Writer Wednesday: Marketing

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Happy Hump Day! No, no... Not that kind of hump day. *grins* I hope you're all having a great Wednesday. Just a few more days until the weekend. Today I'm introducing another new column, Writer Wednesday. I'm still toying around with all I want to do with it in the long run, but here's we go.

It doesn't matter if you're a fairly new published author, not published, or even multi-published, being diligent with marketing is so important. That's one of your ways to connect with readers. No, seriously. And while it can be hard to find other things to say besides from "buy my book" or "here's something else about me," which trust me is important since how else would they know to buy your book, but there has to be a balance. You need to also provide something to your reader as another person or friend instead of being a salesperson all the time. No one wants that.

I can't say I'm the greatest at this aspect of the business side of writing yet, but there's one thing I have learned recently. It is really helpful to team up with other authors you trust and are friends with. If someone else is talking about your book/contest/review/etc., readers stand a greater likelihood of saying, "Ah ha, I have to check this out." There is strength in numbers, after all! You're providing great information to your readers, and your friends are providing the same for their readers. You're both able to reach more people than otherwise possible. Win-win!

Here are a few great links about marketing I've found this week:

• Marrying Marketing and Writing Goals - I do have a goals edition coming up soon, but I figured this would go well here since now that it's less than two weeks until Christmas, it's important to slowly begin thinking about the New Year. For me, I know marketing will be something I'm going to try to work on in 2012.
• Use Your Enewsletter to Brand Yourself - I've had an e-newsletter for a while, but this really pinpointed some good advice on why you should have one, how they help, and some of what e-newsletters should contain.
• How to Use the Twitter @Reply - This is an older post from Nathan Bransford (former agent and author) who is such a wealth of knowledge. I seriously didn't know about this, and I've been using Twitter for almost two years.
• How to Network Without Networking - This is another great read from Nathan Bransford that sums up how networking without the mercenary outlook. He notes that it should be about making friends.

What tips do you have about marketing and/or networking? Any subjects you'd really like to see on  an upcoming Writer Wednesday?