Everywhere I go speak aspiring authors–writers who have not yet managed to get published–as well as published authors complain to me about the fact that they must promote themselves and their books. They simply do not want to take on this task. Period.
Usually I tell them them to wake up. Notice what century they live in. Notice the current economic trends. Get real.
Actually, that’s not true. I’m a bit nicer about than that, a bit more gentle, a bit kinder…sort of. But I do point out the fact (in no uncertain terms) that the days when writers could just write are long gone. And whether you self-publish your work or go into partnership with a traditional publisher, you will, indeed, have to promote your work. Not only that, you have to promote yourself and your work long before you self-publish or find a traditional publisher to partner with you. That is if you want a traditional publisher to offer you a contract or if you want your book to succeed.
Here’s the thing, though. As a writer you really need to embrace promotion. You need to love it. I realized today that I do. I spend most of my time promoting myself and my writing. And I enjoy it. I get a thrill out of the results my efforts bring.
So, here are 15 reasons why I think you–and all writers–should embrace promotion:
- Because you want to get your writing read.
- Because you want people to buy your books.
- Because you want to speak (in person) to your readers
- Because you want to produce successful books
- Because you want to be in control of your destiny.
- Because you want to be in control of your book(s)’s destiny.
- Because you want to succeed as a writer.
- Because you want to make a difference in your readers’ lives or in the world.
- Because you want to know you’ve done everything possible to help your book succeed.
- Because you don’t like blaming others for your failures.
- Because you like telling people about your books and your work.
- Because you like connecting with other people and forming new partnerships and friendships.
- Because you are passionate about your work–your books, your writing and your topics.
- Because you want to have a career as a writer and an author.
- You want to create a business around your books.
Nina, .8, “Because you want to make a difference in your readers’ lives or in the world” is probably my favorite of your very thoughtful list of reasons writers should embrace promotion.
Thank you, Barbara. It’s my favorite, too. If you don’t promote and get the word out about what you’ve written, no one will know to read it…and then you can’t touch any one with our words. The only way to make a difference — if that is what you want to do — is to touch them with your words. That’s surely what I want to do. So promote away, I will!