Attend conferences

I attend the National Association of Black Journalists convention every year.  It's the perfect opportunity to meet journalists, renew acquaintances and strengthen your media contacts.  Plus, I always have a good time.  This is the first year I stayed in the host hotel and it was worth every penny to be able to hob nob in the lobby at all hours without worrying about having to get to another hotel.  I have also leveraged by NABJ membership in every market I enter.  It's a membership, and conference that have paid off in dividends.