Publicity Tip #99 ~

Do you read online magazines or blogs in you genre with more than 1000 followers? If you don’t, you should. If you do, you’re one step ahead of the game 😉

While I can’t extol enough about staying ‘in the know’ about what’s happening in your genre and keeping up-to-date with those authors who are living your dream… there’s another good reason to follow these sources –

Advertising.

Now, I know what you’re thinking! “I don’t have the budget to afford that.”

But you do.

So, these larger genre-specific information sites should be reaching readers just as much as they’re reaching authors/writers… if you’re only reading what other writers have to say then you’re limiting the possible scope of your knowledge and reach.

Now, IF you have the $250.00 to garner an advertisement for your book(s) on a big site (and you’re work is getting good reviews) then consider buying the opportunity to get it in front of thousands of potential readers. There is NO guarantee that you will make your money back on this endeavor; however, many authors do – and then some. All I’m saying is ‘never say never’ where this option is concerned.

Courtesy of Wikimedia, Creative Commons

BUT, you don’t have to buy an ad to get noticed.

Look into the site’s requirements for article proposals and guest posts. Then query them! Don’t think you can’t or that you don’t have anything to say or to add to the conversation. You’re a writer, for goodness sake 😀 If you’re motivated enough, you CAN do it.

Find 3 of these sites and research them. Make sure they pull focus for your particular reader and are not ‘general’ (except if you’re thinking of querying Writer’s Digest or a similar magazine, but don’t include this in your 3). Put together a different proposal for each site (again, make sure you know the kind of material they’re looking for and the length).

Submit!

Why?

You know why… exposure. You get people interested in your genre reading what you have to say, and then noticing your short bio (which lists your latest book or two). If they like your article/post, they will consider checking out your author website. Once they’re visiting your website, the work you’ve done there to promote yourself will kick into high gear drawing them in to buy your book or download your free offering (which will hopefully lead them to wanting to read more and then buying your book).

When people say “word of mouth” sells, this is one of those avenues to generate interest and get people talking… and you might just get paid for writing that article, too 😉

Categories: Publicity

Tags: article writing, author publicity, book publicity, free advertising, guest blogging, know your genre, M.J. Moores, paid advertising, publicity advice, publicity help, publicity tip, target market