Starting out as a writer is daunting. The joy comes from creating ideas, one word at a time from sentence to paragraph, page, chapter, and finally a book is born after months, or years of hard work… your heart on a page, your passion in words.
Where to from here?
Being published is not the final destination. The hard work is about to begin.You are a closed book if you stay in the shadows, expecting to have books fly off the shelves, or have a noble algorithm shoot your visibility through the internet roof.
On Marketing
Marketing your books brings writer visibility. How you do this depends on where, and to whom you offer invitations into your world of books.
Paying for advertising as a new writer can incur huge financial costs, without the certainty of sales. However, if you are prepared to stretch the budget then Facebook Ads, AMS Ads, Bookbub ads, etc might be the first point of reach to get the word out there to reader world. My listing of three ways to do this is not all you have available, there are a host of other services that you can turn to. Just check out their credentials first before you break the bank.
More Ways To Visibility
Another way to gain visibility is to join reputable writers’ organisations, writers’ groups, either genre focused or an advice network. Posts on Facebook, with a book cover and book description generates interest and brings attention to your space. Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest spread your reach. These social media sites won’t put you out-of-pocket, as you build an audience. Author organisations require a yearly fee for membership, but it’s worth the spend with the writing advice, publishing updates, free publications, and support that comes with the membership package. Notably, ALLi offers an ethical service with an experienced body of advisors and authors who are successful entrepreneurs, managing multiple facets of the author creative and business world.
Networking is a surefire way to gain visibility.
Creating an author network on-line or in your local area is effective in growing awareness around your writing life. Having an author Facebook page brings like-minded people into your fold. Promote each other’s books, and avail yourself to speak at book clubs, local libraries, schools etc. to present the face, passion, and expertise behind your words. Readers enjoy the connection with the author they are reading, or might begin reading, after hearing you speak at an event, no matter the size nor place. If you don’t enjoy public speaking or need assistance getting this off the ground, there are many online coaches to turn to, such as AmondaRose Igor (Speaking Success Strategist) on Facebook.
Other ways might include teaming up with a local weekend event, a market, where you can share a table with a writer/s, or get your own table to sell and promote your author brand and books. Have a business card or a flyer at the ready to hand out. Provide buy one get one half-price strategies. Offer special rates to educational institutions, and bulk-buying to independent booksellers to get yourself out there, to be noticed. Sometimes a small output of funds aids gaining recognition/visibility, and soon pays for itself.
Whether traditionally or independently published, creating author visibility and promoting sales is solely the writers’ responsibility, unless you are lucky enough to have someone volunteer to do it all for you.
Here are a few recommended podcasts to guide your marketing choices.
Reach out and you will be noticed.
Go grab your space in the world of books, stand up and be counted, find your niche, invite your readers in.
Please leave a comment in the box below on your ideas on how to reach readers.
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