I received an email the other day. It came in the form of a "Book Recommendation." I'm going to be merciful and not share the author's name, but here's a snippet.
I have never been very good at self-promotion, so a 2009 resolution to work harder at has produced this message. Apologies for the spam, but it is the only way... I would be flattered at least if you would take a moment to look at...
If you guessed that this author recommended his own book, you guessed correctly. You guessed with much more accuracy than Mr. X who apparently thinks (rather touchingly)in this day and age when everyone I know bitches about too much email, and too much spam, and too much Blatant Self Promotion, that because he's having problems promoting himself, none of the rules apply.
Wrong Mr. X. Not only did I not go check out your book, I blocked you from the friend list of whatever group that was.
But I feel for Mr. X. I do. We've all been there. There are so many of us out here flogging our books in the quickly shrinking cyberspace. What can we do to make readers notice us? How can we convince them that ours is the book to take a chance on?
Well, first of all -- and this is the lesson no one wants to learn -- it takes a while. It doesn't happen overnight. And by "not overnight" I mean that it can take years. With promotion, you're going for a cumulative effect. It has to build up. You have to try different things.
But while you're trying different things, avoid doing the rude stuff that everyone tells you not to do -- because although you may be feeling desperate and what-the-hell! believe me...this stuff does not result in name recognition the way you would hope.
So here's 5 absolutely inexpensive but practical ways to increase your name recognition to potential readers. And this stuff does pay off. In the long run. There is no short run.
1) Make sure your email name/addy is that of your pen name. It's called name recognition, folks. So why on earth are you posting on discussion lists as KrisandBobMarciano when your pen name is Amber Galore? It's going to take readers twice as long to work out that KrisandBob are actually Amber -- and that Amber writes stuff they might want to read.
2) Simplify your sig file. Think of your sig file as your business card rather than your resume. For one thing...your resume isn't as impressive as you think. For another, people with impressive resumes don't go around waving them under other people's noses. For a third thing, the longer the sig file, the less chance anyone is reading it. Never mind that a lot of people find long sig files annoying (which is why mailing lists often put limits on the length), the eye just naturally skips over a jumble of titles and publishers and links. You don't want an invisible sig file, you want to make it simple so that a potential reader might actually click and go to your website. Make the link(s) in your sig file live, and change your sig file regularly. Keep it short.
Example
========================================
http://www.joshlanyon.com/
http://jgraeme2007.livejournal.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/JoshLanyon
3)Take part in online chats and discussions, but don't introduce yourself to a group by saying you've written a book they're all going to love to read. Most of the time you're talking largely to a group of other writers -- who are about as entranced and awed by the idea of yet another writer joining to flog her/his wares as you are thrilled by the idea of sitting down to read the phone book aloud. Seriously. Get over yourself. Would you burst into a room and shove your book under someone's nose? If you join an actual discussion list (I don't mean one of these promo list thingies) then be prepared to discuss, to take part, to join in conversations. Otherwise you're not only wasting your time, you're annoying people.
4) Quit spamming your "friends." Come on. The first three book releases you had, we were all excited for you, but the fact that you're still emailing people WHO HAVE NOT SUBSCRIBED TO YOUR MAILING LIST -- people you don't talk to at any other time -- to tell us how superduper thrilled you are...? You're not even convincing yourself at this point -- let alone us. Or do I mean...let us alone. Either way, this is just bad manners. Stop. If I wanted to be on your mailing list, I'd have joined your mailing list.
5) Write every book to the absolute best of your ability. As much as we'd all like to think that the fault lies with our stars -- and the fact that our publishers can't afford to spend a bunch of money promoting us, the fact is, not every book is going to click with every reader. Just because it was published doesn't mean it's going to take off for you or be a big hit if you can just get people to read it. People may read it and think...okay. Fine. Next. That's pretty much what happens. Most books are enjoyed but don't...change anyone's life. Some of your books will be more popular than others. If your books are consistently high quality (or they have that storytelling something that can't be defined, that sometimes has nothing to do with good writing), then you will begin to build your readership.
Feel free to share your own tips for building (positive) name recognition.
11 comments:
Great Tips!
Thanks, Koko!
I like that "email name matches your actual name" thing. I think I might be an offender in that category.
I suppose I would suggest offering solid content in group posts as a way to be remembered. But I think we all might do well to think outside the box on this one-- and by "box" I mean the lighted display of one's own computer screen. Although online promotion is completely fantasic (and also mostly free) there are other avenues for exposure. Conventions are a great venues for authors. I would encourage any M/M author to attend yaoicon in order to get a good solid look at the next generation of readers and consider your own promotion options.
Man, I spelled so badly in that last post that I practically reached ESL levels. Sorry!
NK
Great tips, Josh!
We need to channel all these sensible points if we want to be a success. And we need posts like this to bring it all home to us!
Another thing I find has worked well for me is the online networking. I don’t have experience of the mainstream print market, but this seems to be critical on the e-circuit. I’m posting here from the *me* POV, of course.
I’m very clear that, in my opinion, it’s still the *writing* that’s of paramount importance – if that’s no good, or could be improved, no amount of blogging is going to get me a place in a person’s bookshelf, let alone heart. You might get a first sale from catching someone’s eye, but you probably won’t get another.
And even if I have a good product, I don’t think I have to be online all day, every day, running potential readers ragged and irritating the ones I *do* have. Hell, I hope so, because I’m still juggling it all with a full time day job *lol* and I spend enough time online already! Some people hate the interaction or don’t feel confident with it. It can work for or against you – and it distracts from writing, too, which I assume is our first love.
