My Plan for Writing and Marketing by J.Q. Rose
So many avenues for marketing my books, Twitter, Facebook, Blogger, Goodreads, Pinterest, Amazon, and now Google Plus. My head was spinning trying to keep up with all of them. Alas, I crashed and burned. I was trying to do everything, but not doing well at any of them. Needless to say I wasn't writing anymore fiction or non-fiction. With so many balls in the air, there was no time or energy to scribble down a short story, let alone a novel.
After studying my own reading habits, I realized I needed to add more books to my J.Q. Rose list. When I like an author, I always go back to see what else she/he has written. But if there are no other books for a reader to choose from, she can't buy them (Similar to the retailer's saying, "You can't sell out of an empty cart.) That's when I decided to prune my marketing responsibilities to give me more time to up my word count. Just as we prune plants to become stronger, I believe I can make my writing career better by concentrating on marketing I can do well (and even enjoy!) and focus on getting words on paper (or on my screen.)
Here's my plan.
- Dedicate certain days for posting on my J.Q. Rose blog every week, evidenced by Monday posts and the Hobby Hoedown Thursday event. I enjoy blogging and never seem to run out of ideas for articles.
- Invite authors to be guests on the J Q Rose blog and on the Girls Succeed blog.
- Never sign up for Twitter.
- Join the Insecure Writers Support Group who write blogs and share the posts with each other. Good source for writing information too at the IWSG Website.
- Participate in more blog hops and tours.
- Join Google+. I read Guy Kawasaki's What the Plus! Google+ for the Rest of Us, a helpful book on what Google Plus is all about. I joined and post there. He says in the book it is primarily a photo and video site. It's a great way to share posts with readers.
- Open a Facebook Author Page. Because all the industry articles shout about the traffic on FB, I did open the FB page and I'm very pleased with the response and the stats that can be obtained from it. (Psst--Please like me at the J.Q. Rose Facebook page when you get a minute. If you are #100, I'll send you my latest short story!)
- Set aside time after lunch Monday through Friday to write stories. No definite word count or time frame. Just write!
I am no guru on how to write, market, and sell books, but I am going to have the best adventure in discovering how to do it. This plan is my latest attempt.
Do you have some tips for us on how you juggle all the responsibilities of being a published author? Please, share in a comment below. Let's help each other!!!
Do you have some tips for us on how you juggle all the responsibilities of being a published author? Please, share in a comment below. Let's help each other!!!
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This Week:
Halloween is this Thursday, so Hobby Hoedown will continue on Nov. 7. Have a safe and happy Halloween. I wrote about my Halloween Memories on the MuseItUp Publishing blog last week. When you read it, my memories may spark some of your own.
Here are the hobbyists in November's Hobby Hoedown event.
| Nov. | ||
| 7 | Heather Greenis | curling |
| 14 | Margaret Mendel | photography |
| 21 | Jane Lebak | knitting |
| 28 | THANKSGIVING |
All Month:
Breast Cancer Awareness month
Lavender Dreams
Ten short stories in this anthology to entertain you. More importantly, the authors and cover artist have generously donated these stories and their royalties to help raise funds for cancer research each year.
Authors:
MuseItUp Publishing Authors: Barbara Ehrentreu, Gloria Oren, Lisa J. Lickel, Nan D Arnold, Nathaniel Tower, Rosemary Gemmell, Suzannah Safi, Tanja Cilia, Vicki Batman
Christmas in October continues at Penny Estelle's blog. Win 50 prizes!
Christmas in October
Every Monday and Thursday during October,
six different authors will be spotlighting their books.
Some lucky commenter is going to win over 50 different prizes.
It could be you! All you need to do is comment.
The more you comment, the more chances you have of winning
all of these fabulous prizes.
Ho! Ho! Ho!
15 comments:
Hi JQ! Love your marketing plan. I actually enjoy the networking aspect of being a writer. (Not that I'm all that good at it; I just think it's fun!) And I'm sure lots of people would disagree, but I think you're smart to focus on avenues other than Twitter. I tweet, but find that I get much more of a response through my FB author page and my blog.
Hey Heather, I am so glad you shared you get more response thru the FB author page and blog. I keep thinking I might miss out if I don't Tweet. Heck, even the celebrities and politicians tweet. Hmm, maybe it's a good thing I don't use Twitter??
Yes, I enjoy networking too because I do meet so many special folks like you!
