Selling Is Not A Dirty Word

“The self-promo is hard for me. I know it’s necessary to raise visibility for my coaching and workshop offers, but memoir and personal storytelling are so…well, personal, that 'selling' just feels icky.”

Annette Fix, a fellow writer who is also a memoir writing coach, recently wrote that when someone pointed out that her social media posts should always include her business information. Writers are not salespeople. So sometimes (a lot of times) sales feels…icky. But the truth is that everywhere we turn, someone is selling something. Selling is not a dirty word. So how can we be comfortable as writers who are also salespeople?

POV 

 

As writers, we’re all familiar with how point-of-view can change everything. A murder mystery written from the victim’s POV is very different from one from the murderer’s POV or the detective’s POV. 

 

If you’re uncomfortable with self-promotion, stop and ask yourself about the POV. Do you see it as you trying to get something (usually money) from people? Stop right there. You are not a con artist tricking a person out of their money with snake oil. Look at your exchange from the nonwriter’s POV.  What are they receiving in this exchange? 

 

Our most common exchange as writers is a book sale. We get money. The reader gets a book. It’s easy to see things from the nonwriter’s POV. Self-promotion is easy when the exchange feels concrete. But don’t overlook the value of the others things you have to offer. 

 

Value Beyond Books 

 

Many us of start to falter when we’re selling something more abstract…our knowledge as a writing coach or our presence as a speaker. For some, it feels like we’re asking for money but giving nothing “real.” We mistakenly believe that it’s an uneven trade, that we’re receiving much more than we’re giving.  

 

Take a moment to appreciate what you’re bringing to the table. Look at the exchange from the nonwriter’s POV. You’re offering them something they may not have found anywhere else. Your engaging personality bringing people to their event. Your knowledge helping them achieve their long-held dream of writing a memoir. Not everything valuable fits in an Amazon delivery truck. Don’t underestimate the value of what you are delivering.  

 

Writing vs. Writing Well 

 

Sometimes, it’s difficult to get over the fact that everyone can write. Yes, we all learned to write in elementary school, starting with those one-paragraph book reports hung neatly on the bulletin board. But there is a difference between writing and writing well. Don’t dismiss your skill. Compare the handful of flowers you picked from your garden and plunked in a water glass to the breathtaking arrangement your florist delivers. Technically, you both arranged flowers. Realistically, the results were worlds apart. Why? Skill. 

 

For writers, writing can be many things. Challenging. Fun. Rewarding. For non-writers, it can be very different. Torturous. Overwhelming. Mind numbing. (OK, it can be those things for writers too, but we eventually get to the positive parts.)  Recognize that what is innate to you can be insurmountable to another person. You can help them tackle that mountain. Even if writing well seems simple to you, it is a skill that not everyone possesses. 

 

Repeat after me. I am a writer. I am also a salesperson. My skills are valuable.  

 

Happy promoting!

 

Jodi M. Webb was published in dozens of magazines and anthologies you won’t recognize. She even spent several years as a WOW Blog Tour Manager and has the sweatshirt to prove it! For the last 12 years, she’s written ad copy, advertorials and organized contests for her local newspaper. Stay tuned for what comes next!

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1 comment Jodi M. Webb, self promotion

Take the Opportunity to Use Video to Promote Your Work

Last week, I read a Publisher's Weekly article about the poem “And the People Stayed Home” by Kitty O’Meara. O’Meara wrote about how staying home because of COVID is an opportunity to slow the world down. When a friend asked to post it on Facebook, the poem went viral. This November, it will come out as a picture book from Tra Publishing. 

It isn't surprising that this article has me thinking about opportunities. The article is about a picture book that focuses on opportunities. The same article talks about a writer who took the opportunity to share a poem and then recognized a new opportunity for it to become a picture book. 

With this in mind, I read a blog post about book trailers and immediately started thinking about the variety of videos I could make. 

