By Bethany Jett, @BetJett

We’re less than three weeks away from the conference and chances are you’re working hard on your proposal, finalizing your business cards, and picking out your outfits (just me?). While this list is far from exhaustive considering “learn the craft” should be at the top of the list, here are five action steps that successful writers keep in their arsenal.

1. Send requested manuscripts.

You might be surprised how often an agent or editor requests to see a proposal from a writer only to never ever ever receive it. Shock and awe! After many conversations with writers who have heard the blessed words “Send it to me,” most of the writers go into a self-doubt mode. The writer thinks, “Maybe the person was being polite,” or “They probably say that to everyone.”

My friend, typically faculty members will not waste your time or theirs by asking to see your manuscript if they didn’t really want to see it. If an editor or agent asks for your proposal, send it.

And if you’re holding on to a proposal that someone asked for, but are afraid to send it because it’s been too long, take a deep breath and send it. Today.

2. Connect and network.

I could only attend my second writers’ conference for one day, but it was at that conference that I reconnected with people I’d met the year before and met my best friend in the whole world. Two years later, I met one of my future business partners, even though neither of us knew it at the time.

I can’t stress enough the value of these relationships. You never know who you are going to grow up to be in this industry, and you certainly never know who the person sitting next to you is going to become. Your howdy-do and five-minute conversation could turn into a lifelong friendship or a writing partnership. You may be sitting next to a future editor, agent, or collaborative writer.

Don’t shortchange yourself. Step outside of yourself, listen to someone else, share business cards. and connect on social media. Build your network now and see a return later.

3. Have a teachable spirit.

One of my mottos is “Learn everything you can; Teach as you go.” Humility and having a teachable spirit will open doors for you. By all means, have confidence in yourself and your manuscript, but if an agent or editor shares some constructive criticism, take it in. Ask for clarity. Wrestle with it. Mull it over. If you allow yourself to be willing to grow, you’ll come through with a stronger proposal and book.

Writing and publishing is a subjective business. If you don’t agree with the faculty member or instructor, keep it to yourself or text your bestie, but please, please don’t argue especially during a workshop. The worst thing you can do is argue with the presenter. The fact of the matter is, no matter who you are, you’re sitting in the audience instead of teaching the class.

4. Set realistic expectations.

You may leave the conference with requests from faculty to see your manuscript. You may not. It’s crucial to be clear about your expectations regarding your return on the investment. From a monetary standpoint, you may feel like you’ve wasted precious funds if you don’t sell a book or article at the conference and that can be frustrating. However, as I’ve mentioned, there are times where your connections and networking at one conference pay off in dividends later.

Be prepared for great things to happen and find the positives in each moment. Every “writing win” (both financially and personally) in this literary journey can be traced back to a connection from a writers conference. So can the beautiful mess of rejection letters but we don’t need to talk about that. Pray for what Torry Martin calls “divine appointments” and be willing to be the divine appointment for someone else.

5. Dress for Success

Writers conferences are one big business meeting. One way to set yourself apart (besides your stellar and unique writing talent) is to dress for the part. The job interview is not just during the pitch sessions. You get to eat with agents and editors during meals and chat after-hours in the lobby. First (and second and third) impressions matter, so dress like someone who understands the business-side of publishing. Business-casual is appropriate but feel free to go the extra mile with a jacket and tie or extra accessories for pitch meetings.

One of the loveliest aspects of the Christian writers’ conference community is that we make our competition friendly. Since these conferences are only a few days, when you dress the part, you instill confidence in people who can make recommendations. If I know of a magazine that’s looking for writers, I’ll be sure to tell ya. If you’re writing in a genre that I know an editor is looking for, I’ll do my best to introduce you. I’ve been blessed by the generosity of others and will continue to pass that on, and you’ll find that same spirit among the rest of the faculty.

Bonus: Be Prepared.

You still have time to craft a proposal, write a few chapters, and research the faculty members you want to meet. Bring your work, writing materials, medicines, comfy shoes (and cute ones to change into if you want!), and be ready for great things to happen.

We can’t wait to see you at the conference!

Bethany Jett is an award-winning author of The Cinderella Rule, speaker, ghostwriter, and founder of JETTsetter Ink, a consulting and editing company. She has written for numerous publications, created the My Moments Planner, Serious Writer Companion, and is the founder of Serious Writer Academy and the Build Your Brand Program.

Bethany is a military wife and all-boys-mama who is addicted to suspense novels and all things girly. She writes on living a brilliant life at BethanyJett.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Pinterest,  Instagram, and Twitter.

*photo credit Mari Helin-Tuominen, Unsplash