The Art of Self-Promotion

As children, we’re taught that it isn’t proper to brag. Only conceited, self-centered, narcissistic people toot their own horn. The modest, humble folks among us allow others to do their bragging and bidding, thereby making for a much more valuable third-party endorsement.

Well, I’m here to tell you that, as an author, you need to throw that logic right out the window! If you plan to leverage your book to support your brand, image, or business platform, you sure as heck had better learn the art of self-promotion and horn tooting. Most authors think of promoting their book as selling. Wrong, wrong, wrong. Instead, think of it this way: You’re actually serving others. You are educating your target audience about how your book can help them. Isn’t that why you wrote the book; to inspire, educate, motivate, direct, support, or serve others?

You not telling people about your book is like you knowing the quickest, easiest escape from a place of danger and not telling others. Oh sure, you know how to get out of the burning building—and you’ll certainly make it out to tell the story—but what of your comrades left behind to figure out the escape route without the knowledge you already have? That would be just plain selfish and wicked!

There is an art to promoting yourself. The artistic part comes when you realize that you must value your gift. Most artists know, or at least have a sincere inkling, that their artistic gift has some value, first to them and then hopefully to someone else. You have to know this about your book. Remember, you write first for yourself and then for others. When you value your book and its contents, you’ll be in a better position to share what you offer with others.

Secondly, go back to the service part of being an author. Your book provides information or inspiration to readers. Someone, somewhere is waiting for the very flavor that you offer in your book. Don’t cheat them, give ‘em what ya got! Frame your self-promotion as service to those who want and/or need what you offer in your book.

Finally, get over yourself! I know that sounds harsh, but it’s true. When you get over worrying about what people will think of you or say about you when you take the bull by the horns and promote yourself and your book, then you’ll be less inclined to hold back on the yummy goodness of sharing your gift and your service. Develop a succinct message that explains the benefits to the reader, and go about sharing that message with whomever will listen. Understand that those who might criticize your self-promotion efforts probably themselves wish they could do exactly what you’re doing. Unfortunately, they’re stuck worrying about what others will think of them. 

So don’t delay. Get about the business of self-promotion. After all, if you don’t promote your book, no one else will.

What's holding you back from enacting the art of self-promotion?

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Anita Paul, known as The Author's Midwife, coaches aspiring authors to write a phenomenal book and helps current authors use their existing books to leverage their business. She is the author of the-book Write Your Life: Create Your Ideal Life and The Book You've Been Wanting to Write,  and is the creator of the Write Your Life program, through which she has created a dynamic system to Write Your Book in 90 Days or Less. She has owned The Write Image for 15 years, and has had her freelance articles featured in over 25 publications in the U.S. and Canada. Anita is also the host of "Book Your Success".

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