For The Assassination of John F. Kennedy and The Murders of Tupac and Biggie, I could focus on the crimes themselves with a true crime-style story. Or I could discuss live television and how various television stations, including Channel 11 Lubbock where my father worked, covered the assassination. 

I could interview my son about the geology class he took as a preschooler. They got to make fossil casts, hunt for fossils, and clean fossils before taking several home. That’s how we came to have a cluster of fossilized mollusks the size of a dinner plate. That would be a great introduction for The Evolution of Reptiles and The Evolution of Mammals. 

If not that, I could record an evolutionary trivia challenge. Which animal is most closely related to the hippo? A whale, a rhino or a manatee? 

Instead of focusing on my books for my first video, I decided to create a trailer for one of my WOW classes. I teach both "Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults" and "Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults." I decided to start with the writing class. What do you include for a class trailer? I started with the title of the class, who should take the class, why they should take it, what they will study, and a bit about me. 

I did this on Adobe Spark. There were many things to love about this program. Not only was it free but it was fairly intuitive. You can also use it to make slide shows, Instagram stories, web pages, and a variety of graphics. So far my experience is limited to videos. 

The worst part was the microphone feature. You have to hold down the microphone graphic button. Easy peasy? Not when you are using a touch pad. Tap. Tap. TAP. “I know how to hold down a bleeping button. Of course it recorded that.” Next time I will make sure I have a mouse handy. 

I’m not going to claim perfection but I think this turned out pretty well for a first effort. 

How could you use a video to promote yourself and your work? Try to think outside the box. 

--SueBE

Sue Bradford Edwards' is the author of over 25 books for young readers.  To find out more about her writing, visit her blog, One Writer's Journey.

Sue is also the instructor for  Research: Prepping to Write Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins September 7, 2020) and Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults (next session begins September 7, 2020). 

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8 comments author promotion, book promotions, making a video, self promotion

I'm NOT Sorry and You Shouldn't be Either!

Do you ever feel guilty promoting your writing or your book(s) on social media? 

Be honest...

At some time in your career, you've heard someone say "I'm so sick of her posts" or "seriously, no one cares" etc...

That's not even about you. Those comments are about THEM. At the root of negative comments are insecurities and they aren't yours. Don't own those comments and don't let them stop you from doing what you are doing.

All through the ages, business owners have been told that advertising works. 

*Advertising through word of mouth (free samples back in the horse and buggy days when you could get a swig of moonshine to dull that aching tooth).

*Advertising through print once newspapers came available.

*Advertising on the radio.

*Advertising on television.

and today...

*Advertising via social media outlets: blogs, podcasts, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and the list goes on.

There is nothing shameful about letting people know what you are doing OR what you are selling. If you're selling cosmetics and I don't need them, I just keep scrolling. If you are selling a steamy novel and I'm not in the mood, I can keep scrolling. Are you a freelance writer and I'm looking for someone to pierce my ears, I'll keep scrolling. You get the point. The fact is, you may not have what I want right now, but I guarantee you there is someone out there who will see your post and think "now that's exactly what I've always wanted!"

Self promotion is not vanity, and in the current conditions of the world, it may be the only piece of sanity. If you are waiting for people to come to you and ask what you have at your store, it's likely the doors will close and the light bill will go unpaid. Do those interviews, have those launch parties, share the cover reveals, do a few drawing for swag, ask for early readers, and don't you dare feel guilty.

You may not be everyone's cup of tea, but they have options to unfriend you, un-follow you, or just keep scrolling. Don't let their negativity put a damper on your creativity! After all, even bad publicity is publicity!


Unapologetic-ally Yours,


~Crystal

and now...a little more about me...

Shown from left to right:
Delphine riding Honey
Mr. Otto holding Eudora
Crystal riding Marv.
Thank you Forward Farm, LLC 

Crystal is the office manager, council secretary, financial secretary, and musician at her church, birth
mother, Auntie, babywearing mama, business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger, Blog Tour Manager with WOW! Women on Writing, Press Corp teammate for the DairyGirl Network, Unicorn Mom Ambassador, as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband and their five youngest children, two dogs, four little piggies, a handful of cats and kittens, horses Darlin' and Joker, pony Miss Maggie May, and over 250 Holsteins.

