This week I’m joining my agent’s blog tour with A Definitive Post About Author Marketing. To all of Rachelle Gardener’s loyal blog readers, welcome to my slice of cyber-space!
Whether I’m meeting with fiction writers who are either more or less experienced than I am, discussions often roll around to marketing. Depending where I find myself on the spectrum, I’m either answering or asking the same questions: What kind of marketing tips do you have? What works for you? What doesn’t?
It seems those from all levels of experience know intuitively that marketing is only as effective as the quality of the product behind it. So part of the answer always includes honing our craft, offering our audience, our readers, the best possible story so they’ll want to buy more of our books.
For me the key to good marketing is thinking in terms of our readers. I’ve always considered myself a reader who’s learned how to write what I feel like reading. That makes me familiar with what I want as a consumer. When I come across a book I’ve particularly enjoyed, I usually want to find out the following:
What else has this author written in the past?
When is their next book coming out?
Can I learn a little about this author?
I’m always pleased when I Google an author’s name and I have a variety of options, showing a strong online presence. An attractive, easy to navigate, informative and friendly website is an absolute must. Presence on Facebook is also a plus. A blog, if the author has one, is interesting for a quick look but with limited time I might or might not read it regularly. But it’s another window into a writer whose voice—or product—I already admire, so I’m apt to give it a chance.
As a reader it’s natural to recommend a book if I liked it. If the author’s book or website offers Discussion Questions, I might mention it to my book club, or to others who belong to a book club. I’m also apt to offer a review, at least on GoodReads. And if I take the time to write an email to the author letting her know how much I enjoyed her book, I always hope she’ll send me a quick thank-you reply.
Since those are demands I expect answered as a reader, those are things I concentrate on fulfilling as a writer. The best use of my energy is spent maintaining a consistent, positive online presence such as through an active blog and an attractive website, keeping up on correspondence, and of course writing each and every day during the week so I have a product to offer that I can be proud of.
Things I rarely do: book signings, paper mailings (post cards or new release announcements), or teaching. I do send out a newsletter three or four times per year, mainly with a seasonal holiday greeting or a new book announcement. But with every newsletter, every blog posting, every update on Facebook (which, other than my blog linking there automatically, I also rarely do) I try to offer either something of value or interest. Frankly a glimpse into my everyday life would fail on any fascination scale, so offering something with a bit more of either interest or service is the goal.
In terms of marketing…think of your audience first, keeping in mind a consumer’s expectation of the product you’re producing. Be service-oriented, offering either entertainment or value in each online presentation.
My last word of advice on marketing: do what’s fun for you, work it into your routine, and it won’t be a burden.
Happy Marketing!
Great appraisal to you mate for giving your precious time in sharing this useful post….. Thanks a lot!!!!
Author Marketing