For those who don’t know, BSP stands for Blatant Self Promotion. It’s a term among authors who must publicize their stories in addition to writing them. BSP means plugging your signings, appearances, awards, guest posts, and anything else that draws attention to your work—and yourself as an author.
Not all writers enjoy BSP, but as PR departments shrink and more writers self-publish, promoting yourself is a reality in today’s world of publishing.
Being good at BSP means you boost yourself with dignity. Being bad at BSP can mean one of two things: you are too pushy, or you are not pushy enough. Finding the right BSP balance means recognizing the difference between effectively highlighting your achievements, being obnoxious, or being too shy.
My efforts at BSP include this blog and website, a personal Facebook page, a Facebook Editor/Author page, a Twitter account, listings in various artist registries, membership in professional organizations, and a few online writerly list- serves and author groups. There are many other options. These are the ones I’ve chosen to utilize.
Why did someone say I was no good at BSP? Because last week, when I won an award, I posted this short status on my various places:
“So…this happened + a smiley face” followed by this link to the announcement.
What I should have done was post something more Blatantly Self Promoting, such as: “Attention, everyone! Great news! I was named by the Delaware Division of the Arts as the 2014 Cape Henlopen Writers Retreat Fellow! Woot!”
I am not being sarcastic. I am THRILLED to have been selected by the DDoA for this honor, but I thought “So…this happened + a smiley face” was a cute way of making the announcement–not too braggy, not too timid, but just right. The Goldlilocks approach to self-aggrandizement. Maybe it was a little less brazen than a PR firm might like, but I don’t want to be the BSPer who is pushy or obnoxious.
We all have limits to what makes us comfortable. Do you see the words “award winning author” on this website? No, you do not. That’s not within my comfort zone. Additionally, because some of the works I’ve edited have won awards, I could hawk myself as an “award winning editor” but I don’t do that, either. That would be stealing the light from the author and perhaps a little misleading.
Do others describe themselves as award-winners? Of course. Maybe I am bad at BSP, but I keep Goldilocks in mind and do what feels right.
All that being said, and no matter how squirrely BSP makes me inside, it must be done. Over time, I’ve come up with my own rules of publicizing myself and my work. I call it Be Yourself Promotion.
Here are my 5 Principles of Be Yourself Promotion:
1. Be Myself. If I had to describe myself in three words, they’d be goofy, passionate, and curious. I have a silly side, so what I share on social media can be wacky, or it can be an enlightening piece about writing. I enjoy current events and don’t fear voicing my opinion. I mention my family, but don’t air personal problems online. I ask questions. Lots and lots of questions. In other words, I’m a person so I act like a person, not a writing machine.
2. Respect my clients. I never discuss my clients’ works or the condition of their books when they appeared to me as a first draft. I won’t disparage a student’s homework or efforts. If a client wins an honor or award, even if I participated in the editing process, the award or honor is theirs, not mine to share or horn in on.
3. Don’t rag on a working author. If I dislike a working author’s work, I say nothing. I don’t care how famous, or infamous, an author may be, if he or she is writing to make a living, I will not hurt their efforts—publicly. Privately, of course I tell my friends if I think a book stinks, or a writer phoned one in or make a bad choice. In writing or in public, I keep that to myself. Why? In part because, if I wanted to offer a critique, I’d do that in a proper review, and I don’t do reviews. Second, any author you trash is sure to sit next to you at a panel at a conference. Uncomfortable!
4. Never trash entire genres. If I don’t like a certain type of story, I don’t read it. There is no need to announce that to the world, and certainly no reason to put down another genre or tell others what you perceive to be all wrong with it. The reasons people give for disliking another genre usually reflect badly on the person, not the genre.
5. Be encouraging. Was I a cheerleader in a former life? Maybe. I want everyone to succeed as a writer. This is why I write How To posts on this blog, why I start a Sprint at 7:00 Thread every single morning on Facebook, why I Tweet helpful craft articles and submission opportunities. My proudest online creation might be Good News Friday. I mean every bit of the rah-rah, too.
Those are the operating principles of my Be Myself Promotion: Be authentic, respectful and encouraging, and skip the ragging or trashing.
Do you have a set of professional principles you live by? Want to share?
Great post. I find it easier to be part of a group where others support you in BSP. It is much easier, more fun, and more gratifying to celebrate a friend. And when it is your turn, they are there for you.
You’re funny. I kinda follow the Goldilocks principle myself, I guess I talk about when something happens, but I don’t scream about it for a week. Just not me. And I’ve used the “so this happened – smiley” thing myself on occasion. 😉
I find BSP difficult too. It helps to have someone in my life to push me along a little bit.
One thing I do find easy is encouraging other writers and celebrating their accomplishments. For instance, if I saw your little smiley face announcement that you were awarded that fellowship (congratulations!) I would have retweeted it or shared the Facebook post. I believe in good karma. If you are actually social on social media, it is a lot more fun to do.
Elizabeth, I so agree with your comment about being social on social media. Social media was not invented as a means for writers to promote themselves–it’s been co-opted into that function. It is very tiresome, IMO, when an author uses social media solely for “buy my book” posts.
Thank you for the congrats! I am very happy, and I am happy to share other people’s good news too. Every Friday on FB, I post a Good News Friday thread. It gets all kinds of responses, from “My book came out this week!” to “I’m going to the beach with my daughter today!” Great fun.
Wonderful post and congratulations on the award! You’ve worked hard to earn it. It’s been my experience that my fellow writers are embarrassed by shameless self-promotion. I don’t seem to have that problem (!) but forty years teaching medical professionals teaches you how to communicate with anyone and not to be afraid to do some SP, Without it, especially in academia, you go nowhere. So keep at it, You do it with such humor and insight!
