Stories that Matter
Marketing Or A Root Canal?
I’ve never had a root canal and I pray I never have to, but when I’m faced with marketing my books, I sometimes think I’d rather face down the dentist’s drill.
This is not for the faint of heart, folks.
To be honest, I think I suck at it. For one thing, I’m kinda introverted. The idea of shouting about myself from the rooftops makes me shudder. I’m also not terribly organized, so it’s been hard to formulate a great marketing strategy that actually works. And there’s the kicker. What works and what doesn’t? What should I spend my time on that will really help promote my books? Who do I talk to? Who do I ask to help influence my writing? Who will get up on the rooftop with me, and tell the world they’re missing out if they haven’t read a Catherine West novel yet?
Well, seems I’ve exhausted my list of family and friends already… 🙂
I’m asking all these questions because I have no answers. I don’t know why some books just seem to take off and some don’t. Is it better marketing, better writing, a bigger network? There are so many avenues these days, an author must choose wisely where she hangs out.
I enjoy GoodReads and spend a bit of time trying to interact there. I like the fact that readers can post reviews, and I encourage this, as I do think the number of positive reviews of a book can influence a purchase.
Twitter is a phenomenon unto itself and I’m not sure I quite get it. I have over a thousand followers, but do they all really see my tweets? Do they care? Probably not. I’m not convinced you can sell anything through Twitter, but you can promote. Same goes for Facebook. I have a personal page and an Author Page (if you haven’t Liked it yet, please do!), but there again, I’m always asking myself how much is too much? Should I really be pushing my books over Facebook? Do people think I’m a pain in the rear if I do? Do they think I’m dumb if I don’t?
Social media, for me anyway, has always been fun. I love Facebook (hi, I’m Cathy and I’m a Facebookalohic…) I love the interactions with family and friends on both my pages, so I’m hesitant to take advantage of that. I’ve seen the barrage of updates and tweets from authors promoting their books daily, sometimes several times a day. Frankly it turns me off more than anything. It’s like those telemarketers that call the minute you sit down to dinner…nobody wants that kind of reputation. I sure don’t. I’d rather create a community where I can get to know my readers and they can get to know me, and let the marketing evolve naturally. But how do I create that community without letting people know about my books? It’s a conundrum I haven’t quite come to grips with.
So what’s the answer?
If you’re an author wading through marketing waters, I’d love to hear your thoughts. What works for you and what doesn’t?
If you’re a reader, tell me what might work for you? What gets you to take another look at a book you hear about through social media? Why do you hit that ‘purchase’ button?
Why wouldn’t you?
To discover Catherine’s novels, Hidden in the Heart and Yesterday’s Tomorrow, please visit her website. You can read the first chapter of both books HERE.
I had a root canal last month, and let me say–it wasn’t that bad at all. Felt like a regular filling. But then I have a great dentist.
Marketing can be tough. You need to determine who your readers are, then speak to their hearts. Figure out the core of your books. For your latest book, Google blogs about adoption. Read those blogs, comment on them, ask their authors to do blog swaps–invite them as guest bloggers and you can guest on their blogs. Speak to adoption groups. Connect with other people on forums who have been adopted. Share your heart, and then your book sales will rise in a more organic manner. Take advantage of blogging opportunities. Promote adoption on your social media networks. Tweet adoption quotes and scriptures. Pin your adoption posts to Pinterest for others to find.
Determine what social media networks work for you and stay with those. Personally I don’t believe you need to be in everything.
By connecting with your readers, you’re building a relationship instead of taking on a telemarketer personality. And you may end up amazed by new opportunities God offers you.
I agree w/ Lisa here– better to do a few things (social media-wise) well than to do everything and be spread thin. From my observations, it’s better to invest depth instead of breadth– quality instead of quantity. When you say “I’d rather create a community where I can get to know my readers and they can get to know me, and let the marketing evolve naturally.”– that’s what I feel, too… and from what I can see, there are many authors who do this well, without slamming their potential readers over the head with their books until they run– fast– the other way. As to how to bring your books into it naturally, in those natural conversations that arise I think there will be moments to offer things like “this is exactly what (insert character name here) faces when ______.” And then using that tidbit to offer a real thread of hope or discussion, or to turn the question back on your reader to continue the conversation and glean wisdom from them. Like you said, it’s organic– a real give-and-take– a relationship.
Amanda, you are doing a really great job with the whole community thing! I really enjoy visiting your website. 🙂 Thanks for your comments, I agree with everything you said.
Lisa, I’ll take your word for it about the root canal! I’ve tried to connect with the adoption community and there are definitely great ways to do this. But again, I don’t want to join a group simply for the sake of hoping to sell my book. I want to be able to contribute to their discussions and offer my own experiences as well…so it’s deciding what I have time for and where to focus that time. Thanks for the great advice, I appreciate it!
I have not read your books its on my list of books to try. I have been getting your blog for a while I really read it all for the first time today. I went in and liked your Facebook page today. I have to tell you I have gotten a lot of the new authors to me from other authors on Facebook. So don’t give up. I have a used bookstore on eBay and let me tell you its know easy task to sell anything these days. I use to have a bookstore at our local flea market and I had to give it up when I was not generating enough new business. I also use to sell a authors new book on line and did quite well with that. Good luck with your writing and I will let you know when I read your book.
Dona, great last name! LOL! Thanks for stopping by!
