Writers today have a much tougher road than writers of the past. In the past 20 years, the entire marketing and promotion schema of being an author has been flipped, twisted and slammed on its head. Knowing where to start marketing is even more confusing and many end up applying over-used, cookie-cutter approaches to marketing.
Self-published authors who share unique and similar concerns could benefit by coming together in a writers collective.
Why a Writer’s Collective?
With a background in advertising, I love “brainstorming”. Bouncing ideas across the table and hearing ideas (some good, some bad.) Each idea spurs another ideas, until you have a pageful of out-of-the-box headlines and marketing schemes to grab attention.
Sound familiar? Writers use friends, family and writers groups as their brainstorming partners. Why not look at your marketing the same way?
When you invite other writers to join your group be sure to choose your members wisely. Writers may work in different genres but all should be upbeat and share your work ethic.
How to Set Up an Authors’ Club
When you conceive your group, have a clearly defined purpose but be flexible. Brainstorming produces to a variety of ideas and opportunities and you never know where they might lead.
- Look to your own genre as a good place to start.
- Look for writers who brings special skills to the table such as authors skilled in social media, advertising, journalism and promotion.
Where to find other writers?
- Your local library or bookstore may welcome hosting a themed evening get-together.
- Attend professional conferences.
- Become a member of a local writer’s group.
Spread the Word
- Give your club a catchy name. One that is newsworthy.
- Offer a way to promote members’ books that also help the community.
- Create a website for your club and encourage your members to blog – posting positive messages.
- Include news about upcoming events.
Keep the group manageable
- Quality over quantity.
- Limit the number of members so you can get to know each other by name.
- Meet every member and keep in touch by e-mail.
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Are you part of a Writer’s Collective? Let me know.
