How You-all Market Your Books
Jacqui Murray did a survey on book marketing a few weeks ago. Here’s her summary and findings. It has great information for the indie authors. Click the link below to view the original post.
Marketing is always a challenge with book launches. Word-of-mouth is good but to reach the bigger sales numbers that offset the costs of publishing takes more. I’ve tried free advertising, more outlets (beyond Amazon, B&N, TpT), in-person presentations, fee programs, and focused social media. I’ve tried lots of ideas people suggest and hoped they worked (some did; most didn’t–I blame myself for not following through well enough). Before I spend money, I dig into the suggested option, see who liked it, find out if a trusted efriend has found success with it. I’ve spent a lot of money on advertising my books and sadly it rarely works (I’ll take that blame, too; I’m sure it’s either my marketing pieces or my follow-through).
If you remember, back before the virtual launch of my latest book, Against All Odds, I asked how you market your books. I included these ideas:
a blog
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The Showers of Blessings 
Seems to be the case! Advertising gets expensive and the returns are sparse! E-books on Amazon seem to be stuck in the canning cellar until someone actually clicks on them. Only the paid authors get run through the suggestion ribbon. I write for myself family and friends. They are the only ones who really matter anyway. Beyond that it does not matter. The competition is so stiff … one in a million or two get chosen! Why beat your head against the wall!!??
Dwight
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You have a point, Dwight. Writing for pleasure is the reward. Writing for your family and friends are a greater reward. I’m glad you have been doing it. One person in my poetry group has published several books and sold only a few. He has a blog but has no desire to get followers.
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For me, with the blog it is different! I enjoy the interactions with people all over the world. That if very rewarding when we can share poetry and photos from our life. You have to really work the blog to build followers. Communication and comments are essential. I have a friend who did the same thing. Posts and hopes people read, but rarely comments. Almost no followers as a result!
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I spent the first year building followers by reading, commented, and followed until I couldn’t keep up.
I enjoy interacting with people all over the world also. We share things other than the blogging routine!
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Yes, I know what you mean. I can’t follow my bloggers every day, but I try to drop in from time to time to stay connected!
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And that is a worthy reason to write, Dwight–for family and friends. <>
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they are the ones who really matter. We fool ourselves thinking others will really like what we do…. only to become disillusioned when they don’t get it! Sort of like my Facebook page reading my blog! If i get three or four likes I am doing well.
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Hehe. I love the way you put that–FB reading your blog!
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Yes it is true… most don’t care enough to follow!
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I still put them on Amazon Kindle just in case someone might want to read them.
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I loved Jacqui’s post. But it made me dizzy, thinking of all I SHOULD do. What I wish I could do was hire someone like Jacqui to do my promotions. 🙂
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I know what you meant, Pam. Jacqui is so organized and resourceful. Perhaps she could start a promotion business. 🙂 🙂 ❤
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I don’t do all of this. I just pick and choose, what works for me. I love that there are so many options that we writers can do that.
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Miriam, this is a great post to reblog and one I’ve bookmarked! Jacqui is extraordinary at book promotion and takes it to a whole new level! 😀
Hope all is going well with your latest book, Miriam! Take care, xx
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Thank you, Annika! This is my way of bookmarking Jacqui’s post for my reference. I agree with you that Jacqui is very organized at book promotion and I was delighted to have her on my blog.
You had an updated website. I liked it a lot Annika. I had a hard time getting the book illustrated. I’m working with an artist and hope he could deliver soon.
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Thank you so much, Miriam! I’ve been meaning to make some changes to my blog for ages and finally got there with my son’s help! I’m posting about the process in a longer informative article on Sunday.
Good luck with the art work for your book – it takes a lot of patience but I’m sure you will be very happy with it in the end. I look forward to learning more in due course.
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You’re welcome, Annika! Good to hear your son helped to make changes to your blog. It looks very good.
I remember when I had my first flip phone when my daughter was in 5th grade. After I picked her up from school, she formatted the phone for me on our way home. Kids theses days are so tech savvy.
I hope this illustrator will come through. It was an adventure and I still don’t see the end of it yet.
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I love your new blog, Annika. Great changes.
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Thank you for sharing this useful post
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Thanks for visiting!
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😊
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That was a great post. Jacqui shares a wealth of information, some of which I plan to follow up on. Great share, Miriam.
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Yes, Diana. This post had great information. I’ll follow up on some also.
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Thanks, Diana!
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Thanks so much for reblogging this! It’s pretty interesting, isn’t it?
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You’re welcome, Jacqui!
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