How to self promote safely?

[Swordfry]

I am just now starting to write my first book, and have stumbled upon something called self promotion. Apparently this is a big deal for new authors today and if you try and get published without any self promotion, you will be in some trouble. I understand some self promotion is necessary, like on social media like Facebook and places like Mythic Scribes, but apparently that is not enough. So my question is this:

How do I self promote my WIP, and safely at that so that no random stranger will steal anything they want?

A private Facebook group would be a good idea I imagine, but would only work with a small number of people and would not really gain many followers because it is private. But it will keep your WIP and ideas safe with people you can trust.

A blog sounds like a good idea, chronicling the WIP and notes on world building, etc. But how exactly would I keep this safe from thieves who wander in and steal whatever they want?

And for places like here on Mythic Scribes: How can I protect any stuff that I share on here? I want to upload sample chapters for critique very soon, but am a little nervous in doing so because these are actual chapters from my actual book.

 

[T.Allen.Smith]

I know this is hard to accept when you're first starting out, but your ideas aren't worth much to anyone else beside you.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying they're worthless. Not by a long shot. However, ideas themselves are cheap. Every writer on this site and throughout social media has ideas a plenty.

It's execution that matters.

Your idea is grand to you because you've got it all wrapped up in your head and showing like a movie, and while that's a vital step towards execution, it doesn't translate that way to anyone else until you write it down in your unique way...which takes time to learn, within the writing craft and time to develop your voice.

No one is going to steal an idea because their own ideas mean so much more to them than yours. They've got their own scripts and movies jostling around in their minds, fighting for priority and begging to be put to paper. And, even if five writers all used the exact same foundation ideas, their stories would all turn out quite different in the end. They very well might not even be recognizable as similar.

So, even though it's a fear we all started with, you'll come to understand your ideas are gold only to you....until such time that you're able to write well enough to translate the story idea into a grand tale on paper.

I'll say it again for emphasis:

Ideas are cheap. Execution matters.

 

[BWFoster78]

If I might add to T.Allen's comments ...

1. Really, just get over the idea that someone is going to steal your ideas.
2. Blogging and Facebook and social media is all a distraction from writing. You do not need to be promoting now. You need to be writing. You need to be learning craft. It's going to take you a long time to get from "starting to write your first novel" to producing anything that is even remotely worth selling.
3. There are really, really effective ways to market books. When you're ready, go on over to the kboards writer's cafe and read a lot of posts. You're not ready yet. Write. Learn your craft. Don't even think about marketing or promoting.

 

[Russ]

I agree. The vast majority of self-promotion, author branding, platform building etc, unless you have no choice, should be done after the IP is removed from WIP.

Your fear of having ideas stolen is probably not a serious concern.

A blog on how you write your book and how you did your world building is not likely to build much of a following for a non-published/non-specialist writer.

Write the best book you can, then make it better, then sell it.

 

[Uffda]

Simple answer: don't bother promoting a work in progress. Instead, concentrate on finishing the work, revising, polishing, etc.

 

[ALB2012]

Agreed, unless you are in the futures market you can't sell something that doesn't exist. Personally I find the book changes as I write it so promoting a new idea is a waste of time.

Write, write, write. If you really want to build a following beforehand then join groups and talk about the genre - get to know people, network. Don't let it all be about YOUR book. Ask for what works and what doesn't - and this will be different for everyone you ask.

Be careful there a LOT of groups which don't allow self promotion - especially on Good Reads and Facebook so make sure you learn the rules of the group.

For now focus on the book.
Oh and be realistic - many many authors don't sell much.