Okay, I’m gonna share a secret. My secret is LinkedIn. I’ve
been secretly lurking on this site for some time now. I go, I read, I gain. I’m
sure Linked In is more than just writers communing and discussing the business
but it is all I use it for, gleaning info about the writing business. It is a
professional network, not a social scene.
I lurk around many sites, meaning I visit them, learn and
grow in my writing. I think my friend told me about Linked In many many years
ago and I had no use for it because I was so busy with ‘schoolwork’ and
teaching folks about writing that I didn’t see this site for the immense amount
of information that it held.
It is really a site where writers link up or any
professional field of interest. I’m sure if you’re an astronaut they have
groups to link you up, or if you’re a librarian, yup link ups to other
librarians. But to me, this is a source to link up to other writer’s,
publishers and editors.
You join the group of people that are in your field of
interest, and join in the discussions of others in your field. That simple.
It’s a professional site, unlike facebook where you throw things out and
friends connected to you throw things back. No this place isn’t a place to show
your immature silly side loaded with pics. It’s all forums and sometimes the
sharing of your work. Notice I say WORK; a place to share your professionalism.
Also on LinkedIn, friends can endorse your work. Other
professionals see your profile, and find interest in your work. Some will even
hire you for a job. You know, a job where you get money for your work?
LinkedIn is not the immature looney bin palace of MySpace or
Facebook or other social networks where socializing with the world becomes a
laughing stock. I didn’t list Twitter because all that that place is good for
is PROMOTING your work. To socialize on Twitter is creepy!! No, Linked In is
the place for the professional, where you AS the professional, put on your
intelligence cap and let your light shine!
Another place I like to lurk is Faith Writers. That is a
place for writers of faith, to share their work. Granted it has benefits when
you pay for their membership. There is a no-fee way to post but all the
benefits come from the ‘paid’ subscription. BUT it is an excellent place worth
mentioning to my writing friends. I haven’t bought into the site yet, maybe one
day.
I lurk on the sites, drinking in words like a warm cup of
coffee. I’m not an obsessive person (unless it is cleaning the house) or a
stalker but I do lurk and see who is watching and who is obsessing, and WHO is
learning from me.
