Writing is very competitive. One of the first steps in promoting a book is to determine your target audience. Is your book for everyone? If so, who will most likely buy it and will they like it enough to tell others about your book?
Here are a few ways to help find potential readers:

Write down details about the audience you are writing to. What are their ages? What is the family status? What are your first reactions about writing to that audience? Refine your research and plan your promotion. To become a successful writer you must promote yourself.

The first thing you should do would be to send in any story to a publisher. You want to get your name on file. Chances are your first story won't be printed. That's not what's important. The important thing is for them to become familiar with your name. As they become accustomed to you they will find out the style in which you write. The editor will become familiar with your name and the quality of your writing.

Don't give up. I have a cousin who is always sending stories to various magazines. She has had several published and has also had some turned down. Keep sending in those stories. The more the editor sees your name on something the better.

Become well versed on your subject. Send out timely press releases connecting your story to local, national or world news. Be ready when editors call wanting to know about something that broke the news this morning. Be able to speak knowledgeable on a given subject on short notice. Offer your services to the media. Be on the lookout for events in your community that you could write about.

Watch talk shows and news programs. How do they keep the listeners attention? Try and be as much of an expert as you possibly can on your topic. Show off your personality when you write.

Let yourself be seen. Attend important events where the press might be looking. Try to strike up a conversation with them when possible. It is always important to remember people's names. It will help to carry a small notebook with you to write down details and the names of each media person you meet.

Spend time targeting top reporters at major papers that routinely carry stories to which you can contribute. Write journalists a personal letter telling them why you liked a specific article they wrote. Along with that, write a paragraph about yourself as to why you are an expert on his topic and would like to connect with him with other sources. Make sure you are reliable. Let them know of your availability on short notice. Then send thank you notes for a story the paper runs for you.

Remember that you are the authority when being interviewed. A bad interview can be bad for you. Always keep the topic where it should be. Some interviewers will want to go on their own paths.
This might seem like a big jump in your career ladder, but remember everyone has to start somewhere.