Are You A Book Marketer Or Writer?

Many are either a writer or marketer at heart, but all writers need to be both. What does one do when they just want to pursue their passion — and ignore the other?

Writers, to be successful as published authors, will need to market their works if they hope to generate sales or use their book as a branding tool to promote a service or agenda. They can’t get a message out unless they make the effort to be heard. How will they accomplish this feat — especially with limited funds, time, skillset, or desire?

They won’t.

Unless they do.

There is little wiggle room for today’s writer. They must be involved in their marketing, in some capacity, if they are to have a chance at succeeding. So this means they need to make some realistic conclusions and tough choices. 

Their options are: 

*Do nothing and get the same in return.

*Hire pros to do everything.

*Learn what needs to be done and then do it themselves.

*Hybrid model — authors will do some things and the rest gets outsourced. 

Even if you are not self-published, do not be fooled into thinking or blindly hoping that your publisher is doing all that it can to help you. In fact, assume it is not. Smaller presses have smaller staffs, budgets, and resources to help you. Further, they may not know all that could be done.   

Larger publishers, even your Big 5, often surprise their authors over how little they do to promote their books. Publishers, even if they are decent at selling foreign rights or distribution to stores, they don’t always promote and advertise as well or for as long as they should. They constantly move on to the next batch of new books, rarely investing much in any one title but those on their very short list of A titles that have big m-name authors that were given big advances.  

Lastly, all publishers that actually do something for their authors will take action to sell books. Nothing wrong with that, except they are not investing in an author’s branding. In other words, if their sales reps can call s library and convince it to buy two copies of your book, good. However, will that same publisher spend much time helping you on social media or to be interviewed by the news media? Not so much. Authors need that help.  

Writers, make your choice, but not choosing is not an option. Confront this head on and you will feel relieved afterward. Whatever you decide, embrace it, and just accept your choice. Sure, you can always change course at any time, and many will, but allow yourself to feel settled.   

Build on a foundation or plan of action, rather than constantly feeling guilty for not doing something, regretful for not giving it your all, or fearful of trying something new.  

But start with the premise or underlying understanding that you are a writer and thus, responsible for your marketing. Once you accept this, everything else should fall into place.

Please Contact Me For Help

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

Happy Holidays! A gift for you!

 

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.