One of the most popular questions from authors on Writing.Com is:
         How do I gain exposure for my items and myself on Writing.Com?

There are many ways members of Writing.Com gain exposure, but the following six (6) tips are amongst the most popular:

Tip #1: Utilize Our Newsletters!
Every week Writing.Com sends out over 140,000 issues of its 13 various newsletters. Each week, our newsletter editors ask for questions, feedback and suggested items from their readers. Get easy, quick exposure by emailing Writing.Com newsletter editors. Subscribe to newsletters that cover your favorite genres. Submit feedback to the editors with items of interest along with questions pertaining to the genre, writing style or topic that editor chose that week. In most cases, you will find your name, your question and a response in that editor's newsletter the following week. If you're lucky, your item suggestion will be one of the few Editor's Picks and readers of that newsletter will, more than likely, check out your portfolio!

Tip #2: Review, Review, Review!
Reading and rating are very important for writers, but when it comes to garnering eyeballs for your own work - nothing beats reviewing other authors' items. Correspond with other authors on the site and you'll be surprised how many more views your items get. When you review another author's item, invite that author to your own portfolio and request a reciprocal review. Most of our authors will be more than happy to check out your portfolio, since you were so kind to take a look and send a thorough review first. Remember that responding to reviews you receive is important and helps to ensure people continue to visit and review your portfolio.

Tip #3: Participate and Communicate!
One of the easiest ways to gain exposure and meet other Writing.Com members is to participate in our Message Forums. From the "Browse By Type" link in the navigation under the Writing.Com logo, you'll find a link to our Forums listing. There you'll find hundreds of forums covering just about every topic. Just as with reviewing, posting to other members and being involved within the community adds to your exposure. For new members, "Noticing Newbies"  and "Newbie Writing"  are two great places to stop in and say "Hello". These are the best spots for other members to meet and welcome our newest arrivals. Don't be shy; tell readers a little about yourself, your portfolio and your writing style; you're sure to gain new readers! Be sure to utilize your signature (found in your Account Preferences) to highlight items of interest within your own portfolio.

Tip #4: Plug Yourself In!
There are many In & Outs and Message Forums that are geared toward giving Writing.Com authors exposure. Most of these are run by authors themselves and receive heavy traffic. Writing.Com itself provides "The Shameless "Plug" Page"  which is linked from "Things To Do & Read" in the navigation under the Writing.Com logo. Be shameless and promote, promote, promote!

Tip #5: Win Exposure With Contests!
There are many contests run by Writing.Com members, as well as by Writing.Com. Participating in contests not only gives you the opportunity to win Gift Points, but also provides a free stage for you to flaunt your writing to others who are entering or judging that contest. Visit "Writing Contests @ Writing.Com!"  to get started. Also check out the "Contest" Sub-Type from within the Static Item listings. Choose and enter the contests that interest you. Contests are easy to enter, give a wide variety of assignments and provide great exposure (and enjoyment) whether you win or not!

Tip #6: Get BidClicking!
Now take the Gift Points you just won in those contests and earned through reviewing and sponsor your items with the Writing.Com BidClick System. We recommend using the Genre and Item Type sponsorships. Popular genres like Romance/Love, Action/Adventure and Fantasy can be sponsored for under 25 Gift Points (1/4 of a penny)!

If you want instant exposure to all of our visitors, you can bid a higher Gift Point price for the Sponsored Items listing. This listing is shown on the left-hand side of every page and is seen by every visitor to Writing.Com. We've seen items gain over 100 ratings in less than 24 hours when sponsored there! For even more information on this, read "BidClick System: Sponsored Items, Links & Genres" .1