I mentioned this a few days ago.
It’s a book, but first, it’s a project.
I believe that the marketing methods which have made my businesses successful will work for my books — but I haven’t tested them yet. (Alex Zabala, author of Treasure of the Mayan King certainly has. Over 3,000 sales to date.)
I need to test and prove these methods, using anodyne as a guinea pig. When I know what works and what doesn’t, I’ll codify it in the book which will be called, surprise, Commonsense Zero-Cost DIY Marketing for Authors.
Here’s Where You Come In
What have you tried that didn’t work? What worked, but not well enough? What have you heard of folks doing, and wonder about it?
Please, tell me anything and everything you think or believe or don’t believe or tried when it comes to marketing your book. Wild or conventional, curious or convinced, tested or tempting.
I have hundreds of ideas, but it’s easy to create an echo chamber, especially if you’re someone who talks REALLY LOUD like me. I want more than my own ideas to experiment with.
Joel, have you ever heard of Story Cartel? http://www.storycartel.com.
Here’s a review from an established writer on how she used it:
http://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/2013/07/how-story-cartel-gave-me-50-honest.html
I’m thinking of trying it for my short story book.
Excellent. Never heard of it. Exactly the kinds of stuff I’m looking for, Mr. B.
Let’s chat about the process as you do it. I’d like to watch as the flowering unfolds . . .
Hey, one of the co-founders is Jeff Goins. Generous smart guy. Not surprising this looks good.
Have you ever read Carol Tice’s blog http://www.makealivingwriting.com ?
Based on the uptick I get in post views when I comment there, and the quality of the comments (and their authors), just being intelligently active there would be a good entree to a huge community. Also, a good research resource for these questions! Her CommentLuv widget lets you pick which “recently wrote” gets linked at the end of your comment.
I know of Carol Tice, never checked the blog. Thanks. Off to do that now!
wow, once again I see you’re getting more and more comments and input, Joel, as I get through your recent blogs. Makes me feel good. Just saw now the name of the book you were talking about the other day!–but we haven’t added the word “Humble” in there yet! hahaha
Anyway. I don’t have anything of substance to add. TONS of philosophies and opinions and input on the whole topic of writing and “not-writing” vs. fear and all those lovely concepts; but nothing on marketing yet!
Think I’ll email this to you, ’cause this is all the way back on 9/10/13 and I don’t know if you get these responses for old posts..(?)
Yup. Forever and always I get notified.
Tom and Karen J have been around from Day One. You’ll wanna follow them home and get to know them both. Special smart funny friendly folks.
Thanks, Joel! 😉 and Hi, lpaulick!
I gotta share a random thought on marketing, since I just read your (more recent) post about your “Instant Blog” program…
*If* (if not, why not?) the author has a blog, put a direct link to the book trailer/promo/announcement post in the header – up there by “Home” and “About Me”.
Good deal, I’ll do that! Thanks–