When I was in my twenties, I studied marketing management for a while at the local tech school. On the first day of school, the teacher informed us that she would teach us how to “sell ourselves”. After the giggles from us students died down, she explained.
We had to learn to be our own promoters in the world of nosiness. She explained how the way we present ourselves to the world would dictate how successful we are in our careers. If you could not sell yourself to a possible employer then how do you expect to sell their product to the world?
This lesson has stuck itself to my brain for years after taking that course. Now I look at my writing in the same fashion. It seems I am not the only writer doing such a thing.
Perfect example of other writers doing such a thing is James Patterson. Every couple of months I see a commercial for one of his new novels. It is clear it is working because there are people I know who a couple years ago did not know who James Patterson is but now own his entire book collection.
There are other writers who promote on the internet, in magazine ads, newspapers, and even on billboards. They are using any avenue to promote in other to reach new readers. They are introducing the world to their humble works.
There is nothing wrong with this in my eyes. Writing has to parts. There is the creative part of course but if you want to be a successful published writer, you have to accept that writing is also a business. You have to sell yourself to publishers, agents, and readers. Before you can sell yourself to all these people you have to sell yourself to yourself.
You have to be your biggest fan. You have to be your own cheerleader. You have to believe in yourself before you can convince others to believe in you.
Do you “sell yourself” to the world as a new up and coming writer? What do you do to promote your work? Do you believe a writer should promote himself or herself?
