By Cindy Sproles, @CindyDevoted

There are must do’s at a conference and with conference time is upon us, I wanted to help you prepare. I don’t know about you, but I’ve already directed the Asheville Christian Writers Conference, taught at the Florida Christian Writers Conference, and the Carolina Christian Writers Conference. That’s all before March 5.

I remember my first conference. It was overwhelming. I had no idea what all the initials meant. Things like POA, GWS, MS, and RUE. And those appointments…what was I to do? When the director instructed conferees to purchase the conference cassettes (yes, they were cassettes back in the day), I cringed at the cost.

It was easy to see, I had no idea what I needed to do. With that in mind, here are some must do’s for your conference experience, whether you are a new conferee or seasoned.

• Cost – Let’s get the elephant out of the room. If you are serious about making writing a career, then swallow hard and make the investment. Attending a conference is a substantial investment. Conference fees, housing, meals, and transportation can cost from $500-$1100. Unfortunately, conferences aren’t free, but like anything else in our lives, if we really want it, we’ll find a way to make it happen. Begin saving early so when registrations open, you aren’t in panic mode. Attending a conference is a business decision and should be treated as such. Add the costs into your business plan, count it as a tax deduction, and sink in the funds. Warning: Don’t put yourself in debt to attend. Many larger conferences offer short stay attendance where you can attend 1 or 2 days as opposed to the entire conference. Smaller conferences do not usually have that luxury. Plan ahead, think smart, and attend.
• Paid Critiques and Mentoring – Conferences offer paid critiques and private mentoring. If you can muster up a few extra dollars, aim for at least 1 paid critique. You get amazing feedback from professionals that will help you grow as a writer. Mentoring is a bit more costly, BUT you pay for 30 minutes to 1 hour of one-on-one intense work with a professional. Money well spent if you want to forward your career.
• Conference Recordings – NEVER leave a conference without purchasing the conference recordings. Yes, it too is an investment, but this one you have at your fingertips year round for months and years to come. Plus, purchasing the recordings takes the pressure off for choosing classes. It’s smart. Spend face time with the teachers at the conference who can help you where you are in your writing at this moment. Then when you get home, you can take the classes that you wanted to attend and couldn’t. It’s a wise decision. Trust me.
• Network – This is your opportunity to make those much needed connections in the industry. You’ll meet other authors, publishers, and agents who can help you along your writing journey. So get to know folks. Make friends. Latch onto peers who will join you as accountability partners and critique buddies.
• Attend a conference in the right order – In other words, don’t come to a conference seeking an agent until you have a completed, edited, and publishable manuscript. An agent cannot sell what they don’t have. Instead, meet with industry professionals and pick their brains. Find out what they look for in a manuscript and how they shop them. As we say in the mountains, don’t get the cart before the horse. If you don’t have a completed manuscript that is polished and ready for publication, spend your time learning the craft. This is far more valuable than wasting time in areas where you are not ready.

Prepare to attend the conference of your choice with the right expectations. Make the investment in your career, and learn, learn, learn. Your time to publish will come. Until then, focus on learning the craft to the best of your ability while you can sit at the feet of those who have walked the path first. The time and money you invest will be money well spent. Now go forth, and attend a conference.

Cindy Sproles is an award-winning author and popular speaker. She is the cofounder of Christian Devotions ministries and managing editor of Straight Street Books and SonRise Devotionals, imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. Cindy is the executive editor of www.christiandevotions.us and www.inspireafire.com. She teaches at writers conferences nationwide and directs The Asheville Christian Writers Conference – Writers Boot Camp. 

She is the author of two devotionals, He Said, She Said – Learning to Live a Life of Passion and New Sheets – Thirty Days to Refine You into the Woman You Can Be. Cindy’s debut novel, Mercy’s Rain, is available at major retailers. Visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com and book her for your next conference or ladies retreat. Also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.