Many writers are naturally quite shy.

If you feel you clam up or ramble on the phone and in person, it's natural to want to hide behind written words in emails and letters. These can be edited so your meaning is completely clear.

Then again, when you send of an email query or post a book proposal, even though you've laboured over every letter, you have no idea how it's going to be received.

If you were talking to the editor, agent or publisher, you'd be able to gage their level of interest from their tone or, in person, body language.

Next time you have a meeting with a client and are worried about being "face to face", remind yourself of the advantages. You can always send an email when you get back to your office to summarise what you've agreed and ensure you're both on the same page.

Meeting people can be fun for even the shyest of writers. Expand your comfort zone by testing out one new networking opportunity each week (or if that really feels like too much, each month).

As you meet other people, maybe through a writer's organisation like the NUJ or through a local business group, you'll get better at it.

And when you automatically plan to send an email, just ask yourself if this is something that could be handled more effectively on the phone. Often email will be perfect, but by checking in with yourself each time, you'll be more likely to notice opportunities to get to know editors, agents and publishers better by phone.

There are all sorts of things you can do to boost your confidence before a meeting or scary phone call. But something you can start doing right now is to think about the result you want from the interaction.

Imagine yourself hearing you've got the commission at the end of your meeting or phone call. Visualise the payment on your online bank statement. Feel the joy and excitement as you think about the interesting people you'll be talking to.

Then make that call / go to that meeting... 

If Business Coaching and NLP for Writers would help you, visit www.coachingwriters.co.uk to find out more and sign up for free tips.

© Eve Menezes Cunningham 2008. All rights reserved.