If you’ve never participated in a Twitter pitch party, this is your time to dive in. From a publisher’s perspective, I can tell you, they are inspiring and exciting. This might be YOUR time to snag the attention of a publisher or agent.
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Today’s question: What is one valuable lesson you've learned since you started writing?
I’ve learned that promotion is everything. Great marketing can save an average book. No marketing will destroy a great book. It’s all about how much effort the author and publisher put into promoting a book that matters. Sometimes books fall through the cracks. Sometimes below average books sell like crazy. But ultimately, it is the marketing that matters.
I also learned that I’m probably a much better publisher than I am a writer. Oh well!
For the past two months, @DancingLemurPre has been hosting an audio book giveaway on Twitter.
It’s been interesting seeing what works and what doesn’t with promoting this giveaway. I’ll post my findings very soon!
What have you learned since you started writing?
64 comments:
I must get around to joining Twitter Diane, sounds like fun.
Great post.
Yvonne.
Good Post and so true! I'm seen an average book hit #1 on Amazon due to great marketing. After the book is written and ready to be published then comes the real hard and painstaking part, marketing!!!
"Great marketing can save an average book. No marketing will destroy a great book." The polarity of these statements provides food for thought... an above-average book which is well-marketed has just as much of a chance as a fantastic book written by a highly-skilled author? This means it comes back to these two things: perseverance and hard work.
I think a lot of us who don't promoting wish you as a publisher didn't tell how important it is. Now if you could only tell us the perfect formula for doing it right every time. Ha! Ha!
Karen, this would be a fun time to join.
Michelle, they are intertwined.
Natalie, I try to prod my authors in the right direction. It's up to them to follow through though.
Promoting is the most difficult aspect of the writing journey! Takes creativity and perseverance and a whole lot more !
Yes, I've learned the same thing through my years of writing. Each year thousands more new books are added to those already out there for sale, which makes marketing and promotion vital--and I don't see that ever changing. Although the way one promotes may change it's going to be even more important in the future.
Marketing sure does make or break. As even meh books can sell a ton with great marketing indeed. But can get dicey when it comes to $$$ to put into it, like when you have none lol
Marketing is definitely my weak point, but that's true for most writers. As for twitter, still haven't figured out how to use it right...
Hi Diane, I agree that marketing makes a huge difference. I am trying to get marketing savvy in time for my next lot of books.
I think you're right about promotion and wish I could get more excited about that aspect of writing. It still stresses me out.
Talent and inspiring. I always enjoy your blog.
' Juneta @ Writer's Gambit
Yeah... These aspiring writers kinda make me chuckle sometimes, because they don't realize that it's more than just about the book. It's about the plan to launch that thing and keep the momentum going for YEARS to come. Whew! So much work. But hey, if it's something you love, it's worth doing, eh?
Thanks for mentioning CassaStorm's giveaway.
And thank God for marketing because I'm never going to write the great American novel.
Everything is a trade off and we all find our balance. Promotion is important but without a great product...
Anna from elements of emaginette
I suck at marketing, which is probably why I don't sell anything! But I've decided not to promote myself until I actually finish the next book. :)
So true on the marketing!
Promotion and marketing. Yup. Those are imperative.
This area I admit to being weak in. Well there are a few other areas of weakness, but marketing and promotion ranks high on the list. I need to do better the second time around.
I think you're probably very correct. And for most writers, the promotion is the hardest part.
I've learned so much that I don't even know where to begin. Mostly I've learned it's an ongoing process. I continue to learn things I had no idea about. Every day. Maybe that's one of the reasons I'm hooked.
Your lesson is correct and depressing. I hate marketing and I suck at it, which means I'll never sell many books. It\s depressing that good books can be ignores because of bad or no marketing. :(
Shah X
http://shahwharton.com
I can't say I'm looking forward to learning about marketing, but perhaps my business-minded husband can help with that. You're right about the number of high-selling, average books--and good for those authors for putting their work out there for readers to find.
Marketing is something I still wrestle with, but yes, it is vital. Have a great week!
Marketing matters so much and I still have so much to learn. I'm curious to find out what worked for the giveaway.
Pat, or very little.
Crystal, it is.
Alex, you're welcome.
Carol, I teach seminars on the subject and I am always adding stuff.
Tyrean, I'll let you know in a couple weeks.
It's true that marketing is so key. Some of the biggest books in the world have been mediocre, at least in my view. It's all about pushing yourself and being out there and that's not easy for me. I do want to keep trying new things, though. You never know what can happen.
I totally believe you. It's definitely something I need to learn about before I ever get published.
I'm on Twitter but never use it. I guess I am too verbose.
