________________________Secrets of Marketing Success
A
number of years ago, I became so discouraged at the towering pile of
rejection slips I had acquired in more than ten years of writing that I
promised God, if He would help me discover how better to get things
published, I would share what I learned with other struggling writers.
I discovered there are a number of “insider” secrets that are likely to
give your literary gems a better chance. At least, they have for me. One of my goals as a writer is to share them with you. Here is a brief summary:
Insider Tips to Fast and Frequent Sales
1. Follow Your Heart. We write best what care about. Follow your reading patterns. Write from experience. Follow your strengths and specialize in them.
2. Go Where the Business Is. Concentrate your energies on the markets that use a high percentage of freelance work—backyard markets not listed in the major book markets and magazines and those that publish most frequently (newspapers, weekly tabloids, etc.).
3. Give Editors What They Want. Work initially in those types of writing that editors need most: nonfiction, how-to's, the "Tips" listed in the market books and market magazines. Be a forecaster; sniff out trends. Submit seasonal and/or theme pieces. Later, when you've built a name for yourself, you can write what you want.
4. Build Your Creditability. Take writing classes. Cultivate specialties, and keep updated in your major writing areas. Acquire a string of credits. Pile up the numbers. Enter contests and earn awards. Use social media to build a following. Editors notice these!
5. Increase Your Odds in a flooded marketplace. Study your target publications. A certain of market study takes time, but knowing well the publication you are submitting to pays off handsomely in the long run.
Give yourself an edge by soliciting recommendations on your work from published writers or other editors, vacation "visits" with selected editors, or one-on-one appointments at writer conference. Another way to increase the odds when submitting is to grab the editor's eye with attention getting devices (colored stationery, a distinctive logo).
6. Make the Job Easier. Increase your credits by acquiring multiple sales; selling reprints and in general making multiple use of interview or research data.
When receiving a rejection, don't take no for an answer. Sometimes you can save redeemable business by learning why a certain work was turned down and offering to correct the problem. Use this with discretion; don't become a pest.
7. Build On Your Successes. Cultivate relationships with editors you like and submit to them regularly. Keep lots of pieces circulating at all times. And use your time wisely. Always check to see the editors preferences on how to submit and follow them. Don't send a manuscript or proposal when a query will do. Don't write and send a complete fiction story when a synopsis will suffice.
8. Pave a Smooth Road. Choose positive mental attitudes. Don't throw out any manuscript unless it is an irredeemable failure. Don't give up marketing a good piece unless it is hopelessly outdated. Mostly, don't give up on yourself. When the going gets rough and rejectionitis set in, seek support from writer friends, stay active in writers' clubs, attend classes and conferences, and concentrate on easy business for awhile. Keep the joy in your writing!
Questions and Answers:
Do you
have a question not answered in the available writers' how-to books?
I'd be glad to help, if I can. Please submit no more than one question
at a time and ask questions that would be helpful to many people.
E-mail them to me on my Home page or comment in my blog (walkingreligiously.blogspot.com)or Facebook page (Facebook.com/Margaret.Houk).
I hope this helps you on your writing journey.
Your sister in faith and writing,
Margaret Houk
NOTE: Please honor my copyright: for personal or group use only. No reproduction for commercial use.