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.