“Nen Dreier, det Schäfchen” by Theodor Hosemann |
So, in case you missed the to-do on Friday, I posted a “pledge drive” that was intended to be jocular but also nudge-nudge in its approach, and I received some negative feedback about its thrust and style (along with lots of positive feedback from people who didn’t think anything of it).
And if it seemed like I was a bit twitchy about it on Friday, I have to be honest that I’m particularly sensitive to criticism when it comes to self-promotional activities.
Because here’s the thing about self-promotion: It sucks. It really sucks.
If self-promotion were an insect, I would squash it with the world’s biggest fly swatter. If self-promotion were a field I would burn it and salt the earth so it could never live again.
It doesn’t feel right to stand in front of a crowd and shout, “Me!” and no matter how much you try and cloak the self-promotion in elaborate disguises, it can still feel kind of icky. And if you don’t enjoy the spotlight, self-promotion in all its forms can be downright terrifying.
This is one of the hugest drawbacks about an era of publishing where publishers expect authors to shoulder the lion’s share of the promotional activities. No one I know enjoys self-promotion, and no one out there particularly likes being promoted to either. People usually want to hear about new things from enthusiastic and neutral third parties, not the hugely biased person who created the thing.
And when it comes to social media, the Internet dislikes it when something they are accustomed to getting for free suddenly comes with strings attached, even if those strings are only of the heartstring nature. It’s such a fine line between reminding people about your book and hoping they buy it while not alienating your audience and turning into a shill.
So basically: Self-promotion = not fun!
And yet I know what I would tell someone else who has a new book out: You have to do it. No matter how much you might dislike it, no matter how much negative feedback you get about it, no matter how much it makes you cringe, you gotta do it. You have to give your book a boost, you have to make your network aware of it, you have to do everything you can to help it sell. The era of being just an author, if it ever existed, is over.
Do it as non-annoyingly as possible, but do it.
Sure, it would be fantastic if you had an army of rabid fans or a fabulously wealthy and dedicated publisher to do all the promotion for you. But unless you win the publishing lottery, that first boost has to come from you. You have to build your own army and hope they start evangelizing and creating new converts. You have to get that first bit of momentum going. Otherwise your book will quietly disappear into the great unknown.
So… yeah. It ain’t fun. But there’s a lot of noise out there, and sometimes you have to shout to make yourself heard. Even if you cringe the entire time you’re doing it.
And to show I practice what I preach, here are some links to buy JACOB WONDERBAR AND THE COSMIC SPACE KAPOW. Kirkus said of the series, “There’s plenty of set-up for future volumes; fans will hope they won’t have to wait long. ” (And you won’t: JACOB WONDERBAR FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSE is coming in April).
Amazon (hardcover)!
Amazon (Kindle)!
Barnes & Noble (hardcover)!
Barnes & Noble (Nook)!
Books-a-Million!
Borders!
Indiebound!
Powell’s!
Anonymous says
To Anon @ 9:29AM –
I can't speak for Nathan, since I'm not him.
But it's the sanctimony of your post that I find offensive.
That, and the fact that's it's totally untrue. I've followed this blog for a year and change your post has more diva leanings than anything Nathan's posted.
Bill
Anonymous says
Here's the sticking point for me: This blog used to be that of a literary agent, not an author. The people who go to read a lit agent's blog are not necessarily those who want to buy a children's book.
It feels a little bit like a guilt trip – I worked so hard on this blog, and you've been getting it for free all this time, so don't you think you should start paying? And you can pay by buying my children's book.
I'm all for self-promotion. But I feel, in my humble and anonymous don't-dump-on-me-okay? opinion, that NB needs to decide what he is – are you a lit agent OR an author?
If the latter, LET GO of your lit agent identity/blog/platform, GET creative, and start a brand new blog WITHOUT all the lit agent stuff you are comfortable with – queries, writing, publishing. It muddies the water.
