Is writing a competitive business, or a complimentary one? As hard as it is to admit this, I have to tell you it is inherent in my nature to be jealous. Someone might look like a better writer; another might seem to get more opportunities. How does a writer drop the green eyes of envy and adopt Christ’s attitude, in order to serve other writers? Here are three ways I’ve learned to be proactive in adding POW to my writing. First, let’s define POW.
POW: Promote Other Writers, as in a lifestyle of service to others. When I highlight another author’s quality, I set them apart. I connect others to their topic, and I celebrate the art they bring to the world.
Three ways to Promote Other Writers:
Book Reviews
Book sales thrive on reviews. Your opinion doesn’t have to be positive or negative, just truthful. Don’t attack a writer’s opinion. Do look for ways the book helped your outlook on the subject. Reviews bump a book higher in ranking on retail sites and provide readers insight before buying books. Reviews bring a written work in front of a new audience, to highlight its value to the marketplace.
As a reviewer, I receive physical copies of books to use as giveaways on my blog, thereby building my own readership while helping other authors build theirs. It’s a win-win situation.
Two examples:
Bookcrash is a review site run by CIPA, Christian Indie Publishing Association.
AList Bloggers is run by Adams PR Group.
Book Launches
When you sign up to participate on a Launch Team, you agree to help launch the author’s work into the book world. The time frame coordinates reviews with publication dates, media interviews and press releases. Watching the process of another’s book launch teaches you how to connect with your own readers with giveaways and conversation starters.
Two examples:
Waterbrook/Multnomah Book Launch Team.
Blog About, run by the Blythe Daniel Agency.
Memes: a photo with a quote becomes an easy way to promote.
Authors have multiple tools at their fingertips to aid in the creation of memes. The saying may come from a pull quote in the book, or the author’s tagline. It may be a theme or a scripture. The author’s link is added for reference. When writers share each other’s memes on social media, we link arms to pass the word around the internet. Social media notices memes more than a quote without a picture, and that visual creates an easy opportunity to create a buzz around a book.
Two tool for making memes:
Philippians 2:5-8 reminds us of the attitude Jesus adopted in His tenure on the earth. He didn’t flaunt His status, but served God’s purposes. As we humble ourselves in order to promote other writers, we are serving the Lord, too.
Remember that green-eyed monster we talked about at the beginning of this conversation? When you’re busy helping other authors, there’s no time to be jealous of their success. It turns into a chance for a party instead, as you celebrate their work and accomplishments.
Continue the conversation: What can you do today, to Promote Other Writers?
Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.
Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.
Visit Sally’s blog at www.sallyferguson.net
