Nuts and Bolts

Day 170

“Go, build your presence, optimize it and maintain it. – Be social!”

~ Heather Hart

By now, you should have an online presence – if you don’t, I’m surprised you’re still reading my blog (please leave me a comment to let me know!). Having that online presence in today’s world, is really the foundation of your marketing. Even offline marketing generally points back to somewhere online where people can connect with you. It’s a blessing and a curse, but it’s true. The internet has changed things, and we’re living in a digital world. If you’re fighting that, learn to accept it. If you’re already embracing it, continue to optimize your presence, as our online world is constantly changing – just like our lives.

Marketing prompt:

Focus on the nuts and bolts of your book marketing today. Make sure your own blog is up to date. Make sure you’re keeping up on Twitter, Facebook, and other forums and social media sites.

Days to go: 195

What Are You Planting?

“Writers are like farmers: The harvest comes, but only after you toil for a few seasons.”

~ Christina Katz, WD

You may or may not be happy with your book sales at this point in time, but the year isn't even half over. Christina Katz quote reminds me that effort isn't always instantly rewarded. Hard work pays off, just not usually right away. Keep working, and it will be worth it when the time comes.

Marketing prompt:

Sign up for Book Daily and upload a sample chapter from your book, post a photo and bio, add links to your website and more. They also have a marketing eBook that they giveaway as a sign up bonus that you can download for free: http://www.bookdaily.com/free

Days to go: 196

Take It From Emerson

Day 168

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“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have books that I have already written and published, and I have books that are coming out later this year, but it’s important to remember that I am not defined by my books – and neither are you. Yes, we are authors. We spend a lot of time writing and marketing our books, but our books don’t make us who we are. We make our books what they are.

Each of our books holds a small piece of who we are. We put a little of ourselves into each of them, and a lot of ourselves into marketing them, but they aren't who we are. We created them; we make them what they are. We shape them and mold them, and of course they hold a place in our hearts, but sometimes it’s important to step back and realize that there is more to life than books.

Marketing prompt:

Write a blog post about your life outside of writing.

Days to go: 197

Get With The Times

Day 167

“Audiences everywhere are tough. They don’t have time to be bored or brow beaten by orthodox, old fashioned advertising.”

~ Craig Davis, J. Walter Thompson

When I think old fashioned advertising, I instantly think Mr. Whipple. Do you remember him? He was actually before my time (hints “old fashioned”) but that’s the first thing that pops into my head. I don’t think that’s what these boys meant when they said we don’t have time to be bored or brow beaten. No, I’m pretty sure they are talking about infomercials and door to door sales men. Nobody likes those or has the time for them. I barely have the time (or patience) to answer the door and tell them to go away. I don’t really even have the time to read all of the junk mail that I get, so those days are sputtering to an end as well.

But do you know what I do have the time for? Reading the bulletin board at the coffee shop while I wait for my latte. I have time to stand and read the bulletin board at the library while my twin 5 year olds use the restroom. I have time to read, okay, I waste my time reading blogs and Facebook posts (maybe that’s why I don’t have the time for infomercials?)

The bottom line is, the world of advertising has changed. People have changed. We need to make sure our marketing reflects the times.

Marketing prompt:

If you haven’t already, incorporate QR codes into your offline advertising. Consider creating a poster to hang at your local library or coffee shop that has a QR code on it – you can get a free QR code at: http://goqr.me/

Days to go: 198

Do You Promise?

Day 166

“Promise, large promise, is the soul of an advertisement.”

~ Samuel Johnson

The best ad tells the reader what they will get from your book. It promises them something. As Rob Eagar says, people don’t buy things unless it benefits them. It’s the truth. We buy things that promise us something. Is it a better marriage? Pure entertainment? Or financial success? That’s not important. The only thing that is important is that we believe we will get something out of it. Without promise, our advertising is a waste of space.

Marketing prompt:

Have you started a new book? Spend today working on it. If you haven’t, consider writing a sequel to your last book.

Days to go: 199

Computer Problems

I didn't post a blog yesterday - sorry about that. One thing I've learned about marketing your book (or blogging) daily is to always have a back up plan.

You see, my computer crashed at the end of last month and my entire routine was thrown off. First, I was terrified that I didn't have my files backed up - Part 2 of this book? Yeah, I really thought I lost it.

After a week of sweating it out, I did learn that my hard drive was intact, and was able to transfer it all over to my netbook. Sadly my netbook is crazy slow so even though I have everything that I need, it takes me 1000 times longer to complete any one task. Blogging is taking almost an hour where as it use to take just a few minutes (as all of my posts are pre-written).

Needless to say, it's been rough.

So that's my sob story.

Your take away?

Back up your files and always have a back up plan.

Day 165

“I’m not proposing that you let the crowd dictate, or that you work hard to fit in. Far from it. I’m proposing that you know the impact your choices are having and act accordingly.”

~ Seth Godin

A while back I read a blog post that talked about the importance of not becoming lost in your own marketing. I can’t remember the author, or even the location of the post (although it might have been from Heather Lloyd–Martin who I quoted a few days ago), but the point was that it’s all too easy to get so wrapped up in keywords and catch phrases that all of your original voice is gone. You’re no longer writing from your heart, your writing for Google Analytics. And readers don’t prefer the latter.

Marketing prompt:

It’s time to hop on over to Authors Den – Authors Den claims to be the “world's most vibrant online literary community!” They provide a place for authors to can reach readers, share their bio, books, blogs, events, links to other websites, etc.  If you’re not there yet, go set up a profile.

Days to go: 200

Clear Marketing

“Clarity trumps persuasion.”

~ Dr. Flint McGlaughlin

Often times, writers tend to be wordy. Think back to the classic books. Writer’s have a love obsession with words, but readers… not so much. Most readers like things to be simple. They don’t have the patience for unneeded words. If you’ve ever read a novel where the author got carried away, you’ll completely understand. You start skimming to find the spot where the story actually picks back up – we do the same thing with blog posts and other things that we read. We don’t want our time wasted – and reading time is precious. Don’t focus so much on convincing the reader to see things your way, instead say what you need to say clearly and quickly.

Marketing prompt:

If you don’t already have your own website (not blog, website), start looking into what it would take to get there.

Days to go: 202