CREATE YOUR AUTHORIAL IDENTITY – yes it's painful to let go of your lit agent thing (and the platform you have built up over the years, AS A LIT AGENT), but it's leading to ho-hum ineffective self-promotion as an author.
You haven't been hitting your target market with an ex-lit agent/author hybrid blog. Make a clean break, get creative, and painstakingly build your new blog readership. Which I think should be A LOT YOUNGER and LESS ARTICULATE than the people currently leaving comments!
Just my opinion, but think about it NB. You are talented, are you really doing your talent justice with the hybrid blog?
Anonymous says
"I still self-promote too because I think my book has something to offer, just as you hit on the ladies for the same reason."
Nathan, you make me sound like such a skeeze. LOL!!
Where I think our views are different is that like the Amanda Palmer article somebody here mentioned, I NEVER feel weird about promoting myself.
I had to promote myself while interviewing to get my current job. I have to promote myself to interest folks in my writing. I have to promote my way of thinking to get my supervisor to see things my way.
Why should it be a different thing just cause it's a blog??
Bill
Nathan Bransford says
anon@9:43-
Um. I mean, I changed the blog title to "Nathan Bransford, Author" and I have blogged about queries about…. two or three times in the last six months as I've been focused on the writing process and social networking and the life of a writer?
I feel like I've already done what you're telling me to do. I'm an ex-lit agent turned writer/social media manager. That's who I am. If I tried to be something different it would feel fake.
Nathan Bransford says
bill-
Ha, and point taken.
The Pen and Ink Blog says
I love your blog and I had every intention of buying your book, but Nathan, it is overpriced for the market. They seem to have priced it kike a writing book instead of a kids book. I'm waiting for the paper back (which is 2.00 more than a Bruce Coville book or The fourth Grade Fairy and 1.00 over How to Train Your Dragon. These are some of your market Competitors. I thought it would be cheaper on Kindle, but it isn't. So I will be reading it next April
Matthew MacNish says
Hah! You're so clever, Nathan. I see what you did here. Bravo, sir.
Anonymous says
"But I feel, in my humble and anonymous don't-dump-on-me-okay? opinion, that NB needs to decide what he is – are you a lit agent OR an author?"
I would never use the comment section to dump on anyone. But your first post was rife with condescension and snide. The second is considerably less so.
You and I are looking at the same blog, but I feel that, perhaps, you are trying to read into Nathan's motives and intent, something none of us can do unless your name is Charles Xavier.
He explained his switch from Agent to Author. I simply see a guy using his platform to promote his new venture. I don't look at it as him trying to guilt me into buying a children's book.
Children's books aren't my thing, so I don't really get into that when he promotes it (no offense to you Nathan). But I find his information on the business and writing totally up my alley, so I read it.
Bill
Catherine says
I hate to say it, but, respectfully, I must disagree with the general trend here. People seem to be buying into the same mistaken idea that folks have about selling things in general – that it's forcing people to buy things they don't want or need so the seller can get rich at their expense.
This can happen, of course. But it's not the way it has to be.
The best kind of selling or self promotion is when you have something that you belief will be of value to people, and you get paid for doing the work of putting people together with something that will make their lives better.
For example, some people think of selling life insurance as hustling, while others sell it as a way of keeping the death of a family member from creating a financial crisis for everyone left behind (when you're grieving for your spouse, you don't want to also be worrying about losing your house).
Self promotion is hard work, yes. But we don't have to lock ourselves into the false modesty that says its not nice to try and sell something you've created.
It's a good book, right? You wouldn't be trying to sell it if you didn't think it had value for readers, right? Then relax and say "Lookee here at this cool book". A lot :).
Speaking of which, I have a book I've written "Adventures in Palmistry" that's currently for sale. If you're not interested in psychic readings, this won't be your cup of tea; but if you'd like to learn about palmistry, I make it easy and fun for you.
