Tag: marketing strategy

“Let’s Get Visible”-My Thoughts

Let's Get VisibleI’ve been following David Gaughran’s blog for some time, primarily because he is experienced, straightforward and insightful.

So when his marketing book came out, Let’s Get Visible, I grabbed it.

David’s writing style is crisp and conversational, making this book easy to read and comprehend.

As far as content, the book is packed with useful information and isn’t just re-prints of past blog posts. You’ll also get a good understanding of Amazon’s algorithms along with links to helpful sites/resources. My only gripe is that if you’re not planning on going with Amazon’s KDP, which I’m not, then there are sections that won’t be applicable.

Nevertheless, Let’s Get Visible is a great resource to have as an indie author. In fact, I’m excited to give some of his suggestions a whirl.

What have you tried to promote your books?

Where’s My Antacid??

Performing on Prime Time Country; circa 1995.
Performing on Prime Time Country; circa 1995.

I’m often asked, “Did you get stage fright before a concert or performing on live TV?”

“Nope,” would be my answer.

Sure, I got butterflies and cited my “just-don’t-screw-up” mantra, but all-in-all, I thrived in such settings. Honest.

Now ask me the same question in regards to being in my own videos! I’m proud of how they turned out, and I’m eternally grateful to Matt Giesler who donated his talent, but now I’M the focal point (gulp!)

I can’t hide behind my bass and sunglasses!

So here they are. I wanted them to be short, entertaining and informative.

The Storyteller

Story Behind the Story

Bass, Tours & Castles

Feel free to share, throw tomatoes, snicker, etc.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve gotta go find my antacid!

Harping On Harper Lee

As an author, I’ve gotten good and bad reviews. The later always sting, but it’s part of the biz.

Nevertheless, I was curious if a classic, like To Kill A Mockingbird, had received any negative reviews.

To my amazement, it has quite a few!

I especially loved the reviewer who gave it 2 stars and misspelled Pulitzer Prize, or the teen who said it was boring and “there’s barely any actions.”

So how should writers handle such critique?

One author I know says she NEVER reads reviews of her books.

I may join her!!

 

When Crap is Crème Brûlée

Creme_BruleeWARNING!  I’m going to vent. In fact, you can file this under Marketing Sucks or Twitter Twitter Little Star! or I Like You, Will You Like Me?

I hate selling stuff. I just do. Oh, I’m passionate about my books and I know I’m the best person to sell them, but I’m an artist through and through and prefer being creative over sharing my elevator speech to another soccer mom.

I know I’m not alone in this quandary. Check out SC Harrison’s Blog  for her tongue-in-cheek insights.

Before you post witty, pithy comments to try and encourage me to sell or to remind me that it’s a necessary part of the job, let me say that I learned as much when I was a musician here in Nashville. More on that later.

So what has me shaking my fist at the Marketing Monster this morning?

Purchased Reviews!

I befriended a new Twitter author and checked out their book. 4 stars. Impressive. I scrolled through the gushing reviews to learn that many had given the book only 1 star. Curious, I read their comments.

Harsh! One even quipped that they purchased the book based upon the 4 stars but found the book to be poorly written with a weak storyline. They pressed through anyway in hope that it would get better.

It didn’t.

I know not everyone will like our books, but these reviews were polar opposite in comparison to the other comments. My gut tells me this author hired reviewers to get their 4 STARS so they could shoot to the top of Amazon.

As a retired music pro, I know what it’s like to swim with sharks, do business with squirrels and perform with snakes. Back in the day, I competed against musicians who were great at selling themselves and rocketed past me to better gigs. But as time unfolded, and they had to deliver the goods, they showed their true talent.

Amateurish.

As quickly as they were the top dog, they were dropped, forgotten and faded into oblivion. I continued to improve/persevere and found myself with better jobs and notoriety.

What’s my point?

Well, let’s get back to this author I have tied to the whipping post. It doesn’t matter how many blasted stars they have or how many Tweets they send or how AWESOME reviewers say their book about “Amish vampire finds true love with a gypsy-alien” really is (not the real title!) In fact, go ahead and label your crap as crème brûlée! Eventually readers will notice that foul taste is in their mouth and run for the toilet to heave.

But what has me really irked is that readers are the ones being bamboozled by the this shell game of “let’s hide the crap.” That is SO wrong!

As for me, I know I have a LONG way to go as a writer. I’ll continue to hone my craft and let my work (hopefully!) cut through the sword rattling that’s being done in cyber space.

Yes, I’ll continue to pound the pavement and keep my head above water in the social media frenzy, but I won’t succumb to paying for reviews.

EVER!

My readers deserve my best.

So do yours.

Am I A Pantser?

Wanna know if I’m a Pantser or a Plotter?

Curious what sparked my War of Whispers series?

Need a break from Black Friday?

Then check out this blog interview I recently did for Suzanne van Rooyen.

Drop a line. Make a comment.

Looking forward to meeting you!