Marketing is a key component for sure. I bet a number of writers are thrilled that you're a good publisher. ;)
Hi Diane. I like your tip because writers forget about it or think it's someone else's responsibility. And I think you have to be a good writer to be a good publisher :)
Hi Diane,
Marketing and promotion and get the word out via social networks are indeed key ingredients.
Of course, what with Penny having her own Twitter account, she will duly share this pawst, um, post. Twitter Pitch time....
Gary
Well, we desperately need great publishers like you.
Hope you had a great 4th, Diane.
Without promotion a writer might as well keep a diary and really enjoy reading it. Right on.
Marketing and promotion and get the word out via social networks are indeed very important-- I try and do my best for my blog.
Damyanti
Marketing and timing!
I may participate in the pitch party. I'm doing another read through--because I found a typo in my first chapter! Dang!
Seems like marketing is sort of a black art, with no one truly knowing what will work and what won't. I hope you can turn it into a science.
Hi, L. Diane.
LOOKING so forward to the PITCH PARTY. The last one I did, I snagged an agent's attention, but sadly it didn't pan out. Maybe this time it will!!!
And I completely agree marking is important in EVERYTHING... look at what advertisers do for products and how much the PAY to get them out into the public eye. THINK Superbowl half time commercials...
Marketing in today's world is essential otherwise a book will disappear forever in a sea of other things.
Artist often relied on patrons to promote their work. Today marketing has expanded to social media, virtual tours, pitch parties, interviews, and much more.
Thank goodness there are folks like you to help us navigate these uncharted waters. It's still hard to believe writing is only half of the process. Thanks for the reminder.
Marketing does sound like it's the key to a successful writing career. But it also sounds so complicated. I'm not sure how I'll manage to navigate my way through that mine fiend when I reach that point.
Kim, I hope so.
Gary, thank you. Give Penny a hug for me.
Robyn, I did.
Holly, that's not a deal breaker, so don't worry.
Michael, exactly. I'll be watching for your Tweet.
Lynn, it's even less than that.
Interesting how you said that a good book will fall through the cracks without successful marketing strategies. I have to learn how to time schedule myself better when it comes to writing and marketing self! And lesson learned is to not stop either! However, even if have, give myself grace and just get writing that book again! It helps staying connected to writing bloggers too.
Even though the promo and marketing of a book is probably the most important part of getting published, it's the part I look forward to the least. My next book releases on December 20th when the weather is likely to interfere with signings and travel. That's life....thank goodness for internet marketing.
What a great lesson to learn. You're right, of course. Marketing makes all the difference. But I found that it is much harder to market than it is to write, at least for me.
Diane is great about suggesting ways to promote her authors' books and always coming up with ideas to help, like the giveaways. My giveaway started today. So excited. Thanks, Diane.
The promoting aspect of getting my work seen is definitely the most time consuming part of my process.
www.ficklemillennial.com
Marketing is as much a talent as writing. Still trying to find my skill in that area, and this year, I've tried a number of things. We'll see!
Hi Diane - it's interesting to read that you think you're a better publisher than you are writer ... but you have those skills and so can adapt to the marketing project you're promoting - always worth knowing about ... and sometimes we can't do it all ourselves ... cheers Hilary
Lynn, staying connected is so important.
Patricia, that is a rough time to release a book. Good luck.
Beverly, good luck! Promote the snot out of it.
I'm bad at the no promoting/marketing thing. I mean well, but the marketing tends to slip through the cracks and sales show, so that's really true about marketing.
Looking forward to those findings!
I resisted the marketing thing as much as I could, but you are so right - it makes all the difference.
I agree with you that marketing does make the difference. Authors have a lot to do to get the word out there and so do the publishers. Now always easy! :)
Can't wait to hear about your findings!
~Jess
So true. Any great marketing tips to share? :)
Excellent giveaways by excellent authors.
'Lo, Di.
Hope the rest of your week is productive and pleasant.
Great point. I can't say much about the writing world but I can't say it's true in the movie world. Marketing makes a huge difference.
Out of curiosity, do you enjoy the publishing part more than the writing?
It is interesting how marketing factors into sales and success. Always appreciate your insight!
It sounds like the videos are popping. You've got to be soooo busy.
Wishing everyone mega success.
Amazing blog! :)
Would you mind checking out my book reviews blog at https://elsbookreviews.blogspot.ca/ and possibly give it a follow? Super excited to read your posts!
- El
Marketing is where I fall short. I think it stems from fear though. The more it sells the better chance I have of getting a bad review, right? ;) Sad but true.
Elsie
Marketing is one area I'll need to give a lot more focus once I'm ready to publish again. It can make or break a book. I spent a long time promoting my first short story collection and it paid off. Unfortunately, due to family problems, I put hardly anything into the second. It didn't sell anywhere near as well. A lesson learned!
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