Science Fiction Novel Marketing – Name Branding Via Short Stories
Name Branding, the Essence of Science Fiction Novel Marketing
Although writers craft short stories for multiple reasons, wise authors also acknowledge the benefits of a short story strategy in the purpose of science fiction novel marketing. Think name branding. Even in the times that preceded this current age of instant communications, brand recognition symbolized the root of product marketing. For authors, name branding takes multiple routes. We promote our authoring name as a reliable resource for great reading material. We also advance each new novel, short story or blog post as an individual source of reader satisfaction. Yet which comes first, name branding or a finished novel, sci-fi short stories or blog posts, reader satisfaction or name branding?
If you did not instantly grasp the prevailing importance of reader satisfaction, you may not yet be ready to market your science fiction novel.
Writers tell stories, some short and some long. We share information, typically within the realm of author resources. But above all, we provide written material that promises a measure of reader satisfaction. Perhaps you write merely to satisfy yourself – not likely an honest assessment of your purposes, but let us overlook that tad of personal self-deceit. Even if you only write to please yourself, you must still recognize the importance of reader satisfaction. For if no one, including yourself, finds satisfaction in reading what you write, why waste effort on the process?
Time, At Enmity With Effective Sci-Fi Novel Marketing
Perhaps some of you have in-depth book marketing skills as well as professional writing skills. If so, why waste time reading this article? Obviously book marketing takes time, a resource that most authors would rather dedicate to even more writing. You are busy. Some of you even work full-time outside-the-home jobs while also striving to produce yet even more written sci-fi, fantasy or horror entertainment. Truth is, you read articles such as this for the same reason I do:
But is it possible to do both…
Writing blogs and short stories can help authors release the muse while also expanding their science fiction novel marketing campaign. In using them to brand your authoring name, you equate your sci-fi, fantasy or horror brand name to the essence of a reliable resource for quality reader satisfaction. Apply the following short story ideas, tips and sources toward your book marketing goals.
1) Science Fiction Novel Marketing – Benefits of Blog Posting
Blogging may be the quickest method for name branding your work as a reliable resource for reader satisfaction. According to an article in The Daily Post, “Blogger or Brand: Extending Your Online Identity,” you can be just a blogger, or you can be a brand. Personal sites focus on day-to-day writing. Name branding is content crafted as a springboard for other projects. The process comes in many formats, including:
- Blogging on your name branded website
- Guest blogging or other ranking websites
- Blogging on your name branded social media pages
- AND Guest blogging on other popular social media pages.
Feeling the read. Share with your friends…
Content depends on the purpose of the site. Some websites revolve around answering questions for other users. Some websites focus on providing free science fiction short stories to select readers. Still other sites offer tips, fiction story ideas and guides to help other authors market their own science fiction novels. The primary point is simple: Serious authors understand the importance of extending their name brand identity across the Internet. It’s about showing up on Facebook, Google+, LinkedIn, Twitter and any other online discussion forum or group wherein people who read science fiction, fantasy or horror are likely to traverse.
2) Marketing Your Science Fiction Novel Via Short Story Focused Science Fiction Magazine
Without visiting the distinctions between short stories and novels, let us look instead at the importance of getting your name into a credible literary journal. But let no one lead you astray. Capturing position in a prestigious science fiction magazine is not easy. The wait time on short stories submitted to Asimov’s Science Fiction runs from one to three months. And that is a common wait period. Thus we count this is as long-term name branding goal.
You have to be careful of your source choices. For example: The Glimmer Train Press stands out as a celebrated short story publishing resource. They also charge for reading your work. Meantime, this online magazine has a 0/10 Google Page Rank. Yet in topics of education, arts and literature, Glimmer Train Press holds a very strong PR quality.
To learn more before sending out free science fiction short story labor to online publishing resources, engage the free services of Check Page Rank. After all, even if you seek to help poor ranking websites and blogs grow in business, you only have so much time to invest in free name branding projects. Every short science fiction story you craft takes time. Each article pulls from your other works. Learn how to make your efforts count. Remember: your return on shorter works may not include any form of direct cash payment. To learn more about where to submit short stories, take a peek at “23 Magazines and Websites That Want Your Work.”
3) Science Fiction Novel Marketing Via Publisher Short Story Anthology
In case you missed the memo: Science fiction short story anthologies are currently doing well in the marketplace. Two ways you can make it work for you:
- Create sufficient shorts to publish a personal sci-fi anthology
- Join up with a group effort.
Note of interest: releasing a personal science fiction anthology does not mean that you have to do all of the writing. In fact, at this moment I am working an anthology project wherein I purchase the content from various authors. My contacts come via Fiverr, Smart Writing Service and Others.
Group efforts handled by a single publisher can be difficult to hook. Most often, the published works with writers already under their umbrella. However, some sci-fi short story anthology publishers host contests for writers. Keep in mind that most “open submission” contest-style anthologies include a small submission charge.
Marketing Plus Name Branding Result In Sales of Your Science Fiction Novel
In the end, marketing is marketing. However, writing short science fiction requires less time than writing a novel. Furthermore, crafting a short fantasy, horror or sci-fi reader experience keeps the focus on writing rather than marketing. In the end, using short science fiction to promote your name brand can have a huge impact on marketing a successful science fiction novel.
Never forget the importance of reader satisfaction. Short story, novel or blog, you must deliver a rewarding reader experience. Anything less is but an exercise in futility.
Ever considered “Why Goal Settings Doesn’t Work for Writers?”
[amazon_link asins=’0500518963,B06XFJ2JGR,1118980824,B01F1G6VB4′ template=’ProductGrid’ store=’rmharrington-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’8c13d794-0c44-11e8-9cc6-4dae0bb783e5′]
0
0
2
20
