Writers have to be tenacious. They have to get out there, be seen and heard above the chorus of other writers that are all simultaneously yelling “Look at me! Hire me!” They have to maintain their relevance with editors they work with while they aren’t working with them. It’s a tough business, but some writers may be going a little too far with the communication.
How this relates to writing articles is the relationship usually begins at the article. Either a writer will score an article, thus starting an initially useful line of communication or they have submitted an article and are waiting to see if it’s been picked up.
An email on the progress of the article is followed by more emails that sometimes relate or do not relate to the article, then comes a friend add on Facebook, a follow on Twitter and the next thing you know you’re LOL -ing everything the poor editor posts.
It’s okay to add editors to your social networking life, particularly if you use them more for networking than posting about your bunions, but it’s another thing entirely if you are emailing the editor more often than their best friend. Editors can tell when you’re sucking up or when you’re a particularly needy writer. It’s just like a real relationship, no one really wants to start something up with a needy greedy.
And while it’s flattering to have ‘fans’ it get a little creepy or loses it’s ‘umph’ when everything an editor posts is retweeted, every email – even those who clearly need no response is responded to and every non-response is followed up with “Did you get that email?”
So before you send the email jokes and retweet or post to a Facebook page, think about the impression that you are giving. Are you just being friendly, responding to something truly interesting or have you developed an editor-crush? Sometimes there is no faster way to get ignored than to be that kid in the front row of class practically falling out of their seat yelling “Oooh, Oooh, pick me!” (I used to be one, I know!)
Ever wonder about a line of communication with an editor? Do you have questions on what’s okay to communicate about or simply want to have your FWJ friends analyze a editor/writer relationship? Post below and we’ll help!
Terreece,
Thanks for the reminder. I’m careful about how I contact any editors that I work with – and still have no outside contact with some that I’ve worked with for years. But if I feel the editor takes emails lightly or if the editor starts following me then I usually feel that we are working towards something more than just editor/writer. It is THEN that I may start tweeting, emailing or even IMing on occasion.