you've got a friend in me

"Great writers connect with other writers."  Jeff Goins

That's what the first part of our Day 9 challenge, making friends, revolves around today - connecting.  Networking.  Getting out there and meeting others in our field, picking their brain and letting them pick ours.  I'm sure that's why they invented Starbucks and Manhatten Bagel - for us writers who need a cool place to hang out with other scribes.  And the food is just a bonus.  I mean, who doesn't like to commiserate and eat/drink?

I can say I've made some friends, one in particular, and you can read about it here.

I continue to seek out, study, and invite myself into other writers' lives whether they want me there or not.  I urge you to do the same, even if you're not into writing.  I guarantee you're into something.  You need to out get out there and start knocking on doors, emailing, Twittering, connecting with other like minds and not being afraid to do so. Hold your head high and assume they want to hear from you unless you hear otherwise (fake it 'til you make it, in other words).   Take it from one who found success that way - you have nothing to lose and possibly everything to gain.

The second part of our command, finding fans and earning patrons, is new territory for me.  Any fan that I may have has come to me just because they happened to like what I wrote. And I consider myself very blessed and fortunate to have them.

But there's been no deliberate fan stalking plotting on my part, and maybe there should be.  Here's Jeff's advice - "Take some time to figure out why people would listen to you, then say what you have to say. Say it boldly, and the fans will come."

There's that world "bold" again. 

I'm sensing a theme.

Let's wrap it up with earning patrons....the definition Jeff states is, "These people — leaders and influencers in your industry — will help you grow your platform and get your message heard...So how do you get their attention?"  One way he recommends is by making a big ask.

Oh.  I just did that, actually, and I'm waiting to hear back.

And to do it I had to be bold.

I challenge you to do the same. 

So come on.  Let's grow bold together. Do one bold act this weekend towards making friends, finding fans or earning patrons.

It might not be easy, it might feel uncomfortable, but the more you do it, the better you'll get at doing it. 

Start big or start small, but start.  Then come back here and tell me about it so I can cheer you on!