When I started writing I didn’t like to talk about what I was working on. I was shy because I wasn’t even sure what I was writing exactly, as my story was still taking form. I was hesitant to share my work because when you tell people you like to write in your free time, questions get asked – and I fumbled for answers. I hated sounding uninformed about my own work, especially if I were talking with someone who has writing credentials because I would always get a look that meant they thought I wasn’t serious about writing.

I don’t know about you but sometimes I find it hard to pigeon hole my work. Everyone has an opinion and the novice writer can be one negative comment away from scrapping their work altogether, even if it is good.

But, after stating all of the above, I submit to you to become an expert in promoting your work. How? See below.

1. Talk about it with your family, friends, and co-workers. This helps you refine your elevator pitch. That way if someone important in the writing community asks you, you are prepared.
2. Write a synopsis or two or a hundred. I once shared my book idea with a friend at work and a co-worker overheard and ask, “Oh, what movie is that?” That made me smile.
3. Think about your target audience. Maybe even pitch it to a family member who might fit this demographic.
4. Develop a one minute presentation about your work.

Now there are ways this can be done, with respect for people’s time and space. There are also ways to do this to annoy the heck out of people, see here. Be sure to know the line and only offer the information if asked.

Why? What is so important about doing this? Because in the normal humdrum of life, you never know who you could strike up a random conversation with while on the bus, plane, work meeting, dinner, etc. They could be a regular Joe like you and me.

Or, they could be an agent looking for a book like yours.

Cheers,

Bob