What Cli-Fi Writers Should Not Overlook: Having a ''Call to Action''

What Cli-Fi Writers Should Not Overlook:

Having a ''Call to Action''

         

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All cli-fi writers would love to have more readers — more readers of their books, their blog, their articles, or whatever creative work they’re producing.

But few writers have given much thought to having a call to action that’s associated with their work. “Call to action” is a marketing term that refers to the one thing you’d like someone to do if they’ve enjoyed or otherwise been affected by your work.

Writers are often the most guilty of magical thinking that goes something like this: My work speaks for itself, and if it’s good enough, then wonderful things will happen.

Well, sometimes your work does speak for itself, but it may not spur any action. Or, if it does spur action, people may not take the action you’d most prefer.

So with every piece you plan to write, it’s helpful to first think through: What would I like to see happen as a result of publishing this piece? What would I like to see the most engaged readers do?

Sometimes your goal is to generate interest in your books (especially around the time of a book launch), or maybe you’re hoping that people will follow you on social media or sign up for your email newsletter. The purpose of this blog post that you’re reading now is to bring awareness of calls to action for cli-fi writers.

The call to action for each piece you write may be different, and it tends to change depending on your current projects or initiatives. Don’t try to determine your call to action based on what other people are doing; it only makes sense when you base it on either your own short-term or long-term goals.
While online articles, interviews, and blog posts are very commonly associated with a call to action, they can appear in a lot of other places, including:

• The homepage of your website
• In your bio note on social media
• In your email signature
• At the beginning or end of your book

Don’t be shy about including calls to action alongside or at the end of your work. They’re the most beneficial when you already have someone’s attention, and they’re most interested in either more great stuff from you, or staying up to date on your new stuff.

***"Curious, empathetic, compassionate: What we should be as human beings."***