Today is one of those days where I can’t possibly get everything done that I was planning to get done. With a doctor’s appointment coming up in an hour, I’m even more pressed for time to deliver my regular Monday blog post. So here’s a little spin on what’s typically a much longer subject: top priorities for new authors.
Of course, everyone is a new author once, right? You’ve got so many things to do, it seems overwhelming. And if you’re a “newbie,” you probably think you’re doing most of them wrong.
Fear not! You can find more extensive lists online, but this one is short and to the point. Enjoy.
- Create a Marketing Strategy for Yourself – Your book is your book. It’s unique, and you’ve got to know something about your market. I created a free ebook called Marketing for Authors, and you can get a PDF copy sent directly to you just for joining my free monthly newsletter list. No sales pitch, no obligation. If you unsubscribe right after you download my freebie, no hard feelings, either. I’ll never spam you or sell your email to anyone; my reputation depends on it. For your free copy of Marketing for Authors, fill out the contact form here and add a message that you’d like the PDF sent to whatever email address you’d prefer.
- Do More than Just Your Regular Stuff – If you’re a novelist, you might think blogging is a waste of time and energy. Nothing could be further from the truth. As an author, you really need to have a blog on your website, and update it regularly. And you should strive to create posts that interest your audience, of course. Beyond that, I suggest making a list of other activities you can fit into your schedule that will help you meet your goals. A book is a business, and if you’ve got several, you might have specific goals for each book. You should also consider what social media platforms to use for promoting your work…and how much you should actually self-promote vs. promote others, deliver other content, and so on. There’s lots more on that in the abovementioned Marketing for Authors freebie.
- Don’t Go It Alone – Finally, make sure you’re not completely isolating yourself. Writing is generally a solo venture. If you’ve written a book of any substance whatsoever, you’ve logged some serious hours alone. In fact, I’d wager you might even be an introvert! Well, just because you draw more energy from your alone time, that doesn’t mean you don’t have to get out there. Some of that can be more “solo” activity – joining associations online, like the Alliance of Independent Authors, of which I am a member – but don’t forget in-person activities, too. I’m not only talking about your book launches, I’m talking networking events, meetups, and even author groups that meet in person. Not every one will appeal to you or meet your needs, but it’s crucial to find out. You’d be surprised how many people have bought hard copies of my books because they got to know me first.
So that’s it for today. Have a great week, everyone, and I’ll catch you next week. Don’t forget to sign up for the free ebook, and of course, you can follow me on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc.
