So I’ve been spending a LOT of time lately learning how to market my book. For those of you who are not writers, let me just say that when you write “the end,” you’re only about a third of the way done with that story. Next comes rounds of editing and proofreading to get it exactly right and then comes the selling part. This is the hardest, yet most important part. After all, what good is a really good book with an amazing cover if nobody knows how to get their hands on it?
Marketing is just an extension of that story you’ve just written. Marketing is creative so it should be easy. If you can write an entire novel, you can write a few sentences to sell that novel. Sort of. You have to make sure you have a super eye-catching sentence, a hook that cannot be ignored and an image that literally says a thousand words. Because, if it takes a thousand actual words to sell that novel, you’re going to lose people. You don’t have time to sell something with more than a sentence of two. That’s the cold hard truth.
So, I’ve been watching tutorials, taking on-line classes, experimenting with – dare I say it – new things. New, techy kinds of things. I am not a fan of techy stuff. When my computer doesn’t work, I beat my fists on it in a childish rage hoping beyond hope that my temper tantrum will magically fix the problem. When my wireless anything doesn’t function the way it’s supposed to I just stare at it and blink a few times as if my eyelids hold the key to making different machines “talk” to each other. My last resort – and it always comes down to the last resort – is tears. Tears because I’m a complete failure when it comes to troubleshooting this kind of stuff.
Yet despite that, I’ve been experimenting with some on-line software to help me market my book more successfully. Things like making cute little videos, generating my own clever and personalized memes, creating amazing images for FB ads. Stuff like that. I’ve found some pretty easy to use programs to help with that stuff and it’s fun learning how to do that. I’m trying to create those thousand-word images that will entice readers to buy my book. It’s subliminal. It’s sneaky. It’s uber important.
But, I have yet to conquer any photoshop type of program, which has become the very bane of my existence. I’ve watched YouTube videos, program “help” tutorials, Googled step-by-step instructions that I can print out and have handy while I walk through the steps. Nothing. Nada. Still no ability to manipulate photos no matter which software program I install and try. This is the very important step because most of the programs I mentioned above, the ones I’ve been having success with, require that photos be a certain size – a certain amount of pixels, if you will. I’m not sure what a pixel is, but I’m having trouble manipulating mine.
I’ve resorted to using stock photos, which are great, but I’d rather use my own, even though I really don’t have that many. (Note to self, take more pictures.) And, I’d rather learn to conquer that stupid manipulation software. It’s become my nemesis. And, I will keep trying. I will. (Remember last week’s blog about my stubborn streak?)
How about you guys, have you attempted to learn anything new recently? Do you have success with new computer software? Do you wail and gnash your teeth when technology has a mind of its own? Please tell me yes because I’d like to think I’m not the only one who can’t figure out how to resize a photograph to a specific amount of pixels.
Word of the day: Yataghan
Fun fact about me: I think I’m becoming a marketing guru. Now, if all those clever ideas will result in sales and/or new followers, I’d be ecstatic.
Original post by Jansen Schmidt, January 2019. Photos courtesy Pexels.
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jansenschmidt 
It must be a Patricia thing. Patty is in the same situation vis a vis technology. That’s why she refers to me as IT Guy.
That’s very interesting about the marketing. When I get to that point you’d better know that I will lean heavily on you for the expertise you are developing. I’ve just started my sixth chapter (about 15,000 words) so I still have a long way to go. I’m doing some editing along the way even though all the articles say no, no, write first, edit later. What can I say, I’m OCD when it comes to sentence structure, grammar and spelling. I’m using Scrivener.
Just yesterday I decided on a title. I also know what graphics I want on the cover based on that title. About making that happen, I have no idea. It will all come in time.
Anyway, here’s wishing you a wailing and gnashing free week!
Your pal, Al
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Well look at you go Al. Keep it up. I’m not a fan of Scriviner but that’s because I think it does too much. I’ve developed an old-fashioned system that works so I’m sticking with it. I don’t like all that screen switching and stuff when I write. I like to just write. And when I need to research something, I research. But, I’m glad you’ve found a system that works for you. Keep it up.
I’m glad to offer any assistance I can. I’m certainly no expert, but I have learned a great bit just by trial and error.
Have a productive week my friend.
Patricia
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Marketing is my favorite cuss word! I hate, hate, hate it, but it’s a necessary evil for an author. And practice does make it easier, even if I would still rather have Mickey’s magic wand to make it automatic and painless. My new techie marketing goal this year is venturing into the Facebook ads realm. Have you tried Canva yet for graphics? That’s one of the programs that makes marketing marginally fun for me, and its easy to use. Best wishes for lots of sales – I feel your pain!
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Coleen I took the RWA free marketing class a few weeks ago and it was all about FB ads. It was a ton of very good information. I ran my first ad and managed to get quite a few sales. I started small, but I think it was successful. I’m glad to help if I can. I used a program called Lumen 5 which has a built in FB ad creator that’s basically a drop and drag type of program already set up with FB’s image sizes, etc. It was pretty easy to use but I’m sure Canva does something similar. That trickiest part is the key words and target audiences.
Anyway, shoot me an e-mail if I can help. I’m glad to share what I know.
Patricia
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I took Skye’s RWA class, too – it was fabulous! I’m just girding my loins to give FB ads a try…but I do have a question that maybe you know the answer to, so I’ll email you. Fair warning. 🙂
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Marketing, UGH. Six books out plus a few shorts, and I still don’t know what I’m doing there. The graphics are the easy part for me. I’ve been using Photoshop since version 1.0, in 1990 (yes, I am old) and I still don’t know half of its capabilities! But yes, as CJ noted above, Canva is a great, free option to do the simple things you need like resizing. Good luck! And put the yataghan down. 😀
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I’ve tried Canva but I just can’t seem to get a clear image. Whenever I resize it gets all grainy. I’m sure I’ll figure it out at some point. Right now, I’m having some success with stock photos so I’m moving forward with that. If I work on this stuff too much longer I’m going to forget how to write. I guess I need to get back to that some day soon.
Thanks for your support. Have a great week.
Patricia
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