Posted on November 17, 2011 - by Nicole Humphrey Cook
7 Simple Ways Writers Can Pay It Forward
There has always been a camaraderie in networking with other authors and writers. I’ve been around a long time now, and it’s just common knowledge that we can all learn from each other. We’re all in this together, we’re all aiming for the same goal, and there is plenty of room for all of us. Right? That’s what I’ve always thought.
Until recently. Don’t get me wrong, I still think this way. Every day I look forward to networking and chatting with the other writers I’ve met on Twitter and on Triberr. (and quite occasionally on Facebook but I really, really hate FB now.) Networking with my friendly, fellow writers, is still very much a part of my day.
However, I’ve noticed something more recently. I had the unpleasant experience of congregating with a bunch of authors that don’t see it like I do at all. In fact, they come across as arrogant, self promoting, and with an in it for themselves only attitude. This makes me sad. Aren’t we all focused on the same goals and dreams? Aren’t we all looking for exactly the same outcome? Or at least similar outcomes? This post isn’t about this group of angry/self promoting authors though, this post is about how you can pay it forward, and keep helping others if that is what you really want from this too.
1. Retweet other writers. This is such an easy one. It requires a click of a button. Hit that retweet button and show the love. When you see a post that is helpful or just really good, go ahead, retweet it. It takes a second. I’m always surprised when someone I don’t even know RT’s my stuff, but I have made many a friend this way.
2. Shoutout their accomplishments. Don’t keep it to yourself when you are impressed with something. If you admire a writer or author or you are particularly proud of their accomplishment or maybe you just want to say hi, then for goodness sake, shout out to them. “Hey @irishwords, I am so proud of you, 1000 words on your WIP is simply awesome!” If you remember NOT to put their twitter id first, others will see this go through your stream and perhaps maybe that person will gain a new follower out of it. (Sorry Declan if you don’t get any new followers out of it! ha)
3. Talk about them. I swear, with as often as I talk about some of my great twitter friends, you’d think I meet with them several times a week and have coffee. My children know several of my twitter writer friends by name, because I talk about them so often. But I don’t have coffee with them, I have never even met most of them. But I talk about them anyway. Guess what happens when I do that? Friends and family get curious, want to know more, and often times wind up buying their book. Yes, it has happened several times.
4. Refer others. Yes, I know in some ways this is the same as #3, but it’s not. I’m talking about referring strangers. Example: Recently I was in B&N and there was a lady looking for a new book to read. She had just asked the store clerk if she had any recommendations. The store clerk gave her titles to big name books and went on her merry way. I made my way over to her and gave her several suggestions of some fantastic books, and assuring her I had read them and they were good.
She bought two from one author and one from another – based on MY suggestions. (@joannaslan – it’s easy to sell your books, they take place here and us locals like books that are … local. 
Plus they are just plain good.) (@sarahdessen – she said she’d already read one by you and picked up another, go figure – you’re an amazing author) … So see, I was able to sell three books to a stranger because I took the time to tell her about them. For the record, I talked about several authors, those are just the books she chose to get. I’ve done this on twitter and Facebook too, and definitely in person on many, many occasions. P.S. Results are not typical (I don’t ALWAYS get them to buy the books I suggest, I got super lucky that day)
5. Buy their books. If you are a writer, you have to be a reader. I know I tend to pick up books by my twitter friends, much more frequently than I pick up the newest New York Times Best Seller. I like supporting them. I like reading them. Plus, you can get books for fairly cheap on Amazon a good majority of the time. Support fellow authors, because I bet if you do that, they’ll support you right back.
6. Review them. If you read the book, review it. You can either write a short blurb on Amazon, Goodreads or even write a blog post about it. Or write a blog post about several recent books you read, offering a short review on each of them. But at any rate, write something about them, it gets others curious. Reviews are like gold to an author. Especially one just starting out.
7. Make friends. This seems like such a simple idea. The problem is, there are so many writers out there that are all about self promotion and not interested in making friends and networking. I think that is sad. So make friends, network with them, toss around ideas, learn from them. It’s not difficult. It’s so easy.
What do you do to spread the love and pay it forward?
39 Comments
We'd love to hear yours!
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
-
-
November 19, 2011
[...] Nicole Humphrey Cook lays out 7 Simple Ways Writers Can Pay It Forward. [...]
-
-
April 10, 2012
[...] 5 Tips for Helping Other Writers A-Z April Challenge A few months back, I wrote a post titled 7 Simple Ways Writers Can Pay it Forward. I am still amazed that it happens to be my most visited post here on this blog. It makes me so [...]
