I joined Twitter the day before yesterday. Tweet Yeah, me. After I said I'd never add my voice to ever increasing volume of white noise that surrounds us.
So what changed my mind? A couple of things. I think maybe first and foremost, my sibs are on Twitter and when I was expressing my dismay over this fact, they came back with, "In your business you're crazy not to be on Twitter."
In your business.
Oh yeah.
THAT.
Like all writers I know, I spend a lot of time (when I'm not wracking my brains for a new way to say the same thing after already saying it thirty plus times) wondering about the best way -- or any way -- to reach new readers. New target readers. Meaning the kind of reader who will actually read a gay erotic mystery or adventure and enjoy it. Targeting all mystery readers or all erotic reeaders or all readers is a common mistake of newbie (or desperate) writers. I know I need to focus my efforts, but how and where?
And so I experiment. And Twitter is one of those bubbling green fluids in my brimming test tube.
The other thing that changed my mind -- or at least opened it -- was when I started thinking of Twitter as a news feed as opposed to merely yet another social network. Not that social networks aren't fun, but these days I need to combine my fun with business. That's just how it is at this stage of the game.
When I saw the organizations and people I could subscribe to (AKA "follow") I admit I was kind of excited. I'm currently following Food and Wine magazine, The New Yorker, the Smithsonian...and a lot of my fellow writers. And...well, it's fun. More fun than I thought it would be, as a matter of fact.
Oddly enough it feels even looser and more friendly than Face Book, and its short format makes it easier to chat and share passing random thoughts about everything from what I'm hearing on the news to what I'm working on. It's...well, interesting. And it's yet another way to network and promote, which is what I need. What we all need to succeed in a very competitive field.
But that started me thinking how vital is promotion? Is it possible to network and promote a dog of a book into a bestseller? I used to think not, but evidence seems to indicate otherwise. I can see that it might work for a book or two, but can you promote your way into a successful writing career even if you can't write?
Is it possible to over-promote? I think so. There are writers I refuse to consider merely because they get so much acclaim and I just think...well, I don't like them and I probably wouldn't like their work. I mean, I don't know them, chances are I would like them since everyone seems to, but it's an example of how promo and marketing can backfire. I actually prefer it when certain things I love are mostly undiscovered except by me and a handful of folks in the know. Is that a weird thing? Probably.
Or is it all so subjective that really everyone can write, and there's no such thing as a bad book, and maybe it's all just me? That particular book just isn't for me? (I don't believe that, for the record, but YMMV.)
Enywhooooooo, inquiring minds want to know. And since it's a while since I've done a giveaway here at Loose Ends, I'm offering a free cyber set of the Dangerous Ground books -- Dangerous Ground, Old Poison, and the brand new release Blood Heat -- to a randomly selected commenter. So comment! Share your thoughts.
Oh, er, and don't forget to follow me on, er, Tweet.
Oct 21, 2010
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28 comments:
I think I know what you mean about wanting to avoid something because you've heard it praised or promoted so often, and certainly people who use Twitter *just* as a promotion space start to grate. That said, I think if you use it as a *person* not a marketing machine it can be both fun and useful. know I've bought books because the author's name is familiar from Twitter and because I feel like I know them a bit.
@justinemusk has a lot of very smart things to say about social media, marketing, and writing :D
Yes, I think a combination of both works best -- regardless of the social media or where you choose to promote. I get so tired of the endless stream of promo, and that's what I was afraid Twitter would be. But actually, there's more conversation there than at some of these other sites. Who knew?
I don't have a twitter account so I wouldn't know anything about all that but I do think it's great you have one. I know a lot of people who prefer it over FB.
I don't think someone can make a successful writing career just by promoting a horrible book. Yes, I think they could make their book a bestseller but if the books not good, chances are people won't buy another book from the same author. I've known some authors that made the bestseller's list but the book wasn't good and the books after it weren't good either. (That's what I get for buying a series before even reading the first book). Being a bestseller doesn't mean you are a great writer. Good reviews means you're a good writer, imo.
