I’ve always been a huge proponent of self publishing.
Years ago, self publishing wasn’t easy. Many authors ended up with boxes of books gathering dust in their garages. They wrote the books and paid to publish, but they had a hard time finding buyers for them.
With the explosion of the Internet and social media, the publishing landscape has changed. We have Print On Demand technology that cuts out warehouse costs and cuts down on print costs. We have blogs, podcasts, social networks and online bookstores to sell our stories.
What authors still need is the same thing they needed 20 years ago: The determination to SELL.
One factor I see in many struggling authors is the lackluster enthusiasm for sales. They don’t want to market for a variety of reasons: It takes time from writing; they don’t like it; they don’t want to do it; they don’t know how to do it and don’t want to try.
To me, this is ridiculous. The author is the best salesperson for their novels. Authors are passionate about their projects – they’d have to be to put up with the grind of the publishing industry. They know the stories intimately, can connect to them in a way that generates amazing enthusiasm – an enthusiasm that carries over when talks to people about it.
Though die-hard fans are excellent salespeople, too, authors cannot rely on them completely to sell. Authors MUST be out there, with a Web site, blog and social media presence. In today’s tough publishing market, it doesn’t matter if you have a major publisher or publish on your own, you MUST be out there.
Don’t like marketing? Let me share the wisdom of one of my coworkers, when I was whining about a design assignment a few years ago:
Suck it up, cupcake.
I laughed for several minutes after she said this to me (partially in jest) and I never forgot it. It’s a fun phrase I use to get my butt in gear. Whenever I have something I don’t want to do, I tell myself to suck it up – then I get some Ghirardelli chocolates and get to it. (Sometimes, I bake cupcakes in the spirit of it.)
The Authonomy blog has some terrific stories of authors who did it on their own. Through sheer grit, they created their own writing success.
Be sure to check out the post.
What are your own stories of success? When do you get out the cupcakes?
Promoting a book is a lot of work, but it can also be fun! As you develop your book marketing plan, prioritize your promotional tasks so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Also, consider your own strengths and preferences. For example, if you dislike speaking, then concentrate on article writing instead. I advise authors to develop a solid book marketing plan, learn the skills you need, block out time every day to promote your book, and make it enjoyable. You can do it!
Dana Lynn Smith, The Savvy Book Marketer
As a writer, we need to be on people’s shoe!
Letting them feel what they want and what they like is a winner!
Good advise. Today is the perfect day to bake those cupcakes and suck it up!
Angela,
Thanks for your support and guidance. And cheer leading. Much appreciated!
Kim,
It isn’t really about selling, IMHO. It’s about having a conversation, seeing if the book is a match, and being entirely curious about them, and how they want to make their lives better… assuming you’re writing a nonfiction book. For fiction, (not speaking from experience — yet), it’s about letting as many people know about your book as you can. Because the number one thing that seems to sell books in general and fiction, specifically, is word of mouth! Or word of mouse! And I agree with Angela. We are our own best advocates.
The selling aspect of writing is probably the toughest of all, but not because we cannot or will not, but mostly because the buying public is so innundated with “buy” input from every source, they tune us out. Sigh. Still, you are right about us being our own best advocate.
Fiona -
You are spot on. Authors MUST keep on going. It is tough sometimes, but necessary – especially for self-published authors. I’m so excited with all the free marketing venues for authors these days.
Thanks for reading!
Angela
Beth -
What a terrific idea! The more conversation you have with fans, the better your marketing efforts. Plus, fans LOVE to chat with writers. If you make a good showing, I can guarantee they will tell others, who will look up your books.
Thanks for stopping by!
Angela
Being a self-published author is a lot of hard work because the marketing burden falls squarely on your shoulders. However, you can’t just give up because you’re tired of doing it. Entering book competitions, going on blog tours, finding interesting stuff to Tweet and blog about, writing articles, getting book reviews, updating social media and your own book or author sites is never-ending. I find that blogs, e-zines and newsletters by top marketers such as this site (Market My Novel),Dana Lynn Smith, Penny Sansivieri, Dan Poynter and John Kremer also offer great ideas for marketing. I am published in the USA but I live across the world in South Africa and if I can do it, so can anyone!
I’m promoting the book of a screenwriter who I came in contact with. I’ve done enough to get him to the top downloads page on Smashwords for mysteries. I am a fan and I don’t mind doing the marketing. Check it out. Ransom X by I.B. Holder
I love connecting directly with aspiring authors, the audience for my book, THE WRITER’S ADVENTURE GUIDE: 12 STAGES TO WRITING YOU BOOK,. So i come up with ways to stand in front of them and initiate a dialogue, like eaching a workshop, or doing a presentation! I like to take questions, ask them, and watch the light bulb go off in the room. Flash! Wink! Ideas pop and writers see then can do, and are doing it! Fun!