elainemcooper
Lisa Lickel
Market Monday – NETWORK!
Posted by Lisa Lickel on June 25, 2012
Network – Partner for Greater Promotional Outreach
A single ballerina might be interesting. Solo singers can sound great. One clown can entertain a party. But a ballet company performs a much better Swan Lake; a concert is often much more interesting with a band and backup chorus; a whole circus with high wire acts and exotic animals and jugglers keeps audience attention much longer.
Why: Groups have wide-reaching capabilities that meet a variety of interests and needs. Joining forces for promotional purposes works the same way.
How: The more acquaintances you make, the better the chance of finding people with whom to form alliances, or being offered opportunities to join forces. Do be eclectic for a wide audience. Do consider the amount of time and energy you have to meet the specific obligations you take on. Do be considerate of each group’s rules and needs. Don’t waste anyone’s time by posting frivolous and repetitious material, or by constantly giving without reaping any returns.
When: Be a good audience first to favorite blogs or web sites or chats or workshops. Leave relevant comments, share opinions, get involved in discussions. Volunteer to substitute post. Learn to write pertinent material. Learn what is involved in re-posting pre-published material by asking permission of the original author. Sometimes you receive good cross-promotion that way. Don’t be afraid to ask for the next open spot on a group site, or at least express interest in writing for your favorite blog. Be professional, check your work carefully before posting.
What: Group blogs can be one way to network. Join a group and make sure you do your part to market and gather a regular audience. Focus on your strengths, but be willing to learn and share the learning experience, as well as be vulnerable. Share the work and volunteer when needed, but don’t hog the spotlight.
Where: Networking isn’t just a great online ploy – it works in personal contact, too. Presenting and listening to a panel of authors can often draw a larger audience than a single unknown writer with a new self-published book. It can less nerve-wracking to be with other people, especially people you know. The experience can lead to new contacts as well as new ways of presenting your own material. It’s often more fun to introduce your table mates or blog mates than brag on yourself.
This entry was posted on June 25, 2012 at 2:14 AM and is filed under Author Marketing. Tagged: networking authors. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
