Create a blog – or blogs – be sure to theme them. Are you passionate about cooking, sports, cars, sewing, or a myriad of other topics where you can share your expertise and tips? Say for example that you are an enthusiastic hockey fan, write about the sport, write about the players; you don’t have to conduct personal interviews or be present at every game – just stay up on the latest news and write about it. There are fans who watch TV shows and journal a brief synopsis every few days about what’s happened and sometimes even including gossip like “I heard so & so is leaving”, etc.
There are several very user friendly sites, many even free, where you can start a blog and see how it works out before you spend any money (if any) on a domain name. If you do choose to convert to a more personal name (chellecordero.wordpress.com became chellecordero.com) the existing blog will often carry over onto the newer domain site. Keep your blog consistent in theme, blog with regularity, allow for reader comments and PLEASE do not whine.
Be sure to visit other blogs and comment on them, friendly comments, and be supportive. Don’t try to sell yourself on their dime; however do include a “signature line” which links a reader back to your blog such as:
Chelle Cordero
http://chellecordero.blogspot.com
http://chellecordero.blogspot.com
Join writer’s forums and don’t just lurk. If all you do is post now and then about YOUR writing and YOUR life, people will feel that you are just using them. Participate in the discussions, congratulate them on accomplishments. If the forum allows for bragging rights, you’ll get your turn as well. Don’t be argumentative EVEN IF YOU FEEL SOMEONE ELSE IS. You want to build your reputation as a friendly, helpful and nice person to know. No matter how talented you may be, you will turn people away from you if all they get is attitude. Again, remember to include a signature line with your name; many forums allow for you to preset this.
Learn to utilize social and career networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Make friends, chat about lots of topics – it is not all about you – build a nice presence. Above all, remember that what you say online will stay with you forever so make sure that you reflect the kind of person that you want people to see. Don’t lie about who you are or what you have accomplished and don’t act superior or judgmental.
Even if you are an excellent writer, most publishers and magazine editors will not want to feature you if the mere mention of your name invites negativity. Other things that publishers will look for is your willingness to put yourself out there, to be part of a team, to be innovative in marketing (it doesn’t matter if you are funding your own promotion or you have a stipend) and to be supportive of other authors in the publishing house. In the months leading up to a book release and after, hand out business cards, talk your book up, practice signing your name with a friendly salutation, and always be ready to smile.
Writing Exercise: Social network site Twitter allows you 140 characters and spaces (approximately 20 words) to send a message. Practice short blurbs about your day, about yourself, the content of a book, etc.
Writing Prompt: Choose any five objects and place them in front of you. Close your eyes and touch/smell/listen to each object. Use five descriptive words about each object remembering that sight is not an option!
Challenge Assignment: Study blogs that relate to your genre and note word counts and article topics. Compose three to five possible blog posts that you could use in a virtual tour about your latest release or current WIP.
