How the [Professional Writer] Sausage is Made
Are you a writer who has no clue how to market themselves? Join the club. Let me share with you the messy, Google search history of my journey in figuring it out.
How do I social media? What do I share? When should I start a website? How do I post things on Instagram? Is Twitter still a thing? What does a writer’s portfolio look like, and do I need to be published in order to make one?
The larger questions here are why do people care, why will people care, and does it matter? I mean, we’re all going to be famous writers someday, right?
I sat in the very front row of Paula Rizzo’s presentation at the Writer’s Digest Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio back in October. Her presentation was titled “How to Get and Keep Media Attention for Your Book and Brand.”
I was there, in the front row, because while I hadn’t yet met Paula on a personal level, I’d heard she was one cool and very smart cookie (and she is—no surprise there). But I was also there because of Polly Campbell—if you’re following me, then you’ve probably heard that I’m Polly’s editorial assistant— so as I sat there, my reMarkable open to a fresh notepad, I was prepared to write down all sorts of ideas that I could use for Polly’s career, not my own.
Don’t Be Late to the Game.
I wish I knew Paula’s words exactly—one of her opening lines that really stuck with me—but I can’t so I’ll summarize what I think I remember: If you think that you’re not in a place to start marketing yourself, then you’re already late to the game.
At the time, I had a website for my freelance work as an editor. I was querying my first manuscript to literary agents. I was actively working on my second novel, a piece that was accepted into a small, competitive writing cohort through StoryStudio Chicago. I had no social media besides a Twitter account that hadn’t seen a post since May and a barely updated LinkedIn page.
If You Don’t Promote It, How Will Anyone Know?
This is a good point. Was I too stubborn or grumpy or lazy to promote on social media? Did I have enough to actually create an online portfolio? What does a portfolio contain? How do I make one that looks professional? Am I a professional writer?
These were the questions, the doubts, the anxieties of mine that kept me from sharing what I’ve been doing with my time as a writer and editor. And—I had to get over it. By the time Paula’s presentation was over, my head was spinning with ideas. I had taken major notes from Paula’s presentation, none of which were for Polly. Then, I Googled and Googled and Googled and Googled.
My time at the Writer’s Digest conference was more than fruitful. I met so many cool writers who were just like me—still trying to figure it out, still plugging, still writing. I successfully pitched my WIP to an agent. I learned the importance of promoting my work, having socials that the writing community can follow me on, the how’s and why’s of linking and sharing, and starting a proper portfolio 101.
Make a list.
Here’s where Paula, author of Listful Thinking and Listful Living, and I are simpatico. I was already doing cool things with Polly, with my two books, with my website, but I wasn’t saying any of it out loud. I’ll admit, after I got home from the conference, I was a little overwhelmed with where to start. There were so many things.
So, I made a list.
I wrote down every question I had that needed Googling. I listed things like, create an online portfolio, write pitches for my two novels, start a new Instagram account. UPDATE EVERYTHING! I thought about what my “brand” should be, but I also didn’t get too hung up on it. The main thing I focused on was getting my writerly accomplishments, big and small, out there for everyone to see.
You’re a writer. Say it out loud. Come out on the socials if you aren’t there already. Make a Substack. But most importantly, start asking yourself the hard questions: What do I want for my career? And then—work backwards.
Every accomplished and published author with a website or social media presence started with a blank slate at one point or another. What’s the difference between you and them? They started, and you didn’t.
Start somewhere. Start small. Just start.
I’m starting almost from nothing, but now I at least have updated socials, a portfolio, and my first Substack article. But— if you’re still in a place where this is all a bit intimidating for you, keep following me— we will learn together.
— E
Amazing advice!!!