - without a transactional agenda. People know surprising people. Your job is to find out who. Share your expertise at scale to reverse the dynamic. Write for respected publications. Speak at conferences (even for free at first). Make it easy for the right people to discover you. This is how you stop proving yourself to strangers and start building momentum. The career pivot gets infinitely easier when you realize your existing network isn't the problem. Your strategy is. ♻️ Save this and share it with someone who needs to stop chasing and start attracting. ➕ Follow Dorie Clark for more on how to use your network more effectively.

A Strong LinkedIn Network Does 3 Things for You: Opens Doors, Creates Opportunities, and Builds Influence. But here’s the catch: It only works if you build it right. If you’re just adding connections and calling it networking, you’re missing the real power of LinkedIn. Here’s how to grow your network strategically so it actually works for you: 1️⃣ Connect with the Right People (Not Just Anyone) Send requests to people in your industry, target companies, and thought leaders. Personalize your invites! A simple "Hi, let’s connect" won’t cut it. Mention a shared interest, an article they wrote, or a mutual connection. Quality beats quantity. A small, engaged network is more powerful than thousands of silent connections. 2️⃣ Engage to Be Seen Comment on 3-5 posts daily—but make it meaningful (not just "Great post!"). Ask questions, add insights, and share your take. Engagement = Visibility. When people see you adding value, they remember your name. 3️⃣ Post Content That Starts Conversations Share industry insights, job search tips, or personal career lessons. Don’t be afraid to have an opinion. Safe content doesn’t stand out. Show your expertise AND personality—people connect with people, not robots. 4️⃣ Give Before You Ask Support others before asking for referrals or help. Celebrate wins, share job leads, and be a resource. The more value you give, the more opportunities come back to you. 5️⃣ Stay Consistent You can’t show up once a month and expect results. A strong network is built daily—one comment, one post, one connection at a time. A well-built LinkedIn network doesn’t just help you get hired—it builds your reputation, opens doors you didn’t even know existed, and positions you for long-term success. How do you approach LinkedIn networking? Drop your best tip in the comments! Follow me, Samichi Saluja, for job search strategies, networking tips, and career insights that actually work. #LinkedInNetworking #CareerGrowth #Opportunities #BuildYourBrand #Networking

Networking is the most important career insurance you can build. A HUGE % of roles are never advertised; they're filled through someone's network before the job ad even goes up. A hiring manager rings someone they trust and says, "Do you know anyone?" If you're not in that conversation, you don't exist for that role. In my Bold Moves Accelerator program, I teach a framework called NET aka cast your net intentionally. N. Name your people. I ask my clients to create 3 lists. Hot, warm, cold. Hot are your ten strongest relationships, people who'd take your call today. Warm is past colleagues that you don't have deep relationships with, light connections, people you did good work with once and let go quiet. Cold is aspirational. People you don't know yet but want to, think hiring managers at companies you want to work for. Most people think about the hot list only when they want something, never re-engage with the warm and have no clue how to start reaching out to cold. E. Engage with value. No asking for anything yet. Comment on their work. Send a thoughtful message. Offer something before you need something. T. Turn relationships into opportunities. Not "do you have a job for me?" Instead, "this is what I'm building toward." Let people know what you're aiming at, so you're at the front of their mind when something opens up. I watched a woman in the program, let's call her Sally, run this exactly. She mapped her three lists. Sent a handful of intentional, no-ask messages to her warm list. One reply led to an introduction. A former colleague connected her straight to the head of talent at a company she hadn't even applied to. Two weeks later, she was in the interview. That's not luck. That's what happens when you build relationships and leverage your network. This week, write your hot, warm and cold list. Five to ten names each. Send a message or drop them a text if they are on your hot/warm list, and if they are people you don't know yet. Send them a customised connection request. Who's the first name on your list? If you found this helpful, follow me for more career advice ☺️

