Making the Most out of your Conference

by Jeannie Ruesch

Along with about 2000 other women (and maybe even 1 or 2 men), I’m getting ready to head to the RWA National conference next week.  (I can’t believe it’s already here!)  I’m exciting, but having attended last year as my first, I’ve learned a few things about how to make the most out of the conference, so I thought I’d share that with you.  If you’re going to conference, I hope you’ll tap on my shoulder if you see me and say hello.

1. The workshops

The workshops are sort of the “meat” of the conference.  Workshops on almost every topic, and some will prove more useful than others.  Last year, I never made a conscious choice of thinking, “I really need to work on my craft” or “I really need to work on keeping up the pace”…and yet, every workshop I went to seemed to hit on some small perspective of exactly what I needed to learn.  So my advice, don’t overthink where to go.  Just go to what seems right, and you’ll get what you need.

Choosing your workshops

You will get a calendar of events when you arrive at the conference, but I like to know even before that. (Heck I’ve got a long day of flights ahead of me with plenty of time to spend looking over the schedule.)   I recommend printing them out from the RWA website here .

I actually printed out a daily calendar (blank) from Outlook with times and lines to fill in everything I want to attend.  Last year, it was my bible because I had events to attend, friends to meet and workshops I absolutely didn’t want to miss.  I came prepared and it made it easier when I got there. If you’d like to print out a day calendar for all the days of the conference, you can download one for free here.

2. Hang out in the the lobby

Last year, one of the things that surprised (and delighted, honestly) me most was the LOBBY of the hotel. At any given point there were at least dozens of women in the lobby, sometimes hundreds, chatting, relaxing and talking.   Make plans to meet your friends in the lobby and relax, or if you’re just by yourself, sit down and people watch.  It’s definitely a unique experience being in a room where talking about climaxes isn’t always sexual.  Challenge yourself to meet someone new.  Part of what makes the conference such an amazing time is the opportunity to network and meet other writers and industry professionals.   (See networking below, please).

3. SCHEDULE time to sleep and eat.

This was my downfall last year. I slept very little and ate even less than that.  There was so much to do, to see, I didn’t want to miss any of it.  So instead, I missed the basics that a body needs to function correctly.   Don’t overschedule yourself,  take the time to relax, eat three meals and sleep.

4.  Network, network, network

The glorious concept of networking is perfect in a group of like-minded women, who all love romance books.  You should always have something to talk about.  However, there are ways to network correctly and ways to do it badly.

  • Always wear your name tag and be sure to stuff some business cards behind it, so you have them within easy access to hand out.
  • Look professional.  Put a little effort into your appearance, because believe me, it does matter.  Dress for the job you want — and if you want the job of bestselling author, look at the bestselling authors attending.  You won’t see them in sweatshirts.
  • Socialize as much as you can, and when you meet agents or editors,  do NOT immediately launch into pitches or discussions about craft.   You’ll have a much more enjoyable time if you chat about something completely unrelated….so will they.   They are smart — if they want to present you with the opportunity to pitch, they will.  But pretend it doesn’t matter.
  • Do NOT corner anyone in the elevator.  Don’t stalk them. Don’t follow them with hopes of getting a minute of their time.  They will notice, and you’ll become a post-conference anecdote about that “stalker who followed me up six flights of stairs and into the bathroom…”  (Yes, it does happen.)

5. Sight see.

Okay this is my personal goal. I’ve never been to Washington DC and I intend to see a few things — capital mall, the White House. I will take the time away from the rest of the conference in order to do this, because it matters to me. (And in fact, I believe Maggie from this blog is coming with me!)

Anyway…those are the basics I can think of.  Anyone else have other hints and tips? And I promise to take lots of pictures. 🙂

Jeannie

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3 comments

Silver James July 6, 2009 - 1:13 pm

Jeannie, I will look for you! I wonder if I can look “professional” in jeans, western boots, and a nice shirt/jacket. I feel so much more relaxed in that attire. I have business casual but I always feel…stuffy wearing it.

Thanks so much for posting this. It’s my first national and I can’t wait, even if I come off looking like a noob! 😉

I just remembered that I’m posting here tomorrow. Oops. Better figure out something in a hurry. LOL.

Reply
Silver James July 6, 2009 - 1:42 pm

Jeannie, I have a question? What are the publisher “spotlights”?

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Lavada Dee July 6, 2009 - 2:40 pm

I’m not going but a number of my fellow chapter members are. We were in DC a couple of years ago and I so agree with your comment on sightseeing. There’s so much to see. I loved every minute we were there.

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