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And when I say marketing. I don't just mean plugging your books. That's boring. It means "getting involved", such as writing guest posts that DO NOT focus on your own work, helping other writers reach their goals, and you know, doing things like running writers' retreats with Chuck Sambuchino :o)
Marketing also means participating in forums that are not about writing, to get your name heard (or seen) by readers. For example, I found a thread the other day which asked for recommendations for books about musicians. You know what I did? Created an anonymous profile there and pimped my book. Sneaky, yes. But I made a couple sales that day ... Sometimes you've got to get creative.
But you don't want to overdo it, do you? And where do you draw the line? Because marketing is as addictive as cra-- um ... chocolate. :o)
So, is there a time frame on this? Can you let marketing take the back burner for a while to give yourself a breather? Or should you never stop? I'm pretty sure it's the latter ...
What do you think? Is it possible to take a hiatus from marketing yourself, or do you think it might create a slump that's difficult to recover from?
No idea. I've never directly marketed myself or my work, so I really don't know how I would go about it.
ReplyDeleteIt seems marketing definitely brings more sales. But sometimes we have to take a break and write. I do firmly believe that the best marketing is writing the next book.
ReplyDeleteAfter being in the business of book promotion for half a decade the one thing I can say is that marketing can easily become a black hole. I find that the most successful authors focus on the one or two avenues they enjoy... i.e. Facebook, blogging, or local events rather than doing a little of everything.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Shelbyi. Find what you love and go deeply into it, creating real connections with others through one or two good social marketing venues, and keep a consistent message so that folks know what your product (brand) is.
ReplyDeleteI do think there are "seasons" to being a writer or artist, and that you have to find and be comfortable with the rhythm and flow, to prevent burnout and resentment. It's important to look at why you do what you do and how you measure success. It's important to be steady and positive, but also realistic and flexible. One must be a juggler, a tightrope walker, and above the fray on the high trapeze!
Shew, great question, and I just don't know! I mean, I think grabbing any opportunity that presents itself is always smart--like you w/the "anonymous" self-plug. But I guess, at some point you've got to get back to writing again, right? I mean, if that's what you want to keep doing. :o) <3
ReplyDeleteHa! You sneak! What a crack up! I don't think in these early books we get a break. But I definitely agree we need to be creative and engage others--convince our FRIENDS to promote us somehow. Because the writers that keep self-promoting get annoying fast and then get tuned out for all future messages.
ReplyDeleteSales do pull back a bit when we aren't doing something to market. Fortunately there are many ways to do that.
ReplyDeleteI tend to focus more on myself as a speaker than an author anymore.
I think marketing when the book comes out is needed, but after that it's all about readers seeing us in other areas. Last year, I was surprised how many people sent me messages that they'd purchased my book because they'd 'met' me through blogging and liked me. And last fall when it hit the best seller chart, I wasn't doing any marketing, just blogfests and the IWSG. So go figure!
ReplyDeleteI think it's all about balance. Everyone has to figure out there own lines but the figuring out process is really, really difficult.
ReplyDeleteI think there should be a time limit- marketing your work until it either a- starts rolling on its own and gaining readers by word of mouth and its own merrit or b-you have to market the next project coming out.
ReplyDeleteTough call! Guess it's important to try to find a balance...tho sometimes things will be focused more on marketing and sometimes things will be focused more on writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm doing both, working on my writing and marketing. And sometimes, like you say, the marketing involves writing - like my regular monthly guest blog posts.
ReplyDeleteI think once the momentum gets going, it's hard to stop.
And now with my ebook about to be released, I have to reve it up again.
I would agree with Alex. MARKET LIKE HELL in the beginning and then focus on the community, keeping your name out there in other venues.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Ask me this in 6 months when I'm in high gear marketing my myself, my publisher, and my book. Right now, I'm ready to go. But I guess it's easy to burnout on anything.
ReplyDeleteWriting is something which can melt the stone and give you excitement through it's thought. This is what one should understand from SEO writing how this growing in online businesses.
ReplyDeleteOh Lord. Don't get me started. I think it's okay to take a break every once in a while - it's so draining to constantly be 'on'. I do think it's necessary to build awareness over the long-term, but taking a little break shouldn't affect that.
ReplyDeleteSometimes walking away for a short time brings new ideas and more energy. I don't think it would slow the process down at all.
ReplyDeleteI don't know about the addictive part. I used to sell drugs (the ethical kind), and there was nothing addictive about that. lol But I guess it's different when it comes to your books. They're your babies, so to speak.
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