One of the main concerns some writers have about writing and publishing is how to get their books known. I heard it yesterday in our local writers group meeting and I’ve heard it from many other writers. Marketing is probably the hardest thing an author faces. Most of us don’t have a clue how to get the word out, beyond our friends and family. Some writers think that if they get a publisher, then they won’t have to worry about it–the publisher will deal with the marketing for them. Unfortunately, for most authors it doesn’t work that way. In today’s market, even publishers expect their authors to promote their own books, or a least help promote them.
That’s why so many authors turn to blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads, and other websites. For many of us, though, especially older writers, that can be very daunting. It can be scary to put yourself out there on the internet. It’s not absolutely necessary to get on those websites, but it really helps. Alternatively, you can hire someone to help you promote. I know authors who do that. There are also websites that will run book ads for you–BookBub, Kindle Book Deals, etc., but you have to pay for those ads and in most cases you have to temporarily put your book on a special sale, such as free or 99 cents. Amazon also has a marketing website called Amazon Marketing Services.
The best advice I can offer you right now, is don’t worry about the marketing for now. Get your book or article written. Have fun with your writing. Then, once you have a completed draft, self-edit it, and then have someone else edit it. Create a book cover or hire someone to create a book cover. When it comes time to publish, check out the various options: literary agent/major book publisher, small independent publisher, vanity presses (you pay them for their editing and publishing services), or self-publishing. There are many options available today, and there isn’t necessarily one that is best for everyone. You need to think about what your needs are and what you can actually get. Not everyone who wants an agent and major publisher can get one.
Once you get your book published, then you can slowly learn the marketing techniques or hire someone to help with that.
Writing and publishing is a process. Most of us don’t know everything about the process to start out. We have to learn as we go along. I hope everyone keeps at it. Even if you don’t ever publish, it’s still fun and sometimes even therapeutic to write. Let yourself have that fun. Maybe even create something to share with your family.