It’s a snap to market yourself online. There are taglines, links, promo photos, blogs, etc. that make it incredibly simple.
Then there’s real-time marketing. For me, it’s the real-time promoting that poses a problem. Here are my issues:
Phones: Life falls apart when Mom gets on the phone. As I mentioned to my author friend Galen Kindley yesterday, the local press called me to set up an interview for my August 1 release. At that very moment, the smoke detector went off because I was cooking pasta and it always goes off when I’m cooking pasta. Then the dog (pictured) started barking hysterically to alert me to the alarm (as if I were deaf to the alarm, but had functional hearing when it came to her.)
My kids have a rule—when Mom is on the phone, there must be an emergency. No one throws up, makes the toilet or bathtub overflow, or needs me desperately in any way until I’m on the phone.
Face to Face Promoting: I feel uncomfortable mentioning my book when people ask what I do.
Conferences: I’m a stay-at-home mom. It’s complicated.
Book Signings: When I do book signings, customers think I work at the bookstore. I guess I’m not very authorly-looking. Many of them ask me where the restrooms are.
My Solutions:
Phone: Tell my kids that unless they’re bleeding to death or the house is on fire, they should leave me alone when I’m on the phone. Or talk on the phone while sitting in my closet. Put the dog outside. Don’t cook pasta. :)
Face to Face promotion: Business cards. I don’t have to say much…the cards have my contact info on them, a pic of the book, even my pseudonym for the books next year. I can stuff it in their hand and run away.
Conferences: Online conferences are my new thing. If it’s online, I’m there. Oh…but I’ll probably make Malice in the spring. Think I need to go there for sure.
Book signings: I book signings where I’m one of a panel of writers. I’m much more comfortable and less self-conscious. But I do still learn where the restrooms are, since people are sure to ask me.
Does anyone else have promoting obstacles? How do you get past them?
Oh God, yes, Elizabeth. I don’t have kids at home anymore, but all the rest of what you describe here, I feel as well. I’m so new at this, I haven’t overcome anything yet, but I am making decisions about what works and doesn’t work for me. I will be selective about the events I participate in, I will look for online conferences (thanks for the tip – I didn’t know they had such a thing), and do what I find works as as I go.
Blessings,
karen
I’d have to say, I suffer from an aspect of the face to face promotion problem. I’ve turned in three books to my publisher this year (turned in the third yesterday), yet when someone asks about them, I say, “Well, they’re not mysteries.” I need to stop doing that, I know.
On a side note…I awarded you the Humane Award today. I did so because your blog makes me think and you’re open and sharing.
Helen
Straight From Hel
Excuse me, Ma’am? Ma’am? Could you please tell me where the men’s room is?
LOL – loved your book signing obstacle. (wink)
Fun post with a point to it, Elizabeth. I’m an extroverted Type A shameless self-promoter so I don’t have too many issues to deal with when it comes to promotions. Also an empty nester now, so it’s pretty quiet in the house. :)
The Old Silly
Funny post!
I have a feeling that once you’ve got a book in your hand–an actual, true-to-life chunk of paper with YOUR words in it–you’ll do just fine at face-to-face promotion. I think you’ll make the transition from your excellent on-line marketing to “other” marketing very well.
Oh, and by the way, try boiling the pasta. If you put it directly on the burners, it will burn every time! :)
Alan
A Million Blogging Monkeys
Those are actually great tips to get around the obstacles. I especially like the idea of making sure kids know when you’re on the phone, that unless htey’re bleeding, you’re off limits. :) I’ll have to keep that piece of advice tucked away when Brogan gets older.
It’s one of Mrs. Murphy’s Laws: No matter what you do to tell people you’re working, it won’t work. Case in point:
Hung “Do Not Disturb” sign on office door and closed it. Husband opened door to ask me If I was busy. He saw the sign and wondered what I was doing.
Karen: Sounds like we’re in the same boat! And yes, they’re starting to hold writing conferences online (maybe spurred by the economy?)
Helen: Thanks so much! :) I really appreciate it.
Marvin: I can see that about you! It must be nice to have salesmanship come so easily.
Alan: Good idea with the pasta! I wondered where I was going wrong….
Katie: We’ll just see if it WORKS, though! I forgot to mention that the doorbell rings, too. UPS truck always comes when I’m on the phone.
Karen: Oh, this sounds familiar! Too funny! Husbands….sigh.
Hi Elizabeth – I am also out of my comfort zone with the in person marketing. So far, my book signings have been in schools with small groups of kids at a time. That actually works pretty well – in small groups I can get the kids interactive.
Nancy, from Realms of Thought…
Hi Nancy–I’ve talked in schools, too. I think I’m a little more stressed out by those, though–my kids can get so embarrassed by me!
Elizabeth
Great post! Your phone obstacle is SO true! Emergency chauffer service is always what’s needed when I’m on the phone. Not sure HOW I haven’t gotten across the ‘wait until I’m off’ except that I don’t LIKE the phone much, so there just hasn’t been enough practice.
LOVE the idea of online conferences! Between my day job and my family I really can’t get out of town, but I have enough vacation time built to take a day or two to be on the computer! Do you have any advice on FINDING good ones?