We had a dynamic zalon recently with Ronke Lawal, PR Specialist and founder of Ariatu PR, discussing how to get the most out of networking online in literary and publishing spaces. The primary role of a PR, said Ronke, is to help the client identify their core ethos and values in order to frame a personal brand. She also handles media relations, pitching to the press for coverage, offers media training to get the messaging right and, on occasion, navigates crisis management. Ronke offered a wealth of practical suggestions on how we can use social media effectively to enhance our own personal brands, make meaningful connections and extend our reach online.

While some writers are happy to be in the limelight others balk at the idea of making themselves or their books visible. If confidence is a problem, said Ronke, take a holistic approach and assess why. If self-esteem is a real issue she suggested investing in a coach or a therapist to do some deep work and address any obstacles holding you back.

Perhaps you have faith in the quality of your writing but are reluctant to talk about yourself or present yourself in public. Invest in a stylist, book a half-day session with a photographer and then share the images. The British are not great at putting themselves out there! Be an ambassador for your work. Know who it is you’re trying to reach. Identify one or two digital spaces, be it Twitter, Instagram, You Tube, Facebook or LinkedIn etc, and actively share your work. Engage with the community in that space. Find literary events or organisations (for example, via your local council or library) where you can get involved - or organise your own event (when we’re able) and undertake some public speaking. Book it in and make it a goal! Ensure you spend time on your author bio to help make it easier to talk about yourself. Identify who you are and your story in one or two paragraphs - include your journey so far, what makes you stand out and what inspired you to start writing in the first place.

We talked about the essentials when building a personal brand. Ronke recommended setting up an eponymous website that clearly defines what it is you write about. Keep it simple and include a homepage, an author bio page that tightly summarises what you do, a professional headshot, a contact page, press page and a blog. Keep it up to date. Talk about your core values; what inspires you, what makes you unique and what it is that you care about.

Authenticity is key - be yourself. Behave online as you would in real life. Pay attention to the cultural climate, be considerate and contribute to building a diverse and inclusive publishing community. ‘The energy I put out often comes back to me,’ said Ronke. ‘Think about the value of expressing negative or unpopular opinions - it will attract negative feedback. Respectful critique and discussion is a part and parcel of your work as an artist as it encourages critical thinking. Utilize social media to disrupt the landscape but ask before you jump in; is it absolutely essential and can I stand by it - would I be proud of it 24 hours later?’ Ronke emphasised that it always comes back to your core values - take the time to brainstorm and know what they are, ‘If someone offered you a million pounds tomorrow to compromise those values - would you? Be honest!’ She added that there’s no value in engaging with trolls and said always take steps to protect yourself online and block, mute, report.

Work out what’s a good space for you - there’s a vast range of platforms. Be intentional with content. How often are you tweeting or engaging? Automate if you’re short on time and try scheduling tools via media manager apps like Buffer or Hootsuite. Get into the habit a few times a week of taking fifteen minutes to look at your timeline and engage in a meaningful way. Get involved in regular conversations - employing hash tags like #amwriting is a great way of building followers.

With a big thank you to Ronke for sharing her PR expertise with us and to the audience too for some fab questions! Next month I’m looking forward to talking Writing Speculative Fiction: unlocking the art of storytelling with Courttia Newland. We’ll also be discussing Courttia’s new novel A River Called Time as well as hearing about some of his other projects, including his forthcoming book of short stories and his screenwriting work. As a screenwriter he’s written two feature length films for the Steve McQueen BBC series Small Axe, of which Lovers Rock was jury selected for Cannes. If you haven’t had a chance yet, I really recommend catching up on iplayer.

Hope to see you soon!

Kellie

Links and References:

Ronke Lawal, Ariatu PR, This is a fab resource: The reluctant networker - online networking in the literary world with Ronke Lawal via The Society of Authors @Home Festival June 2020

Some writers who use social media effectively via Twitter (other platforms are available!): Matt Haig, Bolu Babalola, Nikesh Shukla, Guilaine Kinouani