You can find Crystal milking cows, riding horses, and riding unicorns (not at the same time), taking the ordinary and giving it a little extra (making it extraordinary), blogging and reviewing books here, and at her own blog - Crystal is dedicated to turning life's lemons into lemonade and she has never (not once) been accused of being normal!

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Leave a Comment promote your writing, publicity, self promotion, writing promotion

Promoting Your Book

Here's a photo I posted to social media about a book I was asked to review

Greetings frazzled yet fabulous friends!

As a church organist and mom, I am in the midst of what is the busiest time of the year at our house. A friend stopped today and I wasn't home. She chatted with my husband saying "is that woman ever home?" Truth is, I'm not home nearly as much as I'd like to be. In the last few days, there have been some fabulous articles on The Muffin with tips and tricks on writing and time management during this time of year. Thank you to those lovely ladies who put those together. Now here I am asking you dear reader for your tips and tricks. The question is this:

How Do You Promote Your Book(s)?

You may be looking at me a bit strange at this point since I'm a Blog Tour Manager here at WOW!. Obviously I think every single author should promote their book by doing a book blog tour here with Renee, Jodi, or myself. Truth is, not everyone chooses that route. In fact, I get emails weekly from people who are attempting to promote their book(s) by themselves, via Tomoson, through Amazon reviews, etc... and then there's creating an author page or a street group on social media. Do you find book bloggers and email them directly? Do you create a hashtag for instagram and twitter? I truly don't even know what all is out there. So, let's get to sharing.

What have you tried that has NOT worked?

What did you do that really worked that you would absolutely recommend to others 

(this is where I'm hoping a few of you will pipe up and say 

"a blog tour with WOW!"...lol

If you included some swag in your promotion, what was the best bang for your buck? (ie: book marks, re-usable book bags, candles, etc...)

Did you do something in particular to track the results of your promoting? 

Is there really a way to do this?

Please Please Please leave some comments here

 - let's share some ideas that will help others. After all, it's the holidays!

While you're chewing over those questions, I'll give you a quick sneak peak into two fun blog tours I am booking right now. Give out a shout (crystal@wow-womenonwriting.com) if you'd like to read and review one of these beautiful books.

January 30th 2017 Rebecca Fitton launches her WOW! Book Blog Tour of Wave Rider. Wave Rider is a book about a journey to healing from childhood sexual abuse, but there is also narrative in it.

Wave Rider by Rebecca Fitton
www.rebeccapottfitton.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RebeccaPFitton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rebecca-Pott-Fitton-1177935578923204/


February 13th 2017 Shirley Melis launches her non-fiction memoir Banged Up Heart; don't miss this amazing story of resilience and strength!

www.shirleymelis.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/widowedtwice
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shirleymelis

Crystal is a church musician, babywearing mama (aka crunchy mama), business owner, active journaler, writer and blogger, Blog Tour Manager with WOW! Women on Writing, Publicist with Dream of Things Publishing, Press Corp teammate for the DairyGirl Network, as well as a dairy farmer. She lives in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin with her husband, four young children (Carmen 9, Andre 8, Breccan 3, and Delphine 1), two dogs, two rabbits, four little piggies, a handful of cats and kittens, and over 230 Holsteins.

You can find Crystal riding unicorns, taking the ordinary and giving it a little extra (making it extraordinary), blogging and reviewing books, baby carriers, cloth diapers, and all sorts of other stuff at:http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

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7 comments author promotion, book blog tour, book promotion, book reviews, self promotion, Social Media for Authors

Public Speaking

One of the best ways to get word out about your writing is to get gigs as a public speaker. I know that you’re a writer and, most likely an introvert, but it is supremely do-able. I know because in just a few weeks I’ll be speaking at the Missouri Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Fall Conference. I’ve come a long way since my first time speaking.

