When Joyce White and I started talking about BlogTalkRadio successes, I was surprised to learn that I hadn't shared much about streaming broadcasts on the Net as a way to promote ourselves and our books. Joyce kindly agreed to write about her recent experiences for Sharing with Writers visitors. You'll find more on how to prepare for both radio and TV in The Frugal Book Promoter, too. It's promotion you can easily arrange for yourself. That is, you won't need a publicist to do it for you. How's that for frugal! (-: Here is Joyce's a bit of encouragement from Joyce:
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Okay, the hard part is done. Our book is finished and published. Our heart is out there for grabs at Amazon and on our Web sites.
Now what do poets and writers do? If you are like me, you probably have to chase others around to read your work to them. There is not much instant gratification for poets and other writers, but I’ve recently found being on a Blog Talk Show is a relatively simple, cheap way to promote ourselves and read our poetry to the world. If people know us, they are more likely to trust us and buy our books. Reaching out to BlogTalkRadio listeners increases our traffic, our subscriber list, and potentially our sales. It is a great way of making new friends and networking buddies.
For many of us, our work grows out of our personal histories and brings joy and hea
ling to both the reader and the listeners.
As a poet, I’m always looking for an initial thought burst, a memory or a feeling I can blow out of proportion, and use in a grand over-indulgent way. I’ve found a great, grand, and a frugal way to get my poetry read and talked about. That is to generate media attention, do-it-yourself style on Blog Talk Radio.
Podcasts have opened up so many new opportunities for authors and poets. Broadcasts are usually like radio programs in format and feature those of us with a message. They sort of emulate radio and television shows, only they are syndicated over the Internet. Listeners download them automatically to their computers at their convenience and they are available all over the world. With such a far reach, their uses can serve a variety of purposes.
Of course, most of us know building relationships and working together for a common good is a wonderful way to promote ourselves and our work. Martin Luther King says, “Not everyone can be famous. But everyone can be great.” Yay for independent publishing and Blog Talk Radio where we all can be great and celebrities, too!
If you’re interested in introducing yourself and your poetry or work to the world in a frugal manner, check out Carolyn Howard-Johnson’s, Podcast: On Frugal Book Promotion at
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/06/08/podcast-on-frugal-book-promotion-with-carolyn-howard-johnson/ . As a new author of art therapy articles, poetry, and book reviews, I’ve been on four podcasts talking about my work and poetry and it was great fun. My last podcast on November 16th brought over 300 readers to my website,
http://www.wingedforhealing.com. I only have a few suggestions to share when introducing yourself and your work to Blog Talk Radio and the world.
Be ready for questions from your host - - like what, why and who inspires you to write? Questions like these:
- Are you a messenger?
- Who is your audience?
- How will most enjoy and benefit your message?
- What are you working on now?
- Have a couple poems or excerpts ready to read. (short)
Have fun, be honest, quick to respond, and repeat your host’s question in the beginning before answering; that way you won’t get lost, like I often do when talking about myself. Sometimes when we're nervous, we and forget the question!
Happy Podcasting!!
Blessings, Joyce White, http://www.wingedforhealing.com
