I just had a baby. Not really, but the feeling of writing and having a book published is similar in many ways. It began last year when I had the idea to write a book about business networking. The thought kept coming up, but I kept telling myself it wasn’t the right time. Like having a baby, there is never the right time.
I had the good fortune of meeting Katherine Bull, senior editor at Que Publishing during Jason Falls‘ Explore Conference in Nashville. Katherine and I discussed my idea a little, and she encouraged me to send her a proposal. I read up on the best way to do this and spoke with my fellow author friends. It was like reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Any parent will tell you how much dread that book fills you with, even though it’s information is important to know before having a baby.
My proposal was accepted and my dates were outlined. I was officially pregnant! The feeling of joy was overwhelming, I was practically glowing. Soon after, the feeling of uncertainty and self-doubt loomed. I was waking up at odd hours worried about meeting my deadlines. Was I good enough to bring this book into the world?
The Birth of New Business Networking
Fast forward several months, and I am the proud author of an 11.4 ounce healthy baby book!
Many of you have showed your support during the process and since New Business Networking’s birth on May 26. I do my best not to ask you for anything. I realize you have your friends, family, colleagues, and clients asking you for plenty each day. This blog post (it was an email too) has a couple of asks if you are willing, I promise not to get all needy on you. The following are a few ways you can support me as an author.
How to Show Your Support
- Buy a hardcopy or an eBook version of New Business Networking (affiliate link). Bonus points for purchasing multiple copies (they make great gifts).
- Please take a moment to rate and review the book on Amazon. This is important to help me sell the book and to put my real babies through college.
- Call your favorite local bookstore and ask them to order the book if they don’t already have it in stock.
- Share a photo of you with the book. Please post it using #nbnbook, so I can find the photo.
- In Nashville? Join us on June 18th for the official book launch party sponsored by my friends at Social Media Club Nashville. RSVP while space remains.
Thanks for taking the time to show your support by picking up a copy of the book and telling your friends. It means so much to have such a supportive community of awesome people. Cheers.
I have been dying to fill you in on some exciting news. I am writing a book about professional networking, which will be available this Summer!
New Business Networking: How to Effectively Grow Your Business Network Using Online and Offline Methods (affiliate link).
New Business Networking includes my personal stories of how business networking has helped to shape my career. I cover the importance of using social networks such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+ to build relationships and establish ourselves online. On top of the most popular social networks, I share tips for using additional emerging services and tools for your content marketing and database management.
It’s not just about technology
The book is not only about technology though. It is about meeting each other in “real life”. I share advice on how to research and find the people and companies you need to connect with to enhance your career. The book covers a lot of ground as it pertains to business networking. Expect plenty of great guidance on finding, attending and creating events and conferences, so you can become a connector.
Business owners, students, employees, and anyone seeking to improve their business or career will want to pick up a copy of New Business Networking. Networking is not about trying to collect as many business cards as you can, it’s about growing real relationships and helping like-minded people.
New Business Networking is published by Que Publishing, an imprint of Pearson Publishing. It is available on Amazon for pre-order.
Thanks,
Dave
Have you ever had a Stroopwafel? Neither have I. One of you will get one soon though from my friends at Twitter.
I sent my first tweet back in February of 2007. I have written many blog posts about Twitter over the years, some good, some not so good, but overall I still love our little blue feathered friend.
It seems like just the other day when I was celebrating my 8,000th tweet. Today, I am approaching 60,000. Time sure flies!
10,000 Followers and 1 Delicious Stroopwafel
I am creeping up to my 10,000th follower, which is a Twitter milestone in my humble opinion. I have never paid any dodgy services or done questionable things to gain new followers. I have always just been myself, sharing tips and silly things that have hopefully kept you amused and informed.
My pals at Twitter H.Q. have a snack they swear by, Stroopwafel. They want to send my 10,000th follower a delicious Stroopwafel, seriously. As I write this post, I have 9,981 followers. If you aren‘t already following me, please take a second to do so now.
As for my 9,981 followers I already have, I wish I could send each of you a Stroopwafel, but instead send you a big THANK YOU for following along all of these years.
UPDATE:
Congratulations to @CellBlock303! I love that the winner is a Nashville resident like me. I guess this is where I wrote: LET’S GO PREDATORS!!!
As you may have heard, South by Southwest Interactive is quickly approaching. I will be in Austin from March 7th – 13th to partake in the festivities.
I will be speaking with my friend, Jessica Murray, at a Core Conversation. If you are there, I hope you will join us. It is all about social networking in real life. The details are available on Facebook or Plancast.
If you plan to attend SXSW, let’s stay connected during the chaos. I have created this brief form to collect friend’s Twitter handles, so I do not miss your tweets. If you are going, please take a second to let me know here.
32 Essential Tips for SXSW
If this is your first year at SXSW, I have created a deck of 32 tips, which I expect you will find helpful. You may even find some gems in there as a veteran.
I hope to see you in Austin.
Community enthusiast, digital marketing consultant, husband and dad based in Nashville, TN.