The first time was at the local historical society. I kept a death grip on the podium through my entire talk. I only let go with one hand to turn the pages of my printed speech. I needed that grip to keep myself upright. I was that terrified.

That’s not the case anymore. Now I can actually roam around the stage. Of course, that’s how I kicked my water bottle into the audience but that’s a story for another day. Here are 5 tips to help you get beyond your fears about public speaking.

1. Say yes. You’re not going to get over this by not doing it. If someone asks you to speak, say yes. Practice may not make perfect but it will help you get better one stutter or misstep at a time. Really. No one suffered because of the water bottle incident.
2. Get the Details. What are you speaking about? How much time do you have? I’m pointing this out for a reason. You don’t want to prepare a 20 minute talk, only to find out you have an hour and the reverse is just as panic inducing.
3. Prep It. This next step varies a bit person to person but you need to get your talk ready to go. For some people, this means writing it out word for word. I don’t do this anymore because I don’t want to read my talk. I write an outline. You can try both as you …
4. Practice. Actually give your talk several times. If you can get your children or spouse to listen, that’s great. I’ve been known to explain research to the cat and oral history interviews to the empty dining room. This step helps you see how long your talk is (do you need to add or cut) and also make sure it flows.
5. Take Your Time. Last but not least, when you get up to give your talk, take your time. I consciously force myself to speak slowly. Speaking from an outline helps me do this since I can’t just quickly read word-for-word. I look down. Read a line. Take a breath. Then I look back up and speak some more.

Public speaking really is doable even for an introvert. The effort will be well worth it when, afterwards, someone compliments you. “You’re a natural. I could never be that relaxed.” It’s up to you to decide whether or not you tell them about the death grip on the podium.

--SueBE

Sue is the instructor for our course, Writing Nonfiction for Children and Young Adults.  The next session begins on September 7, 2015.

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1 comment public speaking, self promotion

How Writers Can Use Pinterest

Way back in March, I wrote a post about Pinterest.  At that time, I had been contemplating using it to save images to use in my research.  Given potential copyright issues, I decided it just wasn’t worth the bother.

That was then.  This is now.

I still don’t use Pinterest to save images found while researching various writing projects.  Instead, I use it to pick new topics.  After these projects are published, I use Pinterest to attract new readers.

Research

If you aren’t familiar with Pinterest, members visit this site to do image searches on anything that interests them.  There are categories for Animals, History and Science and Nature.  You can also do keyword searches.

When I am researching new topics, I click on “Popular.”  Granted, this isn’t as focused as a search on Photography or Weddings, but it does tell me what people are Pinning (this is the Pinterest term for copying an image to your own page, called a Board).

One of my primary writing gigs is for Education.com.  If I click on Popular and see numerous pins that involve initials or various words or blocks of text used in craft activities, I brainstorm something along these lines for grader school students.  The same goes for string art, polymer clay and food served in ice cream cones.

Pinning Down New Readers

Once Education.com publishes my activities, I Pin the images back to my own boards.  I have a board for Activities and Crafts and another for Science Projects.  Because I took the photos and link back to Education.com, with their permission, there aren’t any issues with who owns what and thus no copyright hang ups.  And, if someone repins an image to their own board, that’s more traffic driven our way.

I don’t stop there.  I’ve been taking a lot of nature photos to use in my blog posts about writing.  A board labeled, obviously enough, Nature Photos links back to my personal blog.  Another board, What I’ve Been Reading, links back to either my book review blog or my personal writing blog.  On days someone repins one of my photos, I see a bump up in traffic.

What if you don’t write book reviews or crafts?  Then think about what you do write.  If you write fiction, where is your novel set?  If it is a real place, and it is someplace that you visited and took research photos, then put up a board.

