When I was getting ready to publish my first book I had no idea what my marketing strategy was. All I knew was that I didn’t want to be one of those annoying people that kept talking about their book all the time and to anyone that would listen.
So when it came to publishing my book I aimed for a soft release of sorts. Meaning, I wasn’t going to make a big noise about it. Most of my fellow bloggers helped me spread the word and allowed me to guest post on their blogs. I tweeted about it a few times and mentioned it on Facebook. At first it was tempting to talk about my book non-stop. But soon I was annoying even myself. So I stopped.
However, when I was doing research about marketing, I kept reading about marketing must haves like:
- · You must have a platform, preferably a blog (check)
- · Take part in as many forms of social media as possible (check)
- · Talk about your book (check)
- · Have a reasonably priced book (check)
- · Good book cover (check)
- · Good editing (check)
- · Another book (nope)
And then you will have great success.
First of all, I’m a realist. I didn’t expect my book to suddenly be read by the masses. I knew for a fact that my book would upset more people than garner interest. I didn’t expect to sell a lot of books because I didn’t use any paid marketing options. I didn’t have the money to. My friends and I did all the marketing.
I didn’t go big on the marketing because I knew that I didn’t have another piece of work to offer potential readers. All I wanted to do was let the world know that my book was out and available for enjoyment. I wasn’t harassing anyone to buy my book. When I have more books out I might get more aggressive with the marketing.
What I learned is that you can follow all the marketing strategies out there and follow everything to a T, but it doesn’t guarantee you success. You have to do what feels good to you. Every book is different. Also, every writer is different too. What might work for all your friends might not work for you.
I wish I didn’t sign up to most of the social media options. That I had stuck to one or two I liked best. I even started a newsletter to let potential readers know about my new releases.
I don’t mind growing my audience over time. I like the idea of starting out slow. After all, being a writer is about doing it in the long run. I might not release a book every six months, but I will release more books in the future. Please, don’t let others set the rules for you. Set your own and stick to them. You answer to yourself. Do what works for you.
I think you're so right. If you don't do what feels right to you, then you've lost all the enjoyment that comes with your writing. After a while of doing that I'd think you wouldn't want to write anymore and that would be sad. I'm glad you set your own rules.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mason.
DeleteLike they say, it's a marathon not a sprint. And I think the marketing and the strategy can/will vary, depending on the book, how long the author's been at it, new marketing platforms, etc. Do what you think is going to work best for you and your book, your career.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Madeline. I definitely look at it as a marathon.
Delete"Please, don’t let others set the rules for you. Set your own and stick to them. You answer to yourself. Do what works for you." <---Yes, yes, yes!! This!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not putting a book out every six months. I will be lucky if I can do one every two to three years. :)
And this whole thing is definitely a marathon, not a sprint.
Agreed:) I know what you mean. I can't imagine turning out a novel every six months. I'm hyperventilating just thinking about it:)
DeleteI think the fact that you wrote and published a book is very impressive; a lot of people (including me) don't even get that far. It takes time. I heard an interview from a guy who was a published author but kept his day job as a lawyer, because he was still trying to get his name out there. It just takes time, like you said.
ReplyDeleteThank you, NW. I'm actually looking for a new day job:) But you are so right. It takes time.
DeleteOn the last item on your list...yep...I thought for sure the more books out there the better I'd get known. I've published 31 todate...still a stranger to the world. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteSorry. Now I just feel really depressed:) But don't give up, Mac. You're a great writer.
DeleteGood points. You have to do what works for you. I don't like it when I see constant Tweets and Facebook posts from the same person about the same book.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Thank you, Janie. I agree.
DeleteI knew for a fact that my book would upset more people than garner interest. --> What???
ReplyDeleteI genuinely liked your book, and I don't normally go for that genre. But I agree fellow bloggers/writers are a huge help in marketing each other.
Thank you, Jennifer. I thought readers would hate the violence at times and when it comes to Immortals there is always a lot of controversy. But I'm proud of the book I wrote.
DeleteVery excellent advice to "set your own rules and stick to them." In fact,
ReplyDeletethat could apply to everything in life. lol
Thank you, Belva. You are right, following your own rules for life is what I hope to do. It's hard to do what feels right sometimes.
DeleteHi Murees - it's good to work things out, and keep an eye on other bloggers to pick up tips and ides ... then as you've achieved one, the next will be easier to see what needs to be done ... well done - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteThank you, Hilary. That is why I love blogging. I learn so much from my fellow bloggers.
DeleteThank you. You are welcome, Karen.
ReplyDeleteSo true, Murees. We're all different. Since social media keeps growing so fast, I've been hearing lately to choose two. I've done that, and it's so much better for me. The more books you have, the more precious time becomes.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I can't imagine doing social media full-time and writing. So, I choose writing instead. Besides, social media should be fun, right?
DeleteI think you've hit the nail on the head when you said, 'don't let others set the rules for you'. It's good to know marketing strategies are out there and to read about people's successes in that area but after all one needs to remain true to oneself and approach marketing sensibly and in a way that can be managed. I enjoyed reading your reflections Murees and wish you success!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Nicola. Definitely. Marketing has to be different for each individual. Wishing you lots of success too.
DeleteAmen to not letting others set the rules for you. What a great way to put it!
ReplyDeleteAnd you couldn't have picked a better gif to illustrate how I feel about marketing. Love it LOL.
Thank you! I just adore Sheldon:) I used to think marketing was a set plan for success, it's not. One definitely has to pick and choose what you want to try.
DeleteSeconded! We have so many options available to us these days that we really do have to pick and choose. It's not like back in the day when your publisher just put a book in the store and sent you on tour. That was simple. Sometimes I miss simple.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I love simple. But I also like the flexibility I have now, with regards to what I want to try and not. The options are endless:)
DeleteGood advice. Marketing overwhelms me. What works for one person doesn't always work for another. And it takes so much time.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beverly. Me too. I learned the hard way that one has to choose what you're comfortable with and do the best job you can with that. Marketing is a tricky monkey. You definitely have to take a strategy that you don't mind partaking in, or else it might make you want to tear out your hair, as it did with me:)
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