Self-promotion is not egotistical but a necessity in a writer's life. No matter how much you prefer to hide away you must make the effort to promote yourself and your work.

Mary Ann Hahn, editor of Write Success (http://writesuccess.com) says "the key to self-promotion lies in persistence, plus an unwavering belief in the value of what you have to offer. Even after four years of publishing WriteSuccess, I continue to look for new ways and places to spread the word about my site and newsletter for writers. The variety of methods one can use, both online and off, makes the process of self-promotion challenging and fun for me. And I never tire of seeing each new effort bear fruit."

Attitude is the basis of all self-promotion. You must believe in yourself and your writing. If you don't why should anyone else? Don't brush off compliments about your writing with a shrug and 'oh it's nothing!' This denigrates both your efforts and your work. If you suffer from lack of confidence and self-belief then start working on this area long before you need to start worrying about promoting yourself. It isn't easy, as many of us were brought up to believe one should never be self-seeking. In the writing game, however, that attitude must go!

Self-esteem courses are available on the Internet and there is an endless supply of reading material available. Try http://www.yearofsuccess.com/ or http://www.more-selfesteem.com/. I can recommend the Paul Hannah books 'You Can Do it' and 'Believe and Achieve'.

There are a multitude of ways writers can promote themselves and their work. If you feel daunted by the idea, start off small and work your way up. It's a given fact that success breeds more success and the same applies to confidence.

Start out by choosing a title for yourself --writer, freelancer, author - and create an email signature with this included. If you aren't sure how to set up a signature on your email check the help section of your email programme. Use this signature for all emails, business and friends. That way you get used to seeing your 'title' on emails and it's not too many steps from there before you will be telling people, 'I am a writer.'

Next design some stationery to promote yourself and your writing. Business cards are simple and inexpensive to make on the computer. If you prefer get them made professionally but it will be more expensive. Try several designs before you print a bulk lot. Carry your cards with you and give them out whenever the opportunity arises. I give them to people who just want my address but often the first thing they notice is that I have 'Writer' on them. This can sometimes lead to opportunities to network or find further work. A letterhead is not essential at the beginning but if you wish to print one have the same information on it as on your business card. Ensure both have your full name, address and all contact details e.g. phone, fax and email.

Networking is an essential part of promotion. Take every opportunity to attend book fairs, other writers' book signings, join writing groups and organisations. I've found that contacts with people in the same field as me often leads to a sharing of opportunities. If I come across a market that doesn't suit me I pass it on to someone else. More often than not they will reciprocate at some time.

Write an author biography for yourself. Keep it short on length but big on impact. The idea is to make yourself and your writing sound irresistible, like a good chocolate!! Make people want to read your work and know more about you. The following advice comes from Australian author (http://www.cheryl-wright.com/) 'Articles regarding your speciality will provide valuable information to the reader, while simultaneously promote you as a writer. They shouldn't read like an advertisement for your or your books, but as a service to the reader. Write an honest bio, ensuring to include links to your products, so the reader knows how to find you.'

One excellent promotion vehicle is to have your own website. This allows you to show the world your work and credentials. It can be as simple or as professional as you want. Some people choose to build their own whilst others prefer someone else to do the work. Whilst there are costs involved in setting up a website it will be money well spent. Put links on your websites to other authors/writers sites and ask them to do the same for you. Check out some of these author websites http://www.suewhiting.com/, http://www.junekeir.com.au/ and http://www.kaarensbooks.com/

If you have written a book ensure you have a book signing. Promote the signing as much as possible, have a theme suited to your book, ask a well-known personality to launch your book and ensure you have advised the media. Never assume the media will not be interested. Find an angle that they won't be able to resist. One author held her launch in a shearing shed --her book had a rural setting.

Grasp any public speaking opportunity, whether it is speaking to school children, addressing a conference or conducting a radio interview. It may not actually be about your writing but invariably there is a chance to do some promotion. Ensure you have on hand your business cards and copies of your articles or books.

Finally be absolutely passionate about your books and/or articles. After all who could possibly care about them more than you. You conceived the idea, nurtured it, brought it to fruition and put it out for the whole world to see. You owe it to yourself to ensure everyone knows just how good your work is.

© Raelene Hall