Friday, February 13, 2015

Why is Marketing So Hard?

It's release day and my brain really isn't in a new-post place.  So I cheated and borrowed this from my post at Killer Chicks today:

Why is Marketing So Hard?

I grew up knowing that Sales was in my blood.  My father was a salesman.  He could sell you on anything.  I like to think I inherited that gene, and it pretty much bears out even today when I try to sell something I really love to anyone who'll listen.  (Even when said product is no longer made.)  For instance, I still chat up Paladin Tools - even though they were bought out by Greenlee years ago and no longer make their signature orange-handled crimpers.  And hey, have you tried O&H Danish Bakery's kringles yet?

Hell, I was selling chairs to a volunteer at the thrift shop just last week.  (Yeah, selling something to someone who works in the store.  But hey, she was the one who told me she likes to refinish old furniture and there were these awesome chairs I thought would be perfect for her.)  But I digress...

Anyway, I sell stuff.  Every item out there is a product that can be sold.  It's widgets all the way down.  So, here I am at the release day of my very own product - Dying Embers.  I know this widget better than any other widget I've ever had the opportunity to sell.  I believe in this like no other.  And I'm stymied at how to proceed.

I think part of the problem is in our society, it's verboten to talk yourself up.  It's pushy.  And lord knows, we don't want to be perceived as pushy.

Another part of the problem is it might be a widget or a product or a thingamabob, but this particular doohickey is 100% me.  I could sell tools because I didn't have a vested interest in the tool itself.  (The commissions, yeah, but the tool? No.)  If someone didn't want to buy the tool - even after I told them all the wonders of said tool - then it was no skin off my nose.  Move on to the next, and hopefully more enlightened, customer.  (I really did sell the best tools.)  Sure, their unwillingness to buy did reflect somewhat on my sales ability, but not on me personally. This time, if someone doesn't want to buy my book, it's a direct reflection on me.  And if they bought a tool they decided they didn't like, it wasn't my problem.  If they buy this book and decide they don't like it, they're talking about something that came out of me.

:shudder:

No wonder writers have such a tough time marketing their books.  I mean, I have no problem selling other writers' books.  (BTW, fellow Killer Chick, JB Lynn's latest book The Hitwoman's Downward Dog should be coming out soon.)  I just have a problem selling my own.

So, in the interest of improving my own marketing skills for myself, go pick up a copy of my first self-published book - Dying Embers.  It doesn't slice, dice or make Julienne fries.  It's doesn't have shiny orange grips or added torque.  It sure as hell doesn't get 34 miles to the gallon on the highway.  But it should be a gripping and enjoyable read.  It's cathartic as hell for anyone who's ever wanted to get back at their former boyfriends.  And it goes well with a half-gallon of double-fudge-brownie ice cream.

9 comments:

  1. It is a gripping and enjoyable read. It goes well with a cup of cafe au lait. I like your protagonist and her motley crew. The antagonist is a bitch but she's supposed to be. And yes, I'm bumfuzzled about the whole marketing yourself thing. Even moreso than you as I was never a salesman. Cheers! *clinks coffee mugs* It's too early for champagne.

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    1. Thanks, Silver! I'm glad you enjoyed the gals with your coffee. Cheers!

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  2. (oh, oh - I don't know what happened to my half-written comment)

    Happy Release Day!

    I can't *give* things away, so I can't help with marketing. I'm soooo envious of your sales genes. ;-)

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    1. Blogger must've been hungry. It's been eating a lot of comments lately.

      Thanks, Deb! Maybe I should put together a short course on marketing for writers. So few of us are any good at it.

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    2. I would love a course on marketing, especially if it avoids Facebook. Just not going there. ;-)

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  3. I read it yesterday. Started first thing with coffee, had to go to work, then couldn't put it down all evening. Tried to finish it but dropped off, allowing the iPad to fall on my nose. Got up extra early this morning and finished before work, with enough time to leave a review on Goodreads. I'm not being kind or polite, I truely did enjoy it enormously. I was invested in JC and totally freaked by Emma from chapter 1. The story ran smoothly, dialogue was realistic and the suspense woke me up in the middle of the night with a whoosh! Suffice to say when I got to the end I wanted to start reading again immediately. A thoroughly enjoyable book and I've already recommended to people and mentioned it in a post on a quilting blog! Congratulations.

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    1. You have no idea how deliriously happy your comment and your review made me, Fran. Thank you so much. I printed it out for keeps. I'm so glad you enjoyed the story. Sorry about the bumped nose, though. And thanks for recommending it to your friends. =o)

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  4. Don't mean to be mean, but I own a Nook, not a Kindle, so until I see it on B&N, I won't be able to read it. I don't ever plan on buying a Kindle and I won't read on my phone (ouch, my eyes!) and I don't own a tablet and I won't read on my computer. I'm a pain, I know. But if I see it in paperback before it shows up on B&N, I'll buy that. I do want to read it, but it's got to be in a way that's enjoyable for me or else I just don't enjoy it.

    Anyway, I just wanted you to know WHY I'm not reading it yet.

    As for marketing... I'm not a salesman. Never have been. I just keep writing the next book and getting it out there. It seems to be working so far. Not very well, but at least I'm selling books. I wish you many, many sales! :)

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    1. Oh man, Stacy, I'm so sorry. I don't think you're mean. I totally understand. My daughter's got a Nook, too. On the upside, the paperback went live on Createspace last night and should start showing up in other distribution channels soon. https://www.createspace.com/5309558

      And I'll be giving away copies once the ones I ordered arrive.

      Good for you. Writing the next book is the most important part. Which I need to get back to today. Thanks for the wishes!

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