Sell Your Writing With High-Powered Promotions (Editorial)

Want to sell your writing? It’s much easier than you think to make money and establish a fantastic writing career, but too many writers get in their own way. They hate to sell, basically because they don’t know how. With a few techniques in hand, you’ll soon become a pro.

In this article, we’ll look at some super-simple, but nevertheless high-powered promotional methods.

Before we begin, if you hate to sell, take heart. I was much like you. I used to hate promotions too. In fact, in the first 20 years of my 30-year writing career, I skated through just by sending out book proposals and magazine query letters. And people bought them, no special effort required.

Here’s what’s amusing: although I was hopeless at self-promotion, I was a wizard at copywriting and selling anything and everything, from concrete rebar to cosmetics, for my clients. I could write great copy for others, but never considered doing it for myself.

Finally, I realized that I had a real mental block. I felt it was undignified to promote myself. A kindly editor pointed this out to me, very gently, when I baulked at writing a promotional bio for myself. She told me to think of myself as one of my own clients. How would I promote this new client (me?)

After this, I had several light-bulb moments. I cleared up negative beliefs I’d been dragging around since childhood, and I’ve come to enjoy self-promotion.

You will too.

Here are some simple, practical, but high-powered ways to promote your writing:

1. Create a personal website which acts as your portfolio.

In order to promote your writing online, you need an online presence. Include writing samples, contact information and a bio.

Note: A bio is not a full-blown biography. Potential clients don ‘t particularly care if you were born in a log cabin or with a silver-spoon in your mouth.

A bio is just a paragraph about you, your writing specialties and a brief reason why someone should hire you.

For example: “(Name) has been a writer/editor in Florida for many years. She specializes in health-care subjects. When you need articles, blogs or newsletters on medical matters produced quickly and for reasonable rates, contact her at (email address.)”

2. Post ads on the free classified ad sites to promote your writing.

Many small business owners and entrepreneurs know they need professional web writing help, but don’t know where to get it.

The free classified ad sites are an excellent way to find local and international clients. Make sure you word the text so that potential customers can see what’s in it for them if they hire you. Show them how you’ll save them money, time and frustration.

3. Promote your writing services by posting an ad on sites devoted to Internet marketers.

Internet marketers are always looking for people who understand how to write for the web.

Ads on these sites are not very expensive and they can get you valuable testimonials. Read some other ads on these sites and you’ll get an idea of how to word yours.

4. Send emails to promote your writing.

Do you know of a client for whom you’d like to work? Visit the company’s website, look for its contact information and send them an email to promote your writing services.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Here ‘s an example:

“Hello: I came across your website today. I wanted to introduce myself and offer my services as a freelance writer. I have been writing about real estate for more than five years and I feel I could be an asset to your company. Do you ever hire freelance writers? If so, I would be delighted to send you some samples of my work. Or you may visit my website at (site.) Thank you. Sincerely, (name).”

If you decide to send an email, be sure it is customized to the particular client.

If possible find the name of a contact person. Do not send identical emails to a thousand different companies: No one appreciates spam.

5. Start a blog.

The best way to show you can write about a subject is to blog about it. It’s quick, easy and fun to start a blog that will promote your writing.

Here’s a final tip: learning effective promotional methods is just like learning to write.

You learned how to write — or are in the process of learning — by writing.

Promoting yourself takes the same amount of practice. Expect it to be challenging initially. But with each promotional piece you write, and with each client who hires, you, it will become easier… finally it will be fun, and you’ll wonder what the fuss was about.

Develop a great income writing for the Web – start by writing simple articles

I’ve developed “Sell Your Writing Online Now” (SYWON) to help you to start making money writing online in 24 hours or less.

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