Anonymous says
Speaking of self-promotion…. I would love to find out how the heck to approach agents / editors at writing gatherings, and make the proverbial "elevator pitch" without coming off like a creep, stalker, climber, loser…etc. I'm not talking about formal pitch sessions, but, say, eating lunch together where you're expected to schmooz or for that matter in an elevator. And when is it cool to approach and when is it creepy or rude? How do you break the ice?
Anonymous says
I DARE YOU – A WHOLE WEEK OF BLOG POSTS AS CHILDREN'S AUTHOR, NOT SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
"I've been focused on the writing process and social networking and the life of a writer?"
I guess I'm saying don't blog about the writing process and social networking and the life of a writer either – are these the concerns of the target demographic for your book? No.
I feel, in my anonymous opinion, yeah cause I can't take the heat, I admit it freely 🙂 – the writer/social media manager hybrid construct is a cop-out. You already have demonstrated strength in the social media manager arena – but you DON'T have it, when it comes to creatively and exclusively promoting a children's book. Maybe you really don't have any ideas HOW to write a blog with frequent updates, coming from the perspective of a children's author. Geared toward children/parents. Learning curve!
I feel, in my humble opinion, it's just safer (though less effective) to hang on to whatcha know how to do supremely well – than take that big leap into something you don't.
Seriously, come up with 5 blog post titles on children's lit or rockets or substitute teachers or WHATEVER – geared for your target demographic. I dare you. Go for broke, and let's see what you come up with. NOT geared toward us WRITERS with our own books/manuscripts.
PS This anonymous posting is really liberating! 🙂
Rick Daley says
Writing with the intent to sell your work, either directly through self-publishing or indirectly with a publisher (large or small) is a business venture. To engage in it successfully you need to be willing to approach your work in a professional manner, and to do that you must understand the various components of sales and marketing.
Self-promotion is a form of marketing, and marketing is the precursor to sales.
If your book were a seed, and sales were the harvest, then marketing is your soil, fertilizer, water, and sunlight.
It is very hard to make the transition to self-promotor, because it requires (on some levels) that you check your modesty at the door.
This is can be very unnerving and completely counter-intuitive for many of us. We are used to being criticized. We have been ripped apart and rejected so many times it is tough to feel our work is great, let alone shout it from the rooftops.
The reality, though, is that people need to believe your book is great if they are going to spend their time and money on it.
That being said, it is very hard to appear confident without being arrogant, and to encourage people to buy without being pushy.
And the internet is tricky. Something on the web can haunt you forever, even after you take a post or comment down chances are it's cached somewhere. But the Internet also has a short attention span, and both a brilliant move and a move that tastes distincly of shoe leather have the chance of going completely unnoticed. And you never know which it will be…You just need to be brave enough to give it your best effort and hope people will appreciate it as that.
WORD VERIFICATION: censes. An occpuation on which Hannibal Lector once dined with some fava beans and a nice Chianti.
Jane George says
@Creative – there are already numerous 'huddles' or author collectives and FB writers groups who cross-promote each other's work. At first I thought this was a good idea. Hey, I can get Likes on my FB page and Amazon tags and I'll reciprocate. It soon felt even worse than self-promotion because I hadn't read those books and frankly, based on the blurb and sample, I will never read most of those books.
Consumers are already wary of false starred ratings and blind promotion. I would much rather that anyone who leaves a 5-star review on my book's Amazon page actually read it and genuinely enjoyed the read.
I am no longer in any of those groups. Wasn't right for me.
Nathan Bransford says
anon-
I'll think about how I can incorporate some of your suggestions, but I do think it's kind of funny that you're prescribing drastic changes for my blog and my self-promotional tactics when you yourself are too bashful to post non-anonymously.
Himbokal says
@Anon 9:29
Your comment that people don't value Nathan's blog posts because they wouldn't be willing to pay for them is awfully simplistic.
There are all kinds of stuff that we would never pay for that has great value. Parenting comes to mind. Sex. I suspect a majority of men would be choosing celibacy if they started charging $20 for each time they had sex. Does that mean women don't value sex?
