Marketing for Writers - A guest blog by Clare Sweeney

I am really delighted at the responses from other writers offering their tips on marketing for writers. I have a couple of guest blogs to share with you this week, the first is from the lovely Clare Sweeney (thanks Clare):

"When you hear voices in your head 

or create imaginary lives, 

it’s in a good way"

Advice on #marketing your words

So you have chosen to be a writer, let’s allow it to be a choice rather than a compulsion, a positive commitment to use your talent with words to enrich the lives of others.

Okay, so your way of communicating the joys and sorrows of your existence or simply way you like to play involves taking yourself away from other people and writing things down.

When you hear voices in your head or create imaginary lives, it’s in a good way.

Now, not only have you chosen to be a writer but you have actually managed to get something down, told a tale you’re happy and ready to share. You’ve found your ‘voice’ and this is important as American bestselling author Barbara Kingsolver advises;

‘Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; try to figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.’

And you’ve done this, you have produced something that only you can say, developed your own style and it doesn’t matter how long it’s taken you. Ernest Hemmingway said;

‘It’s none of their business that you have to learn to write. Let them think that you were born that way.’

The bad news? Unfortunately so far you have only completed half the job. The next bit? This is selling your story after all according to A.A. Milne;

‘Almost anyone can be an author; the business is to collect money…from this state of being.’

Selling. A process which involves convincing lots of people the product you have is exactly the thing for them. Your individual work must now stand out from the crowd and appeal to everyone. 

No wonder this is hard.

And aren’t people who are good at selling outgoing, confident, gregarious socialisers? I’m not sure that sounds like someone who enjoys spending hours alone with their thoughts and a pen.

Thank goodness, with the internet and social media, writers can now create their own ‘brand’ from behind their screen and use their creative skills to reach an audience. Like writing in the first place, it simply takes a little time to learn. But using Social media is a great way to launch a writing career. 

Russian born Ksenia Anske began to tweet about writing and attracted over 50 thousand people before she had even released a book for sale. She now talks to an audience of over 67 thousand and can use this as justification when she approaches bookshops to stock her work. 

Ksenia may be exceptional but look at other authors on Twitter, follow them, see what they have to say and begin to develop your own identity.  

It’s not as difficult or scary as it may seem. Make sure the things you post to the world are consistent with the image you want to promote and like water, you will find a way. One word of caution however, as Harper Lee once said; 

‘I would advise anyone who aspires to a writing career… before developing his talent he would be wise to develop a thick hide.’

Follow Clare's writing escapades: @clarejsweeney

Clare is in the process of constructing a website for her new book. 

Keep a look out for this promising writer.