Down to Business
November 27, 2007There is a musical meme specifically for writers that is going around the blogosphere. I did mine on my other blog and tagged 5 people as the meme suggested. I got a couple of people to do them so far. It’s only been up for a day now and that’s a good return, 2 responses out of 5.
While memes can be a pain (I don’t usually do them) it is not good sense to write on your blog how you got this meme from so-and-so and you don’t want to share these things. That you don’t want to play. There are other ways to handle the situation.
Writing is a business. It involves networking. I have run a successful business (still do) so I’ve been around the block when it comes to that area.
The stupidest thing a writer (or any business person) can do is burn a bridge. We need every single contact we have to help us sell our product. Every single one of them.
I know a girl who got a book deal, yes, a fucking 4 book deal by bailing a friend out of jail. This friend was an old one from high school, they hadn’t spoken in years. My bleeding heart struggling writer friend was the jailbird’s last resort. My friend also gave the jailbird (JB) a place to stay while she got back on her feet. While up talking one night, my friend tells JB that she is working on a book and pitches it to her.
Turns out JB had a friend in the publishing business and she called that friend. Voila, a foot in the door. The first of the four books is now in print, the second at the publisher and ready to go, and my buddy is typing up the third one as I write this post.
I have a friend in England whom I visit regularly. Been doing that for years. Recently we both joined Facebook. I never thought she had any “movie” friends, I’ve been knowing her long enough to call her my sister. She does. In fact, she was once an au pair to a kid who grew up to be an actor. He has been in several movies and has a deal on the table in which he will direct and act in a film he wrote. Who would have thought??? And this dude is on her Facebook friend page. Since she has been telling me about him for years and him about me for years. She plans to “introduce” us, finally.
See? Bridges. Anyone can be The One to help you break into whatever it is you want to do with your “business.” Even someone you bailed out of jail.
Posted By: KillerDollie
That’s a darn good advice, KD. I’ll try to follow your example. But, you know… I’m thinking… some times, it’s not only up to you. I mean, both parts have to try not to burn a bridge. When the one part is trying to set the bridge on fire and only the other part is trying to put the fire out, then it usualy does not work. But, still, it’s one good advice. Thank you.
You can’t control all the fires, but it is just good sense not to start any of your own.
Never underestimate the power of networking. It’s the most important tool in the box.