Building Professional Relationships

Building good professional relationships is of utmost importance when you are in business, no matter if your business is as a writer or as a publisher, or as a shoe store retailer. You need to build a network of other professionals that you can rely upon for good information, as a trustworthy source of supplies, and as people you can get honest feedback from. Therefore, building solid professional relationships needs to be one of your goals.

As a writer, you'll probably need to have an agent, an accountant, and a good attorney who has experience with intellectual properties and contracts. You want these people in place and backing you up in your business; you need their help to avoid the pitfalls that might otherwise occur. Along with those, you should also be looking for good mentors in the fields of writing and publishing. Optimally, your agent will be able to act as a mentor for your growth as a writer, but that is not always the case. An agent's job, after all, is to pitch your work, not primarily to mentor you as you develop as an author.

For a publisher, building those professional relationships will include an accountant and a good attorney versed in both business and intellectual properties, but also include suppliers, printers, other publishers, writers, and the professional associations that pertain to your business both as a publisher and in regards to your target market or publishing niche.

In all cases, you need to consciously make the effort to treat the people you are deal with on a professional level with respect and courtesy. You need to be responsible in your attitudes and interactions with them. If you have said you'll do something, do it — moreover, do it in a timely manner and with a good attitude. When you have accounts payable, make certain that they are paid on time, if not ahead of time.

Help those you network with; give them the types of experiences with you that build respect and mutual cooperation. Treat everyone you deal with fairly. Conversely, expect them to treat you fairly also. If a business contact does not deal with you in a conscientious manner, take your business elsewhere. Business and professional relationships are like all other types of relationships; they are two-way. Be certain that you are both "sending" appropriately and "receiving" appropriately.

For example, just as you want to be treated well when you are the one owing monies, also treat your accounts receivable business partners well. Use positive encouragement when reminding them of the benefits of prompt payment. Keep your poise, even when you may become irritated.

As professionals working with one another, one of the ways we define and maintain our roles, our responsibilities, and what we can expect from our business partners is through the use of contracts. We'll be discussing that further next issue.

Beth Peterson sits on both sides of the publishing/writing fence. She is the head of Cattails Publishing LLC and the author of "People Who Play God" and "The Hero's Guide to Protecting Yourself Against Harmful Relationships". She is also a trained working artist. Her art gallery can be viewed at www.wingedblue.com