The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up (Issue #18)

This post is part of a weekly series on YWP, aptly titled “The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up”.

Each Sunday, I will endeavour to provide you with a curated list of the best articles I have seen throughout the week that relate to building your platform.

The featured articles cover topics on book marketing and promotion, blogging, social media and self-publishing. (I may even throw in a few inspirational and fun posts, just so that it’s not all work and no play!)

Don’t Bamboozle, Cajole, Beg or Bombard Your Potential Readers

Getting the word out to potential readers about your work is a critical aspect to building your writer platform and establishing a successful writing career.

This is typically the role of marketing and promotion: get the right book in front of the right people, and magic happens.

The kicker?

Most writers haven’t got the foggiest idea how to market themselves or their work effectively, and are left scrambling to figure it out on their own.

The default ‘marketing methods’ that many adopt out of desperation are the loud, pushy hard-sell or outright shameless pleading.

The result? Definitely NOT magic.

But there is something that you can do right now that can jumpstart your marketing and give you an edge in all promotional aspects of your writing career:

Know thy ideal reader. Don’t try to convince the uninterested. Focus on those already searching for what you have to offer.

Being read, no matter how fantastically awesome you believe your book to be, is not a guarantee. It’s a privilege; one you must work for the right to attain.

“Never stand begging for what you have the power to earn.”

~ Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra

Putting a bit of effort into this one thing will move your marketing from pleading to productive in no time!

For more tips, and to help round out your ‘master marketer’s’ skill set, here’s this week’s featured articles:

Featured Articles

How to Choose a Theme for Your Author Blog from Belinda Pollard at Small Blue Dog Publishing

Belinda shares the key thing to consider when deciding the main topic for your author blog, and even includes a downloadable worksheet to help you work through the process.

5 Steps to Blogging Mastery for Fiction Writers from Jason Kong at Your Writer Platform

A guest post here on Your Writer Platform, with excellent advice from Jason, on how fiction writers can get the most out of their blogging efforts.

Combating Platform Fatigue And Thinking Long Term For Your Writing Career With Dan Blank from Joanna Penn at The Creative Penn

Great insights from two experts on gaining perspective and thinking long term when it comes to your writer platform and career.

How to Promote Your Book Like a Pro from Phil Bolsta at Triumph of the Spirit

A HUGE resource for writers on all things book marketing and promotion along with some personal (but practical) tips and advice. (Phil also included Your Writer Platform in the post–thank you Phil!)

21 Things You Should NOT Do at Your Next Reading from Chris Robley at The BookBaby Blog

Is it just me, or are posts that tell you what NOT to do more helpful than posts that tell you what to do? Check out this list, people! You’ll be surprised at what you’re doing that you shouldn’t. 🙂

Social Strategy: How to Build a Sustainable Social Media Marketing Plan from Michael Stelzner at Social Media Examiner

In this podcast, Michael talks with Neal Schaffer, author, social media consultant and coach. An especially interesting aspect of the show is the discussion on how storytelling strengthens brands and the trend toward “convergence of information and communication”.

Hoping Others Fail is Not a Strategy from Jonathan Fields at JonathanFields.com

Yikes! I’m sure we’ve all done this one, but I have to say I’m in complete agreement with Jonathan on this one: “There’s not a lot of glory or intrinsic reward in knowing you were better than someone else’s bad day”.

This is Why No One Follows You on Twitter from Amy-Mae Elliott at Mashable

Fantastic tips to help get your Twitter profile and practices up to snuff.

The Slap-Your-Head-Simple Secret for Selling More Books from Toni at Duolit Self-Publishing

Toni reveals the one thing you can do to increase book sales, and some additional points to help keep the momentum going.

Sharing is Critical to Your Blog’s Success from Molly Greene at Molly Greene:Writer

Molly outlines some great ways for us to promote our blog posts, as well as reminds us to also share the work of fellow authors and bloggers: “sharing is caring”.

How to Find Influencers Who Already Want to Share and Link to Your Content from Mark Trueman at Kissmetrics

Want to learn how to get some heavy-hitters to share your posts? Read this article for tips and tactics.

The 7 People Who Will Help You Fire Up Your Writing from Nicolas Gremion at Write to Done

It’s not always easy to get someone–especially outside your circle of friends and family–to review your work, but it is important to get ‘real’ feedback. Nicolas lists 7 kinds of reviewers that can help you get the feedback you need.

12 Most Practical Quotes to Help Artists Prosper from Leanne Regalla at 12Most.com

I’m a sucker for great quotes, so it doesn’t get much better for me than a list post of practical advice from people like Johnny B. Truant, Danny Iny, Jon Morrow, Jeff Goins and more.

Why You Should be Blogging Your Origin Story from Joel Friedlander at The Book Designer

The simplest and easiest way to connect with your readers is to share your story, so, as Joel puts it, they can see ‘where you are coming from’. Sharing your journey can build credibility, loyalty and trust with your readers, so consider applying Joel’s advice.

Two Successful Pricing Strategies for an eBook Series from Shelley Hitz at The Future of Ink

There is a lot of discussion on pricing these days, so here is a post from Shelley that outlines two options that have proven successful for some authors.

Kelly McGonigal: How To Make Stress Your Friend from Kelly McGonigal TedTalk video

Feeling stressed? In her TedTalk, Kelly urges us to “see stress as a positive”, and shows us how reaching out to others can be a great stress reducer.

How to Overcome the Fear Known as ‘Writer’s Block’ from Jonathan Gunson at Bestseller Labs

This post treats the cause, not the symptoms of writer’s block. Learn how to cure it once and for all.

Just For Fun

With humour and insight, author, speaker and research professor, Brené Brown shares what her research reveals about the human connection and the power of vulnerability.

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts! Was one (or more) of this week’s articles particularly helpful? Please let me know in the comments below.

[ois skin=”YWP Bottom of Post”]

Original photo by DodgertonSkillhause