Some
writers need to toughen up when it comes to how they approach book
marketing. They need Brooklyn Boot Camp.
“I
hate Brooklyn Boot Camp,” says my 10-year-old daughter.
I recently started giving that name to instances when I try to get my sheltered daughter, who lives the modern suburban life, to stop whining and to take on tasks she may not want to do. The ipod-playing, TV-viewing, driven-everywhere, girl needs a touch of responsibility, of learning to navigate through challenges, and to overcome real obstacles. Or at least do some chores and think for herself.
I recently started giving that name to instances when I try to get my sheltered daughter, who lives the modern suburban life, to stop whining and to take on tasks she may not want to do. The ipod-playing, TV-viewing, driven-everywhere, girl needs a touch of responsibility, of learning to navigate through challenges, and to overcome real obstacles. Or at least do some chores and think for herself.
She’s
not spoiled but maybe there’s a little bit of entitlement or pampered
expectation about her that will not serve her well when faced with tough
times. I named these moments Brooklyn Boot Camp when I
feel she’s being exceptionally lazy. I
then command her to do something.
I grew up in Brooklyn in the 70s and 80s, when the city was in decline and crime
was skyrocketing. I wasn’t in a bad
neighborhood, but it was always exposed to the elements. You saw the homeless, rowdy teens, boozed-up
unemployables, and scheming individuals always walking the streets, riding the
buses and trains, and hanging around public places, from parks to discount
stores. You had to be tough to get where
you were going, to not become a victim to crime, to not be lured in by the
wrong crowd. My parents didn’t have a
car and not everything was as neatly packaged as things are today. Kids have things readily available to them
24-7, never knowing what it means to have a need go unmet — at least not in the
cushy suburbs.
Just
as I want my daughter to find her internal toughness, I’d like to see authors
discover their book marketing brawler within themselves.
I
don’t want to hear writers:
·
Whine
that they can’t get published.
·
Complain
they have little time or patience for social media.
·
Bemoan
they have few resources to hire a book publicist.
·
Bark
they earn peanuts from their writings.
·
Speak
with envy of successful writers without doing something about it.
It
just doesn’t get you anywhere to sulk or complain about how things are. The only way to get what you want and to
convert your wishes into a reality is to shut up, get up, and take action. Cry
to your therapist, if you wish, but it’s time to put your energy, time,
resources, brain power, connections, creativity skills and heart into being the
best book marketer that you can be.
Here’s
what you control:
·
You
can learn how to do something – by book, video, class, consultant
·
You
can ask for help, even if you have to borrow to hire someone.
·
You
can write better books.
·
You
can self-publish rather than lament you can’t find a publisher.
·
You
can seek out your targeted readers – through media, social media, organizations,
speaking engagements, advertising, or give-aways.
·
You
can stop listing all that’s wrong or serving as a barrier and start planning
how to work around these temporary setbacks.
That’s
right, you heard me right. Quit your
bitching and self-pity partying. Put down the
booze, ice cream, cigarette or whatever crutch you nurse your injured soul upon, and start empowering and inspiring yourself to take positive action and
meaningful steps towards your destiny.
I
know it’s not easy – and sometimes it’s a real burden or hardship to overcome a
world that seems to conspire against giving you a break — but you must, must,
must step out of your way and move in the direction of the light.
If
you need some support and someone to make you better or stronger, look no further
than yourself and fellow writers.
Support each other and work to make yourself tougher.
Otherwise,
come over to my place for a little Brooklyn Boot Camp.
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