Welcome to Unwritten's little corner of the the A-Z Blogging Challenge! If you want to see the whole lineup, click HERE!
If you're a published writer or aspiring to go that route, prepare to take notes from today's guest post. Angela Yuriko Smith talks about a very necessary evil for us authors. Even if you're notoriously shy (like me) or terribly broke (also like me, hmm), you can get out there and toot your horn. Read on!
M is for...Marketing
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| Buy it HERE! |
Artists and writers can be notoriously bad marketers. We pour our souls into a piece of work that we secretly adore, but as soon as someone mentions it we either clam up or talk it to death. Creativity is a spiritual and emotional process but once it has been birthed it’s time to step back and market. To all the artists and writers that sniff at me and feel they are above the mundane and dirty act of “selling” their work I ask you this: What good is your creation if no one knows about it?
When I was researching material for my book, No Money Marketing, I did informal polling of dozens of writers about their marketing platforms. Out of at least a hundred I only found one that had a plan. The rest responded with either ‘I’m not really a marketer’ or ‘I don’t have money for that’. That was wonderful news for me. It meant my book filled a need.
No Money Marketing shows how I successfully sold my first fictional book without spending over $50 (and that was to purchase a few paperback copies to give as gifts). Despite my lack of budget I managed to get some 50 or so reviews as well as link my book up with larger names like Second Life and Cadbury Chocolate. I took copious notes and published it all to share. So there’s proof that a lack of funds shouldn’t be holding you back from letting the world see your genius – proof and how to.
As far as the complaint ‘I’m not really a marketer’ goes, that is also a misconception. When you find a new restaurant you like you probably tell all your friends. When your favorite charity or church has needs you look for opportunities to mention it. When you have a new puppy or child in your life our natural marketing skills go ape and the world around us knows every detail. It’s all a matter of perspective. Just think of your creative work as your baby.
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| Buy it HERE! |
There are a lot of books out there, and it’s necessary for authors and artists to make use of every tool available to be noticed. With the new prevalence of multimedia applications, the modern artist/author must be more of a performer than in past years. The days of the reclusive writer hiding away from society are gone, at least while you are trying to get your work known.
Understanding and utilizing social networking, virtual worlds, machinima and viral marketing methods are vital to our success. Being a staunch supporter of your own work and acting professionally are also key factors. In any other industry it’s acceptable to shamelessly flaunt your product but ours.
How many amazing works are waiting to be discovered, forgotten in attics and ignored in back closets? If we won’t share our work then no one else will either. It’s high time authors and artists broke the misconceptions that marketing is somehow ‘selling out’ and recognize that we are business people also. Just ask Michelangelo, Kinkade, Rowling and Suzanne Collins. If that’s ‘selling out’ then let me on board!
Now, readjust your attitude and go introduce your work to the world. Lack of funds and lack of knowledge are no longer good excuses since you can combat both by reading my own book, No Money Marketing. (And by the way, I just marketed it to you)
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Angela Yuriko Smith spent the beginning of her career writing nonfiction for various newspapers and publications. It was the result of a disagreement that she first delved into the world of fiction with her first book, End of Mae. Her second book, No Money Marketing, tells how she successfully managed to market her books and herself without spending anything.
She’s recently moved back to the US from Australia and is gearing up to relaunch both books this May 2012 with added material. You can always find more information about her books at endofmae.com or her daily blog, Dandilyon Fluff.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/AngelaYSmith
No Money Marketing: http://dandilyonfluff.com/coming-soon-mae-awareness-month/all-you-need-is-like/
Great post, Angela! :) You've inspired me to reach higher with my marketing efforts :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara! Reach up there and get your work out there. High time for us to stop being shy and recognize that we writers have something to offer. Good luck!
DeleteOh wow, this article is so awesome, I checked out the books in the links too, am always drawn to "no money" anything. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing Angela!
Hahahaha! Kopi, I'm with you on the "no money" part. My research was inspired by my lack of funds ;p
DeleteThanks for letting me hop on board for the A-Z challenge... you did such a beautiful job laying it all out and keeping it organized. You, and your blog, are awesome ;D
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Angela! Your topic was quite popular! Bravo and hope you can return :)
DeleteWow! This is really insprational. Speaking for myself, who wants to break into the world of writing, this really spoke to me.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice and great post Angela!
I'm glad you got something from this Dan... I love talking to other writers of all levels so please feel free to contact me anytime you want to chat about writing ;D. My email is on my blog!
DeleteI definitely agree!
DeleteWe gotta get in touch with out business sides, haha :P
*groan* ;)
Hahaha Karla... necessary evil!
DeleteGreat piece of TRUTH! I am a newly published author but I have run my own graphic design business (in the past) for a very long time. You can't run a business successfully, or earn money, without clients. You'll never get those clients if they never know about your business. Hence, marketing! My first experience in the world of marketing did not come from a college course which was required to get my degree, no, the true experience came from 3 years of telemarketing experience. You learn how to listen, how to read body language, you learn the psychology of selling and it can be a nasty world if you do it in an obnoxious way. When done properly, everyone is happy! I no longer run my graphic design business the way it used to be... like any good business, I morphed myself, my services, and my focus so that I could become a published writer using the wonderful opportunities available in the e-publishing world. Besides the love for writing, I am blessed with all the other skills a writer would want and need to become successful. I turned those into my personal publishing company and come a year from now when I've trained myself fully and hope to be a "several books published" authoring success, then I'll let my Spark Inspire Publishing House be there for writers who just want to write and let someone else take over the rest. Wonderful post and bravo on telling it like it is. This is a good and solid truth all artists and writers must swallow if they want to have success knocking on their door. Best to you! I'll make sure, as soon as I'm able, to get your book! :) Don't forget... your story will be judged by its cover!
ReplyDeleteLM- So many great points! I think you are on the right path and thank you for all the kind words. I hope you don't judge my marketing book by the cover yet as it's about to get a new one ;p
DeleteThis is the most inspiring bit I've read about marketing my own writing. I can almost feel the fear being shoved out the door (almost).
ReplyDeleteinteractive communication has not been a strength in my life - doesn't mean it can't be, of course. But I'd sure rather work with a partner whose skills leaned in that direction.
Judy, contact me anytime - I love helping stomp out fear. I was once terrified of speaking up... so much so that I couldn't raise my hand in a class without breaking into a cold sweat. Fear is conquerable - get out there and don't give up ;D
DeleteExcellent points throughout. I'll be buying this book very soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lindsey ;D I'll be giving away free ebooks of both to everyone who participates in my coming Mae Awareness campaign. More info at http://dandilyonfluff.com/coming-soon-mae-awareness-month/
DeleteLet me know if you want to participate!