Influence with Confidence: Marketing Your Book – Worthy Writers Advice Blog 馃尰
Welcome to the Worthy Writers Advice Blog!
Do you have a question or comment to prompt a future blog post? Learn how to participate in my Worthy Writers Advice Blog HERE.
馃尰Influence with Confidence: Marketing Your Book
Hey, you! Yes, you! Have I captured your attention? Have you purchased that book? Great! Marketing successful. It’s that simple, right? Hmm.. not always.
Sometimes marketing feels like you’re screaming into a black hole. You’ve created all these beautiful graphics and typed out the most enticing copy, yet you still can’t tell if anyone is listening.
With marketing, there are so many strategies you can use! By the time you find one that works, a certain app decides to change its algorithm. It’s a constant battle that should never stop, although it should always be combined with breaks. You’re not a robot!
馃挍 Present Yourself with Pride
I’ve always believed that if you stay consistent and keep creating marketing content and new books, the right people will find you. It’s important to develop a system that works for you and feels GOOD. Marketing is a necessary practice, so that people know what you’ve written, so make sure it feels authentic and fun, not stressful.
One thing I’ve noticed throughout my years in the book world is that writers, editors, designers, and the like, occasionally downplay their work.
I remember shopping around for editors for the first time, and receiving a sample edit with an email explaining their services. At the end of the email, it said something along the lines of, “if you think working with me is a terrible idea, that’s totally fine. I’ll be okay!”
Um…what?
This sentence made me take this editor out of the running really fast! My first thought was, is this a guilt trip tactic? And the second was, did this editor think self-deprecating humour was the answer to finding their clients?
If you put negative energy into the world, you will get negative energy back. As writers, or other book industry professionals, if you don’t feel confident enough in your work and your skills, you may fall into “people pleasing mode” to protect yourself.
“If you don’t like it, that’s totally okay.”
“You don’t have to read the whole thing if you don’t want to.”
“You may not like this section, so you can skip over it.”
These comments above typically apply to people who are important in your life, but may not be big readers. The avid readers in your circle, probably already know what they like to read and will pick up your work without question. But there are people in your life who you love and want their support and admiration.
And if you don’t quite get the reaction you were hoping for, you downplay your accomplishments. That mindset trickles into your online marketing. Whether you realize it or not, you’re telling people how you want them to feel about your book without giving them a chance to figure it out for themselves.
馃挅Fearful Thoughts of a Writer
I’ve had this happen to myself recently while thinking about my upcoming poetry book, Life in Poetry. There are a handful of important people in my life who I want to tell when I’ve published the book, but they’re not big readers.
One thought I had is to say, “I know you don’t like flowers or poetry, but I wanted you to know I wrote a poetry book.” Why would I talk about my work like that? Why should I insult myself? That statement feels like I’m telling them I know what they don’t like, so they don’t have a chance to tell me themselves, which would lead to me getting hurt. If I’m going to insult myself like this, what’s the point of even mentioning the book at all?
My advice for marketing creative projects like a new book, is to show them the facts and focus on YOUR emotions. Not theirs.
Share what YOU love about the book. What makes you feel passionate about it? Why did you write it? If you focus on speaking with confidence, the response will be much stronger. And even if they don’t read the book themselves, they may know someone who they can suggest it to.
Tell everyone where to buy the book. Compare it to a popular genre or specific book that a lot of people know. Then, they form their own conclusions, and understand if they’re the right audience for your book.
馃尰Understanding the Current Times
Today, people are constantly bombarded with ads and options of what to buy. Using the power of confidence and positive energy, you can draw people into your orbit and encourage them to support your work. Consumers want to feel like they’ve maintained their buying power. They’re making more refined choices on how to spend their entertainment budget.
Saying things like, “if it’s not for you, that’s okay” makes it sound like you’re telling them you already know it won’t be for them, so there’s no point in talking to them about the book. Let people make their own choices, and speak about your book with confidence.
You may suspect that certain people in your life won’t buy the book. That’s okay, your book isn’t for everyone. But that’s not something you need to say in your marketing. You’re talking about your book because you love it and want to share it. You want to celebrate your amazing accomplishment and find people who will love it too.
馃挍 Influence with Confidence
Always speak with confidence and excitement when talking about your book. Let people decide on their own if they will buy it, recommend it to a friend, or simply congratulate you and move on. Owning your talent and showing people what your book DOES have, instead of what it DOESN’T, will attract the right people to your book.
You have a community of readers online waiting for your next release. There is a community of people closest to you, waiting for the opportunity to celebrate alongside you. They will be happy for you if you give them the right opportunities.
Keep writing. Keep talking about your book.
Never forget that you are worthy.
馃尰 Try This Week’s Writing Prompts
Thank you for reading today’s post! Check out this week’s journal prompts below.
Write down your answers in a notebook or talk them through on a voice note. When you’re done, share them with a friend, on social media, or keep them to yourself for personal reflection.
WRITING PROMPTS – Influence with Confidence: Marketing Your Book
- What are your favourite aspects about the latest book you’ve released or are planning to release?
- Who helps you feel the most confident about your writing journey? How so?
- What marketing strategies have you wanted to try that you’ve seen from other authors in your genre?
Once Life in Poetry is released, I’m doing a draw for 1 lucky reader to win a paperback copy of the book! Click the button below to learn more.
馃尰Leave A Comment or question!
I’d love to hear from you in the comments – if this is your first time commenting, it will have to be approved before it’s posted.
Looking for advice on confidence, purpose, creating your desired lifestyle, and more? Click below to fill out the form and have your comment or question featured in a future blog!
I love supporting other authors, so I put together a growing list of indie books to explore. Submit the form to add your own book!
Leave a Reply