Former Editorial
| 18th April 2010 Tell A Story About Your Writing |
| I thought that all the opportunities we now have to promote ourselves and our writing would mean the dawn of a media savvy populous. People would be ever conscious of what you could do to bring a subject, idea, book or piece of writing to public attention. Thankfully, for now - for who wants to live in a world of marketers – this 'web-a-fied' vision remains but one of many future possibilities. Still, I’m also surprised by the number of writers / authors I come across that haven’t given much thought to promoting their work at all. "I’ve sent you a link to my new book," they write, as if that’s all that’ll be required to make their book findable, distinct, and a real contender in the casual reader’s mind. I’m respectful of everyone that writes in but I always wonder why they haven’t included more information in their email. Still, I take their word and dutifully visit the site (or sites). In some cases I find the visit a disappointing experience. There’s a picture of the cover, a blurb, and the author’s name. I pause. I study the cover image and read the description. I am enthused by new writers and new writing – don’t get me wrong - but even I can’t see why I’d purchase or read the book on this basis alone. When people write in seeking to promote their work / book via the self-promotion page, I always ask them for four or five things, and in retrospect I think these things provide a good basis for promoting what you write: -  A cover image or representative / illustrative picture- A description or synopsis of the piece / book- An extract (a chapter perhaps)- A profile (of the writer / author)- A linking article (relating the writer and the writing)If I have these things I’m much better placed to use a mix of content to present and promote their work. And, so I assume, if they have these elements to hand they’ll also be better placed to promote all of the hard work which what they’ve written truly represents. Other articles on marketing your work: Building a readership (marketing) Self-Publish and be Damned (part 3) Self-Publishing: The Marketing From best-kept secret to best seller marketing your book © Khome, 2010 (all rights reserved) |
Comment, Answers, Feedback WriteIn or email editor@unheardwords.com (editor@unheardwords.com)
