Writers who blog typically do a good job of connecting with readers. Their blogs tend to be well-written, entertaining and useful. But I’ve noticed that many writers fall short when it comes to promoting their work.
It’s just a fact that most writers aren’t crazy about marketing their work. It feels egotistical, unseemly, smarmy even. It’s a problem every writer struggles with. But marketing yourself doesn’t have to be painful, especially if you’re already an avid blogger.
The end of your blog posts is a prime spot for a call to action. Think about it: At the end of your blog post there’s a reader who’s already shown an interest in you and what you have to say. That’s exactly why the end of your post is the perfect place for a call to action.
Make it easy for people to find more of your work. Give your readers a way to keep in touch with you or find more of your writing at the time they’re already thinking about it.
Here are 4 sample calls to action you could include at the end of a blog post:
• A link to purchase or sample your book via Amazon, Smashwords or wherever you’re selling it.
Find the first three chapters of my techno thriller free on Smashwords. (include relevant link of course)
• A link to subscribe to your RSS feed.
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• A request to sign up for your e-newsletter.
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• An invitation to follow or friend you on Facebook or Twitter.
Get more tips and advice from me on Twitter at mariaschneider.
A call to action isn’t the place to be modest, shy or self-effacing. No matter what the tone of your blog is, your call to action is the place to be clear, bold and maybe even a little forward. Let your readers know how to keep in touch and get more of your writing.
If you have more tips for pain free self-promotion methods, please share here.
-Maria Schneider
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Flickr photo by striatic
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Thanks Maria – you hit the nail on the head. I always feel a bit tawdry when promoting my work ;)
Once I get some samples up on Amazon I will definitely be including links on each post, as well in the sidebar.
Great post Maria. I have always had a hard time with promotion. Even now, every time I post links on FB or Twitter, it is an act of discipline on my part. As in, ‘This is what you do, don’t think, just do!”
THe link at the end of the blog for the RSS is a good idea (now I just have to figure out how to do it).
Hi Alegra, Linking to your RSS feed is super easy. If you can’t figure it out, e-mail me and I’ll walk you through it.
So true, Maria. We’re too used to work finding us or tooting someone else’s horn. It’s so easy to promote without being egotistical, but some writers can’t get past that.
Excellent tips, Maria! I do have the message included in each post about subscribing via RSS or e-mail, but I have never added a message about further reading. I will now! I’ve been meaning to get around to adding a “follow me on Twitter” message, too. I’m all for shameless self-promotion. ;-)
*smiles*
Michele
Thanks Maria, I will have a look at it today and see if I can work my pea brain around it. I seem to be technically challenged.
This is great advice. I might give it a whirl.
Maria,
The call to action at the end of the post is a great punctuation mark. It also is helpful to have this opportunities in static locations on the page as well. Making things easy to find helps folks to take the action that you seek.
This is a great blogging series. Folks respect your opinion and are inclined to take your advice – which should lead them to success.
George
Also, include a “share this” button at the bottom of your blog, just like this one has. It allows for easy shout outs.
Twitter has by far been the best promotional tool I could have had for my blog. I also use Facebook and MySpace notes/bulletins to tell my friends about what I am working on.
If a blogger is also an active member of any forum communities, a signature link and a post in a “Promote Yourself” forum like many writers’ forums do is also invaluable.
I also found a few thematically related websites (I write on gaming and geekdom as well as academics) where they allow blogs to be hosted, so I post snippets and links to my main blog there. The only thing I don’t like about that system is that I get comments in two places because they go and read my main blog but comment on the snippet.
Maria, I noticed you were including a call to action on all your posts and now I understand why. These are great ideas, and I’m going to think about which one(s) to use on my blog. A sticky post works in a similar way (see my post on Monday about ideas for using sticky posts on your blog), though it might not be as effective as the repetition of a footer on each post.
These are great tips. Thanks for sharing!
Maria – Can you tell me what I need to fix to make these links work. I was able to click on your link and ended up with an RSS feed for you and me but can’t seem to make it work on my site…getting errors.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Kim
A link to subscribe to your RSS feed.
Don’t miss a post! Get this blog right in your inbox by subscribing (free) here.
Yours
http://feeds.feedburner.com/EditorUnleashed
Mine
http://feeds.feedburner.com/kimmitchellrelationshipadvice.wordpress.com
A request to sign up for your e-newsletter.
For book tour dates, giveaways and more, be sure to subscribe to my soon-to-launch free weekly e-newsletter.
http://kimmitchellrelationshipadvice.wordpress.com/newsletter