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Health & Fitness

Introverted Authors: More Bang for Your Book

Maria Murnane, Neighbor
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My friend Nancy Ancowitz is a business communication coach and author of Self-Promotion for Introverts®: The Quiet Guide to Getting Ahead. I asked if she’d be willing to share some marketing tips for introverted authors, and she graciously agreed. Here’s what she had to say:

Do you break out in a cold sweat at the thought of tooting your own horn, but enjoy singing the praises of others? That’s fine (and really common!). Then help promote one another’s wares. You don’t have many friends, especially who are authors? Fine too. That’s where social media, your alumni organization, your volunteer work buddies, and acquaintances from your other circles come in. Look to help others by offering valuable information, insights, and introductions – and ask for help too.Use your introvert’s advantages by:

  • Researching – Become knowledgeable about the market for your book (your readers, your competitors, how your work is different).
  • Listening – By keeping your ear to the ground, you’ll gather good intel.
  • Building relationships over time, one at a time with social media mavens, journalists, avid readers of books like yours, and other authors.
  • Writing your heart out!
You have endless tools at your disposal – and most of them are already familiar to you. Position yourself as an expert on the likes of LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Pen reviews, blog and guest blog, and share updates on  YouTube. Enter your book for awards. Write targeted notes to bloggers and editors introducing them to your book. If public speaking doesn’t give you night sweats, give a talk or two, not to mention podcast and radio interviews. Ask other authors for testimonials. Cross-promote with authors whose works are complementary to yours. Don’t forget that e-mail is still a great way to reach your fans. If you’re good with the occasional meeting, attend or organize Meetups and Tweetups – not to mention online  Google+ Hangouts.The list of visibility-raising activities for you and your book goes on and on. The key is to make your own list and take action. Pick the promotional activities you like best – or find least objectionable! – and become the steward of a visibility program for yourself and your book. Of course, use the power of your pen (or thumbs!) to describe your book in snappy ways so it stands out from the crowd.

Even if you’re not an introvert, Nancy’s practical advice is worth taking. To learn more about how she can help you, visit www.selfpromotionforintroverts.com.

Palo Alto native Maria Murnane is the author of the best-selling romantic comedies Perfect on Paper, It's a Waverly Life, Honey on Your Mind, and Chocolate for Two. She also provides consulting services on book publishing and marketing. Learn more at www.mariamurnane.com.

This blog post originally appeared on CreateSpace.com. Reprinted with permission. © 2013 CreateSpace, a DBA of On-Demand Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.

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