There are all sorts of things we pay for (and expect to pay for) that have no value. Speaking from experience I have never in my life seen a billboard and then purchased said product. If the billboard has any effect it is usually to prompt me to say, "Wow, what a colossal waste of money. I would fire that advertising agency." Now if I walked up to a billboard owner and told him this and then told him he shouldn't charge for his billboard, what do you think he would say?
And your one way street comment is totally suspect. Most of life if a one way street flowing out. McDonald's has never once bought a french fry or hamburger from me nor have they even mentioned me on their website despite the fact that I've eaten hundreds, nay, thousands of their fries and burgers. Same goes for the New York Times which I'm still waiting for just one comment on my blog as I've bought countless issues of their newspaper. Don't even get me started on the temerity of Yahoo! which asks me to share THEIR articles on MY social networks and they've never given me a red cent.
That being said: go to my blog and one way street to your heart's content. http://www.somethingauthorly.blogspot.com
Kyla says
I hate it. What if people hate me for promoting my blog or the book I'm writing? What if they hold it against me? What if they hold it against what I write? What if they don't give me a chance just because I seem so self-centered as to promote my work?
But what else is there to do? You have to get your work mentioned out there, somewhere, if you ever want anyone to read it or to make any sort of money.
Thanks for letting me know I'm not alone in that icky feeling, like you're selling your soul for a quick buck. Have a great day, and happy writing!
Sean Thomas Fisher says
I doubt that Chevy or Apple or Harry Potter or the tire shop around the corner are too squeamish about pimping their products out. I think you just have to be careful not to beat people over the head with mundane stuff about your books. It's like those same boring commercials you see or hear every five minutes that cause people to change channels. But many are creatively well done and leave a lasting impression. Yet, some fiction writers stop the creative juices from flowing as soon as they write "the end". I would hate self-promoting too if I took that angle.
Robin says
It's been a bit since I've been on the blog so I missed the drama on Friday. I read today's post first, then went back to see what all the hoopla was about.
All you did was ask people to consider buying your book. You were very polite.
People should consider buying your book. Writers can't buy food and pay rent with happy thoughts and warm fuzzies. "Oh, isn't Nathan wonderful!" doesn't work as legal tender.
Self promotion is necessary. Like flossing. Just do it.
Steve Masover says
Go Nathan … like Chumbawamba sang… — just get up again. The world is messy, life is messy, why wouldn't finding your audience be messy too?
Kristi says
I was surprised that you got negative feedback from visitors to your blog. It is, after all, your own space to do with as you like. If a blog reader doesn't like it, they it is up to them to stop reading your blog. I'm guessing they won't be buying your book either, so no big loss.
Good luck with Jacob Wonderbar. I keep trying to talk it up to my 7-year old, but she hasn't bitten yet. Maybe the next Jacob Wonderbar should include something pink and glittery (just kidding) 🙂
Anonymous says
"I DARE YOU – A WHOLE WEEK OF BLOG POSTS AS CHILDREN'S AUTHOR, NOT SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER"
I think that it's a foolish dare to take.
Nathan has built up a following as an agent, and from discussing the business and trends in writing/publishing. That following is an ADVANTAGE. Why should he not take advantage of that advantage??
Because it's "unseemly" and "poor decorum" to some? Because it offends somebody's sensibilities?? Because he needs to demonstrate some outmoded sense of machismo?
Please.
Bill
Anonymous says
See Nathan, again the "approaching the attractive woman" thing comes into play.
Just because some guys think that flowers, opening doors and pulling out chairs, and saying something nice about a woman other than her cup size..is a sign of being a sissy, doesn't mean *I* have to buy into it.
I mean, Nathan, you're married. Think about it. Your wife is with you BECAUSE you PROMOTED YOURSELF as an ideal mate and eventually husband.
Even though, you might say, "Hang on, Bill. I wasn't trying to hustle my wife, I was simply being me." But THAT'S MY POINT. Self-promotion isn't lying or misleading, it's about honesty at it's core.
