Me – preparing to climb up on my soapbox at NHCC’s self-publishing event.
Self-publishing is big. Really big. Everyone is talking about it – writers, publishers, retailers, the press, industry analysts … everyone. It’s no surprise. Today’s technology gives anyone anywhere the ability to bypass traditional publishing and take her work to the street, so to speak. Three cheers for the emancipation of the artist!
Or not.
I recently had the absolute pleasure of speaking, along with two others, to a group of writers and artists at the New Hampshire Creative Club (NHCC). (Note to any creatives looking for a great professional organization – these people are super nice and super talented. Worth checking out.) The topic at hand was self-publishing. The other speakers covered things from the perspective of the writer and the publisher. Lee Richmond, a published author, told the story of his adventures in old school publishing as compared to his new adventure with self-publishing. Peter Randall, an indie publisher since 1970, provided an inside look at what goes into making a book – from printing to distribution. Me? I talked about marketing.
I got up on my soapbox a bit, too.
As an aspiring novelist (I can say that even though I haven’t written a word of fiction in three years), it pains me to see how frequently marketing is tacked on as an afterthought. I get that the creative piece is The Thing. Crafting the story is the soul of our efforts. It is driven by our deepest, most heartfelt “why.” There is a reason so many people compare writing a book with giving birth to a child. We put so much of ourselves and our lives into the process; it’s easy to be blind to anything outside our cocoon or ideas and words.
But, if our intention is to make the project profitable, we have to balance our inner work with the realities of the outside world. We have to tear our bleary eyes away from the screen, pry our fingers from around our lucky fountain pens. We must think beyond the creation of the book and consider the audience for the book. Who will read this story of ours? How we will get it into their hands?
That’s where marketing comes in.
In my presentation to the folks of the NHCC, I explained that marketing is not – as many people assume – about selling. Sales is about selling. Marketing is about connecting. If you do a good job with your marketing, if you create a strong enough connection with your audience, sales will take care of themselves. Nice, right?
So, how do you do that?
The answer is certainly longer than I can cram into this modest blog post, but I pulled together a few relevant posts and other information and created a resources page for the NHCC gang. (Oops! Their site clearly states that they are not a gang … just a club). I don’t think they’d mind if I shared it with you. (They really are that nice.) So, dear self-publishing writers and self-publishing writers-to-be, I hope that you will take a few minutes to peruse this selection of posts (many from my archives here on Live to Write-Write to Live) and think about how you can start getting into a marketing mindset for your book project. It’s never too early to start thinking about how to brand yourself and your work, how to build your platform and your network, how to get yourself and your book “out there.”
If you have any additional resources you’d like to share on the topic, please feel free to add them to the comments on this page or the resources page. Writers helping writers is what it’s all about – I’d love to hear your insights and suggestions.
P.S. New England area artists and writers – don’t forget to check out the NHCC!
P.S.S. If any of you are writing books that need illustrations – there’s a serious pool of talent at the NHCC. You can cruise the NHCC business directory for more details.
Jamie Lee Wallace is a writer who also happens to be a marketer. She helps her Suddenly Marketing clients discover their voice, connect with their audience, and find their marketing groove. She is also a mom, a prolific blogger, and a student of voice and trapeze (not at the same time). Introduce yourself on facebook or twitter. She doesn’t bite … usually.
Photo Credit: Kevin Harkins (Thanks, Kevin!)
As someone who plans to publish a few books I found this helpful, thank you.
So glad. There’s lots to learn in this arena. It can be intimidating, but it’s also SO full of opportunity. Good luck!
Thanks, I’ll need it. Could you check out my, “Writing intros as requested” blog and tell me what you think of them? It would mean a lot to hear your opinion.
Reblogged this on LE ARTISTE BOOTS.
Thanks!
Marketing is something that a lot of creative folks seem to bypass. Even a modest effort can pay off. Thanks for the post.
So true, Andrew.
One of the things we talked about at the NHCC event was the importance of doing the kind of marketing that’s right for you. There’s no point in trying to live up to all the so-called “best practices” if they simply aren’t a fit for your personality, resources, or audience. Finding that “sweet spot” can transform marketing from being a dreaded item on the To Do list to being an organic part of your day and creative process.
If you have a moment, I’d love to hear what works for you.
Blogging and social media work for me. I don’t market too much at the moment as I am still writing the book but I’ve started to let people know that I am working on it through the blog. When I get closer to publication I’ll be doing stuff on my twitter feed, FB page, and since it’s a technical book related to my profession I’ll also be putting on my Linkedin account. Depending on where it goes I might start a modest blog just for the book.
