Missed Opportunities (Ways to Market)
Written by Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant · September 4, 2009 · 184 views
It’s no secret that marketing your written work can cost a lot of money, but the truth is, it really doesn’t have to. The Internet is full of marketing avenues and many of them are free. Who doesn’t have a Facebook, MySpace or Twitter account? What about Skype or LinkedIn? If you don’t have one; get one. Each of these sites has the potential to get your work in front of thousands of readers. Everyone uses Twitter to send updates (tweets). The President tweets. Congress tweets. Ashton Kutcher tweets. Publishers, agents, readers and writers user Twitter. And just about everyone from your old childhood sweetheart to Whitney Houston has a Facebook or MySpace page.
My two favorites have to be Facebook and Twitter. Facebook and Twitter are two of the largest networking sites that bring people together and get your word out to anyone who is willing to listen; well anyone who is willing to read via STATUS messages. Each new follower is a chance for a sale or a new reader of your work.
Then there are the old time favorites that continue to be a valuable source for readers and writers alike. These are provider groups like Yahoo Groups, MSN Groups and Google Groups. These groups are comprised of readers, writers, publishers, agents and the like. They can prove to be a wealth of information to someone trying to market their work. Keep in mind, in order to get, you must give. Your bout with these venues will not last long if your sole intention is to grab all the information you can handle or flash the occasional preview of your work. Networking consists of give and take.
Other missed opportunities may possibly be your local Third Thursdays or Neighborhood Meet and Greets. These are great opportunities to swap information. The person you are talking to may not be able to help you personally, but they may know a friend of a friend of a friend. So it is always important to keep bookmarks and business cards on you at all times. The people in your church read, your local library, your place of employment or constituents from your favorite volunteer center; they all read. Remember missed opportunities are missed chances to get the work out, to market yourself and potential dollars.
Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant is an editor, author and freelance writer. She promotes literacy and sponsors various programs. She is the author of Circumstances and the publisher and co-author of Crimes of Passion: The Anthology. She has written for Hope For Women Magazine and Awareness Magazine. Visit her at http://www.literarywonders.com.
Yolanda, good tips. As much as I try to get off the net, there’s no way I can.
Very good advice Yolanda. I often wonder why a lot of AA authors don’t take advantage of the net? Our people parish for lack of knowledge. Thank you for sharing.
Excellent advice and tips and very detailed and on point. Keep sharing your knowledge..it is greatly appreciated.