4 Easy Steps to Becoming a Sought After Author

Recently a friend shared her dream to get into “publishing”. I listened intently as she described her desire to write articles and becoming a published author. I’ve read her work in some of our locally published magazines and have no doubt that she would make a great writer. I also recognized that she was where I found myself a few years back; full of ideas, but nowhere to publish them.

The first inclination is to do what many budding authors have done; purchase a copy of the bestselling writer’s reference book. The book is a great place to develop ideas and sell articles. It also provides a good service with great details on which publisher is purchasing which articles and for how much. However, the reference cannot guarantee that you will have the platform to actually sell an article.

After a few years of buying these books, I recognized the growing trend of many magazines not taking on new authors and paying less than ever before if they did buy an article. Why? Because of the changes in publishing brought on by the internet.

Never fret, you can still find great opportunities in these reference books, or, you can adapt and overcome.

The following steps are what I employed to go from desperately seeking author to sought after niche writer. More and more, emails arrive asking me to write exclusively for well respected publications.

So, how can you go from searching for opportunities to easily sell articles and be an “in demand” author?

1. Start a blog. Honestly, this is a no expense and healthy way to get your name out there as a recognized expert. It takes some time and a lot of articles, but you’ll get your writing practice as well as fill your hunger to create. Make sure your blog’s articles are about your subject matter and not about you. If you love to make cookies, share your favorites in easy to follow steps. Offer help and fun solutions not bragging.

2. Start a newsletter. You can use the same material, but with a newsletter, you can write longer articles as well as capture contact information. Again, make the material about your subject matter.

3. Create a multi-networking online presence. Use Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and etc to create communities of like minded people. If your expertise is cookie making or party planning, create communities and groups full of others with similar passions.

4. Make sure your blog, newsletter and networking are fed twice a week. Keep them updated and make sure to keep looking for and inviting people who are interested in your topic.

You’ll have to write a lot of articles before people start relying on you and reading your articles. But don’t give up. Before you know it, you’ll have a following. Publishers will recognize your following and ask you to write for them.