Cathy – I’m a marketing muddler, but I think you have the right idea – it’s about creating community, not selling. In the context of community, you can share about your books, writing news, and book-related issues close to your heart – as well as personal things, and sharing non-Cathy related items you think your friends, family, and readers would be interested in. I think the loud 50-tweets-a-day “Check out my book!” stuff turns real people off (I unfollow those people or relegate them to Acquaintances on FB). Make people smile and laugh, inspire them, inform them – and then they’re genuinely interested when you say, “Hey, look! My book’s on sale today!”
I agree, Sarah! I love connecting with people, and I think it’s most important to develop a relationship first and foremost. If they decide to buy my books after that, great. I have worked with Young Life over the years, and I really respect the catch phrase, “You have to earn trust in order to share the gospel.” (paraphrasing) It’s so true. As I keep reminding myself, baby steps, and enjoy the journey! Thanks for coming over today!
You are asking exactly the same questions I am! How can we be heard amid all the information overload?. I’m still new to all this and it’s quite a shock. Somehow I think the answer is to put ourselves ‘out there’ with what we uniquely have to offer, and sooner or later it will connect with those who would want to read what we have to say. Frankly I am very surprised when a see even one sale on Amazon because I just can’t think how anyone managed to find my little book beneath the pile! Just to encourage you, I actually did buy your book and I almost never buy off Amazon, but something somewhere stood out and attracted me to it. Perhaps because I have a daughter who is adopted and because I also bring up the subject in my book..I’m looking forward to hearing more on this subject – especially success stories.
Hi Linda, thanks for stopping by today. I ask a lot of questions, I know! Mostly because I love hearing everyone’s thoughts. It’s nice to know we’re not alone in this, and that’s why I like to hang out with other authors and readers as well. Thanks for buying Hidden in the Heart, I hope you enjoy it! I had a series of posts on adoption back in November, which you may be interested in reading!
Cathy,
Few things:
1- if you don’t like Twitter/don’t feel comfortable with it… don’t do it! 🙂 Focus on the platforms you truly enjoy and pour yourself into those! You’ll be happier and your friends/followers can tell.
2- I love that you’re introverted, hate talking about yourself and scared of marketing. That makes you so much more real and genuine. Embrace that. Share that heart with your readers. People will become loyal to you as a person rather than your products.
Hang in there. 🙂 You write amazing books and moving stories. That’s your best marketing tool you have!
Thanks so much, Nicole! I am trying to stick with the things I enjoy doing, like you say. One of my favorite sayings is, “When it’s not fun anymore, stop.” There do seem to be those authors who manage to do everything and do it well, but I don’t aim to be one of them. I’d rather get to know folks, one person at a time. If people buy my book and wanna chat about it, great, if not, there’s plenty of other things to talk about! LOL!
Introverts rule!
Great article, thank you. Head into it with a conviction that you are blessing your readers and blessing the community you create online, and you’ll do well.
As a fellow introvert, I share your reluctance to flash neon signs at yourself. But as someone with a message to share, I can’t help myself! Rock on, Introvert!
Thanks Bill! Great to see you over here! We introverts must stick together! But you preach to quite a crowd every Sunday, so I think you are miles ahead of me. I will sing, but I will not speak in public!! LOL!
I totally agree with Bill. Introverts rule! I think authors can truly succeed in marketing with one-on-one conversations with readers, buyers and online. Like on your website. I’ve never had the privilege of meeting you in person, Cathy, but you are very approachable online. I feel like we are friends, and that is the ticket that works with most readers, too. You take the time to care, to communicate, and to present yourself as a real,caring, and vulnerable person.
One of the realizations that hits me over and over is that many people are “afraid” or feel intimidated by a published novelist. When they can see the real you and know that you’re just as impressed with their skills, they’re suddenly on your side and excited about what you are writing. And there you are marketing without even realizing it!
Ditto, Sue! I think it’s really important to be approachable, whatever career you pursue. I don’t have a huge reader following yet, but I hope those that enjoyed my first novel will pick up the second, and interact with me through Facebook etc…and then I will get to know their friends etc…who may read similar books. I love talking about books anyway, whether they’re mine or someone else’s! 🙂
Cathy, I hear you. I’m going through that process now and am finding it very difficult. I love that quote of yours about building community & I think that’s the strategy.
The challenge for we fiction writers is that the novel is our “message” because it takes so long to create it. It’s difficult for us to find the time to be consistent bloggers & create other content that gives to our community.
I see with successful non-fiction authors they keep providing a reason for their community to stay in the community. They write useful practical blog posts, have other bloggers visit, give other bits & pieces away plus helping their tribe. As a tribe-member you want to keep coming back. When the author releases a book it’s a natural thing for the tribe to buy it.
It’s useful for us fiction authors to keep that in mind whilst always improving the quality of our story-telling. I think it takes time, Cathy, like 2-3 years to build that tribe. I’ve been involved in a few launch communities for authors & this is really effective. I think for my next novel I’ll use that. 100-200 people who are on the journey creates a high level of interest before & at launch.
Sorry this is such a long comment, but also let’s not forget God. Seek His guidance too. He’s still the best marketer there is & can nudge us in certain directions.
Thanks, Ian! I think you’re right, it does take time to build that community but I’d rather have a few faithful than a bunch of people who ‘follow’ my blog or like my Facebook page but really don’t care about me or what I do. Quality not quantity!