We’ve all heard it before — “Networking is key.” But let’s be real — what does that actually mean? Is it about handing out business cards? Attending awkward events? Or sending cold LinkedIn messages that go nowhere? Nope. That’s transactional networking — and it’s why so many people hate it. The truth is: networking isn’t about who you know. It’s about who knows you — and trusts you. So what is effective networking? It’s not about collecting contacts — it’s about building credibility and reciprocity. Every conversation you have is a chance to: - Be known for your unique perspective or expertise - Build a reputation for being helpful and resourceful - Create trust long before you ever “need” something That’s how opportunities find you — jobs, clients, collaborations, mentors. The 3 Types of Networking You Actually Need If you’re serious about your career, you need all three: 1️⃣ Peer Networking — people at your level who understand your challenges. They’re your sounding board and emotional support. 2️⃣ Mentor Networking — people a few steps ahead who can guide you. They help you avoid mistakes and accelerate your growth. 3️⃣ Reverse Networking — people you can help. Because giving advice, mentoring others, and opening doors doesn’t just help them — it strengthens your brand as a leader. When you show up in all three directions, your network becomes your ecosystem — not your contact list. What if you’re an introvert? Networking doesn’t have to mean being the loudest in the room. Start by being curious, not charismatic. Ask thoughtful questions. Follow up with gratitude. You’ll stand out because most people never do. And if big events feel draining? Build depth instead of breadth. One genuine connection is worth ten shallow ones. * When I first started my career, even as an extrovert, I used to feel awkward “selling myself.” So I stopped trying — and started listening instead. The moment I shifted from “What can I get?” to “What can I learn or give?”, doors opened I didn’t even know existed. That’s how I landed new opportunities, mentors, and eventually the confidence to build my own business. The truth is, networking isn’t optional. It’s a long game — built on generosity, curiosity, and follow-through. If you’re ready to make networking feel natural, I’ve got something for you — The Ctrl Alt Career Coffee Chat Guide — a simple guide to help you start meaningful conversations and build genuine connections. DM me, “COFFEE CHAT” and I’ll send it straight to you.

Authors: Turn Your Chapters Into LinkedIn Lessons. Here’s How. 1. Take readers behind the curtain 🎭 ↳ Share your writing process, research adventures, and creative challenges. ↳ People love authentic stories about the journey. Share the messy first drafts, the late-night inspiration, and the "aha" moments that shaped your book. 2. Transform chapters into micro-content ✍️ ↳ Break your book's key ideas into bite-sized LinkedIn posts. ↳ Share compelling quotes, thought-provoking questions, or unexpected insights. ↳ Each post should stand alone while making readers curious about the full story. 3. Host topic-centered discussions 💭 ↳ Start conversations around themes from your book. ↳ Instead of promoting, ask questions that showcase your expertise naturally. ↳ When readers engage with your ideas, they're more likely to trust your work. 4. Write LinkedIn articles that complement your book 📚 ↳ Use LinkedIn's publishing platform to explore topics you couldn't fit in your book. ↳ These articles establish you as a thought leader and create a content bridge to your published work. 5. Connect with industry peers authentically 🤝 ↳ Engage with other authors, publishers, and literary professionals. ↳ Comment thoughtfully on their posts, share industry insights, and build relationships. ↳ A strong network amplifies your reach organically. Remember: LinkedIn isn't just another marketing channel – it's a platform for meaningful professional connections. ↳ Share your expertise generously, and the book promotions will feel natural. What's your favorite way to connect with readers online? Share in the comments!