Maybe you took scads of photos of clothing and furniture so that you’d be certain to get period details right.  Create a board.

Food.  Animals. Health and Fitness.  Geek.  All of these and more are categories on Pinterest. Not that this has to limit you in any way.  After all, people can find you with a keyword search.

Get out your camera.  Brainstorm about your book and start promoting yourself.

–SueBE

Author Sue Bradford Edwards blogs at One Writers's Journey.

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8 comments copyright, marketing, photography, pinterest, self promotion

Using QR Code to Promote Work

You've undoubtedly noticed these black-and-white boxes on products ranging from the weekly coupon insert in the Sunday newspaper to TV advertisements to the back of books.

What is it?

Say hello to the QR (quick response) code, a two-dimensional or matrix barcode. Each QR code is comprised of data - binary, alphanumeric or Kanji (Japanese writing systems) - that form the black pockets. The square code sits on a white background.

But what does this have to do with writing?

Consider the QR code another way to promote you and your product, whether it's a book or a link to an article or your own website.

A new study by Forrester Research shows that people are using the unique data code at a higher rate than a year ago. The study shows that five percent of adults use the codes to find additional information. That's a four percent increase from just one year ago.

Think about how many smartphone users exist in the world. Their rates of use have increased 15 percent, with Android phone owners using the codes most often. To access information, you simply scan the code with any camera smartphone and suddenly, you're experiencing printed material in a new way, whether through multimedia, text files, or websites.

Writers should be taking advantage of QR codes to land new readers. It's an easy self-promotion method.

How do you generate the codes? Free programs, like Kaywa, can help. And potential readers can find free applications for their smartphones. Kaywa also offers a free QR reader.

While the QR code may seem like the latest craze, in today's 3D and multimedia-based world, the QR code offers one more way to connect with an audience.

by LuAnn Schindler.  Read more of her work at her website.

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5 comments LuAnn Schindler, qr codes, quick response codes, self promotion

Do Your Homework Before Self-Publishing

One lazy afternoon, over a bucket of beers and stale pretzels at a local watering hole, I had an epiphany. A nonfiction book idea poured into my mind, and when I shared my best-selling proposal with my husband, he asked the one question an author doesn't want to hear: "What if you can't find a publisher?"

Since that day, I've been investigating publishing options, including self-publishing. After talking with writing friends who have pursued this route, I've learned several valuable lessons about entering the publishing market:

1. Investigate the competition. What sets your proposed deal apart from what's presently available in the market? How many books are already printed on this topic? How recently were they published? Once you know these answers, you can strategize the best ways to set up your book. Can you add infographics? Photographs? Sidebars? Think beyond the printed word and you will be one step ahead of your competition.
2. Hire the best of the best. Once the book is written and edited, you should plan to hire a professional editor to give the script a once-over. A writer has an intimate working relationship with her script and all too often, you tend to overlook even the simplest of mistakes. Better to hire a professional than to print a book filled with glaring mistakes.
3. Look professional. Your book needs to look professionally printed, and this begins with the outside package: the cover. Design a book cover that draws attention and actually fits the book. (How many times have you looked at a book cover and wondered if the author threw together a graphic?) Also don't forget that your book needs an ISBN number. Contact ISBN.org for information. You may want testimonials or positive reviews for the book jacket. Consider who you can ask for a review. What sets their opinion apart from others?
4. Check on the inside. Not only does the cover need to draw attention, but the inside of the book needs to be reader-friendly. Text shouldn't run too close to the binding. Margins need to be precise so the page layout doesn't look crowded.
5. Investigate publishing options. So many options exist today, so make sure you thoroughly investigate publishing options and costs. The least expensive option isn't always the best option, but don't get carried away with option overload either. Does your book need all the bells and whistles offered? Or can it it survive - and SELL - with the KISS method?
6. Establish a marketing plan. Authors should be considering a market plan from the beginning. I've been working on the platform for my book at the same time I've been writing. I've remained open to options and ideas from my research subjects. Marketing must begin before the book prints. Otherwise, how will you sell books?

