Writing Prompt: Marathon Training Continues with September Theme, Prompt

Final Two Months of Training: Marketing and Nonfiction Writing Definitions

Happy Labor Day! What an appropriate day to announce the final two themes in our 10-month writing marathon training program for nonfiction writers. The final two themes will make you work harder than you’ve worked before. I am here to help you get serious about your quest to be a dedicated writer of nonfiction. Ready? In September, we will discuss “marketing,” and in October, we are finishing by defining “nonfiction writing.” (And of course on November 1, 2013, NaNonFiWriMo 2013 is finally here!)

In these last two months of our training program, I’ll be working with three assumptions – – that you: (1) have already written some things, (2) are focusing on nonfiction writing, and (3) want to focus on indirect marketing (example: cost-efficient alternatives to traditional marketing). You may call yourself a writer if you wish, but that statement makes more sense if you have some sort of portfolio to show for it. Have you written blog posts for yourself or others? A book proposal? A tutorial or instructional guide? Tips for beginners? Anything you’ve already written is good. Hopefully, it is nonfiction.

Throughout September and October, I’ll be calling upon your previously written nonfiction works and encouraging you to build upon those and write new things. I will also continue the thread of innovation by changing things up a bit here. Each writing prompt from here on in will now consist of four distinct parts: (1) writing prompt, (2) education, (3) marketing success in writing, and (4) marketing success, non-writing. Everything here is intended to help you, the nonfiction writer, get motivated to write.

Your feedback through comments on this blog post is sincerely appreciated.

September Schedule – “Marketing” of Your Writing

Here are my plans for the full month. Please check back every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to read and follow the prompts.

Just Write!

• 1)    September 2, 2013 – Writing Prompt #103
• a.    Write your personal biography.
• 2)    September 4, 2013 – Writing Prompt #104
  a.    Write your professional (business) biography.
• 3)    September 6, 2013 – Writing Prompt #105
• a.    Write your writer mission statement.

Get people interested in you and your writing

• 4)    September 9, 2013 – Writing Prompt #106
• a.    Write or modify your professional resume.
• 5)    September 11, 2013 – Writing Prompt #107
• a.    Write or modify your list of personal interests.
• 6)    September 13, 2013 – Writing Prompt #108
• a.    Write or modify your comprehensive skills, talents

For aspiring book authors:

• 7)    September 16, 2013 – Writing Prompt #109
• a.    List and describe your strengths and expertise.
• 8)    September 18, 2013 – Writing Prompt #110
• a.    List and describe your weaknesses, learning needs.
• 9)    September 20, 2013 – Writing Prompt #111
• a.    Describe your enthusiasm and preferences in topics.

For published book authors:

• 10)    September 23, 2013 – Writing Prompt #112
• a.    Identify negatives, shortcomings, and address them.
• 11)    September 25, 2013 – Writing Prompt #113
• a.    Identify positives and motivating factors
• 12)    September 27, 2013 – Writing Prompt #114
• a.    Research, list, describe target markets for off-line writing
• 13)    September 30, 2013 – Writing Prompt #115
• a.    Research, list, describe target markets for online writing

Writing Prompt 103

Prompt: Write your personal biography.

In order to market your writing, you must first have written something. That assumes you already have some sort of portfolio of your previous writing. Your writing portfolio may contain as little or as many writing samples that you feel best represent the scope and quality of your writing.

Before you begin to shop your writing around and market yourself, it’s best to start from scratch. Write your personal biography. Offer a concise, but truthful account of your upbringing. There is no exact measurement for how much detail to include in a biography. For whom is your biography? If it is for yourself or for a loved one, you can embellish and add details and colorful anecdotes. If the biography is for an employer or for a business purpose, stick with relevant details, but feel free to add a few sentences explaining unusual details about your birthplace or noteworthy events.

Education – Quick Tips

In this new education section, I’d like to provide a quick tip to motivate nonfiction writers.

Have you ever had opinions about something, like current events or happenings in the news? Has anything overwhelmed you with happiness? Flooded your water-cooler moments? Gotten your goat? What do people usually do in those moments when they want to share their opinions? Talk! Talk is fine and works wonders on social situations. I encourage you all to take it one step further – – by writing about it.

Instead of expending your energies arguing with people why Miley Cyrus had no right to turn a video music award show into a borderline X-rated show that was not suitable for young viewers, why not deliver your message more carefully and thoughtfully in writing?

News stories, sporting events, political events, and peoples’ stories and comments are just a few examples of things that encourage us to write. Most people are happy kibitzing over a cup of coffee. My challenge to you is to skip the social gabbing and let your pens and computer mice do the talking. Write.

Marketing Success in Writing

Our August theme, “All About You” enjoyed wild success in its feature of over 30 individual bloggers throughout the month. Let’s keep the fun going by featuring one blogger each time! Today’s feature is on blogger Jay Squires.

 

Jay Squires has a unique tagline that he uses to market himself and his writing: “Septuagenarian Journey – Dude Uses His Second Wind and Just Launched Into His Third.” For those of you not familiar with the term “septuagenarian,” I invite you to look it up, memorize it, and understand why Jay’s usage of that term is so clever.

Jay has absolutely no problem expressing his opinion of water-cooler moments in every blog post. His unique style makes him appealing, interesting, and often comedic. He has done really well for himself marketing his writing through social media interactions.

Marketing Success, Non-writing

I’m incredibly pleased to feature the work and business philosophy of Jim Socci. Jim is my husband’s cousin. I have no blood ties to Jim, but I sure do admire his work and constantly promote his work wherever I can. I make absolutely no commission and receive no benefits whatsoever by referring Jim. Please read this feature thoughtfully and pay close attention to how Jim handles his business. He is one good marketing expert to learn from.

Jim Socci, owner of Artistic Toy Manufacturing Co. based in Allentown, Pennsylvania, specializes in creating custom plush toys as a marketing tool for large companies. Jim advocates the use of toys and plush as a fun, visual way to promote the products, services, and special activities of companies. His visions are original and credible. He always provides solid reasons why plush toys are one of the best marketing tools around.

 

In October 2011, Habitat for Humanity enlisted Artistic Toy in creating a custom plush to give as a gift to donors. The result was “Sawyer,” the official bear of Habitat for Humanity.

Are you new to this site? Basic Information Here.

For those of you who are new to this website, you may want to read a refresher about the following:

• Nina Amir – the owner of this site and inventor of National Nonfiction Writing Month (NaNonFiWriMo)
• Amanda Socci – the creator of a 10-month training program consisting of creative writing prompts