Blogger: Wendy Lawton
Location: Books & Such Central Valley Office
Problem: Catching the attention of an agent and getting him to ask for a proposal or manuscript.
Traditional Solution: Write a smashing query letter, send it to multiple agents and hold your breath.
Workaround:Rather than send an anonymous query letter you can send a query that comes from a very familiar name. How? By interacting with your target agent online. When readers comment on our blogs or befriend us on Facebook or retweet our tweets we can’t help but remember those names. Each time you leave your name, you are leaving a positive brand impression, so to speak. The more positive brand impressions the memorable you’ll be. (If you’d like to read more about branding, I suggest this article by Dennis Hahn.
Many writers wonder if social networking works. If you are personable, helpful and regular, your name is getting out there. And name recognition is the antidote to being anonymous. As a writer seeking representation, make sure you use your full name– the same way it would come to an agent with a query. It’s just one more way of becoming unforgettable.
I hope this week’s workarounds have helped you see that for every front-door approach there are no end of creative entrances to get in the door. The important thing is to be natural and winsome. Pushy or insistent is even worse face-to-face or if we are on a first-name basis.
Your turn: Let’s hear your workarounds. Be creative. How can you avoid the anonymous slush pile?
I believe social networking works because marketing is about building relationships. The caveat is that they have to be sincere relationships–not just using people. No one likes to feel used. It’s hard to be friends with someone who always wants something or who talks and never listens. So my workaround, if you’d call it that, is to build genuine professional relationships.
When I went to my first writers’ conference, I had nothing to pitch, but the editor appointment came free, so I went. The editor asked what I had to pitch to her. I said, “Nothing yet.” And she, bemused, said, “So why are you here?” I told her it seemed like a good opportunity to meet her, learn about the mission of her publishing house, and hear what they were currently looking for. I learned more in the next 15 minutes than I would have dreamed and ended up getting to pitch an idea that fit her needs and interests.
Best of all, we began a professional relationship that has informed and encouraged me immensely whether she buys my stories or not.
How do you tell if an agent/author/other public/semipublic figure will add just anyone as a friend or prefer ‘friends’ to ‘likes’ on a fan page? Do you send a friend request with a personal note that says ‘Hey, I’m an aspiring author/fan and don’t see a fan/public page but please feel free to point me towards one’?
This thought had occurred to me earlier this week when I left a comment on a fan page of an author and the comment below mine was from her agent – the name recognition thing.
So… how does one know? It seems kind of… presumptuous to send a friend request to someone you don’t know because you’re a fan…
Any insight?
Thanks :).
Carol
Wendy, I like the creative thinking in your posts about workarounds. I think we could apply that thinking to all of life.
For everyone, life occasionally hands out hurdles, disappointments, even the occasional crisis. It’s easy to get stuck there.
Looking for the workaround or “Plan B” moves us forward and gets us going again. At our house we use the latter term all the time.
I appreciate your practical examples and how-tos. Thanks.
Carol, I think most authors/agents/editors who are on Facebook understand that “friend” has a broad definition for them. Identifying yourself as an aspiring writer helps them to know how to think about you.
I really enjoyed this whole series. I especially loved the reminder (I think Bill G. pointed it out) that the Lord is providentially in control, even when we’re dealing with an imperfect query system. If He wants a book to be published, the faceless query system won’t stop Him. Wendy, I appreciate your practical advice and insights into some of the ways we can work in concert with Him to accomplish that purpose, should it be His will. What a great encouragement!
Thank you for insight, Janet. It is much appreciated :).
Carol
This is a very practical suggestion, Wendy. In this age of information overload, it is definitely helpful to be personal and connected. Otherwise everything remains unfocused.
Rev Ed Hird
St. Simon’s Church North Vancouver
http://stsimonschurch.ca
Thank you, Wendy, for these helpful workaround suggestions. To me it makes perfect sense for an agent (or editor) to look for authors who not only write well but also are pleasant and willing to work hard. This is a highly competitive business where the best things happen when everyone is at her best (and that certainly includes trusting God for the ultimate outcome.)
Thanks for this information. I’m new in this marketing gig, so I find your advice really valuable.
Appreciate this blog and read it almost daily.
Jean
Reading you old blogs, learning for my first steps, and now breaking out of anonymity!
Here I go! 🙂
(Thank you for all of the wisdom you share.)
“Your” old blogs….accidentally hit the button before the last edit. Lesson learned! Does anyone else do this stuff? Time to fold laundry! (Gotta start somewhere.)