Leave a Reply
Here's your chance to speak.
-
Connect with me
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Debra Kristi said:
Beautifully put Nicole. Great rules to live and work by. At the end of the day it is always better to help others than to be self-serving.
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Nicole Humphrey Cook said:
I think it’s sort of like the whole phrase “Treat others as you wish to be treated.” So of course that is pretty much how I live my life. I hope others catch on eventually and spread the love and pay it forward too. Thanks for the great comment!
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Carol Riggs said:
I LOVE this philosophy. We’re not competing against each other (or shouldn’t be)–we’re supporting the writing/book industry and our fellow writers. Who else to be our friends than fellow writers, who understand us?
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Nicole Humphrey Cook said:
Well said Carol. Thank you.
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Nancy M. Popovich said:
This was worth the read. As someone that is just beginning to understand Twitter it was good to read. How you keep up, and remember names
is still a mystery to me
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Nicole Humphrey Cook said:
It takes some practice to remember people’s names Nancy. LOL Once I got to know people better it becomes like second nature, it’s when they change their profile pictures on you when you’re used to the one they had – that’s the hard part.
Thanks for stopping by!
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Rebecca Fyfe said:
I couldn’t agree with this post more!
I know you wrote that you ate FB right now, but I just shared this post on two of my pages on Facebook, plus my personal page. I tweeted it too though!
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Nicole Humphrey Cook said:
Thanks so much for tweeting it Rebecca, and even for sharing it on Facebook. It’s still a great networking tool.
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Christina Fifield-Winn said:
You sound like a great person both in the literature arena and out. Thanks for the great tips, not just in terms of writing, but in life. You have inspired me to be more open and inviting than I have been…and I looovvee to read, so I’m happy to be supportive of my fellow writers. I also hope that anyone who reads me gets as much enjoyment out of my stuff as I get out of theirs. Thanks again for putting this out there, and don’t ever change!
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Nicole Humphrey Cook said:
Christina, I am sure they will enjoy your writing as much as you enjoy theirs. It’s all about giving back and just being there for others. If we can’t all support each other, then I’m not sure what we’d have left. Thanks so much for your sweet words.
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Kelly Gamble said:
Excellent post, Nicole.
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Nicole Humphrey Cook said:
Thanks Kelly!
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Patricia Eimer said:
Great post. Really easy ways we should all be paying it forward. After all, none of us got here on our own did we? We all had help.
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Nicole Humphrey Cook said:
Exactly Patricia. Definitely not on our own. We all need help to get where we’re headed!
Thank you!
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Ciara Ballintyne said:
Making friends is very important I think. People like people who interact. They don’t like people who just spam. So an author who takes time to make friends is going to have a more effective marketing strategy when they do (judiciously) promote their book than those who ONLY promote their book. I am more likely to take a look at a book by someone I intercat with. If I just get spam in my timeline and I have never interacted with that person, what motivation do I have to click on the link and check out their book? None.
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Scott Morgan said:
A timely reminder full of good advice! Nice post.
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Susan Jaymes said:
Very nice post and great advice.
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Ursula Grey said:
Excellent post, Nicole. Thanks:-)
Ursula Grey recently posted..Interactive Book Covers
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Geoffrey Cubbage said:
I think a lot of the time other writers are just shy about promoting fellow scriveners. The internet has made it seem a little creepy. Even if I really, really love someone’s book-and-blog, spending too much time on Twitter (or whatever social networking service) talking about how great he/she is starts to seem a little stalky.
So I think there’s some real reticence out there; a real desire not to be seen as that phony guy who just babbles about other people’s stuff in the hopes that they’ll return the favor or because he has an unhealthy attraction to the jacket photo or whatever.
Or maybe I’m the only one that overthinks this stuff? I’m willing to buy that, too.
Geoffrey Cubbage recently posted..The Reminder You Sometimes Need: Writing Is Actually Fun
Visit My Website
November 17, 2011
Permalink
Larry “FARfetched” Kollar said:
Good stuff here. #7a: add “and comment on their blogs!”
Larry “FARfetched” Kollar recently posted..Writing Wibbles
Visit My Website
November 18, 2011
Permalink
Skhye said:
But remember, the writing personality type tends to be a reclusive thinker. That could be why some folks don’t talk! But that US core value of competition is definitely lurking. Probably the reason behind your grumbles. *sigh* This list is essentially nice points to ponder when we need a reality check!
Visit My Website
November 18, 2011
Permalink
Kellianne Sweeney said:
Amen. So much can be gained by giving. I for one am very happy to have found such a wonderful crowd of creative writers to share this fantastic journey with.