If your model of self-promotion is about following others and pandering to the crowd, then you're right to be disdainful of it.
If you're following your own sensibilities then you have nothing to be ashamed of.
Bill
Anonymous says
I actually read your blog, Nathan, because I like the way you write. I like your style…if that makes sense.
And frankly, I'd continue to read if you posted more about middle grade books and the happenings in this genre. It's something I don't know much about and something that would take me away from what I'm always doing in my own genre. And this is why I love your blog so much…escapism.
I'm not the anon you addressed earlier. I do post anon for reasons, some of which have to do with the fact that I don't want to be accused of promoting myself on comment threads. (It's a little snarky in the cyber world 😉
Tonya says
I just posted on my own little blog about what I've done to "put myself out there" as an aspiring author. Yes, it's scary and it can feel a bit narcisistic, but it's a reality in the publishing world. What has helped me work through the negativity of self-promotion is viewing it in a different light. As I post blogs and tweet, trying to gain more followers who will in turn tell others about my writing, I see it as finding my place in the YA writing community, finding a place where I belong. Yes, I'm self-promoting, but I'm also A PART OF SOMETHING – something very important to me and so many others – young adult literature. So, maybe if we approach self-promotion with a positive attitude, it won't be as painful! : )
folksinmt says
Couldn't agree with you more. It SUCKS big time! The thing I keep reminding myself is that it takes time to build an audience.
It also takes some of the joy out of writing when you are worried if this new piece you are working on will sell. I liked it better when I just wrote for me.
Istvan Szabo, Ifj. says
Anon. With all due respect, if you're that brilliant as you're presenting yourself, why don't you reveal your identity? Only that one hides, who has something to hide. If you dare Nathan, why don't you reveal yourself?
"PS This anonymous posting is really liberating! :)"
Yes. And it's the first sign of a true amateur. 🙂
Anonymous says
Ah…you just have to jump into it with both feet and humbly acknowledge your strengths. For instance, I can say without hesitation that I am one of the nation's great writers of lousy query letters. See what I mean? It's easy.
Darley says
I take "have to" to mean you really should. But of course. How else are you going to get that word of mouth started?
How often do you see a celebrity on a talk show who isn't plugging something? Shameless? Sometimes, yes. But we know what they're doing. That's how they make a living.
I think the few that take issue with your self-promotion probably just aren't used to seeing you play that role. I admit, I wasn't at first either, being a longtime reader of this blog. But you're a writer now, and you're wearing a different hat. Love it or hate it, you have to make it fit.
Hollister Ann Grant says
Okay, folks, listen up.
If you bought Nathan's book, WRITE A REVIEW on Amazon, B&N, wherever you bought it.
You don't have to write a huge review — a short, informal one is fine. Reviews help a book rise in the standings and let other readers know you enjoyed it.
I bought the book this past weekend and plan to write a review after I finish it.
Rebecca Stroud says
I think marketing is a p.i.t.a. Personally, I have no problem "strutting my stuff" as I write niche books (I'm an avid animal lover and all my work involves dogs, be it a short tale or a suspense novel). So, those who care about this subject aren't really hard to convince.
However, I freely admit that I am a techno-dummie. I hate Facebook, haven't even tried Twitter, my blog is dormant, and the list goes on.
So I've basically stopped the self-promo. Be it good, bad, or ugly, I'm slogging my way through via word of mouth. Yes, I understand that people need to know my books are out there and where to find them (I am an Amazon author) but the constant pressure of marketing puts a huge damper on my time & creativity…I abhor it.
Anyway, great post, Nathan.
Patrice says
I enjoy promoting my Brand! New! Kindle! political thriller when I remember how much fun it was to write and that even I enjoy reading it… though I rewrote it a million times. And somebody must love it because I've got five 5-star reviews and one 4 (and only one came from a relative). So… ta da… if you think you might like to hear what happens when a female V.P. gets the Dem nomination, and her GOP opponent is Jerusha Hutchins, of the large blonde hair and eight children, who is running for POTUS because G*d told her to… check out my book for the bargain price of $4.99. https://www.amazon.com/RUNNING-ebook/dp/B005AJA43O
Sommer Leigh says
I feel like us readers need to band together and start a program of promotion for our favorite authors and do some of the leg work for the people and books we love. Like, every author should be given their own little fan club to help them with this part of the deal.
