Quiet Rebel Writer

Today’s post is a continuation of our discussion on writing groups. Yesterday we looked at the topic from the publishing perspective. Can objective, useful feedback on books-in-progress be found through writer’s groups? I didn’t have much faith in the notion, and recounted the weirdness you can find through Craigslist. Good times.

What about freelancing organizations? Any value to be found in formal and informal groups that ostensibly offer education, support, and community with real people, in the real world? Any marketing value to these groups?

When I started freelancing, I wanted real world support. I wanted to learn from people who had been there and gain insight into my own future. To that end, I joined some writing and editing groups, both regionally and nationally. I also wanted to meet other independents from across the creative spectrum. So I found a couple groups regionally for creatives. Along the way, I’ve also checked out networking groups, chambers, women’s groups, and more. And what did I learn? There’s a lot of puffed up narcissists who’d as soon poke you in the eye with a sharp stick, while smiling brightly, as they would give you the time of day. At the same time, there are some friggin angels who truly believe in the power of mentoring and creating a supportive community.

The Best of the Best

The best value comes from mingling with all different types of creatives in an informal, non-competitive, inclusive environment. I’ve found two groups here in Chicago that fit the bill, who have been cheap, culturally stimulating, and worth the effort.

Chicago Creative Coalition (C3): A mix of designers, illustrators, photographers, printers, art directors, and a few writers, this group is relaxed, helpful, and fun to be around. For less than $100, I get in-depth (casual) programs, a range of newbies and pros to mingle with, and a true sense of community. They’re hungry for new blood: when I joined, I emailed one of the board members and asked how I could help. I ended up in the inner sanctum as a board member. As far as marketing? I’ve already got a client from the group, without sweating. In sum: A rewarding culture for a very reasonable fee.

IdeaXChange: Another mix of designers, writers, art directors, and other creatives. This is a group started by our directrix Jenni Prokopy. It’s an intimate, referral-based community that meets every month, blogs and emails in-between, and discusses all the joys and perils of freelancing. And marketing wise, the group is wonderful for partnerships, referrals, and more. I’ve benefited mightily from that. In sum: Highly inclusive, warm community with diversity and variety.

The Worst of the Worst

Ah yes. You gotta kiss a few frogs, right? Without naming names, here’s the kind of groups that haven’t worked for me.

Pure business networking groups: It makes sense. You hit up some chambers of commerce, or some women-based business groups, where you’ll find people from all over the world of business, people you can learn from and even people who could hire you. But in practice, it’s a big show-off session. Everyone is too consumed with collecting business cards, like they’re collecting autographs for their yearbook. Like they’re going to make a scrapbook when they get home. It’s the place of the vacant stare, the slightly-too-strong handshake, the nervous recitation of the elevator speech. I did what you’re supposed to do when you attend these events – focus on how you can help others, take down information, follow up and follow up and do it again. And as a result, I made no new friends or clients. And I shelled out some cash to do it. Waste o’ time.

Writers-only groups: I say this with a caveat. I have one group that I am involved with on a board level, and have increased my enjoyment and opinion of the group since. For some time, I was not a fan. And it’s because a lot of these types of groups just don’t deliver:

• They’re stuffy, as if the organizers think we worked in our pjs all day so now we’ll relish the chance to suit up and stiffen up.
• They’re often limited in their programming, with either too niche topics or too beginner.
• They’re inherently competitive, especially when they tout job leads as a membership bonus. Ain’t gonna work too well when there’s 100 writers vying for the same lead.
• They’re, well, old. I’m usually the only person under 35, and vomit a little in my mouth each time the pros exclaim how they’ve managed thus far without a website or blog, and gosh darn it, all this e-lectronic stuff is so confusing!
• And finally, these groups are expensive. Add it up together, and it sums to suckiness.

Let’s sum up, shall we? The best groups are those that offer variety of topic and membership, are non-competitive, offer enriching leadership opportunities, and do all this for reasonable fees. Took me a while, but I found some. You can too, my people.

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