Addicted
A wise person once said that if you want to make a difficult change in your life, like losing weight or quitting smoking, the best path to success is to tell someone. The idea is that by saying it out loud not only do you reaffirm your commitment to the change, but the people you tell will shame you into it hold you to it.
That advice is crap.
After I released the final book in The Gift Legacy, I told anyone who’d listen some friends I was making a big change: I was giving up half my treasured writing time to learn how to market the books.
Half because there’s a lot to learn and I’m afraid I won’t figure it out; tech isn’t my strong suit; the books aren’t going to market themselves; time is ticking to take advantage of the new releases, etc. I’ve put it off far too long and writing a book is only half the job. The other half is marketing it.
My plan was to spend the first half of my writing time—when I’m fresh and at my most creative—writing my next book. At the halfway point, I’d shut it down, take a break, eat, get outdoors, maybe get some exercise. When I returned for the second half of my writing time, I’d dig into the Ads for Authors online course I’m taking to learn the ins and outs of advertising, followed soon after with actual advertising.
How’s that big change going you ask?
Not so well.
Not only are my friends not naggers (and far too nice), but when the halfway mark arrives, more times than not, I have zero discipline to take a break, let alone move on to marketing. Case in point: at seven o’clock last night, I was still in my PJs (and that wasn’t the first time).
I’m addicted to writing . . . there, I’ve said it.
Writing is my crack. Words are the endorphins that flood my brain with happy juice and fire my imagination. Words are the gateway drug to sentences and paragraphs and then, egads! . . . scenes. Each scene I commit to digital bytes sends out tendrils of endorphins to the next scene and on it goes.
Why can’t marketing feel like that?
There are those who’ll tell you it should and it can, but that’s a lie I’m not there yet.
Truth be known, I have tried out a few new marketing ideas. The March cross-promotion was exciting, and I had a lot of fun as a sponsor with the Creative Ink Festival, but I’ve got to hunker down and make more progress with the online course.
On the plus side, the new book broke 43K, which is about halfway, and is still going strong.
Here’s my new plan: rather than try to quit writing at the halfway point, I’m going to concentrate on marketing one day and then reward myself with writing the next day. Let’s see how that works. If you have any helpful suggestions, I’d love to hear them. Just leave a comment or contact me via the social media buttons. Wish me luck.
Secret Sky is the book that started the addiction. Get your copy of Secret Sky from Kindle with one click right here. And if ebooks aren’t your preference, click on the bookstore tab for other purchase options, or just click on the covers below.
Chocolate photo: Charisse Kenion on Unsplash
Coffee mug photo: Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash
Concentrating on your marketing is a good plan.
Wise advice, Kevin. I’ve made some progress, but there is much still to learn. Thanks for stopping by.
Good ideas!
It would be great if marketing was a part time thing. I find that if one doesn’t do it every day and everywhere, on any available marketing platform, on any available site, plus, if one doesn’t spend quite a lot in promotions, it is simply difficult.
There is too much of everything.
Good things get lost in bad and very mediocre things, but these not that great things are marketed well.
Unfortunately, day has only that many hours.
I sometimes don’t do anything else, but only write or paint. Intentionally. There have been weeks and months of no marketing, and I, for instance, quickly disappeared.
You are well-known with well-established reputation, people know your style and books and that is a great asset.
I think all webinars and seminars and courses are fine, but eventually it comes down to amount of money one can spend on whatever marketing promotion, brochures, ad promotions, campaigns, paid ads and so on and so forth. Free stuff can do some part, but it only goes so far.
I think your location is good, but probably living in the USA, LA or SF is way better. Or at least NY. Canada is somewhat weird when it comes to writing, music and art.
Seems I need to clone myself AND my bank account. Thanks for stopping by. It’s always good to hear from you. Cheers!
As many have already said, I can relate to what you’re saying 🙂 But at least you’re thinking about the marketing side and even taking an online course, which is great. I’d be interested to know if you find it worthwhile. I’ve been pondering submitting my first book in a series to BookBub, and am wondering if I should be learning the ins and outs of BookBub ads first. David Gaughran has written a book on the topic and is blogging about it a fair bit. So much to learn, so little time, and promotion dollars to spend.
I’m only 15% into the online course, so will let you know. The BookBub ads look easier to learn because they aren’t as nuanced, therefore less complicated. Graughran has a great reputation. If you follow up, I’d love to hear what you learn. You’re right – so much to learn – so little time (and resources). Best of luck!
Thanks for the laugh! I’d say you’re a natural when it comes to marketing.
Thanks. It’s always easier to market someone else’s work. Especially yours with the lovable felted Leroy. Why is that???
Love your post! Boy, wouldn’t it be nice if the marketing took care of itself. Unfortunately it doesn’t and I’m in the same boat. With my new book just out, I’m spending all of my days marketing -contacting reviewers, bloggers, setting up readings, ya da ya da. It’s the necessary evil twin to writing. Good luck with your plan! You can still do it in your pajamas. 🙂
Thanks, Diana, and good luck with your new book. It’s such an interesting story and more so because of the deep roots of your family’s heritage. Cheers!
I think the majority of self-published authors are in the same boat, JP! I decided to just embrace the writing and publishing end of things, allowing my books to become free-range and market themselves – so to speak – relying on readers to do the heavy lifting of recommending to others for me. However, your blog post has given me an idea … Carry on with your day-by-day writing/marketing, and I will get back to you once I’ve had a good and further think on this.
I’ll look forward to it. Cheers!
Good luck with your revised plan…I admire anyone who actually has a plan. Writing! Marketing! The preferred length of time to wear your PJ’s everyday! So much to plan for.
I think you are wise to try alternate days — or even alternate double days, or even alternate weeks. It’s too hard to switch back and forth from left brain to write brain. I admire your energy!
Thanks, Elinor. Fingers crossed the alternating days trick will work. (Today is a marketing day!)
Lmao… At least you’re honest! 😀
Sadly, marketing seems to be my kryptonite.