Over the past three years, I've had the privilege of making acquaintances with several media personalities throughout Memphis. These contacts are obviously important to a writer especially when trying to promote a book. At first, I have to admit it was a bit taxing and intimidating for me to initiate contact with them, but it's not like they aren't used to it. I mean, isn't this what most people do anyway? So I'm not the only one trying to vie for their attention. The main thing is not to upset these important contacts by bombarding with too much information. You want to approach them in a respectful and acceptable manner; treat them as you would want someone to treat you if you were in their position.
After a while of communicating with them via email and making my various requests known, they slowly started to recognize my name and face. I was sort of like branding myself in that respect. This is why it is important to use the same name, write in the style and use the same picture in your email. Eventually, they will begin to reciprocate in like manner. I think the key is to stick with it and never give up, but be consistent in contacting them. Your consistent presence - not nagging - will earn you a certain amount of respect and they just might actually start reading what you send to them. And, they just might start trusting that what you are sending them is legitimate and worth their time. This is how professional relationships are cultivated. You don't have to necessarily shower them gifts either, though small inexpensive thoughtful gifts are usually much appreciated and remembered. The key is to be patient and respectful. Eventually, these two genuine characteristics will win you the attention you are seeking. For more on how to win over the media, consider a new book by my friend Torry Martin. "Shameless Self Promotion and Networking for Christian Creatives"
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 The illuminating power of the cross is a wonder to me in how God uses His word to penetrate and influence us as Christian writers. The cross represents the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ for the His Bride, the Church; the not the church buildings or established religious orders, but the people of God who know and accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
What is more worthy to be called to write about? Isn't this our great commission, to share the gospel throughout the world? What better way to do this than to write about it on the world wide web? Blogging to evangelize is one sure way to reach people, but yet it must be done fairly and well; not in a forceful manner that is dogmatic and intrusive on others. Christ was and still is the gentle lamb of God with a still, small voice that beacons with love and peace. Sewing the seeds of faith is what we as believers are best at doing and how God usually chooses to use us best in the lives of others. Allowing Him to write through you can be the hard part. And this is the part I refer to as the writer's anointing. Instead of us always stepping in the way and asking God to please bless what we are doing for Him, we should be stepping aside and joining in with what He is already doing. This requires us to be quiet, still, patient, and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Yet, with all the hustle and bustle of this world to meet deadlines for various publications or to get that final edited version done and resubmitted, we find ourselves stressed, rushed, and rarely in a state of mind to receive much of anything from God. All these things only serve to steal away our creativity. In order to flow within God's plan, we will have to learn to say no a lot more than we say yes, and to prioritize our to do list. We will have to learn that we only need to do what God requires of us at the time and not what man desires of us. This is the only way a Christian writer can stay in tune with what God is wanting to accomplish, and how He wants to work through you. For about this subject, you can download a FREE ebook titled "The Writer's Anointing," which is also available on Smashwords.com and Amazon.com. Click on the link below: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/123839 |
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