Give me a U!

Give me a T!

Give me an H!

Give me an O!

Give me an R!

What’s it spell?

“AUTHOR!”

Louder!

“AUTHOR!”

Yaaaaaay!

Be a cheerleader!

I was a high school cheerleader for one memorable year.

I learned about more than clapping, jumping, and how to polish white Keds, though. I discovered the importance of crowd and community support when facing a challenge, too.

That’s probably why I’m still a cheerleader today, although now I’m cheering for authors, not football and basketball players. (And I don’t wear cheerleading briefs dyed green to match my cheer sweater anymore.)

You can do it, authors!

Jami Albright’s recent guest post on her inspiring success as an indie author reminded me of the importance of cheering for other writers.

“I’ve tried to be the best community member that I can be. I cheer people on, I support them, I share their stuff, and I offer help when I can,” she wrote.

As she noted, it’s so important for us to take time away from our own book writing and marketing to support other authors we know, respect, or like.

You can get ideas for how to help in “How to support an author’s book: 26 simple ideas to use now,” but it helps to understand why it’s important to support other authors.

It’s counter-intuitive, but . . .

Perhaps what I’m proposing seems counter-intuitive, especially when you already feel like you don’t have enough time to do what’s needed for your own book.

How will you ever find the time to be a cheerleader for other authors, too?

Let’s focus on the “why” before the “how.” Here’s why it makes sense for you.

5 reasons to cheer on other authors

1. It’s the right thing to do.

It’s better to give than to receive, right?

2. You will learn.

Connecting with other authors will expose you to the tactics and tools they’re using to promote their books.

You could be privy to the “behind the scenes” work that goes into certain types of promotions. That insider information can save you a great deal of time later if you decide to implement one of those tactics.

3. You will create a valuable community.

The authors you start supporting today become the people you can turn to tomorrow when you need a recommendation for a cover designer, an editor, or a proofreader.

And, when you support them, they will repay the favor by supporting you.

4. It’s good training.

When you cheer on other authors, you learn more about what kind of support you will need when it’s your turn.

You’ll have a better understanding of what to ask for and how to ask for it.

5. You will make authors happy.

Imagine how excited you would be if another author tweeted an unexpected, but glowing, review of your new book! Don’t you want to do that for someone else?

It takes so little time

Supporting and helping your writer colleagues can take just a few minutes every day.

There’s so much in this for you that I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t want to do it.

Convinced it makes sense? Read “How to support an author’s book: 26 simple ideas to use now” to find what works for your style and schedule.

What are you doing already to support other authors?  

(Editor’s note: This article was first published in November 2013. It has been updated and expanded.)

If you don’t agree with the reasoning outlined in “Being a cheerleader for others helps you promote your own book,” then stop reading now.

Maybe you don’t believe that contributing to the success of other authors is an investment in your own success.

It’s possible you feel so overwhelmed by the tasks related to publishing and marketing your own book that you can’t bear to take even five minutes a day to help someone else.

Or . . . perhaps you’re willing to help, but don’t know what to do.

Get some good karma going

For those who understand karma, appreciate that you can learn by doing, or don’t have a lot of time, here are 26 super simple things you can do. They might not change the world, but each will mean a lot to authors you know or whose work you like or admire.

1. Cultivate a network of authors.

Keep expanding it. The more authors you know, the more you can support.

2. Buy their books when you can.

Nobody truly expects you to buy a book that you will never read or give away, but when it makes sense, buy a book written by an author you know rather than one written by a stranger.

3. Use your social networks to share information about new books with links to a purchase page.

4. When you receive a review copy of a book, take a picture of the cover and share it on Facebook with a positive comment.

Share that photo and comment on Instagram, too.

5. After you’ve read a book that you like, write a review on Amazon, BN.com, Goodreads, and other sites that are relevant.

6. If you’ve read a friend’s book and don’t like it, don’t review it.

Bad reviews help readers, but our goal here is to help writers.

7. If your blog readers will be interested in the book, review it on your blog.

8. Invite the author to contribute to your blog with a guest column, written Q&A, or an audio or video interview.

Similarly, if you host a podcast, invite your author friends to be guest on your show.

9. If you list books you like on your website, add your friends’ books to the list.

10. Send a brief book announcement e-mail to people in your address book you think will be interested in a specific book.

Be selective so your message has impact.

11. Recommend your author friends as speakers.

12. Like the author’s Facebook fan/book/author page.

13. Look for the book in stores.

If you find it, position it on the shelf so the cover faces shoppers. If it’s not there, ask the store to order it.

14. If it’s a great gift book, buy several copies so you’ve always got one to give away.

15. Make books in general your “go to” gift, whether it’s for bridal showers, birthdays, graduations, Christmas, or Hanukkah.

Become known as the person who gives great books that are carefully selected for the recipient.

16. When an author asks for help, oblige when you can.

Sometimes it’s impossible or not appropriate, but if you have to say “no,” try to re-direct the author to someone who can say “yes.”

17. If you write for magazines, newsletters, and/or websites and cover topics that your author friends write about, find ways to use them as sources in your articles.

18. Be generous with information and connections.

Help everyone by making those connections without being asked.

19. Check it out of your library.

20. Share their content with your social networks.

For example, promote the author’s virtual book tour appearances, re-tweet their exciting book news, or comment on (or share) their book updates on Facebook.

21. When they’re up for a “popular vote” award and ask for your support, vote early and often.

22. Add yourself to their mailing lists.

Publishers and others like to see author platforms with large mailing lists. Even one more subscriber helps.

23. Participate in and promote their book contests.

If they’re looking for contest prizes, offer to contribute if you can.

24. Provide a testimonial when asked . . . and if it makes sense.

25. Attend their book launch parties (and bring a few friends!).

26. Talk it up!

When you’ve read a book that you like, tell people about it.

I’m sure you can add to this list.

What are you doing to support authors, or what do you wish others could do to support you? Comment here!