I just noted to someone on FB that sometimes BSP is not optional. Some publishers or periodical editors insist you promote if you are published by them, and I think this is becoming all the more common. So, the sooner you become adept and figure out what works for you, the better. Your training seems to have helped you set your own rules. Good for you!
I’d much rather promote others than myself. I retweet a lot of author’s announcements (I totally missed yours somehow!) and I like to tweet congrats to authors on their release days, etc. I have trouble promoting my own stuff, though. I never want seem like I’m bragging.
BSP is a very uncomfortable part of the process, and I think you hit the nail on the head when you say to determine what feels right for you. So many times I’ll deliberate over something I’m about to post on social media or on a yahoo group and delete halfway through because it feels too self-serving. Your rules reflect the kind of person you are: gracious!
I think the solution is for you to do your BSP your own way and for the critic to pick it up and do it for you her way. All bases covered! Congrats, too!
Well said, Ramona.
I used to be embarrassed to even announce a book—old school training, I guess. After 20 of them, I’m better now, but I’m never going to use !!!!!!! to point to a good review, or ever use the word “buy!”
I prefer your approach. There are writers I’ve “hidden” on my Facebook feed because I get so tired of every post being about how many copies they’ve sold or how many awards they’ve won. Subtle lasts longer.
Last week, I was informed I was no good at BSP.
Ramona DeFelice Long 
Great post, Ramona. I for one cannot stand it when BSP becomes too blatant! Here’s to the Goldilocks theory!
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It’s a balancing act, isn’t it, Judy? I cringe at what others do sometimes, and hope and pray people are not cringing at me!
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Great post. I find it easier to be part of a group where others support you in BSP. It is much easier, more fun, and more gratifying to celebrate a friend. And when it is your turn, they are there for you.
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The group promo–a good way to go. Plus, you have party peeps! The Wicked Cozies are excellent at celebrating one another, with sincerity, Julie.
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You’re funny. I kinda follow the Goldilocks principle myself, I guess I talk about when something happens, but I don’t scream about it for a week. Just not me. And I’ve used the “so this happened – smiley” thing myself on occasion. 😉
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It’s all in what makes you comfortable–and how much you depend on writing to pay your mortgage.
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I find BSP difficult too. It helps to have someone in my life to push me along a little bit.
One thing I do find easy is encouraging other writers and celebrating their accomplishments. For instance, if I saw your little smiley face announcement that you were awarded that fellowship (congratulations!) I would have retweeted it or shared the Facebook post. I believe in good karma. If you are actually social on social media, it is a lot more fun to do.
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Elizabeth, I so agree with your comment about being social on social media. Social media was not invented as a means for writers to promote themselves–it’s been co-opted into that function. It is very tiresome, IMO, when an author uses social media solely for “buy my book” posts.
Thank you for the congrats! I am very happy, and I am happy to share other people’s good news too. Every Friday on FB, I post a Good News Friday thread. It gets all kinds of responses, from “My book came out this week!” to “I’m going to the beach with my daughter today!” Great fun.
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Wonderful post and congratulations on the award! You’ve worked hard to earn it. It’s been my experience that my fellow writers are embarrassed by shameless self-promotion. I don’t seem to have that problem (!) but forty years teaching medical professionals teaches you how to communicate with anyone and not to be afraid to do some SP, Without it, especially in academia, you go nowhere. So keep at it, You do it with such humor and insight!
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Thank you, Noelle!
I just noted to someone on FB that sometimes BSP is not optional. Some publishers or periodical editors insist you promote if you are published by them, and I think this is becoming all the more common. So, the sooner you become adept and figure out what works for you, the better. Your training seems to have helped you set your own rules. Good for you!
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I just submitted my second book to a publisher and they wanted a marketing plan along with it!
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Congrats, Noelle!
A marketing plan–scary words!
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I’d much rather promote others than myself. I retweet a lot of author’s announcements (I totally missed yours somehow!) and I like to tweet congrats to authors on their release days, etc. I have trouble promoting my own stuff, though. I never want seem like I’m bragging.
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Joyce, when your book comes out, you’ll have to do it. So think about that: “I have to do this” and hold your nose, and do it!
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BSP is a very uncomfortable part of the process, and I think you hit the nail on the head when you say to determine what feels right for you. So many times I’ll deliberate over something I’m about to post on social media or on a yahoo group and delete halfway through because it feels too self-serving. Your rules reflect the kind of person you are: gracious!
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Thank you, Diane, and I could certainly return the compliment to you! It is a tricky thing to navigate, isn’t it?
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I think the solution is for you to do your BSP your own way and for the critic to pick it up and do it for you her way. All bases covered! Congrats, too!
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Thank you, Kaye! Once i set my own guidelines, it was so much easier to know what to do.
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Ramona… you’re a writer?
Sorry. Couldn’t resist. xo
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What gave it away, Reine?
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Reblogged this on theowlladyblog.
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Reblogged this on MARSocial Author Business Enhancement Interviews.
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Well said, Ramona.
I used to be embarrassed to even announce a book—old school training, I guess. After 20 of them, I’m better now, but I’m never going to use !!!!!!! to point to a good review, or ever use the word “buy!”
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Thank you, Camille. At some point, it gets easier, right? After 20 books, it certainly should!
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I prefer your approach. There are writers I’ve “hidden” on my Facebook feed because I get so tired of every post being about how many copies they’ve sold or how many awards they’ve won. Subtle lasts longer.
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