That makes perfect sense. I shall go and look at the material you have amassed for us and thank you.. I am still writing, but while I am writing i am collecting the people.. so I hope I am on the right track. There is so much to learn but it is good learning! celi
“… collecting the people.” That’s exactly it, though I like to think of it as “connecting the people” … inviting them to get to know you and being interested in getting to know them.
I’ve actually found that although many writers eschew “marketing” and – to some degree – social media, once they get started making those person-to-person connections, they become quite addicted. At no other time in the history of literature has there been such an immediate and free flow of dialog between writer and reader. It can take some adjusting to, but once you find a groove with it, it’s not only powerful from a marketing perspective, but (and I speak for all the slaving-alone-in-their-home-office writers I know) a nice way to bring a little humanity into your day!
Enjoy & keep writing!
Hey Jamie,
You have given me so much personally in the way of help, that I should have you on salary, ha-ha. Here you are again giving important information, thank you.
As you know my children’s book is being illustrated currently. I have been using my social media outlets and my blog to market my book, and have created a bit of a stir with my reach. I am going to go through what you have given here to really extend that reach, next stop, world domination……in the children’s literary world anyways
Thanks Again
You’re always so kind, Jim.
So glad you’re moving things forward and seeing your project through.
And – hey! – dominating the world of children’s literature … I can hardly think of a worthier crusade.
Jamie, these are wonderful promotional helps for self-publishing. I am also finding the blogging world to be much more helpful in this regard than I would have expected a few months ago. Onward and upward!
I am so glad you’re finding the blogging world to be so helpful. My experience with the people behind the blogs has been a game changer for me. No question. I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today if it weren’t for all the lovely bloggers that I consider friends.
Onward & upward, indeed!
Such interesting information and blogs – thank you. The publishing industry is very interesting at the moment. I like the fact we can side step it. I wrote this about Suzy Greaves Writing School over here in the UK – it includes some useful names perhaps and ideas about getting some PR for your writing – incase of interest to anyone http://findyourdreamjob.wordpress.com/2012/02/28/how-to-make-money-by-writing/
Thanks for sharing your post and additional links!
Hi Jamie, once again thanks for another great post.
Many years ago I was inspired by Australian author, Matthew Reilly’s self-publishing success and began writing my (still unfinished) novel. About forty pages in I did a course on writing believable fiction, conducted by a dinosaur who frowned severely at the thought of self-publishing (I should say aside from that he gave excellent advice on other aspects of writing fiction). Once again I was discouraged. This was around 2004.
These days I’m happy to see that it is (almost) an acceptable way to get a book out there. And of course marketing is key to this whole process.
Now, to take advantage…
Cheers,
R
You’re very welcome, Richard.
You bring up an important point. There are so many changes happening in publishing right now, and so many varied opinions (some more current than others) – it’s risky for us to get too attached to any one idea or set of assumptions. Though it would be nice if there was a single, neatly wrapped-up way to approach publishing, the truth is that the field is in a state of flux and probably will remain so for years to come. Writers and other creatives will hopefully learn to see this as a huge opportunity to do new kinds of work and distribute it in new ways. This really is a new frontier! You got your spurs on?
Jamie, such a helpful- and well written- post. Went to your “resources page.” Clear, succinct, and sensible advice there. Especially like the idea that “promoting” isn’t so much about selling as it is about connecting- and having something interesting to offer- which you definitely have.
Thank you, Thomas. So nice of you to take the time to say so.
I’m glad you found the resources helpful.
Here’s to making great connections!
Reblogged this on christinaow.
Thanks for the reblog!
You are always offering such good advice! It is clear writers no longer ignore the business end of writing anymore – those days are long gone where an author produces a novel, passes it off to an agent or publisher and waits for their work to gain popularity. It is daunting, but absolutely necessary to take the bull by the horns and learn as much as possible about marketing and promotion whether you go the route of traditional or self-publishing.
Your resource page is terrific – loaded with info for anyone interested in becoming a more successful writer. Thanks Jamie!
Hello, Laura! Always nice to hear from you.
You hit the nail on the head – authorship today is not about sitting back and waiting – it’s about going out and doing. The old cliche of author as recluse doesn’t play well in today’s market. Writers now need to get out there and get involved with their audiences. They need to promote themselves and their work.
BUT …
It doesn’t have to be an awful thing!
Though many writers shy away from the idea of marketing themselves, it can actually be an enriching and “organic” experience. At least, that’s what I believe.
TKS for coming by!
Reblogged this on hebataher.
“Marketing is about connecting” – excellent wisdom. Must think on that.
Thinking about marketing in that context has made is MUCH more fun for me.
Reblogged this on nathaliothecaire.
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Excellent Insight, will be spending much time here.
Thanks, Steven. We look forward to your company.