Networking: A Tool for Reaching Your Yearly Goals
Previously published on the Professional Editors Network newsletter Networking News.
The idea of connecting your goals to your networking plan may sound odd at first. After all, goals are concrete and measurable, while “networking” sounds nebulous and intangible. As an activity, networking is hard to quantify, so we often think of it as one of those insubstantial things we should do—but would really rather not.
At its core, networking is about building a web of meaningful connections, and for every goal that you’ve set for yourself this year, networking can help you achieve it—or at least close the distance significantly.
Annual Goals
This past December, many of us evaluated last year’s accomplishments. We congratulated ourselves or criticized ourselves depending on how well we reached our annual goals.
But it’s a new year now, and we get to start fresh and set new goals. So naturally, we aim high. We identify important, measurable goals: offer a new service; increase our income by 20 percent; redesign our website; present at a conference; win a certain number of new clients; rebrand our business; create a consistent, branded presence on social media. And if we’re really in the spirit, we might jot down a few action items under each goal: invest in productivity tools, hire a website designer, research conferences, etc. We want to accomplish big things, so we focus on big steps to get us there.
When February comes around, we’re still excited. But by March or April, our focus is back on the day-to-day work that keeps the bills paid. The goals that inspired us in January are growing fuzzy around the edges. We just don’t have time. They’re too big. It feels like we’re playing catch-up.
Our Network: An Overlooked Tool
Instead of being overwhelmed, why not take advantage of something small that we can do every day—or every week—and use it as a tool to lever our big goals up out of the murky depths of “New Year's resolutions”? Why not commit to building a professional network that will support our goals?
When we invest in our network and build it with purpose, generosity, and intention, it will support us in all the ways that count. A strong network will provide us with peer learning, new opportunities, creative perspectives, and an antidote to professional isolation. It can give us answers to today’s questions and inspire the questions that will grow our businesses and guide our development throughout the year. A solid network can also lead to quality, vetted clients who need exactly what we provide.
Building a Goal-Oriented Network
How do we connect our networking plan to our goals for the new year? There are many (in-depth) ways to do this, but here’s a simple way to get started:
1. Identify your top three business goals, and then choose one (for example: branch into developmental editing).
2. For the chosen goal, answer these questions:
Who in my expanded orbit has already achieved this goal? (Example: veteran developmental editors in PEN, ACES, or the EFA.)
Who might have insights that will help me make progress? (Example: developmental editing instructors like Jennifer Lawler and Sophie Playle, editors who’ve written articles or given webinars on developmental editing, experienced colleagues who post in forums, etc.)
Whom can I help as I work toward this specific goal? (Example: other editors who are also branching into this service.)
3. Each week, set aside time (maybe 30 minutes every other day), and start connecting with the people on your list (just a few at a time). For example, on the first day, start following the instructors on social media. Sign up for their newsletters and read the last few issues. Spend time getting to know them through their posts. In your next 30-minute session, add in the veteran editors you found in the PEN directory, and so on.
4. Join the conversation. Start small (“liking” posts and expressing thanks/encouragement), and then build up to asking your own questions or offering insights. Don’t limit yourself to the people on your list; instead, talk with and get to know anyone in the broader conversation about developmental editing.
5. Commit to connecting with (or staying in the orbit of) three people each week.
As you spend time in these online communities, you’ll create the opportunity for superficial contacts to become trusted colleagues, mentors, mentees—even friends. Instead of hit-or-miss, random networking, you’ll develop a network that shares your goals and can help you bridge the gap between where you are today and where you want to be next year.
Brittany Dowdle is a freelance editor with over ten years’ experience in the publishing industry. She has edited the work of best-selling traditionally published authors and award-winning indie authors. Along with Linda Ruggeri, she is the coauthor of Networking for Freelance Editors. Brittany’s work can be found at Wordcat Editorial, and you can connect with her on Instagram.
