Networking for Authors E-Book

Dale L. Roberts

• Herausgeber: One Jacked Monkey, LLC
• Kategorie: Geisteswissenschaft
• Serie: Self-Publishing with Dale
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 140

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2024

Beschreibung

You’re ready to build your author career…
…but how do you expand your network?
What’s the secret to forging lasting industry connections?

In Networking for Authors: Strategies to Supercharge Your Writing Career, Dale L. Roberts delivers a practical guide to mastering networking. Discover step-by-step strategies to connect authentically with industry professionals and elevate your author brand.

Inside, you’ll find:
- Proven methods for effective networking
- Tips for a compelling author bio and online presence
- Confidence-boosting advice for introverts
- Strategies for making the most of conferences and events
- Insights on leveraging social media and virtual platforms
- Techniques for using email, podcasts, and videos to enhance your reach

Ready to expand your reach and supercharge your writing career?

Get it now!

Leseprobe

“Networking for Authors is a thoughtful guide not only explaining how to network, but why authors should want to network … Dale’s model follows the example he sets in his day-to-day life: be a great person, connect great people, and help make great things happen.”

— Jeanne De Vita, Founder of Book Genie

“There are few people I know who could take a word like “networking” which for many writers, is loaded with anxiety and negative emotions, and leverage it in the same positive way that Dale L. Roberts constantly forges valuable, up-beat, and win-win relationships with colleagues.”

— Mark Leslie Lefebvre, Author of A BOOK IN HAND & WIDE FOR THE WIN

“Dale’s unique approach to networking focuses not on ‘what’s in it for me’ but rather ‘what’s in it for both of us,’ which encourages forming genuine, personal connections rather than transactional ones.”

— Matty Dalrymple, The Indy Author, Author of From Page to Platform: How to Succeed as an Author Speaker

“Whether you’re an introvert or seasoned connector, Dale’s proven techniques will show you how to build a strong network, foster long-lasting relationships, and supercharge your writing career.”

— April M Cox, Award-Winning Author, YouTuber and Creator of Self-Publishing Made Simple

“This is the complete guide you need to build strong bridges, nurture deep connections, and grow your author brand. Dale L. Roberts is an expert connector who will show you the way.”

— Hannah Jacobson, Founder of Book Award Pro

“Dale is a networking MASTER. … Networking for Authors breaks down his methods, providing a blueprint for any author to build a supportive and impactful network.”

— Shanon “S.D.” Huston, Author & YouTuber

“Far beyond a ‘how-to’ book, Roberts masterfully describes the joy of making meaningful, lasting connections with like-minded people.”

— Jim Azevedo, Head of Marketing, Draft2Digital

“Whenever I need to connect with someone in the publishing world, Dale Roberts is my first call. His networking savvy has opened countless doors for me and others, and now you can have his entire playbook in your pocket—an absolute must-have for authors.”

— Julie Broad, Founder of Book Launchers

“Dale is one of the best in the world at helping authors navigate the overwhelming world of publishing. … by following the strategies laid out in this book, I now have a clear action plan for success.”

— Justin Moore, Author of Sponsor Magnet

“Networking for Authors offers invaluable insight into the power of relationships in the writing world. Dale’s approach highlights how meaningful relationships can be a game-changer for self-published authors. … A must-read for anyone looking to grow their self-publishing business!”

— Nuria Corbi, Award-Winning Author & Host of The Home Boss

“Dale brings the receipts. He’s got tons of personal stories to illustrate how you can take networking beyond mere business transactions. His approach emphasizes genuine relationship-building, turning networking from a chore into an opportunity for friendship.”

— Evan Gow, Indie Developer of StoryOrigin

“Roberts’s gift for writing and knack for crafting palpable passages is encapsulated in lines like, ‘While the rising tide raises all boats, your boat has to be in the same harbor as the others.’ There is so much to learn and take away from this book!”

— Steven Seril, Founder & President of Outstanding Creator Awards

“Dale Roberts is literally one of the most splendid surprises in my professional career. He is the synthesis of “blossoming and leaning into it” that all at once amuses, amazes and authenticates what diligence can do.”

— Dr. Rod Bailey, Dale’s former boss & networking mentor

“Dale’s commitment to uplifting and supporting others in their creative journey is on full display in this book; it’s an asset to everyone lucky enough to come across it.”

— Chelsea Bennett, Education & Community Manager at Lulu

“Dale shares his years of personal experience to effectively illustrate his points and his casual writing style makes this a fun and entertaining read.”

— Self Pub with Andy, Author & YouTuber

“Networking isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have’; it’s really about finding those people who get you—people who help turn your dreams into plans and your plans into action. … You never know when a casual chat will turn into a game-changing opportunity.”

