Flip the Script Friday: Good Story Trumps Promo
Ally Carter once pointed out in her blog, that she did a lot of promotion (including a lot of promo worrying) for her first book. The experience led her to believe that promotion should be put into the proper perspective, because ultimately it's all about the story.
I respect Ally's POV because she's come full-circle with the issue. She's someone who has hired an independent publicist before and tried a variety of promotional strategies. So she's not waxing philosophical on the art (i.e. mad randomness) of promotions. She's speaking from experience.
And I don't disagree with her.
If a writer is thinking about promo before the story is penned, that's a problem.
But, it's the two-faces of the issue that make promotion one of those vague, squishy things that you never quite grasp.
Face one:
Authors are expected to promote by their publisher. Whether this is something stated directly or indirectly, it's expected.
Face two:
Few authors start out knowing exactly what promo road they should take, which causes a low-grade panic and results in promotion being talked about as much as craft. This then leads to craft and promotion being put on the same level and viewed as equals.
They aren't.
Craft is first. We're writers, not PR people (err...present company excluded).
So today's post is once more about emphasizing what I've now come to think of as the book promo mantra: Minimum output for maximum exposure.
Minimum is relative, by the way. It's defined by your financial resources, the well of time at your disposal, and individual talents (i.e. if you're not big on public speaking, maybe school visits just isn't for you).
The following activities are promotional strategies that anyone can tackle. Best of all, you can control to what degree you tackle them.
1) Building a website - Why wouldn't you? It's like having a listed phone number. I'm even going to say (and I'll probably get a few who bash this notion) that the site doesn't have to be glitzy and glamory (so made that word up). People go to websites for more information. So just make sure it's informative. Oh, but still visually pleasing. Stay away from the text heavy!
Minimum output: Your name as the URL. Website contains a bio, book excerpt, link to Amazon/bookseller of your choice and contact info. Contact could lead directly to your email or, for the gun shy, to your publisher.
2)Bookseller Relations - Sending local/regional booksellers a note introducing yourself and the book can't hurt.
Miminum output: An intro, followed up with stopping by to sign copies in stock.
3)Myspace Page: Myspace is a tool for the young. It's a social networking site and was never meant to become as promotion oriented as it has. If you're looking for young readers, chances are they've tuned out the 100% promotional Friends. However, just because they may tune out those approaching them, creating a page is another way for them to find you.
Minimum output: Create a page, include all key book information, friend a few youngsters you already know and see where it goes.
4) School Visits - Remember, if public speaking isn't your thing, skip this.
Minimum output: Only doing the school nearest you.
5)Book marks, postcards and other goodies - Doesn't mean you have to order hundreds and thousands. Start off with a small number. When they're gone, buy some more.
6) Media outreach: A little bit of ink can go a long way.
Minimum output: Only pitching to your local paper and alumni rag because they're talking to the people that will likely care the most about your success.
7) Internet book review sites: There are lots of them. Most only require that you send them a copy of the book and some only do good reviews (i.e. if they find nothing redeeming about your book they'll say nothing).
Minimum output: Identify the sites which have an actual following and choose one or two, maybe even three. You could go broke sending book copies to every single one!
Here's the thing, just because promotion is something we have to do doesn't mean it has to take up as much time as writing.
Choose the strategies that suit you, do them and be done. No worries.
I respect Ally's POV because she's come full-circle with the issue. She's someone who has hired an independent publicist before and tried a variety of promotional strategies. So she's not waxing philosophical on the art (i.e. mad randomness) of promotions. She's speaking from experience.
And I don't disagree with her.
If a writer is thinking about promo before the story is penned, that's a problem.
But, it's the two-faces of the issue that make promotion one of those vague, squishy things that you never quite grasp.
Face one:
Authors are expected to promote by their publisher. Whether this is something stated directly or indirectly, it's expected.
Face two:
Few authors start out knowing exactly what promo road they should take, which causes a low-grade panic and results in promotion being talked about as much as craft. This then leads to craft and promotion being put on the same level and viewed as equals.
They aren't.
Craft is first. We're writers, not PR people (err...present company excluded).
So today's post is once more about emphasizing what I've now come to think of as the book promo mantra: Minimum output for maximum exposure.
Minimum is relative, by the way. It's defined by your financial resources, the well of time at your disposal, and individual talents (i.e. if you're not big on public speaking, maybe school visits just isn't for you).
The following activities are promotional strategies that anyone can tackle. Best of all, you can control to what degree you tackle them.
1) Building a website - Why wouldn't you? It's like having a listed phone number. I'm even going to say (and I'll probably get a few who bash this notion) that the site doesn't have to be glitzy and glamory (so made that word up). People go to websites for more information. So just make sure it's informative. Oh, but still visually pleasing. Stay away from the text heavy!
Minimum output: Your name as the URL. Website contains a bio, book excerpt, link to Amazon/bookseller of your choice and contact info. Contact could lead directly to your email or, for the gun shy, to your publisher.
2)Bookseller Relations - Sending local/regional booksellers a note introducing yourself and the book can't hurt.
Miminum output: An intro, followed up with stopping by to sign copies in stock.
3)Myspace Page: Myspace is a tool for the young. It's a social networking site and was never meant to become as promotion oriented as it has. If you're looking for young readers, chances are they've tuned out the 100% promotional Friends. However, just because they may tune out those approaching them, creating a page is another way for them to find you.
Minimum output: Create a page, include all key book information, friend a few youngsters you already know and see where it goes.
4) School Visits - Remember, if public speaking isn't your thing, skip this.
Minimum output: Only doing the school nearest you.
5)Book marks, postcards and other goodies - Doesn't mean you have to order hundreds and thousands. Start off with a small number. When they're gone, buy some more.
6) Media outreach: A little bit of ink can go a long way.
Minimum output: Only pitching to your local paper and alumni rag because they're talking to the people that will likely care the most about your success.
7) Internet book review sites: There are lots of them. Most only require that you send them a copy of the book and some only do good reviews (i.e. if they find nothing redeeming about your book they'll say nothing).
Minimum output: Identify the sites which have an actual following and choose one or two, maybe even three. You could go broke sending book copies to every single one!
Here's the thing, just because promotion is something we have to do doesn't mean it has to take up as much time as writing.
Choose the strategies that suit you, do them and be done. No worries.
posted by Paula at 7:14 AM
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