I've been thinking about marketing lately, trying to establish a reader base in an email list. All the webinars and articles say the ultimate goal should be to build your email list. Makes sense, but growth has been slow. I have some long-term strategies to build the list. We'll see how they work. Marketing is not something I like to do. One of the necessary evils of the writing gig.
In case you're just stopping for the IWSG post, I'm running a giveaway this month for an anthology. Check out the giveaway here if you're interested: May Giveaway: King David and the Spiders from Mars. (Yes, this is a bit of marketing in a post about marketing.)
Until next month, keep writing and stay insecure??? That doesn't sound right.
I haven't had much luck with my newsletter, but I just built my website and started it recently. I guess I'll have to see how it does after I publish before I call it a fail.
ReplyDeleteI do need to reach out to readers more, though. I have almost 2k followers on Twitter, but they're largely writers.
Thanks for visiting my blog. :)
IWSG #224 until Alex culls the list again.
If anyone on the list buys your book, I would call the list a success. I know how you feel regarding readers. I love all my writer friends but is there anyone out there who reads but doesn't write?
DeleteOh, I don't like marketing either. And I have yet to start building an email list. Eek!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Chrys. I wonder if there are any writers who like marketing.
DeleteI'm supposed to have an email list? And a newsletter? Crap, I've been doing it wrong for years now...
ReplyDeleteAnd since I didn't make it by last month (A to Z Challenge insanity) let me now welcome you to the IWSG!
Thanks, Alex. Glad to be a part of IWSG.
DeleteHey Jeff! Marketing is a dirty word as far as I'm concerned. I did my level best, but nothing worked. My reviews are good, but my sales are in the toilet, so I give up. Time to focus on my new WIP! ;)
ReplyDeleteI understand your pain, Lexa. I can't do anything to sell Highway 24. I'm almost done with Soul Cutter.
DeleteMarketing is something I struggle with too. It's very slow going, but everyone says it's a marathon, not a sprint. Good thing. I'm terrible at running!
ReplyDeleteI mostly feel like it's a crawl up a slippery hill with a rock strapped to my back. Kind of like Sisyphus.
DeleteUgh marketing. I just released a book in mid-April, sort of a soft launch. But I felt so burnt out in April I went to visit my son for a week in Austin. Now that I'm home its time to do some marketing. I'm on the fence with the email list thing. I know its on the list of things authors are supposed to do but if people are anything like me, the less in the mailbox the better. It gets to be too much stuff to go through. I think most of it these days is through following blogs, twitter feeds or facebook.
ReplyDeleteThen the question is what would I say in an email that I don't post every where else already? Good for the people who don't like facebook and the like but if they don't read blogs and the rest how do you get their attention in the first place to build an email list? The goal is to attract readers more so than our author buddies. You're right Jeff, it is a lot to think about.
History Sleuth's Writings - IWSG
Thanks for reading, Cindy. Good luck with your new book. I wish I had answers to all those questions.
DeleteAs I get closer to publishing, I will all have to start worrying about compiling an email list. Not something I'm looking forward to. Just another reason to be insecure.
ReplyDeleteHi Jeff!
ReplyDeleteI love the last line of your post-clever :) Wanted to come by for two reasons: a.) to thank you so much for the comment you left me the other day. I really appreciate your kind words and support-- b.) to check out your post! My company markets through a platform called Constant Contact and it works out really well for us. If you can generate an email list, I say go for it! All the best!
Not a fan of marketing, but it's necessary. Even mid-listers have to promote their work like crazy, and I'm nowhere close to that level. Good thing it's just a hobby.
ReplyDelete