Proactive Writers participate

Filed under Proactive Writer.

ParticipateThe world of modern publishing has changed. Gone are the days when writers can write a book, submit a manuscript and sit back and wait for the cash. Today, changes in technology and publishing ethos mean that writers need to be proactive in their approach to writing, publishing and promoting. I have already written about the idea of a Proactive Writer here.

In essence I suggested that a successful modern writer demonstrates four traits:

So what do I mean by participate?

Participation is the cornerstone of a Proactive Writer’s approach to winning new fans. I will come onto practical methods of participation, but this is much more than a new routine or set of skills, it is a change in thinking – a paradigm shift.

A Proactive Writer is aware that they are in it for the long haul, that readers don’t become followers and then fans overnight – it takes time and effort. Participation is the idea that a Proactive Writer is everywhere. Not only are they leaving comments and engaging in twitter conversations, they are also attending events, getting involved with other people’s projects when asked and generally participating in the environment.

But why?

The answer is complex but in essence it is to build TRUST. It is easy to appear nice and friendly in one blog post, but it is impossible to do it over a long period of time. The more you participate, as a Proactive Writer, the more the people you ‘touch’ will grow to trust you and your views.

I could write a whole book on ways to participate, but here’s just a few ideas:

  • Leave intelligent comments on key blog posts,
  • Use twitter to engage with new people,
  • Offer your services as a guest blogger or invite a blogger to write on your blog,
  • Set up a local reading group,
  • Email a publishing company and ask if you can review one of their books,
  • Write a blog post that engages a wider debate (e.g self publishing vs. traditional publishing),
  • Use Mail Chimp to set up a free newsletter,
  • Encourage readers to leave comments on your posts and then reply to them.

The key is to forget about your book and start building trust for you as a Proactive Writer. The one extra I would tag on here is that you need to ensure that whilst participating you leave open a route to your central blog/website. Make sure you leave your email address or web link, ensure your twitter bio links to your blog. It is all part of the bigger picture.

So, start participating now by leaving a comment here. Don’t just say hi, try and add to the debate. Am I correct or is it all a load off made up rubbish?

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  • http://www.enewman.co.uk Emma Newman

    I absolutely couldn’t agree more. I think that something people might struggle with is the sheer amount of work it involves though, without an easy to measure return.

    I started blogging in January this year and it was the best thing I ever did as an unpublished author. Not only has blogging kept me sane, I’ve connected with an amazing group of people and they have been able to get to know me as much as I have been able to get to know them. Personal connections are so important in a world where there are seemingly millions of writers and books.

    Efforts on Twitter led to me securing a contract with a publisher and this time next year my debut novel will be on sale. If I had been out there, actively participating,that never would have happened (it’s a long story!). I podcast the book for free a chapter at a time (I started that before I got the contract and negotiated a clause to keep it going), run a free short story club and have started a local book club in the real world, so I guess I am already doing as you recommend.

    For anyone not certain whether it’s worth it, all I can say is that by actively participating I have got a publisher, an established group of people who love what I write and are waiting to buy the book, and most importantly, lots of support in this strange writing life. Yes, it takes time away from writing, but it gives so much back.

    • Gary Smailes

      Emma – You make a good point about measurable return. It is easy to look at hits or twitter followers or numbers of comments. Though these all give an indication of your success, none reflect the potential power of the network you are building. I am something think it is more of about faith in the ideas that matters.

      Congrats on the book deal – any chance you would do an email interview for the blog? email me gary@bubblecow.co.uk

  • http://www.enewman.co.uk Emma Newman

    Gary, you have made my day! Yes, followers and hits and comments (oh my!) can be indicators, but I agree that the real return isn’t quantifiably measurable. In fact, tracking all three too closely can lead to a kind of madness that’s best to avoid. We authors have enough neuroses to deal with already after all!

  • http://twitter.com/CyranDorman Cyran Dorman

    Wow, Emma the idea of podcasting your book is brilliant. That had never even occurred to me. And congratulations on the book deal.

    I have had a dedicated blog for my writing but it’s inactive at the moment as I’ve always thought that I needed a finished product before I can say anything there. I suppose I’m still too embarassed when I say that I’m a writer and people ask the inevitable question of “Have you had anything published?” I suppose the simple answer would be, “Go to my blog to find out,” and then to fill that space. So, no I’m not participating, but this has really got me thinking about what I can do. Perhaps it’s that time of year when we all look back and think of ways to do it differently in the new year.

    • Gary Smailes

      Cyran – You should certainly be blogging about the process of writing. Building a network today will pay off when your book is written. There are thousands of writers in your position that would be interested in your writing process.

