Getting the Word Out...

by Charlotte Barnes
(Navarre, FL, USA)

Perhaps the most important thing a writer can do (after writing the book, of course) is market the work. This is even more important in self-publishing as the big marketing machines aren't behind you and the only visit to Oprah you make is in your dreams.

I'll be honest with you. Marketing is for extroverts. It doesn't come naturally to me. I'm the quintessential quiet, shy, would-live-in-a-cabin-and-write writer. I've had to force myself, little by painful little, to put myself out there.

In the last eight months or so, I've stepped up my promotional efforts and people are finally starting to learn my name. Most importantly, I've gotten a website. You've got to have a web presence in this day and age. Go with a host you like. You can get a website for a reasonable rate or even free.

I've also done an interview on Internet radio. I've found Artist First Radio Network very receptive to self-published writers. They'll even allow you to put the interview up on your site.

I did a virtual book tour in April 2008. For those who don't know, a virtual book tour is also called a blog tour. I found a company that offered low-cost tours. They sent me the questions for the interviews, or the topics for the guest posts, ahead of time, I completed the "assignments," and returned them to the tour coordinator. Then the material was posted on the site I was scheduled to be on that day, I went to each tour stop, made a comment, thanked the host, etc.

Late last year,I joined an author networking site. Most recently I joined the Florida Writers Association.

Marketing can be hard, time-consuming, and frustrating, but when the efforts pay off, it can be a wonderful thing. If I can do it, anyone can do it!

Visit Charlotte Barnes, Florida Poet, Author and Humorist.