AUTHOR MUSINGS
Some words of wisdom
Playing with Waves 25th Jan 2021 Podcast Version >>
This is not about the wet, everchanging, life-giving, salty version but the metaphorical vast ocean of marketing that leaves many of us indie authors sticking out heads in the sand, and flicking our books out into the world with fingers crossed and a whisper of hope.
In July 2020 I wrote a blog about marketing and I thought the steps I was aiming to take were hard ones. I was proud I managed to ask others to help me share the news of my book ‘Colours of Rain.’ I was delighted when I created some ‘adverts’ through bookbrush and I do love writing the blog every week.
Although I was merely allowing the foamy edge of the waves tickle my toes while my feet sank into the soft warm sand, there were results. A little flurry of sales, the trickle of precious reviews (the validation all creatives crave) and a few people even signed up to my email list on my website.
How wonderful.
But then the wave retreated, and I was left with sand between my toes and not much else. Certainly, no more book sales.
I needed to roll up my trousers and allow the next wave to reach…well, I think it may have splashed my ankles.
I went wide- this means I was no longer exclusive to amazon and when I published ‘Intimate Lines’ nothing happened.
Did I launch it with champagne on a luxury yacht?
No. Not even a folded paper boat. All I had done was drop it onto the beach. My book was just one more grain of sand washed out into an ocean of stories.
I began a podcast, and this has been not only fun to learn and enjoyable to create but has increased the nibbles of interest on my website.
But no book sales.
Standing in the shallows I shivered and made ‘Lunch is too short for Long Stories, volume one’ permafree on as many eBook outlets as possible.
Result.
People were downloading my book and I stepped back onto the shore, looking for pretty shiny reviews that have not yet appeared.
What can I do? What are my next steps?
I know I’m not deep enough, but the water is cold and it threatens to drag me under as I flounder in all the information bobbing around me.
I talk to a writer friend via zoom. Her first question is,’ How are the book sales?’
There is shock and almost a hint of anger on her face as I reply, ‘Nothing, but that’s okay. My free book is being downloaded.’
‘It’s not okay. They are great stories,’ she says. ‘My granddaughter was enthralled by ‘Colours of Rain.’ What are you doing to promote your books? How’s the email list developing? Have you a free book, a magnet for readers?’
‘Um, not really.’ I say. ‘I’m working on it.’ I look down at my hands.
‘Do you not think your stories deserve to be read? I’ve a plan for the launch of my first book. Did you even launch Intimate Lines?’
‘Um…well. I’ve been waiting for the paperback to be ready.’ It’s an excuse and she knows it.
‘We’ve been conditioned since childhood to be modest,’ she says. ‘But now it’s time to be honest with yourself and then the world. You’re a good writer, Jenni.’
A tear threatens as I taste the salty truth. I need to change my mindset and take marketing and myself more seriously if I want people to read my stories.
Many people have enjoyed my writing in different forms through social media and writing groups, surely, I cannot continue to crave validation. Why can’t I stand up and say…? It’s a struggle to even write it down.
Here goes.
‘I am a good writer, and my stories deserve more than being dropped into the sand in the hope that someone will pick them up. They deserve investment, both in time and money, they deserve to be read.’
There, that was not so difficult, not really.
My friend takes my hand and walks with me to the edge of the sea and we watch the waves for a moment. (Don’t worry, social distancing and masks are not needed in this virtual scenario.) She tells me of her plans, and I realise I’ve been seeing this all wrong.
I don’t need to fear the waves.
I need to create them.
Here are the waves I plan to create over the next month –
1. Collecting reviews for Intimate Lines to use in advertising
There are many credible review possibilities including bookbloggers but for now I have chosen Reedsy Discovery because all the dealings I have had with this company – editors and illustrators - have been professional.
There are mixed feelings about Reedsy Discovery on chat rooms and blogs, especially as it costs (although if your book isn’t chosen for review you are refunded) but so far so good for me - I uploaded my manuscript one morning and by the evening someone had agreed to read and review it.
There is more than just reviewing on Reedsy Discovery but I will do a blog post at a later date when I’ve been through the process.
2. Looking at automated email systems
These are companies where you can set up a series of emails which are triggered by someone clicking on your sign-up form. As I’ve so few subscribers I’ve been sending out the emails myself and it’s not easy to remember sometimes.
I’m researching Mailchimp and Mailerlite
Here is one review on both companies.
https://jessicathiefels.com/blog/mailerlite-vs-mailchimp/
3. Setting up a reader magnet
This is something you create to give away for free to say thank you for signing up to your email list. It’s a tried and tested method to entice people into your writing world. There are many blogs which explain more – here’s one.
https://www.janefriedman.com/convert-readers-to-email-subscribers/
I realise I have three reader magnets already- I have been thinking about this for a while, but not done anything with them.
I think one needs to be linked into the automated email system and the others need to be on a ‘Subscribers Only’ page on the website for exclusive content linked to published and to be published books. I can add to this page when I want and let subscribers know when anything new is posted.
And the best part is I don’t have to do anything technical- I have a tech-hubby.
4. Paid advertising
This one still makes me squirm but I will be researching facebook, amazon, bookbub etc.
I’ll make the time to listen and read more from an expert. I think I’ll start with -
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/
And that’s my plan for now.
Once I can venture out of my cosy bubble I will think about bookshops, schools, and networking with other authors in my local area.
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