As soon as humans had something to trade, advertising must have been invented. Maybe the first flint knappers didn't need to take a full page advert in the Avebury Argos, but they must have somehow let people know what they were making, whether it was demonstrating their skill directly, or hoping that work of mouth would communicate where to go to trade for the best skinning flint available to man. As soon as print was invented the possibilities increased dramatically, and in more recent centuries the need to advertise has spawned a plethora of agencies, all falling over each other to create ever more effective ways of selling us almost anything. I think it was Lord Lever who said something to the effect that fifty percent of his advertising was wasted, but he didn't know which fifty percent.
I was thinking about this recently while updating my Facebook page, and wondering what to Tweet next. As writers we are all used to self promotion, whether we like it or not. We phone the local paper with news or send them copy, do school visits, turn up for book signings and attend festivals.
But this is no longer enough. Now we must also diligently Tweet, update our websites, keep our Facebook pages interesting, link to Linked in, and do whatever it takes to keep ourselves 'out there' on Bebo. And of course Google + is coming, and who knows what the next thing will be.
Maybe we don't all do all of these things, while some of us may do others, but whatever we do, and however we link it all together it steals writing time, and increasingly, I fear that although we're all waving like mad, we are in danger of drowning in advertising.
I make a special case for blogs which, although sometimes considered advertising, at least have the advantage of being much more than simple slogans. There are some brilliant blogs out there, written by people who can be erudite, informative, provocative, all the things I love. But then I would say that, wouldn't I, as I'm writing this in a blog? Of course, doing these things can be enjoyable, and enjoyment is its own justification for all of this online activity. In that case it matters little if it eats into other activities.
I look admiringly at book trailers. There they are, in links or to be found directly on You Tube. They're wonderful, aren't they? Seriously, they really are. The best are tiny jewels of creativity. I want one. I do. But isn't part of their allure the fact that they are new and exciting? Will they still have the same impact once we all have book trailers? I suspect not. Once we all have them there will be something else we really ought to be doing to keep up. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm beginning to wonder if all this activity is worth it. Sometimes I feel a bit like a lemming; not suicidal, but pressured into behaviour that isn't normal, or wise.
So you thought you used to play 2D games. If you had taken a look behind the screen, then you'd have seen this. The featured game is Lemmings from Psygnosis, a 16-bit platform game for the Commodore Amiga and many other computers, released in 1991.
You're invited to Sevensheaven.nl for an extended impression.
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Yes, all this constant updating and maintenance certainly eats into our writing time. Although, perhaps these tools for self-promotion are becoming the new excuses for task avoidance?
I know what you mean. It is a time consuming task - self promotion. But at least with modern social netwroking you can do it from the comfort of your own home without having to travel to venues like bookshops etc.
I know just what you mean! I'm going to keep checking in and see if anybody posts some answers...
I agree with you, Cindy! And not entirely sure why all this isn't the work of publishers' publicity and marketing depts! And I would like CONCRETE EVIDENCE (ie sales figures) to show that most advertising of books actually creates BUYERS OF BOOKS. I think that since libraries are under threat and have no money, hardback sales at least have almost vanished away. Anyone have figures that prove me wrong? I would love to be told I'm talking complete rubbish!
As I type this with a duck on my head, and one foot strumming an electric lute... Brilliant post, Cindy! And Adele - publishers have abandoned most of us, so -
My books are on kindle, folks! Find me and the duck at www.susanpriceauthor.com and at Kindle Authors UK - ladiz 'n' gennlemen, ay thenk you.
Oh no! Do we have to swim the lake too??? At least it's calm water.
A good question, Cindy, an dpoint well made - but where are all the answers???
I'm quite happy to do the tweeting and blogging and updating of the website [erm. that's overdue!] but NOT to do the REALLY time consuming stuff of visiting schools, bookshops and so on. The former can be done at home, a few minutes a day or more if you like - but it doesn't take out the massive chunks of time that visits do. It's not possible to do 10 minutes of a bookshop visit, but it is possible to do 10 minutes of blogging...
A very interesting & comforting viewpoint, Stroppy Author, especially as author visits seem to be more than school budgets can stand at the moment.
Great post, Cindy. The other thing I wonder is whether anyone except other authors and booky people notices all this stuff. I know it's useful even if they're the only ones who do - but I do sometimes feel there's a touch of the Narcissus about it all.
Maybe you will want to put a facebook button to your website. Just marked down the url, although I must do it manually. Just my advice.
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