Do Authors Want Permission To Fail?

 

“Can I go without having a blog or a podcast?”

“Do I need to advertise?”

“Must I speak in public places?”

“Do I have to be on social media?”

“How important is it to get media coverage?”

“Do I really need to pay for book reviews?”

“Can I get by without a web site?”

Authors ask these questions of me all of the time. They know what my answer is going to be, yet they ask anyway.

Are they looking to hear a hard truth of what they need to do — or are they seeking an excuse to not do something that could be helpful to their cause?

In either case, authors must face up to reality and stop looking to get away without investing time, money, and mindshare on book marketing.

Imagine being overweight and asking if a diet is necessary. Or, if your child is failing out of school and wondering if a tutor is needed. Or, your debt is rising and you wonder if you really need to reduce your spending. You get the point. Stop asking stupid questions that you know the answer to.

I want authors to be successful and happy. I would be committing PR malpractice if I didn’t encourage authors, with honesty and facts, to pursue their dreams by taking concrete steps in all of the key areas of book marketing. Writers simply can’t just put out books and then blindly walk away from them — and then wonder why they didn’t break the 100-book sale barrier.

I cannot, in good conscience, just tell you it is ok to do little or nothing on the marketing front. I don’t make the rules. But it is obvious that books need a push on multiple fronts, on a regular basis, to sell, so instead of looking at what you would like to avoid, start thinking of what you will do and how much and how often.

Let’s say you really are shy and don’t want to speak anywhere. Ok, so what else will you do and double down on? Don’t like doing social media? No problem. What will you pour your time and resources into so you can compensate for the social media hole? Can’t afford to advertise? No worries. What can you do that is free and impactful?

Authors, don’t ask me these questions anymore. I will not grant you permission to fail. Instead, start figuring out what you can say yes to. 

 

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.

 

Please Contact Me For Help

 

15 Sales Secrets For Authors

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/15-sales-secrets-for-authors.html

 

Why Authors Outsource Some Book Marketing Tasks

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/why-authors-outsource-some-book.html

 

How Can Writers Grow?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/how-can-writers-grow.html

 

Advice For Authors Who Say Nothing Works

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/advice-for-authors-who-say-nothing-works.html

 

Do Literary Agents & Authors Need Couples Therapy?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/do-literary-agents-authors-need-couples.html

 

Can You Say What Your Book Is About?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/can-you-say-what-your-book-is-about.html

 

Should Authors Just Give Up?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/should-authors-just-give-up.html

 

How Can Writers Make $100,000 Annually?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/how-can-writers-make-100000-annually.html

 

Why Bad Books Outsell Yours

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/why-bad-books-outsell-yours.html

 

The Truth That Authors Need To Hear

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-truth-that-authors-need-to-hear.html

 

Book Publishing Expose For Authors From An Insider

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/book-publishing-expose-for-authors-from.html

 

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 blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, 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 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. 

How Can Writers Grow?

 

Don’t ask me why, but I was flipping through a book entitled. The Dictionary of Difficult and Unusual Words: Over 10,000 Confusing Terms Explained. I like to learn new words while seeing how many I actually know. Words are all that most writers have – and when coupled with ideas, fantasies, and experiences – a writer can launch a powerful book. But in flipping through the 500-page book, I realized that authors need to know so much in order to write realistically and intelligently. In an era of information explosion, what really is important for authors to know?  

This book broke down life into eight broad areas:  

·         Language

·         The Arts

·         History

·         Society

·         Physical World

·         The Sciences

·         Technology

·         Sports and Leisure  

The interesting words presented were far ranging, from femme fatale and haute cuisine, to pneumonectomy and neo-Platonism.  

Any knowledge that writers acquire can come in handy, no matter how odd or seemingly rare it may be. Same goes for one’s vocabulary. What we know is what we tend to write about. Know more words and things and you will be able to cover more ground in your writing.  

We may think our learning days come to an end in school. That was just the prologue to a lifetime of constant learning – even re-learning – all that the world has to offer. It is amazing how many specialties or fields of study exist. We each need to at least be aware of these things – and then to be prepared to go in-depth in several areas.  

Having broad knowledge or a bigger vocabulary is not only an asset in writing books but it is also helpful when marketing your book. Those who are curious and forever seeking will continue to grow as writers. Once you think you know everything, you have stopped looking and are no longer growing.  

We can learn from other areas of life – other fields, different cultures, and varied approaches to life.  

Consider taking any and all of these steps: 

·         Make an effort to engage what’s other to you.

·         Keep asking questions.

·         Read books on subjects you don’t normally explore.