And I do think there is such a thing as over-promoting. I'm in a lot of yahoo and google groups and there's a lot of authors who post excerpts on there, which I have no problem with because that's how I learn when a new book is out, but when they keep posting the same excerpt every other day until the release (which a majority of the time is weeks away) I get annoyed and it makes me not want to read the book because if the author keeps posting the same one over and over, there must be a reason, right? Lmao. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks that.
Imo, I don't think everyone can write. There is such a thing as a bad book but then again, everyone has different tastes. When a majority of people think a certain book sucks, there might just be that one person who absolutely loves it. (I think I was just talking in circles there, lmao)
mercedes791@live.com
I don't have a twitter account so I wouldn't know anything about all that but I do think it's great you have one. I know a lot of people who prefer it over FB.
It's fun, but I can see that I need to restrict myself to checking only a couple of times a day. Six hours into my day and I've got NOTHING done.
I don't think someone can make a successful writing career just by promoting a horrible book. Yes, I think they could make their book a bestseller but if the books not good, chances are people won't buy another book from the same author.
I think that's true in particular if the first book is weak. I know plenty of readers bitch about established bestsellers who seem to have lost their way, but if that first book or two is lame I just can't see how promotion would save the day.
I've known some authors that made the bestseller's list but the book wasn't good and the books after it weren't good either. (That's what I get for buying a series before even reading the first book). Being a bestseller doesn't mean you are a great writer. Good reviews means you're a good writer, imo.
Depending on the reviews and the reviewers, I think a consensus of opinion is useful for book buyers. But then the web has changed the whole review dynamic now too.
And I do think there is such a thing as over-promoting. I'm in a lot of yahoo and google groups and there's a lot of authors who post excerpts on there, which I have no problem with because that's how I learn when a new book is out, but when they keep posting the same excerpt every other day until the release (which a majority of the time is weeks away) I get annoyed
I have to admit this drives me nuts too. Every day, every single freaking list, and the same book with a thousand mentions from the same author. ARGHHHHHHH!
Have mercy on us and break it up a little.
and it makes me not want to read the book because if the author keeps posting the same one over and over, there must be a reason, right? Lmao. Maybe I'm the only one who thinks that.
Well, there's also the problem that after a time people reading these lists develop a blind eye to a lot of the promo.
Imo, I don't think everyone can write. There is such a thing as a bad book but then again, everyone has different tastes. When a majority of people think a certain book sucks, there might just be that one person who absolutely loves it. (I think I was just talking in circles there, lmao)
No, you're right. If only enthusiasm and passion = talent and skill, the world would be an easier and happier place. But it doesn't and so that one single reader who likes your stuff can be the difference between despair and validation.
I was sort of like you about twitter too, but you know what, I do like it much better than FB. At times, that is. I like the fact that I can make lists of people are close personal friends so I don't have to scroll through all the other tweets to see what they've posted.
Welcome aboard, fellow tweeter!
Ohhhh and remember this important piece of advice--hashtag! They really work.
Ah! The list thing. I'd forgotten all about that till now. Yes! Great idea.
I still haven't worked out the hashtags. Well, actually I haven't worked out almost any of it yet. But it's fun figuring it out as I go. Maybe not so fun for everyone subjected to my learning curve. ;-P
It'll come to you. #amwriting #amplotting #plotting #commentingonlooseendsblog . It becomes almost a game after awhile. You'll do wonderful with it! :D
I don't use any of the social networking sites. I can't afford the time drain and I have security concerns with some of them.
Now, as for promotion itself, yes it can be useful. I know I've looked at and bought books I met in author or publisher promotions. I have some must buys that I met through promotions.
If you are going to promote through a social network site, it seems like you would want to promote differently than at a group or third-party blog. A promotion celebrating completing a story or a new title going onsale is a bit less heavy handed than a hard sell sales pitch. I'm not sure that hard sell pitches work well anywhere these days. They seem to sound just a little too desperate.
