Authors and the Art of Self-Promotion
by Rachel Oku
In every industry, the cliché goes that you have to “pay your dues” before you can make it.
Is this really true of writing? Recently published author Rachael Oku wonders. . . .
If someone told me I’d be a published author within five years when I graduated college in 2008, I’d have laughed in their face.
If someone told me I’d be a published author within five years when I graduated college in 2008, I’d have laughed in their face. Surely I’d have to labour over my ideas and live as a tortured artist in order to hone my craft?
Not so. In this the digital age, it’s easier than ever to fulfil your ambitions and achieve your goals. You don’t have to wait for someone to validate you. If you have a modicum of creative talent and know how to effectively promote yourself you’re as good as there.
I began promoting myself and my writing last July, when I launched my online writing community, Creative-Bloc. Within six months I’d successfully pitched turning my blogs into a practical guide for writers and wound up with a new sentence in my byline.
Knowing how to promote yourself as a writer is an art form.
The key is to be proactive. Whether that’s competing for awards and prizes, courting the press, or positioning yourself as an expert, creating a buzz around yourself and your writing is essential.
Here are five tips to get you started:
- Utilise social media: Start conversations with your followers and pay attention to what they say. Think of new ways to highlight your writing talent without going for a hard sell. Don’t look like you’re trying too hard either—stick to one or two platforms and use them regularly. A great way to find new readers via Twitter is by searching niche hashtags (#). Look for terms that are related to what you write about. See the discussion topics and add to the conversation, showcasing your expertise and knowledge. It’s a no brainer to start following the people you find.
- Make friends: Networking is an integral way to build your brand, promote your products, and to meet others with whom you could work. You can never have too many friends. There are, however, no guaranteed formulas for success when it comes to networking. You have to play it by ear and read a situation, which is why it’s essential to always carry business cards. Whether you’re networking from your sofa, over a power-breakfast or with a pint on a Friday night, the trick is finding events and groups that are relevant to your brand and products. Outside of attending networking events, my top tip is to stick to what you know. Go about your business, conduct your writing routine, and absorb some culture, but look around as you do. The next time you go to the library or are writing in a public place, look for fellow writers and strike up a conversation.
- Contribute to sites read by your customer: Guest posting is a fantastic way to promote yourself and your writing. Be sure to include a byline so readers can see what else you’ve written! If you don’t have time to contribute an article yourself, leave a comment on one you feel strongly about. Agree or disagree, if you can back up your opinion with rationale and insight customers will appreciate it. Alternatively, volunteer to be a source of sound bites for other writers. Approach relevant publications and get yourself on their radar and let all of your contacts know you’re available for comment.
- Create a media kit: Media kits are great marketing tools for communicating important points about you and your products. If you’re being interviewed or profiled, or a publisher or agent asks for further information about you and your track record, this is what you’d send. A professional media kit should include: a brief biography, a photograph, links or clippings of published works, a list of awards and achievements and an extract from your best review.
- Host an event: Whatever your writing topic or style, there’s likely a way that you can translate it into a successful event. If you write poetry consider a poetry slam night; if you’re a novelist, start a book club. Use an event as a means to bring your writing to life. Hosting events doesn’t necessarily cost an arm and a leg. It’s all about what you can barter. Before paying for something, always ask if you can trade your skills or if there’s a favour you can call in. More often than not, a venue will want to collaborate! In exchange for giving you an event space they’ll receive PR and possibly revenue, a win-win. Libraries, independent bookshops, and relevant businesses will most often welcome you with open arms—just as long as you’re prepared to handle the logistics and can guarantee bums in the seats.
Rachael Oku is a 26-year-old editorial consultant and writer living in London. She founded Creative-Bloc, a social enterprise for freelance writers, in 2012 and in 2013 published her first book, Become a Freelance Writer.
I like reading a post that can make people think.
Also, many thanks for permitting me to comment!