As I was scribbling myself some notes, this diagram grew on the page.
Tomorrow I’ll write about what it means to me. For now, ponder what it means for you.
But I Just Want to Write
Authors tell me they don’t want to learn marketing, find an editor, arrange a cover design, fuss with technology.
“I just want to write!” they cry.
That’s what a blog is for.
… more … “But I Just Want to Write”
Is Your Goal “Getting Published” or “Being an Author” ?
I’ve asked every question I can think of; asked everyone I can find.
The short version is that if your lifelong goal has been to “get published” then a traditional publisher is the only one who’ll fulfill your dream.
But if your goal is
… more … “Is Your Goal “Getting Published” or “Being an Author” ?”
What Do Authors THINK They Want?
Digital Book World and Writer’s Digest asked 5,000 authors what factors influenced their decisions between traditional and self-publishing. Without reading the full (expensive) report, the accompanying chart is ambiguous because it merely states what factors influenced the decision, but not which direction authors were influenced. If you and I both consider “Publisher prestige” a factor, and it causes you to pursue traditional publishing, but causes me to choose self-publishing, the factor itself has limited value without the reasoning behind it.
These are, in fact, important factors; too important to leave to the ambiguity of a simple chart. Let’s clarify, shall we? As usual, I’ll fall back on opinion. Mine, of course. Where I see shades of grey I’ll say so, but where I see black and white, expect hyperbole.
Marketing Your Books in the New Age of Publishing
A longer diatribe about marketing your self-published book. This is a year-long class, which I’d be glad to give if y’all are interested.
Publishing is in the greatest upheaval since Gutenberg. Supporters of traditional publishing will tell you it’s the only choice, or you’re not a real author.
I’ll take the opposing view: the only rational choice, from both the artistic and commercial perspectives, is to pick yourself, own the process, and reap the rewards. Here’s why:
… more … “Marketing Your Books in the New Age of Publishing”
4 More Quick Marketing Tips
Add these 4 to the 6 we already did, and you’ve got a good start.
- When anyone asks “what do you do?” introduce yourself as “the author of [your book’s name.]” When you self-identify as a writer, it changes your own perspective. This is not the same as pestering every person you meet with “hey, I wrote a book, and I’m going to tell you about it whether you like it or not.” Just identify yourself as the author, and if they don’t ask, you don’t pester. But say it.
- Ask your readers to write honest reviews at Amazon
- Carry copies with you everywhere, so when an opportunity arises, you can talk about it and sell it.
- Write your next book. A single-book author doesn’t stand out very much any more. “I’m working on my second book” is a good way to show you’re a career author, not a flash in the pan.
Free: It’s Not a Price, It’s a Strategy
Some insist that you have to give your first book away. Others claim that free means “worthless” and they won’t do it.
Free is good. If I’m talking to a prospective client, and I can impress them with my expertise and enthusiasm by mailing them a copy of one of my books that’s pertinent to our conversation, I’ve spent $7 on marketing to get what could be a $2,000 client. If I email them the Kindle version, I’ve spent zero.
What’s important to remember is that free isn’t a price. It’s a strategy.
Just posting a copy online with a price of zero is not strategic.
How do I keep people from loaning my book so I don’t lose sales?
You don’t.
You are in business to help people. Of course you need to make a living, and you’d like to make a good one, but if your business is only about money, you’re in the wrong business.
If you’re truly in business to help others, to make the world a better place, the more people you help the better. Your goal is to spread your message. Plant as many seeds as possible so you can reap the biggest harvest.
Not all seeds grow. You can’t know — can not know — which ones will grow. The math is simple: the more seeds you plant the more seeds grow and the more you reap.
… more … “How do I keep people from loaning my book so I don’t lose sales?”
Is Self-Publishing Easy?
Well, if you equate self-publishing with uploading files to CreateSpace, yeah, that’s easy.
For reference, here’s my process. Less easy, I’d say:
Book Marketing: The Long Game Wins
Authors who learn to love marketing will win in the long run. Marketing can feel like a slog through wet clay —wet clay flowing downhill, taking you with it. No matter what you do, how much time you spend in a million different social networks, nothing happens.
The solution is to play the long game. Persistence, not volume or brightness.
… more … “Book Marketing: The Long Game Wins”