Some writers are happy to put the words down on paper (or screen) and enjoy the process, leaving it there. However, some want to make a real impact in the world, and these authors need to know what they can do to ensure that their name and their work is seen and known.
It isn’t always easy to be a big name in such a competitive world. Publishing has changed massively in just the last few years and compared to a decade ago it is almost unrecognizable. Self-publishing, online journals, and hundreds – perhaps thousands – of small presses have all appeared on the scene. On the one hand, this makes it easier for authors to be noticed, but it can also mean that their impact is lessened. Here are some ways to make an impact as an emerging author.
Don’t Expect Overnight Success
To be an important author whose work is known and recognized it will take time. It may take many years, and there is no such thing as overnight success. The media you will see and read may not bear this out, but it is true; even those authors who appear to burst onto the scene will have been working extremely hard for possibly many years in order to get to where they are now.
The key, therefore, is to be patient, and to never stop pushing harder and harder. The more you can establish yourself online and in other avenues, the more your name will begin to be recognized, and more people will read your work. It is a potentially slow, organic process, but it is one that can reap huge rewards.
Build A Brand
Even if you hadn’t considered it before, as an author you are a brand. Think of all the well-known authors you like and appreciate, and you will notice that they all have a brand of some kind. They will have spent a long time building this brand up so that they can present the entire package to publishers and the public.
A website is a good place to start, as you can use it as a focal point, writing about your work and what you do. In fact, if you include a blog on your site you can also boost your search engine rankings and potentially get noticed that much sooner.
Social media is another important part of building your brand. You can connect directly with your readers and really make an impact that way. If you’re not sure that you can reach many people, check out some statistics. For example, Oberlo will show you why should market your brand on Twitter.
Be Authentic
Whatever you do, if you want to make an impact as an author, you need to be authentic. There is no point in writing something controversial just for the sake of it; you will be found out as soon as people start to dig deeper.
Write about what interests you. Write about things you care about. Even if your potential audience is smaller than it would be if you wrote about the latest trend or something in the media, your writing will come across better, and you will have a lot more longevity.
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