Premature Trepidation
Ever worry about things way before they happen? Or even possibly happen?I usually don’t. I’m more of a cross-that-bridge-when-I-come-to-it kind of person. But, I have to admit, promotion is something I worry about.
Irrational – I haven’t sold anything. I haven’t had anyone say they were even thinking of buying something. I do have an agent. I do have two revised manuscripts circulating in the big houses. But, still…awful soon to be biting my nails over the topic.
It might be that my fellow bloggers and I have been brainstorming a fresh, new version of this blog. (Launch date February 1st, btw – great stuff coming.) It might also be that I’m taking an awesome class online via AuthorMBA, and we’re talking about getting the biggest bang for your buck, author branding, tag lines, themes, messages, impressions, media presence…the list goes on. And on.
It might also be that I’m a huge introvert. I can be extroverted when necessary, but it sucks every ounce of my energy. And, of course, promotion is all about putting yourself out there—book signings, radio interviews, newspaper clips, press releases, advertisements, guest speaker invites. If you’re like Allison Brennan, a natural extrovert who thrives on that stuff, I guess it would all sound thrilling. But, me…
YIKES!
My throat gets all thick and sticky just thinking about it. Way, way, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay out of my comfort zone.
How do you feel about promotion? About building a community prior to selling vs. waiting until you’ve sold? About the different aspects of marketing your book? What have you done that’s been successful? Or, not so much? What have you seen other authors do that has been successful? Or, not so much?
Labels: Joan's posts
posted by Joan Swan at 9:16 PM
13Comments:
I'm afraid of promotion! However, I know I need it. I've been reading a lot on it in the past few months, and I've learned that what works for one person may not work for another.
Right now, my focus is on name-recognition -- just getting my name out there.
Joan,
I haven't even given a thought to promotion yet. I've thought about Pen names, off and on. (I keep picking them and then promply forgetting them. lol)But that's about as far as I've gone.
I do a good job of spending all my premature advance money though-- just like I have a lot of fun spending the lottery I intend to win somedays.
Joan, I resisted getting a personal website for a while, even though I'm really serious about writing and selling. It kind of felt to me like: who was I to put up a site announcing I'm a writer, I don't have anything published yet?
Then just over a year ago I saw that blogging to get your name out there was something I could do, and I asked Edie Ramer and Liz Kreger to join me and we started Magical Musings. MM started to go really well, and I realized I was being foolish before, or maybe I just wasnt' ready. But now I have the site and the personal and group blog (which now includes Theresa and LaDonna Paulette), and my name is out there. I don't think it hurts, at all, as long as everything is done professionally.
As for the other stuff, I think about it on and off, but it doesn't worry me. I'll leave that worry for another day :)
Lin--that's a good thought. One step at a time. Getting your name out there (as Michelle also said) is a great first step.
T,
LOL, I keep thinking I should play the lotto. Never get around to it. :-(
Michelle,
You girls have done a great job with MM. Lin and E and I have been blogging for a year now and have developed some solid fans, but nowhere near the readership you all have. A great promotion tool.
Suggestions for us here at RWKF?
Thanks for visiting.
We MM girls are happy to share our info. Shall I give Theresa a list of what has really worked for us?
Sounds great, Michelle. :)
Several of my RWA chapter mates are recently epubbed, and I've been watching them as they go through the whole promotional nightmare. Booksignings, local TV interviews, newspaper spreads, handouts...I agree, it's a lot of work. And seem so overwhelming to me at this point. Personally, I'm trying not to think about it. I'm taking Michelle's route - get your name out there - blogging, website - but ultimately, right now, for me the most important thing is writing the best book I can so my agent can sell it. Once I sell, I know these things will be foremost in my mind (and I'll be running to all of you for advice on what to do), but right now I'm not worrying about it.
Joan, I'm an introvert too, so I know what you mean. Agent Lori Perkins is writing a series of blogs about marketing that's really good. http://agentinthemiddle.blogspot.com/index.html
Michelle,
Thanks! Very generous of you! That would be great.
T has already talked about recipricol commenting -- and what I like about that more than the hits, is the sense of community it builds among us as romance writers and individuals. Rare and valuable.
E,
Watching others is the best way to learn! I try to focus on the here and now and most of the time I succeed. Every now and then that big picture creeps into my brain and nags at me. :-) I'll try to close the door on that little monster.
Edie,
Oooo, oooo, oooo, I love articles! I'm an article hound. I'm all over that blog -- it's already on my favorites list.
Nice to know I'm not alone in my introversion. :-)
Liz,
:: Working the internet is incredibly important, but getting your face out there is just as important. Readers like to put a face to the name. IMO. ::
I'm taking a class right now on promotion via AuthorMBA, and the instructor spoke of this fact on a conference call we had last week. The more modalities of media you can get into (paper, web, radio, etc.) the more impressions you can make. The more impressions you make, the more likely people will be to remember you, and ultimately try you out (i.e. buy your book).
:: If you google yourself, you'll be surprised how many hits you get just because of your internet traffic. ::
Interesting you mention that. Last week, just for fun, I googled romantic suspense author...just to see who would come up. Elisabeth's site came up on page 4, BEFORE Roxanne St. Claire. Mine came up page 5, on the same page as RSC. That's not a fluke. It takes planning to manipulate those search engines to bring you up early and often in their search results. And, dang, you're so right about how important it is for web traffic.
Thanks for commenting.
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