Apparently book sales are also like that illusive butterfly. We all strive to market our books and attract some attention in the hope of achieving a few sales. I have a feeling most of us aren't happy with the results we're getting. Maybe because we're going about it all wrong.
I read a post the other day on this topic. It was called "Please shut up: Why self-promotion as an author doesn't work." You can click on the title to go to the blog, but basically what the author is saying is we can blog, post and tweet our little brains out on social media, but no one is listening. No one on social media wants to be sold something. Her theory is the only good social media does is to connect with people. We should talk about topics that interest us and create friendships--not try to pimp our books. In doing so, maybe those people will think, "Gee, she seems like a nice person. Maybe I should go buy her book!" We shouldn't push ourselves on people. We should lure them in instead. She used a fishing analogy, but I'm picturing myself leaving a trail of breadcrumbs through the woods... Okay, I guess that makes me the evil witch in the gingerbread house! LOL
Her other point is that we should quit worrying about marketing and just write good books. To succeed, we need a superior product plus the key ingredient...luck. I've given this some thought, and I fear this woman is spot on. Blogging, posting and tweeting about my books really hasn't worked very well when it comes to sales. But I've made a lot of great author friends in the process. Too bad most of us don't have a lot of time to read because we're too busy marketing and squeezing in writing time around the edges. I do enjoy posting the occasional photo of my kids on Facebook. They usually get way more comments and likes than book posts attract. So, should we all simply stop trying to promote on social media and just write great books? Then there's that other all important ingredient... You might want to ask yourself, in the immortal words of Dirty Harry, "Do you feel lucky?"
And now, if you've followed my trail of breadcrumbs and think I'm a nice person...go buy my latest book! LOL It's available on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Or, leave a comment to tell us what you think about marketing books on social media. Should we all just shut up?
18 comments:
Truer words were never written. Now all that's left is to follow our own advice. BTW, folks, this is also one terrific book. Well edited, ahem.
Jannine, it's hard to follow this advice, isn't it? I have a friend who makes most of her money in selling locally (book sales at events of all sorts). She's developed a short motivational speech and sells 50 or more books at each event. Point is, no one is going to come knocking at our doors to buy our books...so some kind of marketing has to happen. I'm selling at two different Starbucks this summer...where I know the managers. I do think the personal approach works...and I am definitely going to buy your book!
Thanks, Margo...my editing guru!
Rolynn, I did several book signings with my very first release (which was actually this book in it's original incarnation!) Sold a bunch locally. After that, the novelty of me being a author wore off with local friends, and future book signings weren't nearly as successful. Problem is, my area is so small, I don't have a large pool of readers to draw from. I wish you heaps of luck with your Starbucks adventure. You're right that we have to keep trying something...but maybe it's time to retire the same old same old strategies that aren't working.
You're right about the one-time factor. We find out quickly who, amongst the locals, are readers of our books. Others will buy a book the first time to be supportive, but after that... The cost of $ and time to take books on the road...prohibitive. I've joined two writing groups to make more friends...like you say, we need to try new things.
Rolynn, I found a local author's group down in Reno to join, but we rarely meet. I've found my online groups are far more active. Sounds like you're putting yourself out there with the new strategies. Go you!
Great post! I wish there was a magic marketing formula, but seems like so much is trial and error...and luck. :)
Agree completely, Jannine. The point of social media is to be social. I get the most engagement when I talk about my personal life (kids, husband, etc.). When I post about my books, or even my day job, unless it's a funny story in some way, it's ho-hum for the most part. People don't like to be "sold."
I read the same article and agreed with every word. The appeal of Twitter completely escapes me, but when I do look at it, I see nothing but sales pitches. Some days my FB feed seems to be at least half-full of BUY MY BOOK pleas. Now many of these are from my author friends, but as you said, we simply don't have time to read all each others' books. Over the years I've tried nearly everything, but the only marketing activity that made much difference was to give away 20K free books. That produced maybe 100 extra sales in the following month. I've decided not to beat myself up about it anymore. There's a lot to be said for the magic want of luck.