    • http://www.enewman.co.uk Emma Newman

      Hi Cyran – I was inspired by others to podcast so I can’t take the credit for being that clever! But it is a great thing to do for so many reasons.

      When I started my blog, I went there to rant about how hard it is to get published and to try and decide whether to self-publish or not. The original strap-line was “Either madness or a heroic quest. I favour the latter, will you?” Now I have the contract, and have grown in confidence online, I talk about other things too. I guess what I’m trying to say is that in no sense do you need to be published to have a writing blog. Being a writer is about writing, not being published (that’s what ‘being published’ blogs are about, right?), and anyway, I’m sure there are lots of other aspects of you that people would love to get to know too :)

      As Gary says, building a network is a good investment, but blogging regularly has also helped me to grow in confidence with regards to “putting myself out there” and also refining my voice. It’s like training for the promotion bits of being an author whilst also being part of the promotion process itself I guess. Anyway, I’m burbling… I’ll get my coat.

    • http://stevengriffin.wordpress.com Steve Griffin

      Hi Cyran – I certainly sympathize with the anxiety of needing to have my book completed in order to blog about it. However, I have recently picked blogging back up and have found it has actually helped my writing. I’ve been using my blog to do a sort of “mental dump” of all the issues I have on my mind while trying to put my book together. I’ve found having a blog as a way to “release” some of the thoughts I encounter while I write has allowed me to move past some of those emotions and ideas, and helps clear room for me to focus more on my novel. I can say I personally am interested in the process of other authors, so I would definitely encourage your to write about your journey…I know I’d subscribe :) Good luck with your writing. Cheers.

  • http://twitter.com/CyranDorman Cyran Dorman

    That absolutely makes sense. And I’ve just missed a huge opportunity. I took part in Nanowrimo, had a really hard time of it and ended writing my 50,000 word novel in 7 days in the end. I SHOULD DEFINITELY write a blog post about that but I should have been writing about it all along. I seem to be great at the self promotion on Twitter, so it seems ridiculous that I haven’t been spreading myself to a wider audience.

    OK, here I go, one blog post coming up! For starters :)

    • Gary Smailes

      Although a lot of writers have great blogs, there are many blogs in what I call the ‘get published’ space. These are writers looking to find the best way to get a book into print. Writers come across the same problems time and again, so why solve them alone? If you have found the best way to write and work, then share it with the world. I help run BubbleCow and write at the same time. I think that there is value in how I got to that position and how I continue to find time to write pitches, do the research and actually write words. The way I write today is different, but I am still always looking for tips to do it all better.

  • http://dordognedoings.blogspot.com Diana

    I agree.. Twitter has given me more sense of belonging in the writing world. I am plodding along with ‘the book’ and as a form of necessary sanctuary I started a blog about the strange way of life as a British ex-pat in France. The blog is written from the top of my head, as I believe it is a medium for depositing thoughts in a sometimes random manner.

    The feedback I have received from around the world has been amazing. My self esteem and confidence in my abilities has been elevated, in fact I have been known to rush around the garden ‘whooping the whoop’ at some of the comments i have had from well known writers, journalists and UK TV personalities.

    But maybe there is a moral here; perhaps I should be more relaxed in my serious writing and not so focused on excellence?

  • http://omaniblog.blogs.ie Paul O’Mahony (Cork)

    Superb post. Thank you v much. I found you via @thecreativepen on Twitter. I trust her judgement having tested it several times recently.

    Publishers love authors who deliver them 1,000 copies pre-bought before publication. A marketing campaign by the author over a year can reasonably aspire to achieve that.

    Perhaps a bit more about selling the book and a little less focus on getting published is in order. I smile at the number of authors who aspire to be published when what they really want is to be a bought author.

    Like so many of you I love the podcasting initiative. Well done for ensuring your publisher saw the sense of that. The sound of the author reading their own work is powerful – lots of evidence people like to buy that.

    Congrats on creating this space where authors share ideas and experiences. Thanks very much.
    @omaniblog

    • Gary Smailes

      Hi Paul,

      @thecreativepen and @bubblecow share a lot of common ground so I am glad you have found us!

      For me it is all about writers (published or unpublished) lifting themselves about the noise and making themselves heard. There are many ways this can be done (podcasting) but the key is to be amazing and consistently add value to your readers.

      Gary

  • http://omaniblog.blogs.ie Paul O’Mahony (Cork)

    Sorry – my mistake: it was @thecreativepenn that sent me here