Ways to market yourself while making some cash. 

So, you’ve written a book. Great! I’m so proud of you. So much sweat and tears go into a manuscript, it deserves a round of applause when you finally finish.  Unfortunately, just because you’ve written this great book, doesn’t mean it’s going to get read. That means next up- marketing.  Now the article is not really to teach you how to market your book, so much as how to market yourself as an author. You want to get yourself known by the public as a great author, so that they want to read this book, and every other book you write in the future. And hey, if you can make a few bucks while your at it, bonus!

Write for hire.

Writing for hire is when educational publishers request books written on specific topics for a specific age group. There are a couple of benefits to writing for hire. First, you make money doing something you love-writing! While you’re waiting for your bestseller take off, you can have some money coming in. Secondly,  these books are sold on Amazon. When people want to know more about you as a writer and search your name, it will rank higher as you will have numerous publications sold on Amazon.

Teach your trade.

Want to catch the eye of the up and coming readers? You can approach schools and libraries and offer to come in for a day and offer up some writing tips, or a short one-day writing work shop. Not only does this usually come with a pay cheque, but you are instilling your name among an entire class (or school depending on what the school is looking for), who will hopefully purchase your book either now, or in the future, as they become part of your fan base.

Write How-to Books.

Do you have a specialty? An unusual style or genre you enjoy writing for? If so there are probably aspiring writers out there who would love to know your secrets. You can write how-to books and publish them as eBooks yourself, as they don’t have to be overly fancy in design (more business in design, than recreational reading). Then sell them yourself on Amazon, or your author website.

Write a blog.

Branch out from your normal manuscript writing and start a blog. Not only can this help you develop and hone your writing craft, it also draws readers to your website. Gaining a blog following will make you money if you participate in affiliate marketing, or if you allow some advertising on your page. So it’s up to you if you want to make money via blogging, or just gain exposure.

And don’t think that your blog has to just be about writing more stories (though it certainly could be- short stories, or spin offs on characters from your main novels). Instead write about how you overcome writers block, where you derive inspiration from, tools you love to use as an author, your family, your pets, funny stuff that happens in life. If you are engaging the reader, they will enjoy when your blogs are not of your typical subject. So many readers aspire to become an author like you are, so they are interested in your insights, how you started, and how you tackle writing. Let them get a glimpse of the person behind the book! It’ll keep them coming back as you write new books, and hopefully eventually pre-ordering your book before it’s even done!

Just Remember. . .

Remember the ultimate goal when you are starting out as an author is to get your name to stand out in people’s heads the next time they are searching for a new book to read. They might choose your book because “Man, that guy writes a really entertaining blog, I bet his novel will be great too”, or maybe, “Hey I remember that author, she taught a really helpful workshop. I should check out her book.” And better yet, if they remember to tell there friends about, “a really great author I just read”.

Do you have other tips for authors to gain exposure, or make some dough on the side at the same time? If so drop it in the comments. I’d love to hear it!