I've watched hundreds of talented writers try to break in. Surprisingly, the difference between those who break in and those who don't often isn't talent or work ethic, but friendships. A small group of peer writer friends is absolutely essential. Here's why you need one: 🧵⤵️ A lot of emerging writers focus on "networking up" with showrunners, execs, and directors. That can help, but peer relationships are even more important. The most successful writers I know had a small group of 2-5 peer writers they connected with early in their careers. These don’t have to be formal "writers groups" (though they can be). The key element is friendships with other serious writers at a similar career stage who became sounding boards, first readers, and eventually, career allies. The key is to find a handful of folks at roughly your experience level. People you can chat with about writing theory, business struggles, and life stuff. And folks who will read your drafts in exchange for you reading theirs. A common question I get: what is the best website for paid script feedback? I’m sure there are a handful of good ones out there, but by and large the best feedback is going to come from peers who read your time and again over the course of years. And, of course, these relationships are completely FREE. Your peers will know your voice, follow your evolution as a writer, and care about your success in ways no paid service ever will. Forming these friendships can be hard! Imposter syndrome whispers: "Who am I to ask for their time?" or "What if they think my writing is terrible?" This fear keeps too many writers isolated, and isolation rarely leads to success in this business. Next week I'll share a thread specifically on where you can find fellow writers and how to approach them. This isn't about "networking" in the traditional sense. It's about finding your people - the ones who get why a scene isn't working, who celebrate your wins no matter how small, and who understand the unique torture and joy of the writing life. Your “wolfpack” can be the difference between giving up after your 10th rejection and persisting until you get your break. Between feeling like an impostor and feeling like you belong. Between working in isolation and growing within a community. Don't wait for the "perfect" writing partners or a formal invitation to a group. Be brave. Reach out. Offer to read someone's work. Share yours. The vulnerability is worth it, I promise. What's your experience been with writing friends or groups? Have they helped your career? What's holding you back from finding your wolfpack? Sound off below! Want more strategies for breaking into Film and TV writing? Check out my free ebooks - link in bio!

“Networking is awkward.” You know what’s more awkward? Graduating in May 2025 and applying to 127 jobs with… zero callbacks. Let’s fix that with networking ideas no one’s talking about. and I mean actionable.. 1. “Reverse Research” Your Way Into a Conversation Instead of asking people what they do, show them what you know about what they’ve done. How to do it: Find someone on LinkedIn in your target company/role Read their posts, podcasts, or panels they’ve been on Then send this message: “Hi [Name], I came across your [talk/article/post] on [topic]—your point about [insight] made me think differently. I’m researching [industry], and would love to hear your take on [specific follow-up]. Would it be okay to connect?” That’s conversation built on respect. 2. Book Club for Industry Geeks Start a virtual book or podcast club for your industry. Invite professionals to speak at the end of each cycle. How to do it: Pick 3 peers + 1 book or podcast Create a simple calendar (4 weeks = 4 touchpoints) End with a “Wrap-Up” Zoom chat—invite a guest Post your takeaways on LinkedIn and tag them Because learning together? Is the strongest way to network. 3. Write A “Public Thank You” Post on LinkedIn You probably learned something cool from someone recently. Now imagine you posted it publicly, gave them a shoutout, and showed how you applied it. How to do it: Tag the person Share what they taught you Share what you did next Ask your network, “What’s something YOU learned from someone this month?” You just gave free visibility, created a loop, and 10 people will want to talk to you after. 4. Turn Informational Chats into Co-Creation Networking chats often stop at “thanks for the time.” What if it didn’t? What to do: After the call, send a note: “Hey [Name], based on our chat about [topic], I drafted a small idea to build on your advice. Would love your thoughts!” Create a graphic, short write-up, or project plan (just 1 page!) Now you’re not just a student. You’re someone they collaborated with. That’s relationship-building, not just networking. 5. The 5-5-5 Strategy Most people get stuck on who to reach out to. Here’s a weekly formula: 5 People You Admire (Founders, creatives) 5 People From Your School Network (Alums, professors, guest speakers) 5 Peers Who Are Also Job Hunting (Build a support circle, swap leads) Message all 15. Repeat weekly. That’s 156 conversations in 3 months. You don’t “find” jobs—you build the path to them. Reminder: Networking isn’t about who has the fanciest title. It’s about who remembers you when an opportunity comes up. Be the person who listened, learned, shared, and followed up. If you’re reading this and job searching— try one new method this week. Not next month. Not when it feels “less scary.” Now. You’re not late. #May2025Grads #NetworkingTips #CreativeCareerMoves #JobSearchStrategy #InternationalStudents #GradJobHunt #BeyondTheResume #HumanConnection #Topmate

𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞: 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 "𝐈𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫" 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Networking is more than exchanging business cards. It’s about building meaningful connections that can enhance your "It Factor." Purposeful networking strengthens your presence by creating a supportive network of like-minded professionals. They can offer opportunities, insights, and encouragement. These connections enhance your visibility, credibility, and influence. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤: 𝐃𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬: Set Clear Objectives: Identify your networking goals. They could include finding mentors, gaining industry insights, or discovering new opportunities. Find the Right People: Connect with individuals who align with your goals and values. 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Be Active: Take part in conferences, seminars, and workshops. Engage in events to meet key players and stay updated on industry trends. Follow-Up: Reinforce connections after events by following up and exploring potential collaborations. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐌𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚: Optimize Your Profile: Ensure that your LinkedIn profile is up to date and reflects your personal brand and achievements. Engage Online: Join relevant groups, take part in discussions, and share valuable content. This helps you to establish your presence and connect with peers. 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬: Be Authentic: Approach networking with genuine interest and authenticity. Focus on long-term relationships rather than transactional interactions. Offer Value: Support, share knowledge, and assist your connections. Reciprocity strengthens relationships. 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭: Stay in Touch: Keep in touch with your network through periodic check-ins. Share interesting articles or catch up over coffee. Nurture Relationships: Show appreciation and acknowledge milestones to nurture relationships. 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐬: Find Guides: Identify experienced professionals who can provide guidance and support your growth. Be Open to Learning: Approach mentorship with a willingness to learn from others' experiences. 𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐳𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Get Involved: Join professional associations to expand your network. This is how you can access valuable resources and opportunities. Take on Roles: Volunteer for leadership roles or committees. This increases your visibility and demonstrates your commitment to your industry. 𝐏𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡, 𝐞𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 "𝐈𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐫."

Networking changed my career for the better! I haven’t always been the best at keeping relationships, especially after leaving a role. However, I’ve been networking within my industry for the past several years, and it has changed everything. First, I began to attend events in my field. I joined the Professional Association of Résumé Writers and Career Coaches to continue learning more about resume writing and career coaching. Over time, I began to get to know my fellow peers. I started to reach out and respond to those who contacted me. Sometimes, we messaged on LinkedIn and that was it. Other times, I had Zoom calls. And in a special case, I set up bi-weekly Happy Hours to talk business and share ideas. So why network? - Insights and Knowledge: Interacting with professionals in your field can provide a wealth of knowledge and different perspectives. I’ve learned so much from Denise Bitler, MRW, CPRW, CDBS, CICNC, CIC, Mark Misiano, MBA, CPRW, CDCS, and John Suarez, MBA, CPRW. - Mentorship: Networking can connect you with potential mentors who can guide your career development. Angie M. Callen, CPRW, CPCC became a friend and mentor. We discuss business strategy and how to bring more value to my clients. I’ve evolved countless times since meeting Angie. - Career Opportunities: Often, new job prospects come from within your network. It’s about being in the right place with the right connections. Because I was vocal during webinars, Margaret Phares asked me to lead a webinar series for PARWCC. From there, I later landed a role on the leadership team, developing and administering the CPRW (a resume writing exam). How can you network effectively? - Be Genuine: Authenticity in networking creates meaningful connections. Don’t wait to be laid off from your role. Make connections constantly. - Attend Professional Events: Conferences, seminars, and industry meet-ups are great places to meet like-minded professionals. - Engage in Online Forums: Platforms like LinkedIn groups, industry-specific forums, and virtual webinars offer global connections. - Offer Value: Networking is a two-way street. Think about how you can help others as well. Let’s discuss: How has networking influenced your career? Do you have any tips for effective networking? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below! 💬 #professionalnetworking #careerdevelopment #careergrowth #networkingtips