10 Top Tips to Raising Your Writer Profile!

I've been asked quite a lot over the passed couple of weeks how I've managed to build my internet presence without having published, so I compiled a list of my 10 top tips! This is not a tip...but I think you have to be passionate about writing and if you are, it will show!



I have compiled a list of the 10 things that you need to do in order to raise your profile as a writer. These are in no order, only the order that I wrote them down.



1. Get Facebook - if you don't belong to Facebook then you are losing out on a huge social network where you can build relationships with other writers and you may even find some people who will beta read your work. I would also suggest creating a Facebook page, although a personal page is fine, you can connect with more people through a page. There are also groups on Facebook, so if you search for "aspiring authors" or "writers" you are sure to find a group full of people who are just like you---trying to raise their profiles.



I have a Facebook page--Joseph's Writing



2. Get a blog - I tell everyone to get a blog, and I tell everyone to use Blogger...I've never used any other blog hosting site, but Blogger is fairly easy to navigate and use. I suggest getting a blog because you will be able to show people that you can write. You must decide on what you want your blog to be about, although saying that, my blog has some personal posts, some creative posts and some critical posts. So decide on your mix. I would also suggest blogging to a set schedule, I post Monday to Friday.



3. Get Twitter - this if a very useful places to drum attention to your Facebook page and your blog, and you can also foster new relationships here as well. I would recommend using hashtags, the '#' symbol as this is one way people can find you. I use hashtags when promoting blog posts with such hashes as '#writing' '#amwriting' or keywords that the post is about. See--it's useful, not just a drain on your time.



I'm on Twitter--@Joe_Eastwood



4. Become a member of Goodreads - I think that is an important one, especially if you're going to be self-publishing. Goodreads indexes all books and it is up to you to put your book up on Goodreads, you must first change your account into an Author account. Once you've posted your book up there people may choose to add your book to their 'to-read' list or if they've already read it then they may choose to rate it and leave a comment.



Add Lumen to your Goodreads list--Lumen (Blood Luminary, #1)



5. Write Guest Posts - one way of getting your name out there is to guest post on other people's blogs. The owner of the blog will then allow you to promote yourself at the end of the post, that is if the reader made it all the way down to the bottom.



6. Post Your Writing - nothing says that you are a writer than a post with some of your writing. I don't mean start posting work that you're building up into a larger piece, but finished pieces, maybe a short story or some poetry. Something quick and easy to read. If you're new to a reader then they won't take kindly to error or being bored. There is a notes section on Facebook, you could post it as a blog post, and there's even a section on Goodreads where writers can post their writing.



7. Magazines - there are a lot of magazines out there that are aimed at writers, these magazines might be about writing, or they might focus on one part of writing such as poetry. If you can get published in a poetry magazine then you can add that to your CV of writing achievements and it most certainly raise your profile and credibility as a writer. As a magazine is something that is traditionally published it may even help in finding a publisher when you try and get that novel published.



8. Anthologies - there have been a lot of anthologies going around in the indie publishing world, this is partly for the publishers to gain more start-up capital and also for you and some exposure. Like I said above, it is something that can be added to your CV of writing achievements. All you need to do is submit work and if they say no, then at least you tried.



9. Email Signature - add something simple to the end of each of your emails, something that links whoever you're emailing to your blog, or your Facebook page, or even your Twitter. Try interlinking all 3 things, post about your blog on your FB, and your FB & Twitter on your blog. That way they only need to go to one of the links to see your over sites. And email signature also adds a manner of professionalism.



10. Be current! You need to always update your blog and your Facebook and your Twitter, if you don't then you'll start to dry up. Once you've got a bit of momentum going then don't stop, keep on going, keep posting to that set schedule and updating your Facebook with the progress that you're making with your novel, or even writer quotes that have inspired you.



So those are my 10 top tips, don't be afraid to comment below if you have any suggestions and next Friday I will be posting my 10 Top Tips to Becoming a Better Writer! So stay tuned!



Oh, and this is my 151st blog post! Yay! And if you're not sure, I am posting Monday to Friday and I also love comments! In fact I get really excited when you comment on my blog!

Thank you followers, old and new, I am so thankful for your support!



-Joseph




Comment. Follow. Share.