Comments on: Guest Post: The Importance of a More Personal Professional Network

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 03:20:58 +0000

Devon -- That's an excellent point. It's as much about sharing in our successes as having someone to to vent to.

Anne -- Writers or not, it sounds like you have a good support system. It's always good to get a fresh perspective from people who aren't too close to our work.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 18:41:40 +0000

Yes, I have a pro network… and I also have two close friends who are not writers, but both are business women… we mastermind together and that's great too.

By: Devon Ellington

Devon Ellington — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 15:45:58 +0000

It's so important to have those to whom you can vent that you know won't turn around and spew about it. We all need to blow off steam sometimes, and it's important to have those to which you can do so discreetly.

AND, it's great to cheer on those when they achieve their dreams!

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 19:30:53 +0000

It sounds like you have a great mix Paula. I love having clients who I can be a bit more personal with. It's not quite as personal as friendships with colleagues in my case, but it gives things that human element when we can talk about family and other issues. I especially love that with my overseas clients, because they give me such a broader perspective on the world and how all of us effect each other's lives in ways we don't always even realize.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:12:08 +0000

You're right, Paula. That kind of connection never hurts. 🙂

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 16:07:43 +0000

I have at least six people in my personal professional network – not that I ever thought of it that way before. Two were friends first, one is my sister, and the rest are colleagues I've managed to bond with.

Another interesting thing has happened lately…a couple of publicists and I bonded over home repairs, and one of my editors and I have begun bonding over knitting. Neither subject will dominate our conversations, but those are extra little human connections that never hurt.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:34:30 +0000

Plus there are people like Sharon, Cathy, and Jenn there, whose support makes it easy to continue this solitary gig.

By: Lori

Lori — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:33:42 +0000

Thanks for the post, Jenn. :)

It has saved my sanity to have a group of close email friends to go to. I'm happy to call you friends, and even happier to know we have each others' backs. That's part of the reason Anne and I thought the forum was necessary; we can collaborate, commiserate, and bounce ideas and concerns off each other.

By: Jenn Mattern

Jenn Mattern — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:13:58 +0000

Thanks for having me Lori!

I'm glad to see some familiar faces already. :)

Sharon, The five buck forum from Anne and Lori is a great middle ground. I find it much easier to open up there than on a public blog or more public forum -- whether I'm ranting and raving or sharing my day-to-day work list for accountability's sake. It's a great place for newbies to start making those more personal connections with colleagues if they don't already have a solid support network too.

Cathy -- You know you're one of my go-to gals. You, Lori, and Yo are definitely my first line of defense, keeping me from doing anything too stupid publicly. ;) Whether we're all sharing a laugh or engaging in group email gossip (for lack of a better term), I couldn't get through some days without you ladies. :)

By: Cathy Miller

Cathy Miller — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:33:04 +0000

Amen, Jenn. I would be lost without my personal professional network. I have learned from their generosity, and felt solid support in a career that is still evolving.

Hugs to you all.