Authors need to change their mindset.
Whether you are traditionally pubbed or indie pubbed. Marketing is a huge component of getting your books out there. Some of us are lucky to get tons of marketing from publishers. Most of us aren't. Most of you will do it alone with very littel support. So you might as well except it and do it.
It's a matter of changing your mindset.
Here are some of the DONTs of Marketing - in my opinion. These are mindsets that I still see and they make me smack my forehead.
1) My web site is longer than Santa's naughty list - Don't make us page down through pages of text. The standard web rule is the user should not have to page down on a web site more than 2 times. (this is more lenient on blog posts) Your web site is an executive summary and TOC of you - not a book. You only need something short and sweet that grabs people. Web sites reflect your writing. If you drone on for pages - I might not want to read your book. Keep it simple, professional, and short.
2) I like marketing from The Land of Cheapo. Come on! Don't put out crap. Nowadays you can get inexpensive, solid quality marketing swag from various web sites. You really don't want a plain white business card with your face on it. You really don't need a bookmark that is so flimsy it can be used as origami. Do yourself and your image a favor, invest in high quality pieces or don't do them at all. I don't want to see one more perforated business card that is black and white. Your card is your mark on someone. They might not remember you but if they see the card - it should interest them. It is better to invest in a few key pieces than to do a bunch of bad pieces. Take pride in your materials as you would take pride in your writing or work. It is a reflection of you.
17 Comments on Marketing Pet Peeves - Change your mindset!, last added: 3/9/2012
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By: Shelli,
on 3/7/2012
Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: pet peeves, C, interactive marketing, Advice, Add a tag
By: Shelli,
on 3/8/2010
Blog: Faeriality (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: fourth story media, The amanda Project, ariel aberg-riger, interactive marketing, Add a tag
Here is part 2 of the The Amanda Project with Marketing Director, Ariel Aberg-Riger. Y0u can also review Part 1.
Note: This is a 2 part series. Comment on Part 1 or 2 to be entered into a random drawing for one of two books of Invisible 1 (book 1 of The Amanda Project). You must be a follower and in the US to win. The book drawing for both books will be tonight so you must comment by 12 PM EST
What was it like for the author to allow the shaping a story left 
to the readers? Do you find the storylines completely different or similar?
Well, our authors did what they do best which is create compelling characters and a riveting story. We just created a framework that allows our community to supplement their vision. Each book is written by each author in a fairly traditional manner, and the authors all worked together to establish an overarching plot structure for the eight books (a HUGE hat tip to our amazingly talented editorial director for keeping track of everything!). It is the details of Amanda's world that are flexible, and ever-growing, as our community of readers and writers adds to what the authors have created.
How has The Amanda Project evolved over time?
We're still really young! The site only officially launched last August, and Invisible I came out in October. We've definitely responded to our community's wants (the addition of the Zine section on the site came out of our beta testers' comments), and we are developing some additional features which we hope to launch this summer, but overall we are still in our infancy!
How did you draw in your initial readers? What marketing did you use to get the project started?
We started testing the website in beta about six months before the first book in the series - Invisible I - hit stores. Our initial beta testers came from a call we put out via the Fourth Story Media website, along with a number of teens from HarperCollins/HarperTeen' ARC early reviewers lists. We knew even before we started that our most hardcore members would be girls who loved to read and write, so we went after voracious readers to test the site. We used the beta testing period to really talk to our testers and find out what they loved and what they wanted more of. Before the site went live (last August - about a month before the first book came out), we made a number of changes based on our beta's feedback.
After building and energizing a small core of super Amanda enthusiasts during beta, we then equipped them with the tools to go out and bring their friends on
Well said, Shelli. And I absolutely love #7. :)
Great stuff!
Great advice Shelli. I know I have to get on Twitter soon. It's hard to squeeze the time in.
Two questions: Do you recommend glossy bookmarks or are they too hard to sign?
What do you recommend doing with Twitter? I already follow a ton of blogs and can't spend much more time on it all. Thanks.
Nothing makes you think about this more than the publishing process! Marketing is changing and we have to change with it!
Just a thought, the government offers free help for small businesses through the SBDC (Small Business Development Center.) Sub-branch of sba.gov
They offer classes in marketing and creating a business plan. It's free to attend so it'd be so simple just go go in and say "My business is writing" and get their help.
There's one, if not more, in every state/city. Most are at the community college.
I bet your kids have great looking teeth!!! :)
Excellent advice as always. The world is changing quickly - we've got to keep up if we have any hope of succeeding!
Wow, really good advice here. There are no shortcuts and writer can't pretend it's all about the writing.
I just shared your post on Facebook.
Great post, this was definitely helpful! :0)
I read the other day that more adults than teens buy YA novels. Teens borrow more than they buy (with the exception of my niece, who was anti-borrowing. She owns more than 200 books). I still believe you need to write for your target audience (12-18 if you write YA). You can't write for the 19+ set and expect teens to feel your story is authentic.
I used to do #4 a lot when I was a drug rep. Yeah, it's not the most effective approach. But when I did the prep work, I ended up working 50 + hours a week. I didn't love my job that much (not even close).
Great blog post. Thanks! I'll be self-publishing soon, and this post was helpful. :)
Concise advice! Given me lots to think about. Thanks for sharing. Number seven made me smile.
As always, great advice Shelli! :-)
Great advice, Shelli! And I love the new look of the blog, by the way. :)
This is a great post. I have so much to learn about marketing, but like you said, there are plenty of ways to learn. I agree that it's needed AND worth it!
You'd like to be able to say these are all common sense, but unfortunately NO. Great list!! :)
Thanks, Shelli. You have a wonderful way of giving great advice with humor!