I think it is also good to remind each other periodically that the best thing we can do for writers we love is to read, write reviews and spread the word.
j a zobair says
I get that people who want lit agent advice are not necessarily the same people who want a children's book. But if you made a Venn diagram, there would be a lot of overlap. I mean who doesn't know a kid who reads?
I buy books all the time that I might not love, to support friends and also bloggers who I like. I bought four copies of a blogging friend's self-pubbed book (which is fantastic, by the way) and have given the copies to friends. To support him.
I've gotten a lot more than I've given as a lurker on this blog. No, Nathan isn't my friend. But he's been helpful to my process and I do not mind at all suporting him. I have an eight year old son. No brainer.
The first rule of self promoting with a blog is to GIVE your readers some information they need or want. Not to talk about your cat or your divorce or your rejections. At least not exclusively. (I say this as someone who just posted about a 73 year old "parakeet"). My point is if your story is set in Nepal, blog about Nepal. If your character is a famous chef, give recipes. Etc. At least some of the time. Nathan has done that in spades. And he has a following. And he'd be an idiot not to leverage that in his author process.
Roger Floyd says
I think that people aren't so much repelled by tasteful self-promotion as they are by shameless, obnoxious or overbearing self-promotion. A simple note on Facebook or Twitter to alert your friends is okay. A reading at a bookstore can be worthwhile. Distributing a few bookmarks with your book info won't alienate many potential readers. The point is to do it tastefully and discretely and leave the offensive self-promotion to the other guy.
Marsha Sigman says
I had some extra time so I thought I would check in and Holy Hell what is with all this drama???
If you don't like Nathan's blog or you find it offensive or self serving, then just GO AWAY.
As for you, Nathan. You ARE freakin' awesome and you wrote a great book. Embrace it. Promote it. Sell it.
That's all. I thought everyone needed a reality check. I know I feel better.
Kevin Lynn Helmick says
You're still beating yourself up over this? Buddy, let it go. It was a good idea, this pledge thing, but the execution sounded a bit like, I do all this for you, so you kinda owe me. And maybe your right. But people don't like to hear that, or respond to guilt. Maybe you should have had somebody else handle it up front and you behind the scenes. I thought it was pretty cool idea. I can see it being tricky to get the me me out of it. maybe a portion of profit goes to a favorite charity, something to remove yourself a bit.
I've had my biggest spikes in sales right after interviews, radio, and blog, now this sucks too, because after a while you're sick of answering the same questions and talking about the same book when you've moved on mentaly, deep into a new project. but it seems to work, and getting reviews is supposed to help, but the good ones are so swamped it take a year to get one. I know you have to self promote and know it sucks and it's frustrating slow picking up sales. Your book hasn't been out very long though, being a former agent I'm sure you've said to a client or two, "be patient, it takes time." lol. And forget the negative stuff, whenever you stick your butt out there, somebody somewhere's gonna bite it.
just the way it is, and probably always will be.
I would have guessed Dial would have a had some sorta marketing plan in place for two book deal. They have money on the line, whats up with that?
Anonymous says
I bought your book this weekend. Why? Because you asked. I thought I might get around to it eventually, but I don't buy a lot of hardback books, so I might never have gotten to it. I did it because I appreciate this blog and because you asked. You can chalk that sale up to self-promotion.
Bert Carson says
700,000 indie writers. Those who are successful understand that writing is only half the job. If we don't promote ourselves and our work, who will!
Thanks,
Bert
Karen Duvall says
Oh, yes, i know just what you mean. I'm about to climb aboard the self-promo train myself. Sigh. It reminds me of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eNiR5ZTb_MA&feature=related
J. Anne Huss says
Nathan,
As an experienced self-promoter who found it difficult at first (especially after spending an entire year giving many things out for free to create my customer base) I can tell you that it gets easier.
