When we transition from writer to published author, there are many things that change. No longer can we sit in isolation, hide from the world, or pretend it's a 'hobby'. Words we created are available to the public and so begins the promotion bandwagon. The reality is our writing becomes a business - expenses and income need to be reported for tax purposes, we create a 'store' whether virtual or real, and we become a public entity. We are no longer completely anonymous.

Over the last fourteen years (since publishing my first book), I have gathered information, advice and 'tricks' on how to promote myself and my books. At first, it felt foreign to 'be out there'. Now-a-days, I utilize all my social media and this blog to promote my books, events, and interviews. However, it was a daunting task in the beginning as I asked myself "where do I start?"

Instead of thinking you need to 'do it all' in one fell swoop take your time building your author platform and brand. Start with 'low risk' options, such as social media, but firstly choose which platform(s) you feel comfortable in utilizing and limit the number so you don't become overwhelmed. Then onto research to find your audience. A quick internet search can give you the demographic for your genre and which social platforms they use. This enables you to target your audience. Follow authors in similar genres and create meaningful content and remember to reply and react to messages, comments and likes. Do not hard sell your book, but generate relationships with the hosts, give your views and pose questions. The more you interact the better. As you create your platform follow 'book related' accounts, these can be reviewers, readers, publishers, authors, writers, and genre specific accounts. Also find similar concepts, genre, theme, and topics you can use to refer to on your site(s). It takes time to build your account so don't feel dishearten. Allocate time to manage your account(s) otherwise you can be drawn into the vortex that is social media and never get any writing done!

Once you feel more confident you can attend in-person events, such as author readings, book signings and book selling events. There are multiple social media sites, local newspapers, community noticeboards etc. advertising events and you can utilize your own growing contacts to find opportunities to share your work. As with anything there is a learning curve to this, so practice reading your work out loud, create an event check list of things to take with you, and invest in some promotional items. These can include bookmarks, gift baskets, display stands, business cards and a tablecloth. TIP: Practice your table display at home and then take a photo so you can recreate it at the venue, this saves time at set up.

It takes effort to promote yourself and your work, so make up a schedule that fits into your routine. Maybe you are an early riser so can create several posts and reply to comments over breakfast, or if you are an night owl react when you are relaxing in the evening. You don't need to 'work your socials' all day and night, apart from its exhausting, it doesn't leaves you time to do the one thing you enjoy the most - writing.

Comment if you have tricks to manage time management for social platforms?