As promised I’m willing to share my marketing secrets. I’ve been sticking with smaller publishers. So when I was published, the marketing team at my fingertips was one overworked person supporting many, many authors.
If you want more then it’s up to you. Think of the marketing person as a resource full of information. They’ll share ideas and set stuff up. What stuff? Things like Facebook Virtual Parties, Cover Reveals, Blog Tours, and Scavenger Hunts.
Networking is the biggest thing you can do. Not only does it help you get out there, it’s making friends, and building team of blogger friends that can depend on each other.
Awesomesauce. Scary. Exciting. All that, and more. But if you want to sell books, the world needs to know about them. So get out there and support your writer friends. The trick is don’t be shy even if you have to fake it.
Did I miss anything? Tell me. I’m still learning too.
Find Anna Simpson: Blog / Twitter / Facebook / Goodreads /
Find her latest, White Light, at Amazon / Kobo / All Romance Books / Barnes & Noble
I guess there are no hard one-size-fits-all rules to marketing other than to just get out and do it, be creative, and don't be afraid to try things you're normally afraid of. Marketing puts fear in the hearts of many.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
Tossing It Out
I think overcoming fear is the biggest thing for me. Just getting out there and telling people, "Hey, I'm here!" Thanks for the great tips, Anna.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Diane!
In this day and age, the only way to help make our books visible is to be visible online. Good points here.
ReplyDeleteohhhh
ReplyDeleteYou just HAD to use the M word on a Monday morning, starting the new work year.
Hi Diane and Anna - yes Marketing is the one big frightener in all authors' lives ... and we do need to network at as many levels as possible ... Happy New Year to you both .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI tend to focus on what I'm good at. Facebook parties won't work for me, since I'm 8 hours ahead of most of my network. All the best with your release, Anna!
ReplyDeleteMarketing is the scariest part of the whole process!
ReplyDeleteMarketing... the very hardest part for me, as I'm sure it is more most writers. We who tend to want to lock ourselves away in a room away from the noise of the "madding crowd." Market? ME? GAK
ReplyDeleteSupporting each other is what networking is all about. I've seen Anna in so many places over the last few weeks, I think she really has the right idea.
ReplyDeleteNetworking is the biggest thing you can do! It always leads to more opportunities.
ReplyDeleteNetworking results in two very positive things : visibility and many great people in your life. Thanks, Anna.
ReplyDeleteYes, networking can be very helpful to making friends and when you publish a book. Great idea to observe others who are marketing and to take notes.
ReplyDeleteI love networking, but what I'd love even more is finding readers. I know they're out there. :) I'm learning too, all the time!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone. I had no idea I reach so many people today.
ReplyDeleteAnna from elements of emaginette
Happy I could host you today, Anna.
ReplyDeleteMarketing seems scary, but so does everything when its new.
ReplyDeleteThe world has changed and we have to face the marketing issue - and find a way to be comfortable with it! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat thoughts on marketing! I think we each have to play to our strengths, but we also need to see what others are doing so we can get ideas. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Diane and Anna,
ReplyDeleteI think you've just about covered it, Anna. I have found that a great marketing resource is to let the dog take over at the various social notworking, sorry, networking sites, such as Farcebook.
Seriously, thanks for this.
Gary
The first marketing post for 2016, but not the last. Nice and short and pithy. Awesomesauce. Love that. Anna has some good advice. I'm using my first book as a learning curve. Nothing like doing to learn how it works. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Anna and thanks for the info. I'm hot-in-the-oven marketing right now. We had a Dec. 1 release and geared for the holiday and then had an unexplained two week delay from the printer. So I'm working to rebuild that which was left behind. The list is endless, networking definitely at the top of the list.
ReplyDeletePopped back in and look what I found.
ReplyDeleteThanks again gang for dropping by and sharing. It really does help to see marketing gurus in action. That's where I learned most of my magic. hehehe
I agree - it's all about networking and making connections. It's an ongoing challenging in real life and blogland.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the words of wisdom, Anna, and for hosting, Diane.
It's helpful to belong to great organizations where members support each other in multiple ways. One of the things I do is host a guest author on my blog each Thursday, as Diane has done here for you, Anna. It's a fun way to help others, and I get to add lots of interesting books to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI am putting the final touches to my new book Diane, so your tips were of great interest. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
I've learned a lot by watching my fellow authors and participating in their marketing efforts. I've co-hosted two FB parties and am now ready for my own. :)
ReplyDeleteI've learned a lot by watching my fellow authors and participating in their marketing efforts. I've co-hosted two FB parties and am now ready for my own. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm always on the lookout for more visibility. There's such a huge gap in sales between the visible and not so visible. The only not so visible people who do well are the ones who have a major push from publishers or have received extraordinary word of mouth.
ReplyDeleteNetworking and building relationships is huge!! Great insight.
ReplyDeleteI teach an intro to social media class - and tell every writer they need a blog. It helps to keep your readers invested in you. Pop by blogscouts.tips - I try and keep the latest innovations on that class blog.
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