Market This

For writers and authors we think the journey should end with a lovely shiny completed creation, born of blood, sweat, tears and time. The ‘finished product’ is a symbol of both our pride and fear. It is the moment we say…look what I’ve done…and simultaneously think…bring forth the harsh judgement. It is literally the agony and the ecstasy of the life of creators.

But we create to share. Little point in writing a book and never letting it see the light of day. Although much of my writing life this was the case. I can’t tell you how many things I’ve trashed over the years, that no-one read. I’m calling them the practice years.

I do, however, digress from my purpose. We write, then we beseech, implore and lobby publishers to give our work a look…not even a contract…just please have a read before shredding. Finally a brave individual says ‘yes’ I’ll give you a go but first you must rewrite the whole thing because it needs polishing. That is publishing speak for it’s a bit rough, and that whole chapter has to go and why do you write such long sentences and do you know that isn’t actually a word etc. You may have several rounds of this before you will then be asked to make decisions on the graphics. (Imagine head exploding at this point.)

Months go by and then there it is…you have literally given life to your story. But that is not the end. Someone then says, ‘so what’s your marketing strategy?’ I’d like you to take a long pause at this point and attempt to imagine an incredulous facial expression.  I mean it’s a what the… moment. Marketing strategy? I don’t think I know what that means. I’ve watched Gruen and yes I’ve seen advertising and now I have to something like that?

Yes is the short answer. Take another break here because the disbelief grows. My mind is racing and I’m really not convinced that I’m across all the social media platforms. Does Facebook count? The questioner now embodies derision. It’s an Oscar winning eyeroll of contempt.

The list I’m given includes: Booktok, Instagram, Bookstagram, mailing lists, website, blogs, Threads, Google ads, LinkedIn, podcasts, video ads, audio ads, give aways, content marketing, and read this article on the 52 ways to market. At this point I must lie down as I can’t begin to fathom how to do any of this as well as writing the book I’m meant to be selling. There’s an immediate strategy, a three-month strategy, 6- and 12-month tactics.

Now my question was so naïve and met with silent yet palpable disparagement. ‘But surely the blurb and synopsis are enough to get people to read my book(s)? ‘I could just ask them nicely…word of mouth kind of thing.’

Only to find out that I’m not really marketing the books but something infinitely more terrifying…myself. Not me explicitly but me the author.

‘Are they not the same person?’ I hazard one more question now lying face down trying to block out the new reality of launching my work into, or onto, the world as well as myself.

The silence ushers in a new question. Who am I?

The most terrifying question in human experience. I know what I am and have been, I know what I believe in and that I’m gingery, not very tall, brown eyes, pale skin with little chance of getting a tan. I read lots, I write every day, I like the pool and go to the gym which I know is good for me but I do not like. I can cook, love to laugh, am more reserved than people might realise, love to travel, am deeply introspective and have spent a lifetime trying to appear serene. (I’ve failed at this last one but I’m nothing if not ambitious). I have lost family and friends; the grief is still there but bearable. I’ve never hit anyone despite, at times, desperately wanting to. I once said I felt like running away and living in a cave…the caveat being that it was a luxury cave with a spa and indoor plumbing.  I get wound up about unfairness, bad behaviour, unkindness, treachery, and it would be very wrong to get me started on the Trump years…not a whiff of Zen to be had on that subject. I love my family and friends. I’m loyal and known to be fierce if you hurt my people. And just so everyone knows my ultimate weakness…I love musk Lifesavers! Judge me as you will.

So in all of that, dear marketer, what is of any use? Other than the Lifesavers thing!

Now I enter the long days of online tutorials about the difference between Instagram posts and stories. I’m teaching myself how to edit audio and breathe when using a microphone. I’m creating content! Although I’m mesmerised by the thought that anyone could really care about where I am, what I’m eating and how I spend my days.

And with all that my primary job is to write books. The Aphorism Club will hopefully be out in December. And I’ve started writing the 4^th in the Lily O’Hara series which I hope will be out next year.

Keep an eye out for my work, and my marketing efforts! And if like me, you be something of a ‘socials’ newbie perhaps you could just tell your people to have a read, look at the website and get behind an author who’s reinventing herself!

In the internet world, we know the f-factors: followers, fans, and friends.                                                                                                                      Philip Kotler