Public Speaking for Writers
Taking a Proactive Approach to Promoting Yourself and Your Writing
Apr 6, 2009
A writer may have just written the next greatest American novel. But if no one has ever heard about it, no one will ever read it.
It is a common misconception that once a book is written and published it’s all downhill from there. This is hardly ever true. In fact, for most writers, this is where the hardest work begins. Writers love to write and feel comfortable spending many hours alone behind their computers. But after completing that novel, it’s time to take a step away from the desk and show a smiling face to the public.
Book Signings
Book signings are a great way for a writer to get her name and book out into the public. Unless she is already well-known and has customers and fans lining up to buy her book, it’s unlikely that a book signing will generate a lot of money. Money, however, is not the sole purpose of a book signing. Signings are a cheap and easy way to promote an author and her book. They most often happen at bookstores, but could be hosted by many other venues.
School Visits
If a writer's books are appropriate for school age children, she should consider speaking in schools, running workshops for students, or just asking a school to host a book signing. This is another great way for a writer to promote herself and her book. She can begin by volunteering to speak to students at her alma mater. If this visit is successful, her name will travel by word-of-mouth to other educators and school districts and she will soon have several visits under her belt.
Library visits, for schools or public libraries, are another useful option.
If a writer's book is not appropriate for school-age children, she could contact her college or local colleges about setting up an event or book signing.
Community Forums
Other places to consider speaking to promote herself and her book are local community groups such as Rotary. Also consider audiences specific to your book. For example, if she wrote a book about giraffes, perhaps she could speak or sign at a local zoo. Write a book about a boy who loves baseball? She could contact the president of her local little league association about hosting an event for the little leaguers.
Highlights Foundation hosts a workshop entitled Life in the Spotlight: Author Opportunities after Publication, which “introduces the participants to publicity techniques and the fine points needed to create fruitful relationships with the media, but it offers instruction, practice, and a real-life school experience for each enrollee in the development of public speaking and presentation skills.” Having extra guidance from a professional like Peter Jacobi, the workshop leader, as well as the support of other published writers goes a long way.
A writer is nothing if not creative. Writers should put some of that creative energy into motion by setting up events to promote themselves and their books.
 |
