Portfolio Center Blog Portfolio Center Blog: This Ain't Fiction: Writers Must Market Themselves
by Keesha Johnson
The path for a fiction/nonfiction writer can be very straightforward. Write. Sell. Get Published. You’ve done the writing, you may do a public reading, any marketing beyond that is handled by someone else. Uh…not quite. Marketing yourself as a writer is an essential part of the craft that should remain a constant for you. As an up and coming writer, it is especially important to explore creative, yet efficient ways to market yourself.
World Wide Writer
A web portfolio is the top way that an up and coming writer can represent their work. Many writers have work samples that reflect a few concentrations- fiction, nonfiction and freelance journalism. A web portfolio allows you to present this work in a well structured and categorized fashion.
Web portfolios are also showcased, ahem, worldwide. This kind of exposure is invaluable to an up and coming writer. You can showcase your artist statement, resume, published works, press and public readings to a potential agent. That agent is probably going to want to see your work before they call. With a web portfolio, you control the presentation of your best work- not that a writer likes to be in control or anything…
Forget me? Not.
Community is a huge part of a writer’s life. Whether going to a literary reading at a bar, or a writers’ conference in a convention hall, it helps to have physical marketing materials for networking purposes. A business card is a standard element that a writer should have. In the appropriate circumstance, other creative promotional pieces include a bookmark or a postcard. This is particularly helpful if you have created an independent lit magazine. These promotional materials should include your general contact information- name, phone number, email address, web address. If appropriate, a secondary promotional piece (i.e. a bookmark), allows you further opportunity to get your work out. Find a quote that reflects a theme in your writing. Find a design element that will support that quote. Slap both of them on a marketing leave behind and voila- you have the calling card(s) that will get you noticed.
Get ready for your close up
It’s easy and can be oddly comforting for a writer to hide behind their computer monitor. But when that book gets published, the book jacket will likely include the writers’ headshot above the bio. Even before the book jacket, a headshot is still needed. Many writing websites and promotional materials may include a headshot. People don’t just want to read the words anymore, they want to see the person behind them. Let them see you, with a clean, professional-caliber photograph.
As you wait for that straight path to writerly success, be prepared for the valleys, hills and fifty foot ditches in between. Keep your work grounded, relevant and accessible.
Keesha Johnson is the Portfolio Production Manager at the Portfolio Center.