1. Give it away for free.
Pick a few pieces of your writing, or create a few just for this purpose, and post them for people to read. Yes, publishers are still a little picky about stuff that has been posted online. Unless your posting it for free takes it viral, it might be more difficult to find a publisher for it afterward. But so what! Your not giving away the entire ice cream truck–just a few Popsicles.
2. Create something bigger than yourself.
There are a lot of ways you can do this. Start a local freewrite group and create a resource for other writers, hold a benefit function that supports a cause, create a newsletter, etc–something that has absolutely no reward other than the pleasure you get by helping others. Considering how “me-centric” my advice usually is, it may surprise you to learn that I thoroughly believe the best way to receive success in this life is to give without expecting anything in return.
3. Ask for testimonials.
There is nothing stopping you from having a testimonial page on your website–a shrine to yourself. Give people a few pieces of your writing to look at and ask them to write you a review or testimonial. And it doesn’t have to be a thumbs up from the most prominent writers and critics in your genre either. Start with the easy one–start with your mom then work your way out to family, friends, co-workers and finally random strangers. Just let your visitors know that other people have enjoyed the things you have written.
Amanda June Hagarty
Helping writers build successful author platforms with her knowledge of computers, her passion for marketing and her love of writing. read more…