Hi Maureen, Luck seems to play a huge part in this business...the one thing we have no control over!
Leah, exactly, but we keep selling ourselves--or trying to--on social media because we don't know where else to turn. Used to be the publishers did the selling instead of the authors. Since that's no longer the case, we're all struggling to reach a broader market. Maybe the answer to promoting on social media is subliminal instead of "in your face." Might be something to try.
Alison, the free book route is also the only thing I've ever done that had a significant impact on sales. However, that was nearly two years ago. The free book giveaways I've done since then have produced almost no sales. The magic of free is gone--lost in a smothering blanket of free product. I think most people who download free books never bother to read them because they literally have thousands on their Kindles, so residual sales from that source just aren't happening anymore. On to the next big trend in marketing...whatever that may be...
Jannine: Marketing and promoting our books is hard work. I've often wondered just how much our efforts pay off. Maybe writing that next wonder-book will do the trick! Great post!
I think a big factor is the huge number of available books. Publishers used to control when, where and how many titles were released. Now there is no gate-keeper, and no limit to the number of books available. I think the supply has overwhelmed the demand. That's why free books don't help...that and the fact that Amazon changed the way free books factored into rankings. Anyway, it's a theory.
Susan, the next great book is the theory behind the article--and luck! Don't forget about the luck!
I agree, Leah. So many books are released each day by tons of publishers and indie authors. Every Move She Makes was one of about 20 books released by Kensington on March 31. No wonder we can't get noticed!
I wonder if having a terrific book is even an answer. Lots of books with glowing reviews are not selling either. It's frustrating, and discouraging. I've had two friends leave FB just this week claiming that it's more media than social (too many ads!) Authors are forced to advertise on personal pages because they may have a thousand followers on their professional page, but only twenty get to hear about their newest release. It's difficult to sit and do nothing while your book doesn't sell, so, yes, you over-do it. Wish I knew the answer. It does seem that books with specific niches do well.
I think your niche theory has a lot of potential, MJ. My best selling book is my historical Salem witchcraft book. It's been out 11 months and still sees consistent (if small) sales. I do almost nothing to market it at this point. I can only assume that people looking for that particular subject are searching and finding it. Granted, not a lot of people, but it's something!
Late, as always, but this is an excellent post. I agree also, to a degree. :) However, unfortunately, just writing a great book isn't enough. You have to be 'seen.' Yes, being social is necessary, but if you are only social and only post pics of your pets, how are people going to find your books? I don't think there's a magic formula, so I just keep trying various avenues. I think a good mixture of social and sharing your info about your books is the key. I've also heard, over and over, email lists and newsletters are the best form of promo. So, I'm diving into that. :) I heard a keynote address from Eloisa James a year or two ago, and she said authors have to be prepared to market, that in this day and age, it's a must. She is a successful NYT best selling author, yet she said she's 50% author, 50% business woman. If she has to do it, I'm afraid we all do. :( I don't think it's a matter of shoving your book down someone's throat, I think it's a balance of being social, letting your personality shine through (we're marketing ourselves, not our books), offering something once in a while (gift cards are better to offer than books), sharing your book news in a non-pushy way and to keep writing. LOL, sorry about the rambling. :)
I think that's what we've all been doing, Ally. The point this blogger made is that it doesn't work. Yet we all keep doing it out of desperation. I follow a few big selling authors on FB, on their author pages not personal pages. Somehow posts on those pages are being seen. While my FB author page is lucky if 10 people see a post. Frustrating. The mailing lists and news letters are something I haven't tried yet. It might be time!
I thought that article made a lot of sense. We should do what we can--marketwise--and what we're comfortable with. Luck, timing, being at the right place all factors in. I've picked up books because someone I know wrote a great review on Goodreads or wrote on FB that they really enjoyed it. I don't like in-my-face advertising.
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