Want to get your creative writing work out there without wasting money on paid ads?
Here are 10 free promotional strategies that can help you reach a wider audience and build a loyal following.
1: Use Social Media – Social media platforms like are great places to connect with potential readers. Share excerpts from your work, post about your writing process, and participate in online writing communities.
However, focus on 2 maximum 3 platforms. Don’t spread too thin your efforts.
2: Start a Blog – A blog is a great way to share your work, connect with other writers, and build an audience. You can post excerpts from your writing, share your thoughts on the writing process, and offer advice to other writers.
3: Submit Your Work to Literary Magazines and Contests – This can be a great way to get your work published and gain exposure. Many literary magazines and contests offer free submissions, so do your research and find ones that are a good fit for your work.
Don’t bother with big magazines or famous contests (Which, often, are rigged towards wokeness): focus on small, niche contests.
4: Offer Your Work for Free – Consider offering some of your work for free, such as short stories or poems. This can help you attract new readers and build a following.
This is one of the most powerful promotional strategies for any freelancer and small, independent business.
5: Collaborate with Other Writers – Collaborating with other writers can help you reach a wider audience and cross-promote your work. You can co-write a story, participate in a joint blog post, or offer to guest post on each other’s blogs.
6: Get Creative with Your Marketing – There are many creative ways to promote your work for free. You can create a book trailer, host a writing workshop, or offer to give a reading at a local library or bookstore.
7: Build an Email List: An email list is a great way to stay in touch with your readers and promote your work.
Email marketing is still the best strategy you can invest into.
8: Use Goodreads and similar platforms – Goodreads is a social media platform for readers and writers. You can create a profile, connect with other writers, and promote your work.
9: Participate in Online Writing Communities – There are many online writing communities where you can connect with other writers, get feedback on your work, and promote your writing.
10: Don’t Give Up – Promoting your creative writing work takes time and effort. Don’t give up if you don’t see results immediately. Keep writing, keep promoting, and keep refining in your work.