Writing isn't the greatest challenge for most authors: believe it or not, it's marketing. The reason is, because so often authors tend to be introverted and insular, extroverted activities like marketing and promotion makes them extremely uncomfortable. It is disheartening to see writers put so much of themselves into a project, and then lose their enthusiasm when readers don't jump at their publications. Some even become seriously offended and put off that their work was "wanted" immediately.

These days, these days you can make marking a lot easier by finding activities that capitalize and focus on your existing natural talents, and that you quite possibly already enjoy. Like blogging and tweeting, for instance—getting active in the blogosphere both in terms of writing your own blogs and commenting on the blogs of others—provides great leverage with your interaction with potential readers. Blogging platforms are not necessarily for the “tech-savy”: they are both simple and straightforward. What does one write about? There are a couple subjects that come to mind: write about writing, or what you are currently working on, or maybe some aspect of your book that you’ve seen mentioned in the news and bringing attention on how you’ve dealt with it in your book.

Online social networking has helped push conventional networking into completely new and innovative directions. Since many of these activities do not involve any physical presence, you can undertake them behind the comfort of your computer screen, wearing nothing but your pyjamas if that’s what it takes. Websites like Facebook and Twitter are both user friendly and wildly effective, because it sets up a dialog between you and your readers, allowing you to reply to them in real time.

If it turns out that you thrive in “real-time” schmoozing: talking over the phone or face-to-face, then go with that. Conducting workshops or seminars and attending meetings are great ways to not only build a name for yourself but promote your work in the process.

Make sure to combine marketing activities you don’t like with ones that you genuinely enjoy and that gel more easily with your personality. The combination will prompt increased success and will be less of a hassle for you as an author.

Where to get started promoting your book?

Facebook Fan Pages: Every author should have one of these set up. It not only an easy way to update your fans, but it’s also an easy way to let your fans interact with you.

Blogging: Starting a blog doesn’t have to be complicated as there are many free services available like Blogger and Wordpress. We also offer a free authors blog on our site for members who sign-up.

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