Impressive First Impressions

Good First Impressions Create Successful Self-Publishers

Brought to you from the BookSurge monthly "Surge Newsletter" for self-published authors

Establishing a professional identity is key for a self-published author to building a personal brand. You understand the creative and technical challenges that lie ahead, but the passion and urgency of your message can take you to unfamiliar and exciting places. The next step is to channel that energy into the perfect impression. They say you only get one, so here are a few tips to ensure that your first impression is always a success.

Carry a business card, and don't be afraid to ask for theirs. It's easy to tuck away a few business cards in your wallet to pass out because you never know when you're going to make a connection with a fan or potential resource. In order for this to be successful, you will need to make sure that your contact information is always up to date, including a working email address, phone number, and website, if applicable. As an author, it isn't unusual to plug your book on your business card; an image of the cover, a sentence description, or a particularly favorable review is enough information to hook your audience and entice them to seek out more information. In turn, you should make a habit of asking for other business cards to build your contact list.

Maintain contact within your professional and social networks, and build genuine relationships. Once you've made a new contact, you should send that person a brief note that reminds that person who you are, what you do, and that you enjoyed meeting him or her. Be clear about your introduction, and ask to stay in touch. This person could be a valuable addition to your mailing list or a good connection to other audiences. If you lose touch with your network, you lose the opportunity to reach further in the future.

Keep your ears open. It takes all kinds of people to make the world go round, and many of them want to read your book or help you make the next step in successful self-publishing. Whether you're at the grocery store, gym, or a writing group, it would be unwise to be closed off from an opportunity for an introduction.

Be prepared to be a resource for someone else. Being aware of the resources and connections that you can provide to someone else will be necessary in the future, should someone ask a favor of you. Networking is a two-way street, and if you are open to lending a budding author advice or a leg-up, the gratitude you receive can only open more doors. By presenting yourself as someone willing to create a reciprocal relationship, you send the impression that you are relatable and caring.