Making Conferences Profitable

We all fully understand that writing conferences are big expenses, especially if you are looking at those major conferences around the nation. Once you add in transportation, hotel, food, the conference registration (and of course all those books you get at the book signing) you have put out a pretty penny. And yet, far too many walk away with only superficial growth as a professional writer, and all of this is due to not really knowing how to approach a conference.

First of all, it is beyond crucial to examine what is being offered at the conference BEFORE you commit to going. Sure, all of your writing friends may proclaim "This conference is amazing!" and with that you immediately commit. But did you take the time to look at the workshops. Did you take the time to see who the editors and agents are coming to the conference.

Let me give you a personal example. Early on with Greyhaus, I was eager to go to the Romantic Times conference. Like other authors, I had heard so much about it. But after 2 years, it became apparent that, while seeing colleagues was great, or the workshops I taught were packed and fun, the authors I ended up seeing and meeting were simply not going to be authors that were right for Greyhaus. The focus had shifted away from the focus I had as an agent.

You also need to examine where you are at with your career. Are you at the point of networking, or still learning. If it is learning, are you into craft or marketing sessions. Again, these are all things you can find out BEFORE you put that money down.

Now, let's assume everything checks out and you are ready to go. Now what. My first recommendation is that you tell yourself from the start that you are NOT there to write. Sure, bring your computer, but DO NOT lock yourself away. Conferences are about talking to other people and learning. Even if you are someone who is not ready to market your work yet, you still need to be out there networking! Talk to other authors. Talk to the editors. Talk to the agents. The more you talk the more you learn.

Secondly, attend workshops that will help you grow. There are a lot of "fun" workshops, but if it doesn't add to your work as a professional author, skip it. Remember to also attend those editor and agent panels. Ask meaningful questions. And, most importantly, LISTEN.

Next, fill the ENTIRE day. Book every workshop you can get from the first session all the way to the last session. You can sit in your room later. You can relax later.

Finally, don't walk away thinking you have all of the answers. You will hear a ton of suggestions. You will hear a lot of people who proclaim they have the ultimate solution, but please remember, every situation is different and not every one of those solutions will work for you. When you get home let that learning sink in. Think about how that work can be adapted into your life.

Conferences are great, but remember, you have to make good use of the time and money you spend.