But meeting and corresponding *virtually* with other people can be really beneficial.
Gets me known as an author, as a pen name, as a contributor to events and a support to other authors and causes (subject to the same comments as above, about irritating the hell out of people!)
Personally, I’ve met friends whom I hope are here for the long term – and not always because we like each other’s fiction! Directly and indirectly, I’ve gained technical support to help develop my writing, and practical guidance about where to pitch and market it. And contacts, too, for future business. Because that’s what it is, a business, if that’s the way I want my writing to go. However much I love the characters for themselves, I want to share them.
I think if you’re a good author, you need to keep yourself grounded in life, too – or what do you write about? And that’s the wealth of source material that is human nature!
The important thing for me is I know where to go – for potential readers, it’s that they know how to find me.
Did I stray off topic? Did I get pompous?? Sorry! LOL
Great post, thanks!
And maybe I *should* have paid that exorbitant amount to the registered owner of the website address for *my* pen name dot com. It just stuck in my craw at the time!
Man, I spelled so badly in that last post that I practically reached ESL levels. Sorry!
Heh. I'm going to refrain from saying in sententious tones...and every time we post our writing skill is one display
Seeing that I'm just as bad.
there are other avenues for exposure. Conventions are a great venues for authors. I would encourage any M/M author to attend yaoicon in order to get a good solid look at the next generation of readers and consider your own promotion options.
Yes, absolutely! One thing I've started thinking about when I post or promo is whether this audience is more likely to be an ebook audience or a print audience, because yes, I think the approach needs to be tailored somewhat. And there are opportunities for print promo that don't work as well for ebooks -- and vice versa.
Another thing I find has worked well for me is the online networking. I don’t have experience of the mainstream print market, but this seems to be critical on the e-circuit. I’m posting here from the *me* POV, of course.
But you're right. Networking with other authors is hugely beneficial -- I've made real life friendships from networking on line.
And interacting with readers -- it can be a two-edged sword, but in general I think it's beneficial. Sometimes readers learn more than they wanted to and it interferes with that suspension of disbelief (that's happened for me in a few cases; I can no longer separate the writer from the work so I don't read the work).
But if the interactions are positive, it further fosters reader loyalty.
I’m very clear that, in my opinion, it’s still the *writing* that’s of paramount importance – if that’s no good, or could be improved, no amount of blogging is going to get me a place in a person’s bookshelf, let alone heart. You might get a first sale from catching someone’s eye, but you probably won’t get another.
This is so true. So painfully true. Time and consistent quality are the basic ingredients of success.
And even if I have a good product, I don’t think I have to be online all day, every day, running potential readers ragged and irritating the ones I *do* have. Hell, I hope so, because I’m still juggling it all with a full time day job *lol* and I spend enough time online already!
It's a fine line. You have to get your name out there but you cannot overexpose yourself or readers will see your name and have an avoidance reaction. It happens.
And, I agree, no amount of promotion will convince someone who doesn't like your writing that they're wrong and should keep buying you anyway.
Some people hate the interaction or don’t feel confident with it. It can work for or against you – and it distracts from writing, too, which I assume is our first love.
Yes. It does. Time is our greatest resource, and we have to spend it wisely. Most of it needs to go to making the writing as powerful as we can get it. But, by the same measure, you're writing can be the best that's out there, but if no one ever heard of you...it's the one hand clapping thing. Is it still a good book if no one is reading it?
But meeting and corresponding *virtually* with other people can be really beneficial.
Gets me known as an author, as a pen name, as a contributor to events and a support to other authors and causes (subject to the same comments as above, about irritating the hell out of people!)
Personally, I’ve met friends whom I hope are here for the long term – and not always because we like each other’s fiction! Directly and indirectly, I’ve gained technical support to help develop my writing, and practical guidance about where to pitch and market it. And contacts, too, for future business. Because that’s what it is, a business, if that’s the way I want my writing to go. However much I love the characters for themselves, I want to share them.
Friends help each other. But, in general, writers help each other -- this is what I've always found to be true, and what I try and repay by practicing the same. I believe there is plenty of room for all of us in this genre. Your success does not lessen my chances to succeed, my popularity will not diminish yours.
I think some people have trouble grasping this simple concept. There is room for all of us to be successful.
I think if you’re a good author, you need to keep yourself grounded in life, too – or what do you write about? And that’s the wealth of source material that is human nature!
Boy, you're just hitting point after point dear to my heart! *g*
The important thing for me is I know where to go – for potential readers, it’s that they know how to find me.
Especially in this shrinking economy when people are being very careful about "luxuries." We have to find ways to make books a necessity.
Did I stray off topic? Did I get pompous?? Sorry! LOL
Great points, I thought!
Great post, thanks!
And maybe I *should* have paid that exorbitant amount to the registered owner of the website address for *my* pen name dot com. It just stuck in my craw at the time!
I know. Believe me, I know...but yes, the website addy is another one.
JL- That's happened for me in a few cases; I can no longer separate the writer from the work so I don't read the work
NK- Really? How do you mean?
NK- Really? How do you mean?
Well, for example...you find out someone has rabid politcal reviews you absolutely disagree with, or you get in an ugly argument with someone on a discussion list somewhere, or they're a little too forthcoming about their personal life, and you start seeing the writer in the story instead of characters. I do NOT want to picture a fellow writer in bed. Even the really cute ones.
Great tips. I particularly like the one about the signature line and also about writing the next good book.
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