How Professional Writing Organizations Can Elevate Your Career

Professional organizations are what you do ‘Beyond the Pen’ and are essential to your writing career. Hear me out before you stop reading and think this isn’t for you. They provide several benefits to their members; I will discuss a few.

• Networking opportunities: 
• Professional development: 
• Advocacy: 
• Career advancement:
• Social support: 

Let’s dig deep into these five, but don’t stop there. Look into some organizations in your area and see what they offer. You never know; it could be more than you knew was possible.

II. Network with other professionals in your field. 

A. Networking opportunities for members are enormous because you never know who you will meet. These opportunities include attending conferences, joining online forums, and connecting with other writers through social media. Networking can help writers learn about new opportunities, find mentors, and build relationships with other professionals in the field. It can also help writers stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices.

Here are some of the benefits of networking through professional writing organizations:

• Learn about new opportunities when your organization hosts conferences and other events where members can learn about new opportunities in the field. This could include job openings, freelance opportunities, or new publications seeking writers.
• Find mentors to connect you with other writers who have more experience than you. These mentors can offer advice and support, and they can help you navigate the challenges of the writing profession.
• Building relationships with other professionals by networking with other writers can help you build relationships with people who can help you in your career. These relationships can lead to job opportunities, referrals, and collaborations.
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends with access to resources that keep you up-to-date on industry trends and best practices. This can help you stay competitive in the job market and produce high-quality work.

I have been a member of The Authors Guild since I became an author, and I have learned more about being an author than I ever thought possible. A great deal of my knowledge has come from reading their emails. The advocacy that the guild provides on our behalf is truly amazing. 

I am also a member of The BookFest, Books That Make You, and BookMARCon, a few organizations that hold literary conferences educating the author and reader world. I love learning, and I am a lifelong learner. At each conference, there is something new to learn about the industry, and I get to know about it first-hand instead of waiting for the rest of the author world to catch up. 

If you search for a writing group or writing guild in your town, you will find one near you. The closest one to me is 30 minutes away, but I am willing to make the trip once a month or once a quarter to network. I am planning a big signing at a local bookstore and leveraging my platforms to make it even bigger for all of us.

Through networking, I secured a position as a project manager and event producer, both of which I was qualified for but had never pursued because I was unaware of the need for such jobs in the author world. Talking to people, networking, and having organic conversations can lead to opportunities. Leverage your skills to put yourself in the right places.

III.Professional development opportunities, such as conferences, workshops, and online courses. These opportunities can help members stay up-to-date on the latest trends and best practices in their field.

• Grammar and punctuation
• Style and usage
• Research and documentation
• Writing for different audiences
• Pitching and submitting your work
• Marketing and promoting your work
• Career development

Workshops and webinars are typically led by experienced writers and editors, and they provide an opportunity to learn from the experts and get feedback on your writing. Other educational resources, such as online courses and e-books, can be helpful for writers who want to learn at their own pace.

Here are my recommended learning resources. Each I have learned from, grown because of, and continue to follow for up-to-date blog posts and/or courses.

BookMARCon 

The BookFest

The Authors Guild

Author Learning Center

Author Ad School

Writer MBA

The Writing Wives

Reedsy

BookBrush

IV.  Resources and support advance your career. This can include mentoring, job placement assistance, and scholarships.

A. organizations can expose authors to new publishing opportunities, agents, editors, and other industry professionals that have been vetted. One of the worst things I see within the author world is that everyone wants to provide us services, but about 80% can’t meet the mark. These organizations will steer you away from the bad. There is strength in numbers.

V. advocate for the interests of their members to government officials, the media, and the public. This can protect the rights of professionals and improve the public’s understanding of their work.

A. Recently, The Authors Guild went to bat for all writers regarding AI. They want to protect human writers’ intellectual property so that AI and those who wish to exploit our work can’t be used illegally. It’s essential to understand what AI is doing, what it’s not doing, and how you need to protect yourself. While I advocate for using AI responsibly, as I did to make this outline, I’m writing these words. The Authors Guild wants what’s best for everyone. You should check out the other advocacy that is going on without you even knowing.

VI. Sense of community and social support. This can be especially important because writing can sometimes feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. You have a whole support network waiting for you. Here is how you can get support within these groups if they are offered.

All in all, I started this journey alone. I felt lonely and isolated and thought, I want it so bad, but I must find my tribe. I started The Authors Porch because I knew that authors liked to talk about their books. Doing that made me realize there was so much out there, and I learned from the authors I spoke to. Once I joined communities, I learned even more. Networking and joining communities and organizations changed my author career forever, and I wouldn’t change it ever.  I hope you can find an organization, writing group, or tribe near you and watch how your outlook on this world will improve.  Choose wisely because you don’t want to be in a toxic relationship.

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