It has long been a practice for publishers to provide all-out support to writers they sign up. Included in this support is helping create and establish an impressive reputation befitting of the hype that seeks to be created for greater public interest on the published work. A lot of writers will definitely never get a crack in this kind of opportunity.  With the advent of self-publication, many opportunities have been opened. Today, just about anyone can publish his or her work online but not everyone will be able to impress.

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So how does one create an impressive reputation without the backing of traditional and well-oiled publishers?

Offer a Solid Foundation

One of the more easily accessed ways of self-publishing is through blogs. Blogs provide an excellent venue for developing writing skills while being able to gauge the reaction of the public. Before you embark on writing that book you have been dreaming of, extensive practice in the use of your preferred language is highly advisable. You can even offer a guest blogging service  to test the waters even more. The acceptance of your work in reputable blogs is a good sign that you are on the right track.

Offer Quality

Those who seek to be self-published writers should not lower their standards of quality just because there is no publisher approval being sought. Self-publishing requires even more care in producing written work. Self-published authors usually wear all the hats in relation to the task. The one task though that should still be given to another person is editing the work. No author can efficiently edit his own work. Mistakes in blogs are easily corrected when spotted. Authors will probably will have to live with mistakes on printed books forever. As for e-books, a mistake not spotted early enough can drastically affect a writer’s reputation. First impressions really do matter. It is much easier to create a new image than to refurbish a tarnished image. The services of a professional editor is worth the price if you want professional results.

Offer Professionalism

Self-published authors should come out as professional as traditionally-published writers, if not more. The fact that you are probably a one man team, acting as the writer, agent, marketer, and publisher, is enough to earn respect, when done right. It can easily go the other way however, if you do not play your cards right. Resist mediocrity and laxity and earn your reputation by defining who you are.

Originally posted on January 20, 2015 @ 3:13 am