Hi JQ, I like your plan very much! If only we could just sit and write every day, and not have to worry abou marketing. But sadly that isn't the way of the publishing world :( I think you're right to concentrate on FB, and especially to keep writing. And like Heather, I've really enjoyed getting to know you and other authors through your blogs and FB. Good luck with your next book - can't wait for release!
Helena, becoming a published author certainly does widen our worlds. Such a joy to meet you. Getting together with a resident of the UK would never happen if I had stayed at my desk and just wrote the book and never submitted it. Thanks for your well wishes for my NEXT book! Wow--I've begun it. Now if I could just figure out "whodunit"!! LOL...
Never sign up for Twitter - LOL!
Besides my book, I have links to quite a few marketing tips in my sidebar, and the IWSG site has a lot of links, too.
Hi Diane, originally on the never sign up for Twitter point I wrote "I feel like I might miss out on something. Even the celebrities and politicians tweet. Maybe it is a good idea not to sign up afterall."
Thanks, Diane, I'll check your sidebar and book. I have looked in at the new IWSG site. So much info there. A great addition to a writer's tool box.
Hi J Q Rose,
I certainly can identify with this blog post. I'm new to MIU and I'm having trouble keeping up with just the groups from this publishing group. I'm working with mailchimp to begin sending out notices about what's going on with my publications, and that was a learning curve. It is all fun, but I do feel like I'm slipping and a-slidding on a slick surface trying to keep up with everything. Looking forward to my visit on your Hobby Hoedown next month. All this stuff is time consuming, but what a hoot!!
Hi Margaret, Sounds like you are jumping in with both feet, girl. Good for you. Keeps us busy, but as you said "what a hoot!" Looking forward to sharing your Hobby Hoedown!
Janet, love your ideas. I try to write from 7 to 9 every morning, taking a break and doing life stuff, until 11 am. Then I try to put in another hour of writing until around noon. The afternoon is for promoting, blogging, etc. where I don't need so much creative energy. I can't always adhere to that schedule - like today - but if I can't write in the morning, I try to do it whenever I can during the day. Number One, do your writing. You can't be a writer if you don't write.
Hi Heather, Thank you. You have timely advice for me, "Number One, do your writing. You can't be a writer if you don't write." I forgot that very important point until lately. I vow to do better! Thanks for sharing your time management.
JQ, I need to set aside times to write and follow through. Great post/ideas. Marketing is overwhelming. Great to have a schedule. Thanks.
Susan Bernhardt
The Ginseng Conspiracy coming 1/14
www.susanbernhardt.com
I've already Tweeted and FBed this post, JQ. It's quite good. I'm not a fan of Twitter, but one of my writer friends tells me it's mega important for getting the word out. I love blogging. Spend too much time on my own and others. I'm afraid with blogs we're talking a lot more to other writers than readers. However, I need the support from other writers. I've learned from them and like to celebrate with them. My mistake is probably getting on the internet first. Margaret, join the club. My guess is most of us were blown away by all the posts on the MIU authors' loop. I sure was. Am still am if I go too long without checking. I pick and choose which ones to read/comment on. Even still can take a while to delete. :)
Today, I wrote my post for my blog tomorrow and got it scheduled to go with pics (which always take me a while) and finished the blog for the RS writers MIU blog in Nov and got it set up. No writing on the next book. Tomorrow should be different. Thanks for the reminder, JQ. Write the next book.
JQ, great market plan...I totally understand what you're talking about as far as too many balls in the air.
I'm a member of a number of Yahoo groups - listed them according to when I can promote - which days of the week is open to promote my blog posts. I know exactly which ones on what days and I'm not wasting time trying to promote everywhere, everyday.
I have 3 main social networks, but only one favorite (FB, Google, Twitter) I love Twitter, but only spend a certain amount of time there.
Book Tours are good for a couple reasons: writing guest posts (so you have a building stock to use later), finding new networking possibilities, and engaging with new commenters.
Being strict with a market plan and sticking to it is good advice, JQ...it's too easy to get lost and a major struggle finding your way back;)
Great Post!
Susan--Go ahead and try to set aside the time for writing first! Let me know how you do..Good luck!!
Marsha--Thanks for stopping in, instead of writing at that moment.!! giggling...I've tried to stay off the Internet, but I can't concentrate on the writing till I have my Internet curiousity satisfied. Guess I'm afraid I'll miss something! Thanks so much for sharing the post!!
Kay Dee, Thanks for the tip on the yahoo group scheduling. Twitter is off limits for me because when it first came out, I joined and had a few weirdo experiences. I'm sure security is much tighter now, but just decided I had enough on my plate. Thanks for sharing your plan!
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