I'm still working on publishing options, but since I've done my homework, I feel comfortable about the possibility of heading down the self-publishing route.

Have you done your homework? What options have you considered for publishing your work?

by LuAnn Schindler. Read more of LuAnn's work at Writing on the Wall.

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Leave a Comment book buying, book covers, book sales, ISBN numbers, LuAnn Schindler, marketing, page layout, professionalism, self promotion, self publishing, self-promotion, self-publishing

5 Secrets to a Successful Book Signing

Contrary to popular belief, a book signing at a bookstore is not often a huge money maker. It is, however, an excellent marketing tool and a way to get your name out there and publicize your book.


In this economy, it may be harder than ever to set up a book signing and even harder than that to sell. But with these few insider secrets to book signings, you will find yourself inside a bookstore with your stack of books and poised pen in hand in no time.

Step 1: Contact the Bookstore

Contact the manager of the bookstores in which you hope to have a signing. Ask to speak to a manager in charge of events, or if there is no one with that title, any manager should be willing to speak to you. Do not be discouraged if you are met with a “no.” Be persistent, but also remain polite. Ask to speak with the general manager. If the GM also says no, move along to the next store. There is no need to waste time on a store that is not willing to take advantage of your hard work and talent.

Step 2: Know the Source of Your Books

You will have a much better chance of setting up a book signing at a bookstore if your books are available from major distributors such as Ingram or Baker & Taylor or from publishing companies that accept book returns. If you have gone the traditional route of publishing, this should not be a problem. The bookstore will order in copies of your book.

If you have a book that is not available from a major distributor or a returnable source, such as many self-published books, bookstores may not wish to schedule you for a signing. Offer to bring your own books. In this case, the bookstore will require the payment to go through their store, not through you directly. You will then need to invoice the bookstore for the number of copies you sell. This invoice is then sent to the store’s corporate headquarters and you may not see payment for five to eight weeks. But rest assured, you will get paid.

Step 3: Choose a Date and Time

Choosing the date and time for your book signing can be very important. If you are signing in a large city in a store that gets a consistently large amount of traffic, just about any day and time would work. But if you are signing in a smaller town or in a store with a lower amount of traffic, plan wisely. The bookstore may only have certain dates and times they are willing to have you, so in that case you should take what you can get. But if you are given the chance to choose a date and time, try to have your signing at times of high traffic in the store such as on Friday nights or Saturdays, or when other events are happening at that location.

Step 4: Don’t Just Sit There!

If you have made it this far and you have set up your book signing, congratulations! But the work does not stop here. The bookstore has probably (hopefully!) provided you with a small table and chair and maybe a sign with your name on it. Unless you have a line of people waiting for your autograph, do not get comfortable in that chair! Walk around with your book and business cards in hand. Do you have flyers of bookmarks for your book? These are great handouts and useful icebreakers. Introduce yourself to customers, show them your book and offer them your card. Have you written a book about kittens? Mingle with customers in the animals section of the store. Be a proactive seller.

Step 5: Make Your Next Move

Whether you sold 1 book or 100 books, just exposing your name and your book in a location with a literate book-loving public is great publicity for you. Do not judge your book signing’s success on the number of books you have sold. Be sure to thank the manager for setting up your event. It would be a good idea to leave a business card or two with the manager in case they know managers at other stores who would like to schedule signings. Leave a card or two on the store’s community bulletin board.
Have faith in yourself and your book. This process can seem daunting, especially to the shy, introverted writer. But promoting your book is part of an author’s life. Look upon it as an adventure and the next step up for your writing career. Go to other writer’s book signings and speak to authors who have experience selling and marketing themselves. Enjoy the process and have fun!

Written by Anne Greenawalt (http://www.annegreenawalt.com/) who worked as a bookstore assistant manager for several years.

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1 comment Book Signing, bookstores, self promotion