Good Tuesday morning!
I received several emails asking the same question about promoting so that's today's topic...
When? Why? Do I even have to? Isn't that handled with the publisher/editor/agent? My book isn't even out yet/ don't even have a contract yet, so what's the rush?
Promotion is something that I feel every author 'should' do, regardless of whether it's a first book, or the hundredth. If you can't think of any reason to promote, the most basic answer would more than likely be.. you are connecting with readers and talking about your upcoming book. But, promoting is so much more than saying 'hey, hi, it's me, I have a book coming out...' So back to the questions in the emails..
Personally, I think that you should have some type of social media regarding your writing. And yes, even if you're not published yet. Even if you haven't queried and you're still polishing up your ms, the answer I feel is still yes. And yup, even if your book isn't due to release for several more months. Why? Well, because you're not just promoting a book. If only it were that easy, right? But think of it this way. You've done a lot of promo's and maybe even a contest or two. The book was released and it's been a few months and things have slowed down for you while you're working on your next book. This 'next' book is no where near ready to query out or send to your editor/agent and let's say won't be for another nine months.
So sticking with this, now we're talking about a great span of time that you have been silent, like dust blowing in the wind silent. And we'll make it even a little more ugh factor, you really don't like to promote.. So how hard do you think promo's are gonna be for you when the time comes for your next book release? It'll be like you're starting over, or at least may feel like it.
I know, I know.. not everyone is comfortable with doing promotion, or blogging and whatnot. But, and again this is just my opinion, you may as well get yourself comfortable with it now because you're gonna need to, at some point. Yes, there are publishing houses/agents who will do some form of promo of your book. But, there are also many that don't offer any type of promoting services. Even if there is a promotion clause in your contract with your publisher/agent, you'll still need to promote.
Now, let's say, you're not published yet but you have a ms under consideration. You have no blog, you're not buzzing about it, not sure why you should or even if it's necessary. Well, personally, how I would tackle this is.. sign up/start a blog, set up a facebook page and get on line and talk about your writing where you can. Now, I'm not suggesting to shout it to the rooftop or post everywhere there is a blank space. What I'm saying is, allow people to get to know 'you' first. A little look inside your world, even if you're having a hard day making your characters fit on the pages like they're supposed to. Or, you've finished a chapter and you're rewarding yourself with your favorite movie tonight.
Someone buys a book because they liked what they read (covers of a book or blurbs, etc.) or have heard, yes. But, when a reader can connect a little deeper with the author by following posts on line, it changes from just reader/author. It's more personal. It's not just about hey my book is coming out and this is what it's about. A reader now knows you go through ups and downs just like the rest of the world, and reward yourself with a little me time.. just like many of us.
We'll flip to the other side of the topic and look at it from an agent/publisher point of view. If you're querying your first book several things happen over here. Not only are they looking at your submission package, they'll more than likely do a quick search on line to see what's going on, to find out a little more about you than a sentence or two in your cover letter, and where you are as far as on line presence. Yes, they know, based on your query, that this is your first book, so why do you need to do anything? Well, again, it gives them a feel of who you are, what you're doing regarding writing, they may even be checking to see how many people join in one of your conversations. Or, how long you've been putting yourself out there on the journey to becoming a published author. Now, to you, this may seem not important, but in fact, it is.
Because they'll know when it comes time to do promotion, you'll be able to hop right in because you've essentially been doing it all this time. The posts will change from time to time due to book buzz, but they'll see this as a plus in regards to how you're able to self-promote, vs no on line presence. But, and this is huge here, there is a fine-line and you have to choose what you want to include in your posts about your daily/weekly writing life. Yes, include personal tidbits here and there, but try to remember the business side of it. Should you really include several posts about how your sister/cousin/neighbor was such an ass at that party you went to and go in great detail? Nope, not even close. Should you chime in on a friends post when she's venting about how something went a little south with her publisher/agent? Nope.. and I feel, not ever!
Your writing is your business, you/your writing is your brand. So put your best brand forward, always... because you never know who's on the other side reading your posts. If you're just starting out, keep it simple if it's easier and not so intimidating for you. The more you are putting yourself out there, the easier it gets they say. So, take it slow, a weekly post. Then once you've gotten your feet wet and are more comfortable, maybe twice a week. But mix it up, a smidgen about you and your journey, a smidgen about your current wip or queried book. Balance it out, this way people get a quick look at what you're working on/progress, and what you're doing because you hit your 5000 word count goal for today.
Hope this helps :) Happy Writing!
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