Tuesday, August 19, 2008

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

18 comments:

Linda Beed said...

This is a very informative article LaShaunda. Thank you so much for sharing.

Linda Beed
http://www.lindabeed.com

LaShaunda said...

Linda,

You are most welcome :)

I've been sending you emails are you getting them?

Anonymous said...

I don't know if my first post went through so I'm sending this one just in case.

My question -- If you decide to advertise in several online mediums, should you vary information or use the same for each promotion?

Charlotte

LaShaunda said...

Hi Charlotte,

Thanks for your question.

To get the most bang out of your promotion. I would use different pieces for each place. That way if we have similar readers they will see something different, instead of the same advertisement.

Yes its for the same book, but their getting a fresh look at it.

Perfect example is a blog tour LaConnie Taylor-Jones is doing. Each place she visits has something new to offer to the readers.

Anonymous said...

Is it hard to put together a workshop? I've been following this one and it has been great. I just wonder how hard it was to pull togeher.

Also, what do you do if people who commit to help, don't?

Kathy Shelton
Dallas, TX

Jeanette Hill said...

Lashaunda this is a great article. I've already decided to incorporate several of your points into my marketing and promotion plan. I have been making comments on the blogs but I HAVEN'T been leaving my website link. Duh!?!? Thank you for sharing!


Jeanette Hill
www.sasprod.org

MaRita Teague said...

Lashaunda,
Thank you so much for the really helpful information. It was a great experience being able to interview with you in Shades of Romance. What a blessing to have someone so willing to help others!

Take Care,
MaRita Teague

Anonymous said...

Good tips LaShaunda! I need to use some of these myself. LOL!

Anonymous said...

These are some great ideas. I know of a couple that fit in my genre, but have never bothered to contact them to see if I could write a guest article or column. I will do that now! Thanks.

LaShaunda said...

Thanks for your question Kathy,

First it depends on the workshop your presenting. If you know your topic, seat down and write it down. If you don't know the topic, then you have to take time and research it.

Someone told me a good speaker is someone who if they called you up to speak and you had no notes to go from you could still talk about it with no problems.

If you have topics you are passionate about, then those are the ones you want to make into workshops.

Write down those topics and then start working on your workshops.

As for if the person doesn't show up, always have a back up plan. Even if that means you have to step up to the plate.

Linda and I gave a workshop on marketing at the Slam Jam because the speaker didn't show up. Where we prepared, nope. However we're both passionate about the topic that we went with our hearts. Those in attendance, thought it was pretty good.

LaShaunda said...

Jeanette,

Thanks for the comment. Leaving a website is very important. I've met many new writers, by visiting their sites.

You'd be surprise about how many writers don't have a website or an email.

LaShaunda said...

MaRita,

Thanks for your comment. Its my pleasure to help promote authors. I've loved books all my life, so this is my way of giving the love back.

I'm glad I was able to introduce our readers to your book.

LaShaunda said...

Ty,

Thanks for your comment. You know we've come a long way from Sisterfriends. One day I'll be helping promote your book.

LaShaunda said...

Book marketing newbie,

Thanks for your comments. Be sure to send some my way. I'm always looking for guest bloggers, articles or short stories :)

Anonymous said...

LaShaunda, as always your information is always helpful. Shades of Romance Magazine is top of the line and for those who don't already know it, LaShaunda is an outstanding person who definitely is committed to helping authors get their information out to the readers.

Shelia E. Lipsey
www.shelialipsey.com
Author of My Son's Wife Coming October 1, 2008 nationwide
Sinsatiable - available wherever books are sold
Into Each Life - available wherever books are sold

LaShaunda said...

Shelia,

Thank you :). I will be contacting you to interview for your new release.

Tyora Moody said...

LaShaunda, I forgot about Sisterfriends. That is way back!! LOL!

Hey, I'm looking for a book from you too! I'm on Patricia W. - need some more folks to query publishers and agents with me in '09.

Anonymous said...

Hey thanks for the advertising information.
Having something you are passionate about is definately one of the major requisites in promotion.
You'll just get sick of it otherwise.