We’ve all heard of the big names – King, Patterson, Roberts, Rowling, James.
As an author who plans to self-publish is there one name on that list that makes you cringe?
If your answer is yes, I bet I can guess which one it is.
As an author who plans to self-publish is there one name on that list that makes you cringe?
If your answer is yes, I bet I can guess which one it is.
But here’s the catch: despite
the alleged less than perfect writing – she built a huge circle and never
stopped marketing.
This isn’t a question of “good” writer vs. “bad” writer
This isn’t a question of “good” writer vs. “bad” writer
At the end of the day what makes a writer “good” or “bad”?
In my opinion the answer lies with the reader of the book. The subject matter, plot, scene and characters have to resonate. If I don’t feel it I don’t want to spend time in that world.
But there are plenty of people who will love it. Maybe your book is similar and targeted to a broad but specific group of people. Only market research will tell you.
In my opinion the answer lies with the reader of the book. The subject matter, plot, scene and characters have to resonate. If I don’t feel it I don’t want to spend time in that world.
But there are plenty of people who will love it. Maybe your book is similar and targeted to a broad but specific group of people. Only market research will tell you.
I will admit, I never read the trilogy
by E.L. James, simply because that genre doesn’t resonate with me. It had
nothing to do with what I heard on the writer grapevine about the writing
itself.
But…and this is a biggie…many, many, many people read this trilogy after it took over the world simply
because, well, it was everywhere and like a train wreck, people had to know what all the buzz was about.
Which is the reason I even heard of her books. Because Grey wouldn’t ever end up on my ‘suggestions for you’ list. But it was the luckiest word-of-mouth marketing campaign I've ever seen.
Which is the reason I even heard of her books. Because Grey wouldn’t ever end up on my ‘suggestions for you’ list. But it was the luckiest word-of-mouth marketing campaign I've ever seen.
She’s sold a bazillion copies but that begs the questions: does that make James a
better writer? Or: because a bazillion people read it and flamed her writing does
that make her a bad writer?
The answer to both questions is no.
Results not typical
Not everyone is going to write something that blows up the
reading world. Millions of books are released each year and 99.999999999% of them will do okay if marketed right. To go viral I believe you need a bit of luck on your side.
Timing really is everything. The time was right for (primarily) women to read these books that this previously unknown indie author wrote.
Timing really is everything. The time was right for (primarily) women to read these books that this previously unknown indie author wrote.
But I'm here to say that you have to let go of
worrying if your book is going to blow up.
Like I said, some could, most don’t. Mine certainly didn’t but it didn’t stop me from organizing a blog tour, promoting on social media and writing relevant related articles that helped keep my book’s title out there. Kept my name out there.
Like I said, some could, most don’t. Mine certainly didn’t but it didn’t stop me from organizing a blog tour, promoting on social media and writing relevant related articles that helped keep my book’s title out there. Kept my name out there.
You’ve heard the
saying…
There’s no such thing as bad publicity.
In the case of self-publishing authors there has never been a
truer statement uttered. The reality is that, just like with James, there will
be people who both praise and blast your work.
But keep in mind that means people are talking about it.
But keep in mind that means people are talking about it.
Now I’m not saying to set out with a goal of getting bad
reviews but the more they talk, the more you’ll likely sell. Talking about it
is word of mouth marketing and that’s what will push you into the next level of
book sales.
And even popular authors need to market
And even popular authors need to market
A good example is another huge name – Stephen King.
His most recent novel, Doctor Sleep,
was released last September. For a few months before and at least a couple
weeks after the release date, King was everywhere.
Talk shows had him on and he started writing regular
features in magazines. He kept his name out there and relentlessly talked about
the novel to come.
It might seem strange that a guy like King would have to make a round on the circuit; that his hoards of fans
wouldn’t just know it was time to buy his book.
In truth, every Author has to market, even if they’re as popular as King because there's always a potential new reader right around the corner.
In truth, every Author has to market, even if they’re as popular as King because there's always a potential new reader right around the corner.
Staying in the public eye is critical, especially for an indie. James originally
self-published all three of her books.
When the books took over and sales went wild it would have been crazy for a house not to pick her up. There was money to be made and deals to contract.
When the books took over and sales went wild it would have been crazy for a house not to pick her up. There was money to be made and deals to contract.
All those people talking about how awful the books were, helped to
propel her into a new income bracket. Bad reviews or not, the woman could smile all the way to the
bank.
Your ability to market well is what will keep your name out there
and keep your book selling.
The
last post in this series is coming up next and we’re going to cover why you need
to go back to the start when you get to the end. The time to reassess
everything has come.
Image courtesy Stuart Miles on freedigitalphotos.net
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Earlier posts in this series:
Tip 1 - Write the Book
Tip 2 - Forget Your Book Exists
