Growing an audience enables us to become known and get our messages and products across effectively. This blog is aimed at authors and I’ve drawn heavily from the advice of the well-respected editor, Jane Friedman (https://www.janefriedman.com/). However, the advice works for entrepreneurs too!
- Website. Though I list a lot of opportunities to promote yourself using social media, relying entirely on social media is risky because social media companies can experience technical issues or face boycotts and exodus of users. Besides, not everyone uses the same social media channels, but we all have access to websites. Having a website ensures you are ‘findable’. Get a domain name that matches your name. If your name is taken, try adding ‘writer’ or ‘author’. For example, if JoannaYusuf.com is taken, try JoannaYusufAuthor.com.
- Social media. Be community-focused. This means celebrate, support, help, or inform. Offer to moderate groups and participate in groups. You can do this by answering questions on forums like Quora, Linkedin groups and Facebook community groups. Try hosting lives and interviews. Draw attention to others, not yourself. Lift others up. Give people free publicity.
- Social media. Be a creator. Create blogs, email newsletters, videos and podcasts. Curate content. You can create round-ups and lists or offer advice. Again, lift others up and give free publicity to peers or the people you admire.
- Social media. Record live chats or post about events you are attending in real life (IRL) and give insights, take photos and share, such as a conference or concert.
- Social media. Offer giveaways or fundraise – this allows your network to amplify your thing through sharing and joining in.
- Social media. Appear as a guest on other people’s platforms! Podcasts, lives, Q&As, etc
- IRL (In Real Life) – get out there! Appear in public and let people meet you. Speak at local events. Ask your library if you can host a talk or workshop. It doesn’t need to be about your book but offer something that would be helpful or enjoyable. For example, if you are writing about biohacking, offer to hold a talk about how to create perfect dinners. Don’t forget to invite people to sign up for your newsletter at in-person events, and ensure your banners and posters mention your current books and your upcoming book.
- IRL. You don’t have to push your book out there directly but do mention that you are a writer in your bio and business cards, and mention the title of your book or that you are writing a book about X subject.
- IRL. When speaking at events, allow attendees to take selfies and let them know your social media handle or tag (i.e. your profile name and/or your hashtag)
- Website, social media, and publicity. Make your bio sharp and focused on what you want to be known for.
- Traditional media. It still matters! There is still status in appearing in traditional media. Have you noticed that people love mentioning that they’ve appeared in Forbes magazine and BBC on their websites? It lends credibility, and we tend to pay more attention to people who have appeared on TV, radio and in newspapers. Find ways to contribute to your local media and national media. For example, you can pitch articles to outlets. Perhaps compliment the outlets you are interested in (there is an art to pitching – have a google as there are some useful tips about this).
- Newspapers and magazines. Get published where you can. Anywhere. Even if it is an obscure website or very niche. Make sure you mention it on your website and your socials.
- Give interviews. Consider joining Help a Reporter Out (HARO), which has a platform in the US and the UK, as well as some other countries. HARO connects journalists to people with expertise. HARO will send newsletters of requests, and you can pitch yourself to be a source. Segment your offerings to local, regional or national outlets so you don’t feel overwhelmed. You will need to trawl through daily newsletters with listings of requests from journalists (these are divided by subject area). It does require time but if you get your name mentioned in the media or if a whole story is written about you, what a win!
Remember, pick the few ideas that appeal to you and which you are most likely to carry out well! Good luck!