DrRita
09-30-2006, 12:41 PM
Marketing? Promotion? Sales? I'm not planning on self-publishing so what does all of that have to do with me?
I'm not a sales person, marketing expert or promoter. Heck, I'm not even very outgoing. I don't care for crowds, mingling, spending hours devising marketing plans and sales ideas. I like to spend my time writing. However, today’s writer can no longer just write. Marketing, sales and promotional skills are just as important as talent. Skills in marketing and promotion are no longer just for the self-published; many traditional publishers are leaning on their authors to do their part. Times have changed and today’s book proposal may read more like a business plan than story pitch. Most publishers want to know your marketing strategy as well as your story idea. This frightens me. I fear I'll fail as a writer, not because I can't write but because I can't sell. I need someone to come alongside and give me a hand. So where does a writer who hates marketing and sales go for advice and help? Here are a few ideas:
Plan A: Hire a business agent and marketing expert.
That would be my first plan except for one small problem—no money!
Plan B: Find a literary agent to do all of that.
Nice try. However, in today’s world, unless you’re already famous, you will still need to come up with some sort of plan. The agent may get you the contract, but most likely the publisher will still require your participation in the marketing.
Plan C: Give in and bite the bullet.
This is the realistic approach and frankly, your only option until you win the lottery and can implement Plan A or find an agent who will get you a contract without a marketing clause. Until then here are some suggestions and resources.
PRAYER: For those of us who hate the thought of sales and marketing, the FIRST order of business is to Pray. God, the ultimate source of all creativity, inspiration and strength, should be our initial contact. He knows what needs to be done, how to do it and where to start. He can give you ideas, open doors and make connections.
RESEARCH: Read books and articles on marketing. There are several good resources such as the Guerilla Marketing books and Marketing for Dummies. There are internet resources for information, encouragement, how to etc. Marketing (http://www.internet-resources.com/writers/wrlinks-business.htm#marketing>Marketing Links</url) is a great resource. Attend seminars and writer’s conferences. If you are planning on attending a conference, be sure to attend some of the marketing classes. Ask other writers about their marketing strategies, especially their successes and failures. Investigate traditional, vanity and subsidy publishers to find out what they require from their authors. That way there will be no surprises when your book is accepted.
ORGANIZE: After you’ve gathered your information, sit down and commit a preliminary plan to paper. A word of caution if you’re feeling momentarily positive and enthusiastic about marketing: Keep it Simple. When it’s finished, let it rest for a few days. Then go over it detail by detail and seriously ask yourself, “Will I really do this?” If the answer is no, rethink it. Just remember, it’s not set in stone so you can change it at any time.
In case, you didn’t notice, the acronym for the three words above is PRO. Prayer, Research, Organize. You can become a pro at this. If you tackle it head on, work out the details and keep God in the driver’s seat, it will no longer be the monster in the closet waiting to pounce on you in the night. Don’t be scared, be prepared!!
I'm not a sales person, marketing expert or promoter. Heck, I'm not even very outgoing. I don't care for crowds, mingling, spending hours devising marketing plans and sales ideas. I like to spend my time writing. However, today’s writer can no longer just write. Marketing, sales and promotional skills are just as important as talent. Skills in marketing and promotion are no longer just for the self-published; many traditional publishers are leaning on their authors to do their part. Times have changed and today’s book proposal may read more like a business plan than story pitch. Most publishers want to know your marketing strategy as well as your story idea. This frightens me. I fear I'll fail as a writer, not because I can't write but because I can't sell. I need someone to come alongside and give me a hand. So where does a writer who hates marketing and sales go for advice and help? Here are a few ideas:
Plan A: Hire a business agent and marketing expert.
That would be my first plan except for one small problem—no money!
Plan B: Find a literary agent to do all of that.
Nice try. However, in today’s world, unless you’re already famous, you will still need to come up with some sort of plan. The agent may get you the contract, but most likely the publisher will still require your participation in the marketing.
Plan C: Give in and bite the bullet.
This is the realistic approach and frankly, your only option until you win the lottery and can implement Plan A or find an agent who will get you a contract without a marketing clause. Until then here are some suggestions and resources.
PRAYER: For those of us who hate the thought of sales and marketing, the FIRST order of business is to Pray. God, the ultimate source of all creativity, inspiration and strength, should be our initial contact. He knows what needs to be done, how to do it and where to start. He can give you ideas, open doors and make connections.
RESEARCH: Read books and articles on marketing. There are several good resources such as the Guerilla Marketing books and Marketing for Dummies. There are internet resources for information, encouragement, how to etc. Marketing (http://www.internet-resources.com/writers/wrlinks-business.htm#marketing>Marketing Links</url) is a great resource. Attend seminars and writer’s conferences. If you are planning on attending a conference, be sure to attend some of the marketing classes. Ask other writers about their marketing strategies, especially their successes and failures. Investigate traditional, vanity and subsidy publishers to find out what they require from their authors. That way there will be no surprises when your book is accepted.
ORGANIZE: After you’ve gathered your information, sit down and commit a preliminary plan to paper. A word of caution if you’re feeling momentarily positive and enthusiastic about marketing: Keep it Simple. When it’s finished, let it rest for a few days. Then go over it detail by detail and seriously ask yourself, “Will I really do this?” If the answer is no, rethink it. Just remember, it’s not set in stone so you can change it at any time.
In case, you didn’t notice, the acronym for the three words above is PRO. Prayer, Research, Organize. You can become a pro at this. If you tackle it head on, work out the details and keep God in the driver’s seat, it will no longer be the monster in the closet waiting to pounce on you in the night. Don’t be scared, be prepared!!