How To Promote Your Writing and Yourself

When promoting oneself as a published author, I’m certain that different approaches have worked for different people. I’ve also learned, however, that the only restrictions are found within the mind. The trick is to get yourself out there, constantly, and to be tenacious in your pursuit. Below are just a few of the practices that have worked for me over the past 10 years.

On the practical side:

1. Create a websites for yourself and promote it shamelessly.
2. Volunteer your time (at literacy events, etc.), and read your work at open mic nights.
3. Do the research, and use your competition as your ally. “A rising tide carries all ships.” Readers are topical, staying with a specific genre. If they like a certain type of book, they’ll read 4 or 5 before exhausting interest. More often than not your competition is not your enemy but your ally.
4. Attend other writer’s book signings and readings. Offer a business card, and then ask for one. Introduce yourself, but don’t take too much time. Follow the meeting up with an email within the next few days (filled with compliments and your wishes of sharing contacts and networking). Don’t be shy about asking for favors. Be equally willing to be of assistance.
5. Use log lines: Write three or four sentences best describing each of your books, and memorize them. When asked what your work is about, recite these polished blurbs.
6. Do as many author interviews as you can, and host as many local events as possible. (As a published author, it’s not difficult to become a local celebrity.)
7. Keep a close pulse on current events, and attach yourself.
8. Set up book signings, saturating a specific area at one time (hence, a book tour).

   Note: The average number of books purchased per signing is 20.

9. Solicit celebrity (including other authors) endorsements.
10. Ensure that your work can be purchased at Amazon.com, and B&N.com. This automatically makes your work national.
11. Get your books listed in the Library Journal (which is distributed to ALL libraries).
12. Request magazines and newspapers to review your work. Many will.
13. Contact your local media, via press releases. From there, build momentum by interviewing on local radio and TV.
14. Embark on a national radio tour. This takes some research, but most radio programs are in constant search of new guests.
15. Write a strong bio, and keep it updated.
16. Promote your work in all possible ways – via word of mouth, the college circuit, speaking engagements at area schools, area book clubs (also Rotary, Kiwanis, etc.), author’s associations and organizations (VFW, AGWVA, DAV, etc.).
17. Capitalize on Internet connections where your work has been published.
18. Promote your work on other websites by getting your site linked.
19. Use mass mailings. Publicity/promotions usually include a mass mailing of glossy post cards and an equally heavy mailing of press releases.
20. Throw a book release party and promote it! Your book is as big as you treat it, and others will follow suit.
21. Try to hook up with an independent filmmaker to have your work filmed. This creates incredible hype on a local level!

And whatever else you can imagine. THE SKY IS THE LIMIT!

My theories:

• PERSEVERANCE! If you forget every other word in the English language, hold on to perseverance. When it comes to marketing and promotion, it is the most important trait needed for success (more so than knowledge, talent or chance).
• Understand that success must happen within the mind before it can be realized. Trust that you will be (even are) a great success, and live up to that truth.
• Write down your goals, maintain a wish list and work diligently toward them. Set VERY HIGH expectations for yourself, and do at least one thing every day toward realizing them.
• Create a network of readers and fellow writers, and watch the circle grow larger as they help you succeed. It’s who you know! The most difficult path is trying to get things done without help.
• Be AWARE of opportunities all around you – big and small – and capitalize on all of them. Unless you’re sitting at the poker table, you can’t expect to get dealt a winning hand. Place yourself where you can meet opportunities.
• Though it sometimes takes years to become an overnight success, it doesn’t pay to be shy. Be confident, but not cocky. This isn’t a business for the overly humble.
• Successful marketing is like fishing: the more bobbers you have in the water, the better your chances of catching a string of fish.
• Become a zealous promoter of your published works, go to any lengths to capture success with each book, and be grateful to your loyal readers.

Advice for new writers:

Be true to yourself, always. Write constantly. Keep the faith! And NEVER, EVER, EVER quit. Most people in this industry would agree that more than talent or skill or even luck, perseverance is the one trait that gets the job done. Knock on every door you can, and keep knocking. I promise that eventually someone will open and the warmth you feel on your face will more than validate every hour spent alone in the darkness.