I love it when something I believe and that I’ve been recommending to others proves to be valid. I often tell authors of nonfiction how important it is to promote their books through published articles in appropriate magazines. Just this week, I’ve received emails from 3 different individuals who read 3 different articles in 3 different magazines. Two of these articles appeared in writing/publishing-related magazines/ezines and the other one appeared in an association magazine.
Each of these individuals contacted me because what I wrote resonated with them. In all three cases, they are authors seeking my assistance. Two of them may actually become clients. And all three are great candidates for purchasing The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
Are you submitting informative, educational articles related to the theme of your nonfiction book to appropriate magazines and newsletters? I’d venture a guess that most of you are responding silently with a weak, “nooooo.” How many times have you heard or read what a good promotional idea this is? What is stopping you from jumping on the article bandwagon? Is it time—not enough of it? Is it that you just don’t know where to begin? Here are some tips:
• Learn what an article is. Read articles in the magazines to which you want to submit. Lots of them. Study the style, the framing of the piece, how expert quotes are handled, the fact that each one has a beginning, middle and end and that it teaches, informs, enlightens, updates, reports, shares and/or entertains. Notice how each article has a purpose.
• Locate as many magazines, ezines, etc. in your topic that you can find. Check their submission guidelines—in fact, print them out or put them in a folder in your computer and refer to them whenever you want to submit something. No two submission guidelines are the same.
• Research, research, research. Of course, you have plenty of material in your book to use in creating article ideas, but there’s always something new being presented on almost any topic. You did tons of research in order to write the book, keep the momentum going.
• Formulate article ideas that have not been covered recently, that have a unique slant or focus, that involves new material/resources and/or that feature individuals not formerly included in recent articles for that particular publication.
• Approach editors in a professional manner. Start by giving them exactly what they want. Write succinctly and clearly. If you’re not sure if your first few articles are up to snuff, hire an editor who is familiar with article-writing and ask him/her to proof-edit them.
• Avoid trying to promote your book in your article. This is a huge no no. Instead, exhibit your expertise throughout the article. Provide credible information and resources. Promote your book through the brief bio at the end of the piece. If the article resonates with a reader, he/she will scroll down to read something about you—the author.
Article-writing is an excellent way to promote most nonfiction books. I have been pursuing this activity for many years. What has it given me? An abundance of exposure for my work and my books. Anyone who reads a variety of writing/publishing magazines and ezines on any type of regular basis knows my name. And many of them check out my websites and buy copies of my books. I recommend that you add article-writing to your bag of promotional tricks. If you need assistance getting started, sign up for my article-writing course.
http://www.matilijapress.com/course_magarticles.com