As an indie author, finding innovative ways to promote your work and connect with readers is essential. Yet, it’s also one of the most intimidating things to do. Collaboration and endorsement can help you gain credibility and garner attention for your hard work. But, if you have a small social media presence or fanbase, will anyone consider working with you?
Here are some things that I’ve found helpful so far:
Expand Your Reach: By reaching out to brands and individuals who share similar values and who appreciate parallel themes/missions, you can introduce your work to new audiences, expanding your reader base.
Shared Resources: Collaborations often come with shared resources, such as marketing efforts and promotional events, which can be incredibly beneficial. Working together can amplify your reach and impact. But make sure your interest in their brand/mission is genuine!
Creative Synergy: Be open-minded to new ideas and creativity, enriching your projects and expanding your creative horizons. The exchange of ideas can lead to exciting and unexpected outcomes.
Personal Experience: On a Spring 2024 trip, I discovered a brand dedicated to a mission that resonated with me. Now, almost a year later, I find that their goals also align with the novel I’m working on, so I reached out to them. (Waiting to hear back…) My point? Don’t reach out to someone just because you feel like they can further your literary career. Connect with them because you are authentically enthusiastic about engaging with their content!
Put Yourself Out There: This comes from a self-proclaimed introvert so, listen up. PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE. It’s an email, a phone call, or a quick meeting. It’s NOT the end of the world. If the person or brand you’re reaching out to isn’t interested in partnering with you, kick the dust off your feet and move on. Keep in mind that it’s not personal. They aren’t your friends (yet) and perhaps the timing was off, or they are looking to go in another direction. Maybe they are bombarded with requests. Whatever the case is, don’t be afraid to hit “send” on your inquiry.
If you’re an author, I’d love to hear about your collaboration experiences. How have they helped you?
If you’re a brand/organization/individual interested in working on a project with me, send an email to qmcconnellwrites@gmail.com
quintana Mcconnell 