Marketing your work
I recently entered a competition which involved submitting a marketing plan for the piece of writing. It has made me think a lot about how many avenues are available to writers to promote their work.
The following are tips I would offer:
- Think about yourself and your writing as a brand. What image do you want to project? Wacky / creative / serious / professional
- Ensure you have good quality photos to use in your profiles and materials (have them taken professionally if you can, but remember, you need permission to use these pictures online from the photographer.
- Write a short biography to introduce yourself to your readers (and editors)
Social media is an invaluable tool, and it's free and easy to use. If you're new to social media, then it's worth looking on Youtube for videos that tell you what to do, and how to keep yourself safe online.
I have Twitter and Linked In profiles that I use professionally, and I used Facebook for friends and family - I don't accept Friend requests on Facebook for people I don't know.
Clever Tweets will help build you a following on Twitter, and developing your network on Linked-In by joining with other professionals. This gives you a ready made network to promote your materials.
A friend of mine recently published a book, and has publised sections on Twitter and Facebook as teasers, and to promote her work. It's a very effective tool for promoting your work.
Create your own website. There are a free options which are easy to use, and developing a good quality website is another way to promote yourself as a brand. I found this Wix site really easy to use.
Google communities are another accessible tool to create your own website and brand.
If you have access to a webcam or digital video camera, you could also consider creating a Youtube channel, and uploading videos you've made. Perhaps create a video diary of your writing experience.
Once you've built your network, and you do get your work published, then you have a ready made forum to promote your work.