Opportunity -A-Z Challenge, Starting & Sustaining A Writing Career

Friday, April 17, 2015

One thing I've learned about opportunity is to take each one as it comes. When I meet people, I tend to be reserved until I establish a relationship. Once I'm comfortable, the outgoing side of my personality takes over.

Since starting out as a writer, people have reached out to me with offers for free one-off promotions, to be on their blog, send a book for review and I let each opportunity pass because I'm shy or busy or some other excuse.

I've learned that every bit of promotion is good when you have something you need to get before an audience. Seizing the moment and chances takes practice and a bit of focus.  The other day, a marketing and promo practitioner announced that her magazine was open for book reviews, and I made a note to send a book to the address she posted, but I got busy and didn't do it. Today, in conversation, she reminded me that we don't always have to pay to get a spotlight on our books and that she can arrange for book reviews.

This time, I won't be caught flat-footed. Soon as I have this posted, I'll be sending that ebook off. Do you use the breaks that come your way or do you allow them to pass because you're not keeping an eye out for every stroke of luck that comes your way?


Opportunity comes like a snail, and once it has passed you it changes into a fleet rabbit and is gone.
                                                          - Arthur Brisbane

Nothing is more expensive than a missed opportunity.
                                                         - H. Jackson Brown Jr.

13 comments:

  1. Send that book!
    I jump on most opportunities, although I do know when to say no because I'm already overwhelmed.

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  2. I passed up some opportunities. Now I try to learn from my mistakes. You have grown as a writer.

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  3. Sometimes it is about stepping out of your comfort zone, which I struggle to, but you never know what it could lead to.

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  4. It's so hard to say no when you're offered a chance to share what you do, but sometimes I simply run out of hours.

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  5. Thats good advie, to mak th mos ones opportnities. I thikI do a good part off the tme, but...not always.
    Sandy at Bridge and Beyond

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  6. Great quotes. I'm trying to catch more of those opportunities before they go away.

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  7. I used to keep my door chained and locked when it came to opportunity. Now I leave out the welcome mat, a light on, and a plate of cookies with a side glass of milk, just in case.

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    Replies
    1. Absolutely love that, Jeffrey. :D I may need to ask you if I can use it as a quote.

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  8. I can be bad about opportunities too and pass them up because I'm feeling shy. Working on it. Recently, I set up a promotion for two of my books and looked up places to submit them. Gotta be brave!

    ~Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
    Member of C. Lee's Muffin Commando Squad
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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  9. Yes, in this cut-throat world of marketing you need to grab opportunities. I'm a great one to talk but I can imagine how hard it is to accept every opportunity that comes your way. You'd need to develop trust too.

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  10. I hope you sent your book. We need to grab every opportunity we get, but like you I often don't.
    Opportunity was my word too - but of a different kind
    Dropping by from the A to Z
    Suzy at Someday Somewhere - Opportunity

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  11. Even I am reserved till I get to know people and once I get comfortable, there is no stopping me. Well, as far as opportunities go, yes, even I have let go off a few.. But we need to grab them for sure

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Don't be shy, I'd love to hear what you think.