You Are Your Best Friend

Posted by Rick

April 8, 2008

I’ve always found it hard to sell myself. I used to think of it as boasting and left it to others. Years went by… I grew older (which happens as years go by…) and slightly more confident in my abilities as a writer. I came to realize that promoting your abilities and skills is much different than boasting. Boasting often times comes from insecurity. Be proud of your work. You’re the expert when it comes to your writing and you are its voice, the person it will trust the most to get the word out. It’s mind-boggling to think of the great literature we have been deprived of because the writer never took it further than finishing the last page. How many works of great art are collecting dust in unknown attics?

My advice to you if you’ve written a book, short story, poem, or any piece of writing is to promote it online.

There are so many ways and methods to create an online presence that it would take a book to outline them all. But please – if you need guidance or help email me and I will be happy to assist. That being said – once you have taken the leap into cyberspace and set up shop with a website and domain name what’s next? How do you promote the next “Tale of Two Cities”?

Where is It? Tell your visitors where they can buy your work. Offer links or instructions in an easy to find place and with easy to follow steps.
Who Are You? Why should they read your book? Tell them. Give a brief description of the work (let it read like the back of a book jacket) and let them know who you are.
Can they Contact you? Yes! Let them get in touch with you via email, form, or whatever suits you. Don’t hide from the world. Embrace it.
Domain name. It only takes a few dollars (a very few) to register a domain name. Have fun with it. An easy to remember name that can be associated with your book or your writing will go a long way. You want them to spread the word and come back right?
Keep the Content Fresh. What does this mean? It’s what you do best – Write. Add new content to keep them interested and up to date on what you are up to or what your next project is. It doesn’t have to be much. And if you find that you have a lot to say and can’t wait to get it out consider creating a newsletter for your readers to subscribe to. With RSS feeds they can be notified when new content has been posted.