Skip to main content

4 Easy Steps to Becoming a Sought After Author

Recently a friend shared her dream to get into “publishing”. I listened intently as she described her desire to write articles and becoming a published author. I’ve read her work in some of our locally published magazines and have no doubt that she would make a great writer. I also recognized that she was where I found myself a few years back; full of ideas, but nowhere to publish them.

The first inclination is to do what many budding authors have done; purchase a copy of the bestselling writer’s reference book. The book is a great place to develop ideas and sell articles. It also provides a good service with great details on which publisher is purchasing which articles and for how much. However, the reference cannot guarantee that you will have the platform to actually sell an article.

After a few years of buying these books, I recognized the growing trend of many magazines not taking on new authors and paying less than ever before if they did buy an article. Why? Because of the changes in publishing brought on by the internet.

Never fret, you can still find great opportunities in these reference books, or, you can adapt and overcome.

The following steps are what I employed to go from desperately seeking author to sought after niche writer. More and more, emails arrive asking me to write exclusively for well respected publications.
So, how can you go from searching for opportunities to easily sell articles and be an “in demand” author?

1. Start a blog. Honestly, this is a no expense and healthy way to get your name out there as a recognized expert. It takes some time and a lot of articles, but you’ll get your writing practice as well as fill your hunger to create. Make sure your blog’s articles are about your subject matter and not about you. If you love to make cookies, share your favorites in easy to follow steps. Offer help and fun solutions not bragging.

2. Start a newsletter. You can use the same material, but with a newsletter, you can write longer articles as well as capture contact information. Again, make the material about your subject matter.

3. Create a multi-networking online presence. Use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and etc to create communities of like minded people. If your expertise is cookie making or party planning, create communities and groups full of others with similar passions.

4. Make sure your blog, newsletter and networking are fed twice a week. Keep them updated and make sure to keep looking for and inviting people who are interested in your topic.

You’ll have to write a lot of articles before people start relying on you and reading your articles. But don’t give up. Before you know it, you’ll have a following. Publishers will recognize your following and ask you to write for them.


Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing. Jeff is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. He also owns Red bike Publishing. Published books include: "Get Rich in a Niche-Insider's Guide to Self Publishing in a Specialized Industry" and "Commitment-A Novel". Jeff is an expert in security and has written many security books including: "Insider's Guide to Security Clearances" and "DoD Security Clearances and Contracts Guidebook". See Red Bike Publishing for print copies of: Army Leadership The Ranger Handbook The Army Physical Readiness Manual Drill and Ceremonies The ITAR The NISPOM
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Great Reason to Self-Publish Two

Market Your Way-More and more publishing companies rely on the author to market books. Just look at the latest book covers and see which is larger the author's name or the book title? It's the author who sells books. As a niche professional, you have a built in market and your efforts can easily reach them. You know what works, so go to it. Many people are put off by marketing as I was when I first began. When a niche author serving in an industry with peer-customers, the last thing you want to do is bombard them with sales. Your role is the be the expert and provide answers. Cold calling is also not necessarily the answer in niche marketing. If you've developed a blog, newsletter or social media following, then you have your customer database. Your marketing efforts flow as you provide advice and answers to those following your posts, comments and articles. Many authors teach, speak, volunteer or are otherwise active in their professions. It's hard to remain o...
Post a Comment
Read more

How will you publish your book

  You can publish your book yourself, or publish with others. There are so many options available depending on how much work you want to put into the process. Writing a book is a great experience that can help you further your business opportunities. Publishing with it’s many requirements and resources could prove to be more work than you want to do, especially if writing is not our primary business.   Self-publishing provides an increasingly valuable method of getting information to your audience. With self-publishing, you can write, outsource the printing, and market your book while controlling the process. This type of publishing can be done with very little money up front and, if done right, creates a great source of revenue. If you plan to self-publish, you will need some basic items and information. Books should have copyright protection and each book sold through distribution channels will need International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN). However, with Kindle Direct Publ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Using a book to promote your business and vice versa.

A book is a great way to start a business, develop a business or market a business. Many people struggle with what to focus on as a book topic or a business.  They wonder what they should write about, what business they should focus on, how to market the book or the business, where to start, and how to grow. Perhaps this is your journey. If so welcome to the club. One of the most difficult tasks is settling on a topic, niche or business idea. It's important to understand where your expertise lies and how to reach others with your solution. I've always been an advocate of teaching and writing and learned there lies the core of my potential business competency. I wrote my first book on the subject of teaching others how to prepare for a certification. Whether you already have a business, want to learn how to start a business, or have a book, it's important to learn how to market your capability. I always say that one of the best ways to start a newsletter appropriate for your...
Post a Comment
Read more