What is the best marketing for writers?
The debate on what constitutes the best marketing for writers is a ferocious one. Is it books or presence? Will what works for one work for another?
If you ask a public relations specialist, it will be the internet.
And if you ask a marketing specialist, it will be media and public appearances.
If you ask Kristin Nelson of Nelson Literary, it’s the next book.
If you ask other writers, it could be anything from giveaways to email swaps to newsletters to Instagram.
I’ve become convinced it’s an amalgamation of all these things.
Write your book.
Write your book well.
Have your book edited.
Have your book edited well.
Then do all this again.
Especially if you decide to go indie, have a well-written and well-edited book and then have another one and another.
Create your author brand and online presence.
People buy from those they know, like and trust.
An author brand helps readers get to know you.
Create a website that is current, creative and smart.
If you don’t know how to do it, find someone who does.
A website in 2021 that looks like it was built in 1999 will hurt your credibility.
Engage the public.
Also do this well.
Pick a theme from your book and find a group that would support it.
Talk to them.
Pick one social media outlet and do it well.
It’s called social networking because you are “networking.”
If you don’t have time, don’t do it. It will hurt you if it’s half-heartedly done.
Stop the Presses!
Create a relationship with your local press.
Meet the reporters, find out what makes them interested and use that hook to get the interview.
I advocate for smaller news outlets because they are always looking for people and events to cover, especially if there is a local tie.
Do not stalk!
——-
I am a reader and when I like an author, I just want to keep reading his or her books.
Then I’ll check out a website and maybe a Facebook page, but that’s about it.
If I can easily find them via the internet, I’m happy.
And if s/he’s making splashes in the press, then I’m hunting up the next book.
But if there is no way to find him on the internet aside from Amazon, I start to question his/her credibility.
Fair? Maybe not, but a cold, hard truth.
The bottom line for me is that if you want to do marketing well, create an experience for readers online and with your books.
Keep Amazon filled.
And at the very least, have a well-created website and fun, creative social presence.