Six days in and it’s time for IWSG, when the cool kids come together to talk about writing, to discuss all the worries and fears and doubts that accompany this nail-biting, sweaty-finger-pulling, rejection-filled life. And how do we combat this bullshit? With encouragement! And support! And inspiration for one another! Because being a writer is tough. Really tough. You have to believe in yourself and that’s what we’re here to do. So if you write (just starting out or are super accomplished) check out this blog hop and find your family. We got your back.
My (main) insecurity?
Marketing.
I’m crap at marketing. Crap. Actually, I’m negative crap because I haven’t done anything with marketing. Nada. Zilch. I think I might’ve announced that I was releasing books on my blog at some point and possibly told a few friends and co-workers…. And that was about it. Yeah, no sales-employee-of-the-month over here. More of a passing-comment-employee award, I guess. Or maybe a thumbs up? No, I deserve NO applause for any effort because there was none, which leads me to my present dilemma: how do I promote the release of a fourth book when no one really knows about the first three?
Shameful, I know.
But I’m open for some suggestions, people. Judgmental head shakes are accepted (though not appreciated) but if you could also throw out a cool idea to get the buzz going three books in, I’d appreciate it. Otherwise, this one’s floating out to sea like the others, doomed to get swept under by the tide of people who actually understand what the fuck they’re doing. Showoffs.
********* Total side note
Meet Appa:
We did. Yesterday, in GA. We don’t get the little booger for another two months and I’m COUNTING DOWN THE DAYS. I think Batman and I have waited for this little addition to the Coppola-Hughes family for quite a few years. And look at him, glorious in all his cuteness.
DYING from cuteness overload.
I predict he will be my new favorite family member.
Sorry, Batman.
Well, I can honestly say I’ve never been considered one of “the cool kids” so thanks for that. 🙂
I don’t have much marketing advice for you since I stink at it, too, but maybe doing a sale or a giveaway of your previous books would help with promoting the fourth one?
Too. Cute.
Yeah, I was thinking a giveaway too. Just have to figure out how to do that…
Isn’t he?!?!?
Ha! I think you’re probably better at marketing than I am. 🙂 You’ve got Wattpad going for you, and that helps get your name out. And you are putting writing out there (which is more than I can say).
I wish I had some good advice. That way, I’d be able to take it myself. 😉
I’ll be sure to tell people I know about your first three books. 🙂
I’d like to think Wattpad is helping, but I don’t think it is. (Or is it??) Tell you what, Loni, if I figure out the big secret to successful marketing, I’ll let you in on it 😉 It’s got to be out there somewhere, right? Just need to find my shovel and start digging.
I don’t know who Batman is, but I had a cat by that name as a kid. Adorable pup. As far as marketing, all I can say is to check out what other bloggers are doing? Keep participating in blog hops. Find review blogs with lots of followers. Do a giveaway of the first book in your series? Good luck!
All good advice. Thanks!
OMG, cutest puppy!
As for marketing, I’m learning that myself. Right now I’m compiling a list of reviews sites and book bloggers. Polling fellow author friends to figure out what they did and whether it worked. My book comes out in January but will be up for pre-order in November, I think, and I’d like to see it off to a good start . . . So much social media feels like lots of people shouting and few actually listening, so the trick is catching people’s attention. Haven’t 100% figured out how yet, but I’m working on it.
If I ever have a book out there for sale, I will totally suck at marketing.
You mean ***When you have a book out there.
Gotta be positive, lady 🙂
And don’t worry, we’ll suck together!
I totally hear you about the marketing. It can be a challenge. Especially for introverts like me. 🙂 I wish you well and congrats on the super cute puppy!
I’m glad I’m not the only one out there who has this problem.
And thanks! As we plan to do our part in not overpopulating the world, Appa has become our child.
The thing I dislike about marketing is the amount of time it takes away from writing. But for some great tips, check out Indie author, Joanna Penn’s website. Wishing you a great weekend with the adorable puppy.
Oh yeah, marketing is so tough. All I can suggest is to try everything and see what works for you. I wish there was some sort of magic formula, but what works for one person doesn’t for another.
Appa is absolutely adorable! 🙂
Oog. Marketing is one of the major reasons why I don’t want to delve into self-publishing. I’m a horrible salesman; I know this thanks to several jobs I’ve had. I don’t even want to think about how inept I’d get if I was trying to sell something I REALLY wanted people to buy. >_<
Response to total side note: did you name your new puppy after Appa from Avatar: the Last Airbender? If so, awesome. ^_^
Yes we did! Everyone (obviously not cool) was like???
My dad even asked what’s an Ape-a?
But marketing sucks major balls. 🙁
I’m not good at marketing either. It’s why I want to try my hand at getting traditionally published. Give-aways and blog tours seem to be popular at the moment. I’ve hosted a few blog tours for newly released books. Results vary, but it definitely gets you in front of new readers.
OMG! he’s adorable!!!
Marketing… There’s lots of stuff you can do. The easiest, least time consuming is to advertise on mailing lists. Many of these are looking for free or bargain priced books, though, so it does mean losing some profit on the book you offer (book 1) – but with a series the hope is that they will read it and love it and buy the other two books. As for having three out already, I often tell people not to bother advertising until they have three. For some reason it takes three books in a series to really grab people and even in a non-series situation if you have one book for them to buy, they buy it, read it, and then… forget you. But if there are other books to read… 😉
Awww, Appa! What a sweet baby! And I am negative crap at marketing too. I used to just be crap, but when the crap doesn’t work you give up and do nothing. That is me at the mo… *sigh*