For most people, November brings to mind vibrant autumn hues and Thanksgiving get-togethers. But to writers, November can only mean one thing: National Novel Writing Month! As you focus on meeting your daily NaNoWriMo word count, your houseplants may begin to shrivel and dust bunnies may reproduce as fast as, um, actual bunnies. While household chores may fall by the wayside—don’t neglect your online marketing and promotion, or the growth of your fanbase could lose momentum. Instead, use your NaNoWriMo efforts to enhance your social media promotions for an easy, efficient new marketing campaign.
How NaNoWriMo Can Help Boost Your Author Platform Efforts
Incorporate your NaNo efforts into your social media:
Post your word count daily. What better way to show your progress than to update your blog or Facebook page with your ever-growing word count? Your progress can serve as inspiration for other writers struggling to meet their goals.
Connect with others through social media. NaNoWriMo is a popular event for many writers across the nation; during the month of November, it’s all the rage on social media. Use your social media accounts to follow and interact with other writers who are participating. It’s a great way to network with the writing community on the Web and an excellent source of support and motivation.
Include hashtags. Hashtags are the most effective way to quickly reach other NaNo participants on social media. Did you reach the coveted 25,000-word halfway mark? Tweet or post the good news and include the hashtags associated with National Novel Writing Month: #NaNoWriMo, #HalfWayThere, and/or the very popular #AmWriting.
Use visuals. You may be spending the month immersed in words and plot twists, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a moment to mix some NaNoWriMo-inspired images into your social media efforts.
A humorous photo of yourself surrounded by rough drafts that you can post on your author platform is a fun way to connect with your fellow writers (and a perfect opportunity to use the hashtag #AmWriting). Did you finally reach the elusive 50,000-word mark? Yay! Take a screenshot that highlights the word count, and proudly post it on your Facebook author page. Sharing some fun images is a creative way to take a quick mental break from your writing.
Be open about your struggles AND successes. Let’s get real: NaNoWriMo can be a challenge. Some days you’ll be typing at lightning speed, writing like you’ve never written before! And other days, you’ll literally write like you’ve never written before—ugh!
Commiserating about missed word counts and celebrating each other’s accomplished goals are what makes NaNoWriMo such a unique—and ultimately rewarding—experience. Along with reaching out to your existing audience with regular updates, the NaNoWriMo website also has forums that will connect you to other participants.
Stay in touch. NaNoWriMo ends on November 30, but that doesn’t mean you’ll have to stop reaping the promotional benefits. Maintain your connections with the writers you meet on official forums by directing them to your social media sites and by sending friend requests of your own. You’ll be thankful for November all year long!
So put down that pumpkin latte and start writing. Have fun, and good luck!
Photo by the girl who owns the world
QUESTION: How do you interact with other writers during NaNoWriMo?
Okay, that was good. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I can manage short reads between writing bursts,and this was about right. Thank you. Having just bled on a buddies message board thingy ( one I really haven’t a clue if they will ever see it and two she probably thinks I am a raving lunatic.) Your post has helped me look at like minded people on twitter. I have a face book ordinary family connect type page and am posting my count but nobody is looking ;-( twitter is more responsive but you have given me fresh ideas that I will try. Thank you.
I was / am excited because I am… and I just stacked 10472 words I am a 1st time pantser and wanted someone to be pleased as well as my husband obviously. I skip away punching my fist in the air and making whoop woo noises, funny looks from dog walkers as I take it into the street. Oh! Yes. But this is only day 3 so I will pull my neck in and crack on.