Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone - Tips for Authors

Writing is a solitary effort, and that’s why so many like that life. As an author, I would challenge you to step out of your comfort zone from time to time (in a safe way) to expand your opportunities. You may be missing out if you just stay in your comfortable little bubble. Networking is a big part of the writing life.

Social Media - Having websites, an email, and a social media presence are part of a lot of publishing contracts these days. Set aside some time each week to build your following on one of your platforms. Also, agents, publishers, and others look at your site and your activity/presence.

I had a nice following at the time that I wrote my second series, but I wanted to expand. While I was waiting for the publication part of my books, I committed to expanding my blog, building my email list, and building my social media followers on my key sites. I had about seven months until the edits and initial marketing were ready to kick in, and that focused time helped me to increase my numbers and daily activity. But it’s not a one and done. You do have to set aside some time to regularly expand your following and interact with the followers you do have. The social part is the key ingredient.

Appearances - I am fortunate to have so many writer friends in my genre and others who live near me. It makes it so much easier to plan events. And doing an appearance with others expands your reach, introduces you to new readers, and makes the event so much more fun. It’s also not as scary to speak on a panel or in front of group when you’re with others. Start small. Look for something that you would enjoy and try it.

Public Speaking - This is one of the hardest things for people to do and to get comfortable with. You do get better and feel better with practice. I used to get so nervous and be anxious about speeches or talks. I joined Toastmasters early in my work career, and I learned so many work/life skills within a safe environment, and much to my surprise, I earned several public speaking certificates.

This was one area that I really had to push myself on. I put in a lot of time writing speeches, doing improvisation exercises, and listening to feedback for improvement at the Toastmasters meetings. (It’s a lot like writing and getting feedback from critique partners or beta readers.) It does get easier the more you do it.

Networking - Networking and meeting new people are hard, especially if it’s not in your nature. Find groups or volunteer opportunities that you can attend in-person or online. Make a pact with yourself to meet or talk to at least new three people at each event.

Volunteering is a great way to give back and to socialize with others. There are so many organizations that are in desperate need of people to help with all kinds of tasks. It’s a great way to network.

Networking, public speaking, and events are all part of the marking and publicity site of the writing life. We all have our preferences and our not-so-favorite things to do, but if you don’t take a chance once in a while, you’ll miss out on opportunities.

What's Involved in the Writing Life - A Post for New Authors

When I was younger, I thought writers worked in really cool places, wrote great books, and got lots of royalty checks. I had no idea about what it was really like -- writing, publishing, networking, and marketing. Here are some things I've learned along the way.

Blog/Website - You need to have a professional Internet presence. If you can't build and maintain it yourself, hire someone to help. If you do hire someone, make sure you can keep the content fresh. People don't return to your site if the content never changes. A blog (on your website) is a great way to have new content regularly. Decide what blogging schedule works with your writing life and commit to that. I used to blog three days a week, but it became too time-consuming. I post once every Friday now.

Social Media Presence - Time spent on social media sites can get out of control quickly. There are so many out there, and it takes time to develop relationships and followings on each of them. Figure out what works for you and your readers and focus your time on those. My primary social media sites are Facebook and Twitter. Previously, I used LinkedIn for my IT life, but I do promote my blog posts there now. I like Pinterest, so I hang out there for fun. I have a presence on Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, and BookBub.

Professional Photo - If you're going to invest in something for your writing career, get a good headshot that you can use for your branding. Put your photo on your website, blog, and social media sites. And if you haven't updated your photo in the last ten years, it's time. 

Press Kit - Put together a press kit (photo, short and long biography, book list) and make it accessible on your website. Have two to three biographies of different lengths. When you're asked to do events, the hosts want this information. Make sure that you keep your biography current.

Press Releases and Blurbs - For me, these are harder to write than the book. If it's not your strength, find help or resources on the Internet. You will need these. And it's better to have them written and ready.

Public Speaking - I enjoy panels, workshops, and interviews, but I've been a teacher, trainer, and Toastmaster through the years. I was surprised at the amount of public speaking that I'm asked to do. If you're shy or don't like to speak in front of groups, you may want to try Toastmasters. It's a friendly environment to practice in with constructive feedback. Many libraries and book groups ask for speakers. 

Time Management - There is a lot involved in the writing life. I'm in two writers groups and two critique groups. I work, blog, write, volunteer, and do family stuff. Sometimes, it's a challenge to balance everything. Watch your time. Make sure that you make time for writing and revising. Book marketing and social media can take up a lot of your resources.

Happy writing!

What I Learned about "Stepping up to the Stage" from Joan Bowling - Public Speaking Tips for Authors

This week, I attended the James River Writers' Writing Show, "Stepping up to the Stage" with Joan Bowling. She had some great presentation and public speaking tips for authors. Here's what I learned...

1. Prepare! Prepare! Prepare! Make sure that you're ready for your event. 
2. Relax! You are more confident when you feel comfortable.
3. Make the butterflies you feel fly in formation. Get control of your nerves.
4. Breathing helps. Calm your thoughts.
5. Nervousness means you care. Use that energy in your presentation.
6. You need to create an impression or mood with what you're going to say.
7. Start off with a question or an "imagine a time when" story. You want to draw your listeners in.
8. Practice your opening. 
9. You want your presentation to be an easy conversation. She said to avoid the "wind up." "Hi. Thank you for having me here. I am so honored to be here..."
10. Know your audience and have questions prepared.
11. Listening is crucial. 
12. Be present.
13. If you're on a stage, do a sound check. Walk around and get to know the environment before the event. 
14. If you've not used to using a microphone, practice at home with a hairbrush.
15. The microphone is an extension of your chin. Hold it below your chin. Your audience needs to see your mouth.
16. When it doubt, use a microphone. It's hard to sustain a voice loud enough for the audience to hear for 45 minutes.
17. Mingle with the audience before an event.
18. When you are on stage, scan the audience. Don't do a windshield wiper thing with your head. Scan in a slow "W" formation, so it looks more natural. 
19. If you're terrified, look at your audience's foreheads. They can't tell that you're not looking directly at them.
20. Be hydrated before you speak. Stay away from dairy. 
21. If you're doing a reading, animate it. Leave them with an emotion. Read a funny, scary, or sad excerpt. 
22. If you're reading, hold the book so they can see it, but don't cover your face. They shouldn't see the top of your head during the entire reading. 
23. Some people print out the excerpt and read from the paper. (Just make sure that you have your book on the lectern or table, so they can see the cover.
24. Know the power of a pause. Pause from time to time to let your audience catch up and to draw them in.
25. Don't do accents in readings.
26. Get comfortable with the sound of your voice. Tape yourself and listen.
27. If you're doing TV, make it a live conversation. 
28. Always have your book with you.
29. When you're doing a presentation, don't end on a question. End where YOU want to leave the audience. Leave them with an impression.

Joan had some wonderful advice. Check out her website and her newsletter. These are all great ideas that writers need in their toolbox when they're doing a reading or a presentation.