It’s a jungle out there. Yes, I know this is a cliché. I happen to love clichés, but publishers and readers would rather see fresh, clever, creative writing instead of tired, old clichés. So this is my first secret to publishing success.
In no particular order, I’m going to spew a variety of tips to help authors climb closer to the pinnacle of success they are striving to concur.
Hire a Good Editor
Do not rely on your pay-to-publish company when it comes to editing your book. First, self-edit. If you need help with this, sign up for my new Self-Editing Course: http://www.matilijapress.com/course_self-editing.htm. It will save you tons of money and move you ever so much closer to your dream of publishing success.
Next, hire a good book editor. An experienced book editor is very different from a co-worker with a good vocabulary, your son’s English teacher or the retired professor down the street.
Use Your Writing Skills
Establish a blog. Write articles or submit stories for magazines and ezines. Develop a newsletter related to the theme of your book. If your book focuses on a popular, intriguing or meaningful topic, create a column for an appropriate magazine. These are all ways to get and keep your name in front of your readers.
Your Blog
Blog regularly, make sure that your posts relate to the theme/genre of your book and get your blog listed everywhere. If you’re promoting a novel, you’ll be writing within the realm of your genre. You may want to submit your blog to some of the top 10 writers’ blogs you find posted all over the Internet.
If you have written a nonfiction book, use your blog to be helpful. Share tips, techniques, new findings, anecdotes, information, concepts, theories, examples, your perspective and so forth. Search for lists of top blogs in your book’s category—gardening, roping, fitness, health, business issues, budgeting, etc. Study those blogs that are listed and strive to maintain one that is as good. Then submit your blog for consideration on next year’s list.
Other Blogs
Ask to be interviewed at other blogs. Be a guest blogger. At the very least, use Google Alerts ( http://www.google.com/alerts) to find out what other bloggers in your area of expertise or interest are writing about. Comment at their blog sites.
Speak Out
The authors I know who are selling books are not sitting at home twiddling their thumbs. They are out becoming known among their readers, speaking in public forums, getting radio and TV gigs, doing podcasts, presenting workshops and so forth.
Sign up for book festivals throughout your state and beyond. This presents another great opportunity to meet your public and get exposure for your book.
If you are timid or unsure of yourself in front of an audience, join a storytelling group and/or a Toastmasters club and participate.
If you are already doing all of these things, good for you. If you are pursuing some of them, I suggest amping up your efforts. And if you have not done any of the above in order to promote your book, I challenge you to start today. Devise a marketing plan that includes all of these activities. Put that plan into action. And report back to me in a month or two.
In the meantime, if you need guidance in choosing a publishing option for your completed or almost completed book or help with book promotion, contact me: PLFry620@yahoo.com.