And here is my best piece of advice to anyone who finds that their "followers" are only interested in "freebies"…get them off your list.
Why you ask? I mean, aren't they potential customers? No. Not if they claim the right to be "offended" when you ask them to buy your product (which is a darn good book by the way – I was one who pre-ordered it).
You have given writers a phenomenal amount of information, advice, and hand-holding…the VERY LEAST we can do for YOU is to support your endeavors.
YOU HAVE NOTHING TO APOLOGIZE FOR!
Self promotion should not SUCK…it should make you feel good because you've created a book that is fun, exciting, and inspirational.
Nathan, when you got it…flaunt it!
And you got it baby! 🙂
Just put your nose down and keep going. Listen to those who support you and ignore those you prefer you to be the "guy who gives all the secrets away for free"…they don't deserve you.
J. Anne
J.C. Martin says
Agreed. Every time I try to self-promote anything, I start feeling like a spam bot!
Bonnie West says
Just thought you should know I bought your hardcover book for a friend who also follows your feed….and then today… BECAUSE of that bit about self promotion …bought it for my SELF on kindle! bravo. ! Bonnie West
Tim Warnes says
I just started up an online comic strip to promote my book's characters, Chalk & Cheese. I hope that's a creative and fun solution to self promotion. Yesterday I was at a music festival in the mud here in the UK, and took the opportunity of being in a large crowd of people having fun to hand out some flyers to promote said strip. I did it with a smile and good manners – nobody seemed offended, and with a bit of luck I'll pick up some new readers! You can find the strip here – https://chalkandcheesecomics.blogspot.com
dalyamoon.com says
Nathan, you seem like a really nice person, and you've given so much to the writing community with your blog and advice. I am grateful for all you've done!
I'm promoting a book right now and I emailed some bloggers to see if they wanted review copies. I was terrified of getting mean responses. I got a bit panicky every time I opened my email … but you know what? Most people have been incredibly nice! I am sure there will be the occasional fly in the ointment, but I'm going to print out the nice emails so I can look at them whenever I feel blue.
Anonymous says
I'm really surprised at some of the comments. You have given so much of your time to giving us aspiring authors help in every aspect of this writing journey. The least they[the nay sayers] can do is support you in return. I will definetly buy your book!
Russell Brooks says
One thing I learned from having worked in sales for over 15 years is that consumers will buy the person first and their product second. Although self-promotion is important, it's always best to take part in activies (on or offline) that will get you admiration. Sharing tips or giving advice always puts you in a win-win situation, kind of what you're doing here, Nathan. Do it often enough, people will start to notice you because they'll start to like you. At which point, you won't be selling anything, it'll be the buyers who'll be buying.
Russell Brooks
Author of Pandora's Succession
Mira says
This post will come in four parts because I have alot to say.
———–
Part 1: April?? April?? I have to wait until April??? Arrggghhh!!!
————————-
Part 2: Really? You don't like the spotlight? That's interesting. I LOVE the spotlight. But I do suck at networking, and I imagine you are good at it, Nathan. It's probably because you feel confident that you have something to offer.
That's true with your book, too.
But there are ways to let people know about your book without having to be in the spotlight, if you really don't like it. And thinking about it as networking might be helpful, I don't know.
——————–
Part 3: So many of the commenters said great stuff about this. I really liked Livia's post. I also really liked Catherine's post here, and I loved her last paragraph, which I thought was a great example of low-key, friendly promotion.
I also agree that making it fun, keeping it light, and targeting your reading group are good ideas.
You may want to read some blogs and communities for MG writers and see what ideas they have for reaching the target audience. It's true that people here love you and will buy your book, but that may not spread it as quickly as a targeted audience. I, for example, read your book, loved it, wrote two reviews for it, and talk about it here. But I don't have kids, and I don't really know anyone who has kids, so it sort of stops there.
