Publicize, Publicize, Publicize
by Lisa A Kramer, in Arts Education
, Theatre
, Writing
We all know that doing good work isn't enough nowadays. Sometimes, it seems that quality doesn't matter at all (see my post called "A Best Selling Author? Really?!!")
The unfortunate truth is that in order to achieve anything we need to get our work noticed, and the only way to do that is to spend more time getting it out there, which of course means less time creating and perfecting our work. It's a vicious cycle.
You would think that social media might make it easier, but it doesn't really. The truth is, the more inundated I am with advertisements or announcements the more they just become visual background noise to the stuff that I'm really interested in hearing, seeing, or reading.
When it comes to looking for a specific something, whether its goods, services, or a place to visit, I am more apt to listen to the suggestions of people I know and trust than to click on an ad. Once someone has made a suggestion I will check out the publicity and promotional material before I make my final choice, but the thing that gets me interested first is word of mouth.
The exception is books. I will buy random books that interest me in spur of the moment purchases (based on a combination of cover blurb, skimming content, interest in the topic, and cover art appeal) but if I'm going to SEEK OUT a book or commit to buying an EXPENSIVE book then I am more likely to purchase one which has been recommended by someone I know, respect, and trust.
Yet, we still somehow must spend time producing publicity--time which (for artists of all sorts) takes away from producing product. And sometimes, it seems, all that work goes nowhere.
Sigh.
I started a discussion of this with my publishing peers at Theme-Thology: Invasion because, let's face it, sales haven't been going as smoothly as I hoped. It's a good collection, and is receiving nice reviews, but we are somehow lagging in the "get it out there" department.
[caption id="attachment_7455" align="aligncenter" width="1001"]
A couple of the reviews, one by someone I don't know, one by someone I do.[/caption]
I realized that, during the first month of sales, many of them were sales to people I know. Of course I have no exact way of knowing this but we sold 30 units. We have 15 authors. Approximately 8-10 people I know told me they had downloaded and were reading the book . . .
I wondered what I was doing that other people weren't and the only thing I can think of was that I was reaching out personally and encouraging people to read the anthology. Or maybe I was inundating you with book announcements so some of you bought it just to shut me up.
I am convinced that the best way to get the word out about anything is through word-of-mouth.
So now, of course, I have a couple of favors to ask of you . . . my friends new and old, followers, blogging buddies, acquaintances, colleagues, peers, and stalkers. (I don't know if I have any stalkers but I need your help too). I need your help to spread the word about a couple of things that are important to me.
First (shocker, I'm sure) is to ask that you get the word out about Theme-Thology: Invasion. It's an interesting and fun collection of stories. But even more than that, it is the beginning of a series and an example of a new approach to publishing that has room for more writers. My writing friends, this means YOU could get involved in future projects.
[caption id="attachment_7194" align="aligncenter" width="200"]
Cover Art by Aaron Woods. Available now on Kindle, Nook, and Kobo. For more information or to get involved, click here.[/caption]
Second is, in a way, the bigger one. As you might have noticed, I, along with my business partner and friend, have started a new venture.
We spent a lot of time yesterday planning, brainstorming, and working on how to get this started, how to get ourselves out there. Thanks to my brother, Steve (aka Taochild, visit him at one of his many blogs), we now have the beginnings of a really wonderful website which you can find here. We can also be found on Facebook, on Google+, and on LinkedIn. (We haven't decided about Twitter yet as neither of us use it well). So the first, and easiest thing I'm asking is that you like and/or follow us wherever you can find us.
The second thing, though, is that I would love you to spread the word. If any of you have any connections with anyone within a reasonable driving distance of central Massachusetts who might be interested in working with us, please share our information with them. Here is a direct link to our workshop descriptions. We have programming for people of all ages, intended to inspire and empower everyone to share their stories in creative ways.
So there you have it folks, my publicity spiel of the morning. I would be so grateful if you could help spread the word and am thanking you with my whole heart in advance.
And, of course, I'm always happy to return the favor.
The unfortunate truth is that in order to achieve anything we need to get our work noticed, and the only way to do that is to spend more time getting it out there, which of course means less time creating and perfecting our work. It's a vicious cycle.
You would think that social media might make it easier, but it doesn't really. The truth is, the more inundated I am with advertisements or announcements the more they just become visual background noise to the stuff that I'm really interested in hearing, seeing, or reading.
When it comes to looking for a specific something, whether its goods, services, or a place to visit, I am more apt to listen to the suggestions of people I know and trust than to click on an ad. Once someone has made a suggestion I will check out the publicity and promotional material before I make my final choice, but the thing that gets me interested first is word of mouth.
The exception is books. I will buy random books that interest me in spur of the moment purchases (based on a combination of cover blurb, skimming content, interest in the topic, and cover art appeal) but if I'm going to SEEK OUT a book or commit to buying an EXPENSIVE book then I am more likely to purchase one which has been recommended by someone I know, respect, and trust.
Yet, we still somehow must spend time producing publicity--time which (for artists of all sorts) takes away from producing product. And sometimes, it seems, all that work goes nowhere.
Sigh.
I started a discussion of this with my publishing peers at Theme-Thology: Invasion because, let's face it, sales haven't been going as smoothly as I hoped. It's a good collection, and is receiving nice reviews, but we are somehow lagging in the "get it out there" department.
[caption id="attachment_7455" align="aligncenter" width="1001"]
A couple of the reviews, one by someone I don't know, one by someone I do.[/caption]I realized that, during the first month of sales, many of them were sales to people I know. Of course I have no exact way of knowing this but we sold 30 units. We have 15 authors. Approximately 8-10 people I know told me they had downloaded and were reading the book . . .
I wondered what I was doing that other people weren't and the only thing I can think of was that I was reaching out personally and encouraging people to read the anthology. Or maybe I was inundating you with book announcements so some of you bought it just to shut me up.
I am convinced that the best way to get the word out about anything is through word-of-mouth.
So now, of course, I have a couple of favors to ask of you . . . my friends new and old, followers, blogging buddies, acquaintances, colleagues, peers, and stalkers. (I don't know if I have any stalkers but I need your help too). I need your help to spread the word about a couple of things that are important to me.
First (shocker, I'm sure) is to ask that you get the word out about Theme-Thology: Invasion. It's an interesting and fun collection of stories. But even more than that, it is the beginning of a series and an example of a new approach to publishing that has room for more writers. My writing friends, this means YOU could get involved in future projects.
[caption id="attachment_7194" align="aligncenter" width="200"]
Cover Art by Aaron Woods. Available now on Kindle, Nook, and Kobo. For more information or to get involved, click here.[/caption]Second is, in a way, the bigger one. As you might have noticed, I, along with my business partner and friend, have started a new venture.
We spent a lot of time yesterday planning, brainstorming, and working on how to get this started, how to get ourselves out there. Thanks to my brother, Steve (aka Taochild, visit him at one of his many blogs), we now have the beginnings of a really wonderful website which you can find here. We can also be found on Facebook, on Google+, and on LinkedIn. (We haven't decided about Twitter yet as neither of us use it well). So the first, and easiest thing I'm asking is that you like and/or follow us wherever you can find us.
The second thing, though, is that I would love you to spread the word. If any of you have any connections with anyone within a reasonable driving distance of central Massachusetts who might be interested in working with us, please share our information with them. Here is a direct link to our workshop descriptions. We have programming for people of all ages, intended to inspire and empower everyone to share their stories in creative ways.
So there you have it folks, my publicity spiel of the morning. I would be so grateful if you could help spread the word and am thanking you with my whole heart in advance.
And, of course, I'm always happy to return the favor.
