5 Low Cost Ways To Promote With An Online Magazine
By LaShaunda C. Hoffman

Promotion is a must in any writer's career. If you're a recently published author you have to promote yourself to get your name out in the public. Now days publishers aren't promoting new writers unless you're a six figure writer. If you're a previously published author, you have to promote to keep your name out in the public. Book promotion is a constant as a writer.

Online magazine promotion is one form of promotion if done right can be low cost and highly effective. I will show you five ways that won’t bite into your budget, but will help you promote your book and help an online editor who is always searching for content.

5. Paid Advertisement – Every magazine is always looking for advertisement. It’s their bread and butter. Magazine editors love helping you promote your books. Check out their rates and see what packages fit into your budget. If they don’t have anything that works with your budget, contact them, and see if they have any specials for the month or can offer you a promotional deal that won’t break you.

4. Monthly Columnist – Some online magazine look for monthly columnists. This is your chance to write about the special topic only you know about. Share your wisdom with their readership and at the end of your column don’t forget your bio, which can include a short blurb about your latest book and a link to your site/blog. Check out your favorite online magazines and see if they’re in the need for a columnist or send an intro letter to the editor and offer your services.

3. Host a Workshop – Some online magazines like to host special events for their readers. Workshops are a good way to introduce yourself and your book. Do you have writing skill you can teach (how to write a synopsis, how to add conflict to your manuscript)? Readers are looking for new things to learn. You can be the person who offers these types of workshops. You might even make a few extra dollars in the process.

2. Visitor/Member – Don’t underestimate making a comment or becoming a member of a magazine community. Members like meeting other members. Some magazines offer extra perks to their members, for instance if you a member of SORMAG’s community you receive one free promotion when you join.

Make comments on the magazine’s blog and make sure to always include your links. This is a good way for readers to learn about you and if they’re curious, they click through to your site.

1. Contribute an article - There are many online magazines that are always looking for new content. They normally feature a byline and a short bio. This is an excellent way to share your knowledge with readers. It will introduce your writing abilities and place your name in reader’s minds.

You can write about your experience as a writer, the craft of writing. Maybe you're expert in a subject, write an article about it.

Use a query letter to approach an online magazine. Your purpose for the submission is to introduce yourself to their readers. The added bonus is some sites pay for content.
Before you send out your query letter, remember to do your research first.

See what types of articles these ezines are looking for. You don't want to submit a medical article to a poetry magazine.
What is the word count?
How do they want you to submit?

Online magazine promotion is worth the cost:

You reach your niche market
Most promotions are archived, so it’s not just a one time promotion.
Your promotion can be viewed by readers for a whole year or more.
You build your reputation as an expert on certain topics.
New readers learn about you and your book.
You build a network with different online editors.

Check out your favorite online magazines and see how they can help you reach new readers.

LaShaunda C. Hoffman is the publisher of Shades Of Romance Magazine an online magazine for readers and writers of multi-cultural literature. This vehicle has been one of the preeminent online forces behind promoting books and their authors for eight years.
In addition to the magazine LaShaunda’s talents encompasses being a book promoter, book reviewer, online book tour promoter, proprietress of an online bookstore and reporter of literary news.

As an author she is a contributor for the anthology, How I Met My Sweetheart. She is currently on the path to publication, working on a Christian romance and hunting for a literary agent. She hopes to one day introduce her books to readers.

You can visit her online at: SORMAG - http://sormag.blogspot.com, or See Ya On The Net, her personal blog - http://lashaunda.blogspot.com