— Kathleen Sweeney, COO of Book Brush

“Networking for Authors is an absolute must for any writer looking to take their career to the next level. … Dale’s strategies have been a game-changer for me, both professionally and personally.”

— Jonny Andrews, Book Marketing Expert & Online Business Strategist

“Among the keenest and kindest people I’ve met in my two decades in the publishing industry, Dale has an incredible knack for not only connecting with people, but in connecting people with one another. … he’s someone who really cares about seeing others succeed and encourages them along the way.”

— Jason Jones, Publicist at Jones Literary

“Dale is a powerhouse in the networking space. His ability to make new connections and link others is unmatched. When it comes to networking, there is no one better to take your networking game to the next level.”

— Marco Moutinho, Founder & CEO of Dibbly

Networking for Authors: Strategies to Supercharge Your Writing Career

By Dale L. Roberts

©2024 One Jacked Monkey, LLC

eBook ISBN: 978-1-63925-045-5

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-63925-046-2

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-63925-047-9

Audiobook ISBN: 978-1-63925-048-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the copyright owner, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

Some recommended links in this book are part of affiliate programs. This means if you purchase a product through one of the links, then I get a portion of each sale. It doesn’t affect your cost and helps support the cause. If you have any reservations about purchasing a product through my affiliate link, then Google a direct link and bypass the affiliate link.

I dedicate this book to Dr. Rod Bailey, the man who instilled in me the power of networking and building meaningful, long-lasting relationships in all walks of life. I’m forever grateful for the time we spent together.

Contents

An Introduction to Networking

Chapter 1: Understanding Your Networking Goals

Chapter 2: Building an Author Brand

Chapter 3: Offline Networking Strategies

Chapter 4: Online Networking Strategies

Chapter 5: Effective Communication and Relationship Building

Chapter 6: Leveraging Technology for Networking

Chapter 7: Overcoming Networking Challenges

Chapter 8: Networking for Book Marketing and Promotion

Conclusion: Networking for Long-Term Success

A Small Ask…

About the Author

Special Thanks

Resources

An Introduction to Networking

I’m an introvert. Comfort means staying home and doing whatever it takes to avoid actual human interaction. I totally understand that a lot of authors think like I do, so why is it I’m able to consistently connect with other authors and business professionals? What would drive me to meet new people when I have everything I could ever want?

Networking.

It may be a confusing answer for those of you doing the math, but networking is so much more than building and fostering connections. It’s truly about locking arms with like-minded, goal-driven maniacs travelling the same path as you.

This adage applies to businessand life:

Two heads are better than one.

You work at a disadvantage when you work alone. If you’re anything like me—an indie author—then chances are you already wear too many hats. By isolating yourself, you’re willingly accepting the stress and workload that an entire team oversees at a traditional publishing company.

Imagine if you didn’t have to struggle like that anymore. What if you could build a team of folks perfect for your every need?

That’s the purpose of building a network.

When thinking about topics for this book, I truly didn’t know what I’d write about. I had six nonfiction books simmering on the back burner, ready for release. I felt like my creative well had run dry, and I was completely puzzled about what to do next.

I contacted an old friend, Kathleen Sweeney, from a small graphic design company called Book Brush. Little did I know that she’d provide the inspiration behind this book.

I met Kathleen five years ago when she cold prospected me about her company. Admittedly, I wasn’t the least bit interested in what she offered; I get dozens of offers to promote products and services. I usually find products and services I support through research or through word-of-mouth.

There was something different about how Kathleen approached me. It wasn’t the same old tired text of:

I love your channel. It’s my favorite. The episode where you talked about keywords was great. I’ve got a product you should….

Pass!

Kathleen’s execution was elegant and concise. She may have assumed her email would end up in a slush pile of offers from companies and brands. Yet I still opened her message and read it. I peeked at Book Brush, then politely declined. I couldn’t see the difference between using Book Brush and Canva.

I was happy to keep the dialogue going, though, so I asked her to keep me updated on any new features or options.

Within a few months, she pinged me again, this time sharing a new feature they had rolled out. She tapped into something I found interesting, something I could use. Book Brush had a new graphic design option called Instant Mockups which allowed authors to showcase their books using real-life elements (i.e., on bookshelves, in a reader’s hand, on the beach). The product doesn’t matter in this story as much as the new connection. I fast became a fan of all features within Book Brush and shared it many times with my viewers on YouTube. After that, Kathleen went on to become my biggest supporter and cheerleader.

I didn’t invest my interest and trust in the company so much as I did in Kathleen Sweeney. She showed up in a big way first through a professional email. After that, she invested the time to meet me over video chats to see how we could best fit each other’s needs.

