Practically Painless

When dreaming of being an author one day, I never considered more than seeing my name on the cover and having other people read my words (and love them, of course). Everything else would obviously take care of itself because if a publisher liked my work enough to print it, then it would sell, right?

In reality, authors today spend almost more time marketing than they do writing and editing. We hear terms like “build a platform,” “don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” and “name recognition.” In other words, the more different places we have our name, the more likely we are to be found.

I don’t consider myself a shy person. But it just feels a bit awkward to push myself on someone. “Hi. I published a book. Can I be on your blog?” When I started, I was rather lost. Thankfully, my mentor had coached me some, encouraging me to join the ACFW, where people are always looking for guests for their blogs. I could just jump on those and not have to go actively seeking others, right?

But the father out I get from the original release dates of my books, the father we also get from those posts and the less-likely I am to be found there. I have to keep finding more. So, recently, I have forced myself out of my comfort zone.

Just go ask.

But what if they say no?

Then go ask someone else.

And that’s how I’ve gotten to be a guest on several different blogs and websites that I hold in awe. And included in a newsletter of an author friend.

And because I was in those spots, others found me and asked me to appear on their blogs and websites.

See, asking is practically painless. The worst that can happen is they say “no.” But they’ll never say “yes” if they don’t know you want their help.

Share what you can offer them. They’ve been in your shoes before and know how it is to get started. And someone back then helped them, too.

Just ask.

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Amy R Anguish, author of An Unexpected Legacy, grew up a preacher’s kid, and in spite of having lived in seven different states that are all south of the Mason Dixon line, she is not a football fan. Currently, she resides in Tennessee with her husband, daughter, and son, and usually a bossy cat or two. Amy has an English degree from Freed-Hardeman University that she intends to use to glorify God, and she wants her stories to show that while Christians face real struggles, it can still work out for good.

Check out her new book, Faith & Hope, available now.

Follow her at http://abitofanguish.weebly.com or http://www.facebook.com/amyanguishauthor