If you want your book to sell, you have to get comfortable being visible.
Not viral. Not everywhere. Just visible.
The goal isn’t to become a full-time marketer putting out 20 pieces of long-form content a week. The goal is to become someone who is comfortable talking about their work in a way that people respond to.
Many authors worry that they will be too repetitive or promotional or annoying. But… honestly, people are so distracted these days that they need to see a message SO MANY times before they connect the dots on what it is and if they want it.
Here are a few ways to do this now…
Get Used to Being Seen Before Your Book Comes Out
One of the most strategic things an author can do is start showing up consistently before your book is launches. This both helps you get comfortable being visible and build your trust with readers. Being visible can be very vulnerable. But once you start doing it… it does gets easier.
The more often people see you thoughtfully talking about your ideas, the more invested they will be in your journey and your book.
Make an Actual Plan to Build Your Platform
Instead of waiting to see what your publisher will do, create a plan to grow your platform. This doesn’t need to be complicated but it does need to be intentional.
Publishers are ready and excited to amplify and promote what you’re already doing! You have to create the momentum
OMG, it's so true! Social media, newsletters, etc can take a huge chunk out of your time. I know all about it. In fact, writing often takes less time....😆
Why was Twitter always blocking you, Dawn? That sounds frustrating. I will never give up Twitter / X because Twitter offers a very important function that BlueSky lacks: the ability to send images back and forth PRIVATELY to the artist I am working with. If not for Twitter's functionality, I could not have worked so closely with Guilia in Italy to complete the drawings for "Vampire Verses: Poems." As you know, I work with many artists to create a unique author portrait for my back cover and to illustrate my poetry books - - - - because books without interior art or photos are too commonplace. One reason children's books have enduring popularity: THE ART INSIDE, which appeals to everyone.
If you want your book to sell, you have to get comfortable being visible.
Not viral. Not everywhere. Just visible.
The goal isn’t to become a full-time marketer putting out 20 pieces of long-form content a week. The goal is to become someone who is comfortable talking about their work in a way that people respond to.
Many authors worry that they will be too repetitive or promotional or annoying. But… honestly, people are so distracted these days that they need to see a message SO MANY times before they connect the dots on what it is and if they want it.
Here are a few ways to do this now…
Get Used to Being Seen Before Your Book Comes Out
One of the most strategic things an author can do is start showing up consistently before your book is launches. This both helps you get comfortable being visible and build your trust with readers. Being visible can be very vulnerable. But once you start doing it… it does gets easier.
The more often people see you thoughtfully talking about your ideas, the more invested they will be in your journey and your book.
Make an Actual Plan to Build Your Platform
Instead of waiting to see what your publisher will do, create a plan to grow your platform. This doesn’t need to be complicated but it does need to be intentional.
Publishers are ready and excited to amplify and promote what you’re already doing! You have to create the momentum
Well said! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment.
Dawn, did GoodReads remove your rating and review of "Vampire Verses: Poems" -- or did you remove it?
Hi, LindaAnn. I didn’t leave a review of Vampire Verses anywhere. I normally don’t leave reviews of books I edit or accepted at Twisted Dreams Press.
There were more reviews yesterday, Dawn, so I was trying to figure out whose was missing. Thanks for clarifying.
OMG, it's so true! Social media, newsletters, etc can take a huge chunk out of your time. I know all about it. In fact, writing often takes less time....😆
Yep. And we wonder why we can never get much writing done. 😩
And really, how many sales do we actually make due to social media? It's hard to say.
Why was Twitter always blocking you, Dawn? That sounds frustrating. I will never give up Twitter / X because Twitter offers a very important function that BlueSky lacks: the ability to send images back and forth PRIVATELY to the artist I am working with. If not for Twitter's functionality, I could not have worked so closely with Guilia in Italy to complete the drawings for "Vampire Verses: Poems." As you know, I work with many artists to create a unique author portrait for my back cover and to illustrate my poetry books - - - - because books without interior art or photos are too commonplace. One reason children's books have enduring popularity: THE ART INSIDE, which appeals to everyone.