By DiAnn Mills
When writers realize the embers of their careers are dying, stomping out the few remaining flames is not the answer. Instead, effective writers look for new ways to promote themselves that explodes with ingenuity and creativity.
Is your career on the verge of smoldering? Try adding a spark to your marketing and promotion plan with these ideas.
1. Brainstorm with other writers about your brand and marketing and promotion efforts. I could write several blogs on this topic. In short, brainstorming is the best method I know to expand creativity from the writing process to branding and promotion.
2. A new professional photo. Invest in a good photographer who will not only create a great new look for media but will also snap a few candid and fun pics that can be used for social networking.
3. Update your website. Now may be the time to consider an exciting design that uses your brand as the focus. Your website is your calling card. It must reflect you, your writing, and your uniqueness.
4. Author bio. A writer uses his/her flair for words to enhance a bio that draws readers into your world. Make it personal and professional. Also develop a shorter version for those times when media has space for two or three sentences.
5. If you’re social media networking includes only Facebook or Twitter, stretch yourself. Dive into the advantages of Goodreads where a writer can communicate with readers. Take the time to read all the benefits of Goodreads for writers. Pinterest is addictive, and the many uses of images in marketing and promotion are endless. Don’t limit yourself! Are podcasts in your future?
6. Use Buffer or Hootsuite to organize and simplify your social media posts. This relieves the stress of watching the clock and questioning when followers are online. Analytics provide information critical to posting and content. Other methods are available, but these are my favorites. https://bufferapp.com https://hootsuite.com.
7. Is blogging a part of your plan? A successful writer understands a blog is only as good as the subject matter and how the material is presented. Use images, videos, memes, and make it fun.
8. Commit to reading blogs and books about marketing and promotion for writers in your genre.
9. Are you taking care of yourself physically? A writer who’s not healthy or regularly exercising can’t expect the brain and heart to engage to maximum potential.
10. Are you ensuring each book is written better than the previous one? Are writing challenges met with determination by studying the craft, deepening skills, and evaluating your own work?
11. Prayer. This should be first. Seek God’s guidance for ways to glorify Him as we seek to entertain, inspire, and encourage readers.
Perhaps one of these eleven ideas have motivated you to add fire to your writing career. Determine today to light a match to one of them.
How are you igniting a fire in your writing?
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She creates action-packed, suspense-filled novels to thrill readers. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
Comments 0
DiAnn, All are great suggestions, but one hit home with me: “Are you ensuring each book is written better than the previous one? Are writing challenges met with determination by studying the craft, deepening skills, and evaluating your own work?”
Sure, as we continue to learn the craft, each book is “better” than the last as we incorporate what we’ve learned, but many writers–myself included–hate to evaluate our work, to look back on what we’ve written. We’re too focused on getting it done and sending it out. I wish there were a way to avoid the “hurry up and wait” of publishing, but while we wait, we can do what’s most painful for most of us. We can look at earlier books and honestly try to decide how to do better the next time.
Thanks for sharing.
Richard, Wonderful insight – It’s hard to look back when so much instruction in life says otherwise. But to improve, we must know where we are. Thanks so much for sharing your wisdom.
Excellent points DiAnn. And I agree with Richard…I’d love to avoid the hurry up and wait aspect.