Invite feedback and pay attention to it, even if it isn't kind or nice. You can delete the stuff that's spam or thoughtless rants, but respect and THANK the dissenting opinions that took the time to give you an honest criticism.
Hate to say this but I don't Twitter and I don't have a Facebook page. Most of my online time is spent at the Yahoo groups and checking blogs.
I won't avoid a book of author just because of the amount of promotion. For me all my book buying decisions are made based on the blurb(I don't even read reviews til after my decision is made). The exposure a book gets through promotion may bring it to my attention sooner that my own research may, but the promotion doesn't affect whether I buy the book.
Will say over promotion can get annoying though. When I visit say 10 blogs and eight of them all have posts about the same book within a day or so of each other, it gets boring and annoying. I actually stopped visiting as many blogs as I used to because of all the repetition. Which is a bad thing for the blog owners.
carolcobun(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hi Josh! thanks for takin time outta your busy day to chat with us. I have a Twitter acct but dont use it much I cant seem to catch on to the chats...but, I am technically challenged...*grin* I had a FB acct for 2 years before I added friends, just a little slow this hillbilly.
I do think an author, as well as an actor, singer or sportsfigure, can be over-promoted. When I begin everyday with the same persons name all over the tv,radio, newspaper and network and then finish the day heargin about that same person....the last thing I wanna do is buy their book, watch their tv show or movie or watch them play sports...*grin* I just dont like havin a "somebody" shoved down my throat day in and day out...I mean really I need to breathe and swallow....*grin*
I, too, believe that an author can sell a dud thru promotion but they couldna build a career on that...as people would wise up! But, that said, what one person considers crap another considers Pulitzer material....soooo, it just re-enforces that we are a diverse group....thank goodness!!!
Thanks for the chance to chat with ya and for a chance a great prize!
Have a good one and the weekend is comin....*grin*
jo
dont know whether ya need this or not:
johannasnodgrass(at)yahoo(dot)com
I said I'd never join Facebook and I have. Though the number of 'friends' I have is somewhat pathetic.I also said I'd never Tweet but like you I'm reconsidering - partly because I think my facebook comments are more like tweets.
Reaching new readers - ah the holy grail. In a way, because of what you write - you have a more straightforward job of promotion. If you like gay books, and you like mysteries and adventures - and you like to read talented male authors - Josh Lanyon is the guy for you. See - I'm promoting you!!!If you write erotic romance like me - MF and MFM - with a touch of humor - what makes me stand out from the crowd? Only a well-written book I fear. Then I have to make the next even better.
I gave up posting excerpts because I hate seeing the same one keep coming up in group after group. I just don't read any of them anymore. So - yes, I think you can overpromote. My perverse nature makes me NOT want to read them.
Can you succeed with bad books that are well promoted? I think you can because as you said - tastes are different. We don't all like the same thing - thank goodness, so a bad book for me might be a good book for you. Eat Pray Love being a case in point. Didn't get it, didn't like it but I fully understand that many people love it so I have to accept that's the case with my stories too. Not everyone will 'get' them, not everyone will find them funny.
Though badly written books, I suspect, won't survive any amount of promotion beyond a couple of books. If they don't sell, the publishers won't ask for more from the writer. There's a difference between books we might not like and books that are plain rubbish.
Thanks, Judith. I'm making notes on the hashmark thingie now.
Now, as for promotion itself, yes it can be useful. I know I've looked at and bought books I met in author or publisher promotions. I have some must buys that I met through promotions.
I think promotion is a necessity in our game. No question. Writing is a business as well as an art, and promotion is part of any business plan.
If you are going to promote through a social network site, it seems like you would want to promote differently than at a group or third-party blog. A promotion celebrating completing a story or a new title going onsale is a bit less heavy handed than a hard sell sales pitch.
It's all so transparent these days. The squealing over each and every halfway decent review, the ohmygod I just sold my 11th book!!!!, the whining over a bad review...it was one thing in the early days of the web, but now we all see this stuff for what it is, and it's lame.
