Today, I welcome Kathryn Elizabeth Jones to talk about her new book. Authors, wannabe authors and the curious bibliophile can check this one out. Plus there's a giveaway at the end!
Don't Get Weird: Just Market
by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones
I don't know what it is about marketing, but just the thought of it puts most writers into a panic attack.
I should know.
When I began marketing my first book I asked myself questions like:
- What if I waste my money?
- What if I market incorrectly?
- What if I forget to write?
- What if I don't sell anything
Wasting Money
I do believe many people do that very thing. When was the last time you cleaned out your refrigerator only to find lots of food now--green? When was the last time you spent money on an Wasting your money on marketing can be just as scary; but the scare is lessoned when you don't have much of it to spend in the first place. Take it from me, there are so many ways to market, FOR FREE, I might add, that you really don't have to worry about wasting your money.
In my book, Marketing Your Book on a Budget, you'll get just that; low cost and no cost ideas to market. You never, ever have to waste money paying someone to read your book, you don't have to hire a PR guru, and you really don't need to pay for online marketing that others (just as superior) will give you for free. It just takes a little effort to find those places to help you.
Marketing Incorrectly
I really don't think this is possible. Honestly. Say you try something like the good old book signing and only two people show up to buy your book. I can say that because it's happened to me. Are you a failure? Did you market incorrectly? Did the store? Probably not. Do readers know who you are? Maybe not. Does coming to your signing or buying your book overshadow why the reader might have come in to the book store in the first place? Probably not.
Instead of feeling as if you're making mistakes right and left, learn from them. If a certain thing doesn't bring in sales or new writer friends or new book readers, try something else and keep trying until you hit the jackpot. My biggest success? Craft shows.
Forget to Write?
This has happened to me. I get so gung ho on marketing (believe me it's possible once you get going) I forget why I'm a writer in the first place. I like the idea of marketing 20 percent and writing 80 percent. If you've got the numbers switched around, it's time to change them.
Sales
It's the bottom line, right? But maybe not. Maybe, just maybe the bottom line is meeting someone new and getting them interested in your book, about writing, or the weather. Maybe it's about connection before it's about sales. I don't know about you, but being in the top 5 on Amazon is intriguing, but connecting with someone once, twice, even more, is exhilarating.
"I loved ______________(place name of your book in blank)" they say. "Do you have a new one out?" There's nothing to be compared to someone who states, "This book changed my life," or "I can't wait to
There's nothing better than the realization that your writing means something.
About Kathryn Elizabeth Jones
Kathryn Elizabeth Jones is the owner and editor-in-chief at Idea Creations Press, a publishing services company offering writing,
publishing and marketing services to writers and non-writers alike. She is also the author of six books including Marketing Your Book on a Budget, updated yearly.
Learn more at www.ariverofstones.com
Giveaway!
Thanks to the author, 1 paperback is up for grabs! (US/Can)
About the book: How does an author best get book reviews? What of interviews, blogs and social media? How can a new author expect to be seen while crowding the lane with other authors of his/her genre? Marketing Your Book on a Budget is tiny for a reason; any author can afford it. But be prepared for the endless information enclosed.
You'll never wonder again about the best ways to speak up about your book, get free advertising, or learn why postcards can help you get the word out faster and easier than any other way.
Ah! you wrote a book. Can I know which one? Promise not to review it!
ReplyDeleteGreat guest post! I've always been curious about how marketing a novel works, especially if the writer goes through the self-publishing route or likewise. The book sounds very interesting :)
ReplyDeleteI am entering your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great to win a copy of
Marketing Your Book on a Budget by Kathryn Elizabeth Jones.
I have always been curious about what happens
when you write a book and how to get it out to the public.
Thank you for having this giveaway!!!!!!!