Visit My Website
November 18, 2011
Permalink
Caroline Gerardo said:
You are the first writer who says they hate Facebook, as do I. Facebook has become so screaming busy I can’t find my cousins on the east coast.
One more thing I would add to your post. Remember to say Thank You.
If I forgot to thank anyone for their kindness please know I really appreciate any and all mentions, I glow a little when someone posts a comment to me and heaven knows writing is a solitary acitivity that we all need a little love.
THANK YOU!!!
Caroline Gerardo recently posted..Showtimes for the Novel
Visit My Website
November 18, 2011
Permalink
Patricia Gligor said:
Nicole,
I enjoyed reading your seven suggestions on ways for writers to “pay it forward.” Such a wonderful concept!
I wrote a post on my blog in September on the same topic, crediting the author of the book, “Pay It Forward,” which coined the phrase and inspired the movie.
Patricia Gligor recently posted..The Power of Words
Visit My Website
November 18, 2011
Permalink
Katheryn Lane said:
Great post! I think it’s so important that we do what we can to help each other. As you say, we are ‘in this together’ and should not be against each other.
Katheryn Lane recently posted..Murder, Ballet and God: an interview with Philip Catshill, author of the Mike Newman mysteries
Visit My Website
November 18, 2011
Permalink
S Cunningham Ortiz said:
Thanks for such a great article. You’re onto something big here!
Visit My Website
November 18, 2011
Permalink
sylvia stein said:
Dear Nicole,
I really loved your article and I agree with all of it , as aspiring writer, I have met so many authors through facebook and twitter and I have been introduced to their blogs and they are so awesome, and we should pay it forward!
Sylvia Stein
Visit My Website
November 18, 2011
Permalink
Brandy Walker said:
Thanks for a great post. Writers have to support and stick up for each other. It can be such a lonely path at times and only writers understand that firsthand.
Visit My Website
November 19, 2011
Permalink
Stacy Green said:
Excellent post. With all the talk of branding and marketing, the best – and easiest – way to get yourself out there is to simply treat others as you’d like to be treated. Build a network of friends and reciprocate. Great advice!
Stacy Green recently posted..Thriller Thursday: Bob’s Bazaar Bizarre
Visit My Website
November 29, 2011
Permalink
Nicole Alexander said:
Great post, Nicole! It all boils down to what you put out, you get back (usually several times over). Thank you so much for this pleasant reminder of how we can all make the writing world a little better. And now, I’m off to RT the link to this post.
Visit My Website
December 7, 2011
Permalink
David G. Hallman said:
Hi Nicole – I starting reading through the list of “7 Simple Ways Writers Can Pay It Forward” with trepidation, fearing that as a relative newcomer to the Twittersphere I might be unintentionally violating some of the accepted writer community etiquette. With relief, I saw that I was able to put a positive check mark against each of your well-articulated suggestions. I have been delighted and encouraged by the collegiality that I have encountered to date. I hope it continues. Best wishes, David
Visit My Website
December 29, 2011
Permalink
Elizabeth Chanter said:
This is so true! I’ve recently started blogging and using Twitter. The support my fellow writers have shown me is amazing. Thanks for providing communities like this.
Elizabeth Chanter recently posted..An Excerpt…
Visit My Website
December 29, 2011
Permalink
William H.A. Williams said:
I absolutely love this article. I’ve written many books but recently wrote my first fiction piece. Social media is a great way for authors to stand together and promote our work. We’re in it together.
William H.A. Williams recently posted..These Boots Were Made for Writing
Visit My Website
December 29, 2011
Permalink
Alvin Edwards said:
I’m new to Twitter & sat back for a while to watch it. The interaction I’ve seen between authors on the site is amazing. Keep helping writers grow!
Alvin Edwards recently posted..Life means change… (excerpt from "Once in an Island")
Visit My Website
January 20, 2012
Permalink
S.E. Shurtleff said:
Thank you so much for writing about paying it forward. I released my first indie book in Nov. 2011 and marketing is slow going. But whenever I start to feel discouraged, I try to promote others. If other indies succeed it will help me out too.
Visit My Website
February 15, 2012
Permalink
Stacy said:
Beautifully written – I just found this post through a RT and I’m so happy to hear someone thinks like this (I was beginning to wonder!) I have subscribed to your blog as well. Writing is an isolating career and its so important to reach out to and support our fellow writers!
Visit My Website
April 5, 2012
Permalink
Gwynneth White said:
Hi I know this post is ancient, but still I support every word. Thanks for putting it so beautifully.
Gwynneth White recently posted..WE’VE BEEN SPOTLIT!