And I'm not even saying that the promotion is bad, I just prefer to keep the promo separate from the social -- and keep it specific to the particular venue.
I'm not sure that hard sell pitches work well anywhere these days. They seem to sound just a little too desperate.
Well, they don't work on me, and I do think given how many new writers vanish into the abyss each season, they probably don't work overall.
Invite feedback and pay attention to it, even if it isn't kind or nice.
Yes and no.
There are all kinds of things it's great to get random advice on. But not on your writing itself. I teach writing and I've been writing professionally for twenty some years. Should you listen to me? Yes. I think so. But that's just my opinion. I see these poor newbies with their heads spinning because they get all this contradictory advice -- a lot of it from people as inexperienced as themselves. You need to balance listening to your gut with listening to people with the credentials. Everyone else, you need to tune out.
That, again, is about the writing itself. The craft and career path. When it comes to the other stuff, listen to your fan base...I always listen to what my readers have to say. Am I going to do another C&C novel because readers want it? No. But it's always good to listen to them.
You can delete the stuff that's spam or thoughtless rants, but respect and THANK the dissenting opinions that took the time to give you an honest criticism.
If you asked for their feedback, yes. Absolutely. No point asking for honest opinions if you don't really want them.
What is it with Blogger posting my long comments three times!?
Sorry about that.
Hate to say this but I don't Twitter and I don't have a Facebook page. Most of my online time is spent at the Yahoo groups and checking blogs.
But that's why it's necessary to do a variety of things to promote your work, and not just focus on one little thing like...Twitter. One size does not fit all.
I won't avoid a book of author just because of the amount of promotion. For me all my book buying decisions are made based on the blurb(I don't even read reviews til after my decision is made).
Blurb and cover decide the vast, vast majority of first time book purchases. Fact.
The exposure a book gets through promotion may bring it to my attention sooner that my own research may, but the promotion doesn't affect whether I buy the book.
I think you've really hit on something here -- something that I wish more writers understood. It might calm them down. It's the appearance and description of the book not the BUYME, BUYME, BUYME that works.
That's why it's important to pick good titles and write catchy blurbs and get good cover art.
Will say over promotion can get annoying though. When I visit say 10 blogs and eight of them all have posts about the same book within a day or so of each other, it gets boring and annoying. I actually stopped visiting as many blogs as I used to because of all the repetition. Which is a bad thing for the blog owners.
The problem is, we all center our promo efforts around a new release, which is logical, so everything pops up at once. Plus reviewers review the new books, so inevitably a slew of reviews will materialize at the same time. Reviewers compete too. They want to be the first or the review that gets quoted in the promo material or on the author website, and for that to happen they can't be last out of the gate.
I believe the theory is it takes about 12 mentions these days for a book or title or author to register on an audience's consciousness. Maybe some folks tend to think if they shout louder, they can make a better impression.
I do think an author, as well as an actor, singer or sportsfigure, can be over-promoted. When I begin everyday with the same persons name all over the tv,radio, newspaper and network and then finish the day heargin about that same person....the last thing I wanna do is buy their book, watch their tv show or movie or watch them play sports...*grin* I just dont like havin a "somebody" shoved down my throat day in and day out...I mean really I need to breathe and swallow....*grin*
Like certain songs you hear on the radio. At first, they're kind of catchy. Then pretty soon you want to carve your ears off when the song comes on. *g*
I, too, believe that an author can sell a dud thru promotion but they couldna build a career on that...as people would wise up! But, that said, what one person considers crap another considers Pulitzer material....soooo, it just re-enforces that we are a diverse group....thank goodness!!!
This is why writer paranoia and rivalry is a silly thing. There really is room for all of us. My success doesn't mean someone else's failure -- or vice versa.
Thanks for the chance to chat with ya and for a chance a great prize!
Have a good one and the weekend is comin....*grin*
Same to you! Thanks, Joey.
Obviously some authors overpromote, and obviously, that method is sometimes successful. I've seen writers successfully launch a mediocre book based on the loyalty they garner through social networking.
