…If you promote it right, that is.

But first, welcome to day two of “Why Should Freelance Writers Attend Writing Conferences?” Like I said yesterday, I’m a devoted advocate of industry related networking opportunities, and writing conferences offer not only networking opportunities, but learning opportunities, too. That’s a whole lot of opportunity right there.

When attending the Red Clay Writers Conference sponsored by the Georgia Writers Association and held in Kennesaw, GA last Saturday, I met a delightful author named J. Steve Miller who’s seminar was entitled “Sell More Books! (Cheap, Unobnoxious Tactics that Actually Work for Shy Authors and Non-Celebrities).”

Miller had quite a lot to say about strategies for book publicizing, and just like with Karen Denovich yesterday, I’m not going to give away all the maestro’s secrets here. I will talk about my favorite take away:

When publicizing your book the right way, you are NOT self-promoting. You are providing a service to people who need it.

Wow, so simple, yet us self-promotion shy folks would never have thought of it quite in that light. And we’re not just talking about books here. Like many of you, I used to (okay, sometimes still do) see a lot of public relations techniques as sheer self-promotion. But when I stop to think about it, the work I’m promoting is awesome, right? Shouldn’t I share that awesome with others who want to learn all about the awesome I have on offer? Now substitute words like specialization, expertise, information, your book, your article, your manuscript, etc. for “awesome” and you are in the mindset to promote yourself.

Shy promoters, put that in your pipe and smoke the next time you hesitate to send out that blog post, press release, or query. Of course, be sure you really are promoting your work to people who need to see it. Otherwise, yes, you’re obnoxious.

For more about J. Steve Miller, check out his freelance writing blog or head over to Amazon to browse “Enjoy Your Money! How to Make It, Save It, Invest It, and Give It,” the personal finance book he is currently “unobnoxiously” promoting. And, as always, come back tomorrow for more insider secrets I managed to glean at the Red Clay Writers Conference this weekend.