Welcome back to the site that is here for you, the writer. There are no ads, there is nothing being sold and no links to any promotional items. This is for you. I want you to find something in each posting that helps you as a writer. That is my goal and that is what I aim to do.
Today I want to talk about marketing. For your information, I have a degree in Marketing. That and fifty cents will get you a small cup of coffee. J Although I hated my marketing courses in college, I did retain a bit of that knowledge, and it has served me well as a writer.
The first thing you need to understand is that you are your product. Your name and your writing ability are what you are selling.
Read the quote below and then we’ll chat more about this aspect of your writing business.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The aim of marketing is to know and understand the customer so well the product or service fits him and sells itself.”
Peter Drucker
This is such an important distinction. As the owner and CEO of your writing business, you must know your customers (readers) and determine what it is that they need, and then convince them that your writing satisfies that need. This is marketing at its most basic form, friends, and you really need to grasp it and make it work for you.
Ask yourselves this question: how does my writing satisfy a need? Or, what are the needs of my readers and how can I satisfy that need? Once you have the answer to that question then you can tailor your marketing actions to benefit everyone.
TIP OF THE DAY
I’m going to use myself as a guinea pig for this example. I write in two categories. One is writer’s tips, and it should be obvious who my audience is and what they need. The other category is a tough one, and it is one that many poets can relate to. I write personal essays about life and life’s lessons. Now, how do personal essays satisfy a need for readers?
I have one word for you: nostalgia. Most people think back fondly to simpler times, and most people share experiences similar to those that I write about. We all want a better life. We all want to be loved. We all understand emotional pain and we all understand joy. That’s what I write about and that is what my readers gravitate towards when they read my work.
Armed with that knowledge I can then go forth with my marketing plan. If you want to read more about that plan then you can read my article today on HubPages.
SITE OF THE DAY
Sun Valley Magazine is not just about Sun Valley. They are distributed in 400 outlets and accept submissions for articles that have a regional flavor. Articles about lifestyle in general will be looked at, so go see their site here and check them out.
CONTEST SITE OF THE DAY
Highlands and Islands Short Story Contest is a Scottish competition but the short story does not have to be about Scotland. You can find submission details here.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY
Consider your website or blog to be your hub; now build the spokes of your wheel.
FUNDING SITE OF THE DAY
Indiegogo is a funding site that teaches you how to build a funding platform for a writing project you want to undertake. It’s an interesting concept and one you might want to take a look at here.
PROMPT OF THE DAY
You know the drill….look at it, ponder, become inspired and then write.
MORE TOMORROW
Let’s see, tomorrow is Thursday….yep, I’ll be back, good Lord willin’ and the creek don’t rise. Thanks for taking the time to visit and I hope you found something that will help you. Have a great day of writing.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Thanks Bill for always being so willing to share with us what you learn. I was thinking yesterday about the ‘marketing’ aspect and how any of our online actions need to fit within that marketing plan. What a coincidence that I see this post today! Wishing you a wonderful day!
hey Christy, thanks for stopping by. I think it’s an aspect of writing that we either don’t think about or don’t want to think about. 🙂 I’m glad this came at the right time for you.
I agree with Christy and thank you as always for sharing with us of us your wisdom and knowledge on this. I may be a bit scare for the for days with the holiday weekend and my wedding anniversary on Monday, but will try to stop in when I can. Just wanted to wish you a great weekend and hope you do get a bit of time off at some point tomorrow to enjoy the 4th of July!! 🙂
Thank you so much, Janine, and Happy Anniversary. I hope you and your family have a great 4th of July.
Good grief, marketing is so not my strongpoint. If I had figured out the marketing part of writing, I probably wouldn’t have gone after another teaching job. But, alas, I’m also a believer in “there’s a reason for everything” and me stepping back into the classroom turned out to be a life-changer – it just took the right time and place to do it. So, maybe my bad marketing skills were for the greater good. LOL. Eh…I could still argue that I don’t know what to do with myself, so…I’ll just do it all. School…photography…art…writing…what’s not to like?
Cyndi, as long as you are loving what you are doing then all is right in your world. Keep doing what you are doing and you’ll keep getting what you are getting. 🙂
How do you come up with so many rich resources, Bill 🙂
Always helpful and insightful.
Happy 4th of july
Ruchira, I just keep looking for them. 🙂 Happy 4th to you and yours.
Very cool Bill–marketing poetry is a tough one really–but I am learning slowly
Audry, marketing poetry is like marketing my personal essays…tough sell but not impossible. 🙂 Good luck!
Just wanted to pop in and support your blog as always and say hi. Back with connection. Have a great day Bill.
Good to have you back, Mel! I hope you are having a wonderful day in your new place. Thank you!
Ah, Bill…a topic i worry about continuously and one i know far too little about. Luckily i know people who know much, such as yourself and my linkedin mentor! Between the twixt – mayhap i’ll learn something?
here’s hoping – even though i AM left-handed! LOL
hugsxx
Leslie, I suspect you learn new tricks quite quickly. LOL Hang in there, friend, it will all come in time.