As the years have passed, I’ve come to know Kathleen on a deeper level—not just as a peer, but as a friend. So many times when I’ve needed a little extra help, Kathleen has offered it. For instance, if I publish a book or post a video on YouTube, Kathleen is happy to share them with her audience. Whenever I know another author could benefit from Book Brush, I introduce Kathleen to them.

Sure, I could’ve easily shared my enthusiasm for Book Brush, but I’m not invested in the company. I’m invested in Kathleen.

Since we’ve known each other and have communicated regularly over the years, whenever I meet someone who’d benefit from having Kathleen Sweeney in their business network, I make the introduction.

One night, during a casual phone chat with Kathleen, I had a eureka moment. Kathleen never lacks enthusiasm or positivity, so her infectious personality seeped through the phone lines and spilled into my brain in an instant.

Just a few weeks before our call, Kathleen had texted me a picture from the NINC Conference in Florida. In the picture were Kathleen and another friend, M.K. Williams.

I met M.K. years ago when I stumbled upon one of her YouTube videos. Her passion for self-publishing and raw energy attracted me to her content. Naturally, I reached out to her, and a newfound connection and friendship developed. We even collaborated on a video series and had a few masterminds about YouTube with other video creators.

A couple years into knowing M.K., it occurred to me that she needed to meet Kathleen. After all, who wouldn’t want to have a positive, uplifting, and energetic personality like Kathleen in their circle?

I also knew M.K.’s audience might appreciate learning about Book Brush. Likewise, Kathleen could have a bona fide YouTube star to share with her current customer base. It was a win for everyone.

In our conversation, Kathleen mentioned getting to meet M.K. in person and how it was quite the experience. It’s one thing to meet through video chat, but nothing beats the unseen energy exchange of talking to someone face-to-face.

The picture Kathleen sent touched me on a whole different level. I know this small connection doesn’t seem like much. But when I step back and look at the bigger picture, M.K. and Kathleen are more than simply two business professionals connecting; they’re conduits for larger communities and opportunities. They wouldn’t have received those benefits if they had never met.

Through this one connection, the effects rippled across their communities. When M.K. wants to promote a book, she can lean on Kathleen to help. Or when Book Brush rolls out a new feature, Kathleen can give M.K. a call.

Do they have to oblige every time? No, but it’s certainly nice to have someone in your corner from time to time.

How and when you connect two professionals makes a world of a difference. If you blindly start connecting folks without a degree of decorum and delicacy, you might as well flush your entire business network down the drain.

Don’t sweat it, though. I’ll guide you through some of the unspoken rules of etiquette in networking, discuss what you get from it, and cover how building a deep network of business professionals is the most invaluable asset in your book marketing toolbox.

As you go along, you may find that some suggestions and tips contrast with your nature, and that’s fine. Hear me out at least, because I’m an introvert, too. But an introvert who makes some of the biggest networking connections in all of self-publishing.

From small-time YouTubers to major publishing companies.

From aspiring authors to experienced self-publishing experts.

I’ve built bridges that have opened up my personal success to whole new levels I never imagined. The way I approach networking is with goodwill first, while eventually tending to my needs when it matters.

Hopefully, after this nice shout-out to Kathleen and M.K., they’ll promote the heck out of my book. Of course, I say this in jest…

…but at least it’s still an option.

In this book, I’ll share real examples from my experiences networking. If I use someone’s full name, you’ll know I’m referring to a real person. When I use first names only, I’ve changed the names and some identifying details about our relationship to protect the people involved—both the innocent and maybe the guilty.

Now let’s explore the wild world of Networking for Authors, a guide that’ll help even the most seasoned wallflowers to open up and discover a whole new world for building and growing your author brand.

Chapter 1

Understanding Your Networking Goals

During my time working in the healthcare industry, I had the pleasure of working under a fantastic general manager, Rod Bailey. He had a wealth of experience in all walks of business, having plied his trade in many capacities and roles. He was charming, smart, and quick-witted. Everything about Rod was lovable, and I came to realize fast how much reach and impact he had in his job and community.

Any time Rod headed out of the senior community for events or local meetups, he was quick to take me under his wing and bring me along for the ride. His interaction with other people never disappointed me, both in business and in life. Every time we’d go out, someone inevitably knew Rod. They’d either greet him with a hearty handshake and a clap on the shoulder or, sometimes, a big hug.

Rod seemed ubiquitous around Phoenix, Arizona. I watched him like a hawk, taking mental notes about what he’d do when arriving at a business mixer, how he’d greet other professionals, and what he’d do and say first to break the ice with someone he didn’t know. The man was simply fearless. He showed no signs of doubt and exuded confidence in every interaction he had.

Finally, I asked him, “How do so many people know you? And how do you remember them all?”

He laughed and said something like, “It’s years of networking and practice.”