·         Learn a few new words every day.

·         Talk to someone not like yourself.

·         Be open to opposing viewpoints.

·         Visit parts of the city you have never explored.

·         Laugh at the serious; get serious at that which you joke about. 

Remember, you know of only a tiny fraction of what this world has to offer – its people, places, foods, cultures, history, and views. Keep exposing yourself to more – your writing, will expand with it. 

 

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.

 

Please Contact Me For Help

 

Advice For Authors Who Say Nothing Works

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/advice-for-authors-who-say-nothing-works.html

 

 

Do Literary Agents & Authors Need Couples Therapy?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/do-literary-agents-authors-need-couples.html

 

Can You Say What Your Book Is About?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/can-you-say-what-your-book-is-about.html

 

Should Authors Just Give Up?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/should-authors-just-give-up.html

 

Cheap Promotions For Authors

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/cheap-promotions-for-authors.html

 

How Can Writers Make $100,000 Annually?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/how-can-writers-make-100000-annually.html

 

22 Ways To Generate More Book Sales Today

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/22-ways-to-generate-more-book-sales.html

 

Networking Tips For Shy, Stupid Or Ugly Authors

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/networking-tips-for-shy-ugly-or-stupid.html

 

Why Bad Books Outsell Yours

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/why-bad-books-outsell-yours.html

 

The Truth That Authors Need To Hear

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-truth-that-authors-need-to-hear.html

 

Book Publishing Expose For Authors From An Insider

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/book-publishing-expose-for-authors-from.html

 

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 blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, 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 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. 

Why Authors Outsource Some Book Marketing Tasks

Every writer who pens a book figures out how to take tens of thousands of words (unless it is a children’s or photography book), and arrange them in such an order that they appear like no other book ever has and in a manner that is worthy of one investing time to read and money to acquire. So, can that same creativity, drive, and ability to piece together a book from random ideas, fantasies, experiences and facts also be used to market that book with success? 

Authors, to a large degree, are not remotely as good at marketing as they are writing. Makes sense. Few of us are good at many things. Some of us are not really exceptional at anything. So, how is the author supposed to find the time, money, energy, well, ability, and opportunity to market a book when he or she needs to write, hold a family together, have a job, and live life fully? 

Answer: Outsource a lot of it AND do some of it. 

That’s true with everything. Just look at your life. 

Do you get help with the kids? Do grandparents step in? Will you hire a nanny? Can you get your spouse to assist? Will you relay on after-school/camp programs and tutors? Outsource. 

Do you make all of the repairs to your house, take care of all the cleaning, cooking, and chores? Or do you hire a cleaning lady, handyman, and someone to do things like wash your car? Do you order food in sometimes? Outsource. 

Every aspect of your life has an element of: 

Compromise.

Getting help.

Doing things on your own. 

Book marketing is no different. 

Authors lack knowledge, skills, experience, desire, ability, time, or energy to do all that is needed to market a book. Hire someone to coach you and to do things for you. It is worth paying for help if it allows you to write more, gain peace of mind, and see your brand and sales rise. 

Authors simply can’t do nothing, do things half-assed, or merely hope to get lucky. No, they have to decidedly outsource a number of marketing tasks so that their life has equilibrium. But help is not cheap, assuming you can find some good people. Still, it is worth it. 

Figure out which aspects of marketing you’d like to outsource, then set goals and a budget. Research the talent pool to see who can help you and be prepared to also step in and get things done. 

 

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.

 

Please Contact Me For Help

 

Advice For Authors Who Say Nothing Works

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/advice-for-authors-who-say-nothing-works.html

 

 

Do Literary Agents & Authors Need Couples Therapy?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/do-literary-agents-authors-need-couples.html

 

Can You Say What Your Book Is About?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/can-you-say-what-your-book-is-about.html

 

Should Authors Just Give Up?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/should-authors-just-give-up.html

 

Cheap Promotions For Authors

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/cheap-promotions-for-authors.html

 

How Can Writers Make $100,000 Annually?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/how-can-writers-make-100000-annually.html

 

22 Ways To Generate More Book Sales Today

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/22-ways-to-generate-more-book-sales.html

 

Networking Tips For Shy, Stupid Or Ugly Authors

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/06/networking-tips-for-shy-ugly-or-stupid.html

 

Why Bad Books Outsell Yours

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/05/why-bad-books-outsell-yours.html

 

The Truth That Authors Need To Hear

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-truth-that-authors-need-to-hear.html

 

Book Publishing Expose For Authors From An Insider

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/book-publishing-expose-for-authors-from.html

 

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 blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, 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 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.