There always seems to be a surge in "vote for me" and "buy my very first release" with authors who are either new or have just signed with a publisher who really pushes promotion on their authors. There's also a surge during that dreaded time of year when various sites have their awards. I just got a 'vote for my cover' email in my private business inbox.
I get a kick out of Twitter, sometimes when I follow conversations, its just hilarious and insane. But that said, its really easy to shove your foot in your mouth with Twitter. (witness all the celebs and politicians who have embarrassed themselves on Twitter and FB)
While I do think Twitter is effective as a newsfeed, I love the voyeuristic aspect of it. Imagine reading an ongoing conversation between Neil Gaiman and Laurell K Hamilton... I think of FB as a cafe, just hanging out gabbing with people.
I said I'd never join Facebook and I have. Though the number of 'friends' I have is somewhat pathetic.I also said I'd never Tweet but like you I'm reconsidering - partly because I think my facebook comments are more like tweets.
It is that kind of format, yes. But more fluid.
Reaching new readers - ah the holy grail. In a way, because of what you write - you have a more straightforward job of promotion. If you like gay books, and you like mysteries and adventures - and you like to read talented male authors - Josh Lanyon is the guy for you. See - I'm promoting you!!!
:-D
If you write erotic romance like me - MF and MFM - with a touch of humor - what makes me stand out from the crowd? Only a well-written book I fear. Then I have to make the next even better.
You're right that you're competing with a lot more writers, but you also have a much larger poool of readers to draw from. An almost infinite pool. So while it takes longer to make a splash, there's a lot more possibility of finding the readers who will love your work.
I gave up posting excerpts because I hate seeing the same one keep coming up in group after group.
Any time I post excerpts, no matter how old, my numbers boost. There are always new readers coming along who don't know you and don't know your work. It helps to rotate excerpts. Don't keep offering the same ones. I make three to four versions of my excerpts -- and after a time I go back and change them all out. You never know what might catch someone's attention.
I just don't read any of them anymore. So - yes, I think you can overpromote. My perverse nature makes me NOT want to read them.
And there's plenty of people who feel the same. Most authors don't read the excerpts, so they don't realize they can be effective.
Can you succeed with bad books that are well promoted? I think you can because as you said - tastes are different. We don't all like the same thing - thank goodness, so a bad book for me might be a good book for you. Eat Pray Love being a case in point. Didn't get it, didn't like it but I fully understand that many people love it so I have to accept that's the case with my stories too. Not everyone will 'get' them, not everyone will find them funny.
Humor is hard. No doubt about it. Not everyone shares the same sense of humor. Copyeditors, in particular, are rarely funny folk. *g* But an author who can make me laugh outloud? I'm sold!
Obviously some authors overpromote, and obviously, that method is sometimes successful. I've seen writers successfully launch a mediocre book based on the loyalty they garner through social networking.
Yep. No doubt about it. A loyal but limited audience of friends and followers will buy books merely for the social aspect. That's where watching to see that your readership is expanding is a useful thing. When your readership has expanded past the point of being able to keep up with it -- that's a good sign. Not fun, but a good sign.
There always seems to be a surge in "vote for me" and "buy my very first release" with authors who are either new or have just signed with a publisher who really pushes promotion on their authors.
Which is all publishers -- unless your career is beyond the point of needing publisher support, which ironically is when publishers kick in the support. ;-D
There's also a surge during that dreaded time of year when various sites have their awards. I just got a 'vote for my cover' email in my private business inbox.
I make it a rule not to vote for anyone who asks.
While I do think Twitter is effective as a newsfeed, I love the voyeuristic aspect of it. Imagine reading an ongoing conversation between Neil Gaiman and Laurell K Hamilton... I think of FB as a cafe, just hanging out gabbing with people.
I KNOW!! And I'm still trying to figure out who I want to follow like that.
Sorry I ran a little late on the prize giving. My own deleted posts kept skewing the results. ARGH.
Anyway, our winner is Joey! Joey, I'll be contacting you off-line!
Congratulations and sincere thanks to everyone who commented!
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