I have a confession to make: I’m the rare soul who actually…don’t judge me too harshly…likes networking. Don’t get me wrong—my enjoyment of networking events varies by the situation. I can talk to almost anyone for five to fifteen minutes, but if the conversation is less of a pleasant exchange … [Read more...]
Band of Editors: The Value of Small Groups
Professional groups are great resources for networking, problem-solving, and more. I love the Editors Association of Earth and the related subgroups. The ability to ask literally thousands of editors how they would fix a sentence or respond to an author is mind-blowing, frankly, if you think how … [Read more...]
Make the Most Out of Speaking Engagements
Conference season is starting. Are you speaking at one? Whether you’re speaking to your colleagues or to potential clients, speaking at a conference is a great way to build your brand. It makes you visible to attendees and to everyone they talk to about it both online and in person. I have had … [Read more...]
Evaluate Your Networking Efforts
Yay, someone recommended you for an editing assignment! This word of mouth is the most common way that editors get work, whether freelance or as a new employee. Well, that’s true of any professional, really. It’s what networking and making a name for yourself is all about. What have you learned … [Read more...]
More than a Handshake: In-Person Networking Etiquette
Conferences of all kinds provide opportunities for meeting new colleagues and potential clients. But many copyeditors aren’t used to networking in person. We often enjoy connecting with our online friends and feel comfortable doing so, but we might struggle when it comes to meeting people who are … [Read more...]
Networking for Introverts: 9 Tips to Use at Your Next Event
ACES 2017 is this week, and it’s time for me to hop on a flight, pick up my name tag, and bravely enter the World of Networking yet again. As a freelance editor, networking is a necessary evil. For me, ACES is the fun kind of networking (it's a word-nerd shindig!), but it's still a great place to … [Read more...]
Honing Your Elevator Speech
An elevator speech is a roughly 30-second introduction of who you are and what you do (the length of a brief elevator ride). Explaining what you do succinctly is sometimes a real challenge, even for those of us who work with words. Live networking is still important for professionals, editors … [Read more...]
How to Hand Out Business Cards
Actually palming that business card to someone can be nerve wracking. How do you look smooth? How do you make it not pushy? How do you remember to hand them out? You put a lot of thought into that business card, and exchanging cards remains an important cultural practice. Many people consider … [Read more...]