Although I do think that things can spread slowly. Harry Potter really didn't take off until the third book. Amanda Hocking said it wasn't until her second book that things took off. People, especially kids, may actually respond better to series.
————
Part 4: So, some other thoughts on this topic. I really don't believe in most self-promotion. I think most of the time it backfires. I even get annoyed when people put their blog URLs in their post (sorry) because it makes me feel like I'm being tricked and used, and I am LESS likely to buy their book (sorry again).
The only way that self-promotion really works is if it's personal and natural. Just like with networking. You're having a conversation with someone, but you may not mention much about your job unless it is organic. Trying to force anything is usually a turn-off.
For example, I could be wrong, but I believe, Nathan, that if you got increased sales over the weekend, it's not because you mentioned your book on your blog. It's because you were vulnerable and personal about the whole thing, and that drew people to you and made them want to support you.
I think everyone needs to find their own way to let themselves be seen. I'm fairly good at standing out in a blog (although not always in a way that people will like) – it's a weird talent – but what I do probably wouldn't work anyone else. In large part, that's because I'm fairly genuine in my attention seeking ways :). Everyone has to find their own way of just being themselves and asking for support, or playing around and having fun with it. We are creative types after all.
One last thought, sorry to be so verbose today, but in some ways, I think it's good to relax about this sort of thing. There's really no rush. There's always the next book to be written, and a writer's life is rarely defined by one book.
Okay, I'm done. Thanks. 🙂
p.s. April??!!!
Angela Brown says
There may have been a time when publishers footed the bill for major promotion of a book and author they felt was a golden goose prime to lay its eggs. That time has dwindled significantly, especially with the introduction of the digital age and all the pros and cons that come with it.
I, too, do not like self-promotion. However, I don't mind it for something that I can stand behind. In today's age, self-promotion is necessary.
Thanks for this blog as reminder of that truth.
https://publishness.blogspot.com/
Anonymous says
I wish I had the link but I can't find it online now — several years back four agents did an interview (one was Daniel Lazar of Writer's House) where they talked about "Lead Title" books, and how it was like hitting the lottery.
The gist of the that section of the interview was that their were very few things an author could do to help sell their book on any sort of large scale.
But if it was a lead title then it gets all the pub has to offer — which is substantial in terms of free galleys, being featured at the Book Expo and ALA, talked up in the industty, and pushed for great sell-ins at bookstores, including displays.
That's why being on the midlist sucks.
Is it better to write another book, than to kill yourself trying to promote what a pub isn't? Not asking you specifically, Nathan, but just as a general question.
I had a midlist book that wasn't offered at ALA or the Book Expo, though it came out in hardcover from a big pub. Truthfully, I'd rather it hadn't gotten pubbed — because of low sales (B&N didn't stock it, citing that it didn't have any promotion) — and now I'm stuck trying to get a new agent while I'm saddled with a low-selling debut. It's been damn near impossible.
Anonymous says
I wish I had the link but I can't find it online now — several years back four agents did an interview (one was Daniel Lazar of Writer's House) where they talked about "Lead Title" books, and how it was like hitting the lottery.
The gist of the that section of the interview was that their were very few things an author could do to help sell their book on any sort of large scale.
But if it was a lead title then it gets all the pub has to offer — which is substantial in terms of free galleys, being featured at the Book Expo and ALA, talked up in the industty, and pushed for great sell-ins at bookstores, including displays.
That's why being on the midlist sucks.
Is it better to write another book, than to kill yourself trying to promote what a pub isn't? Not asking you specifically, Nathan, but just as a general question.
I had a midlist book that wasn't offered at ALA or the Book Expo, though it came out in hardcover from a big pub. Truthfully, I'd rather it hadn't gotten pubbed — because of low sales (B&N didn't stock it, citing that it didn't have any promotion) — and now I'm stuck trying to get a new agent while I'm saddled with a low-selling debut. It's been damn near impossible.