Pondering Marketing and Writing
Marketing Is Troll-Pain
Ok, so when I say marketing is troll-pain, what do I mean by “troll-pain.”? Well, as you probably know, trolls are not too bright, and when it comes to marketing I am not too bright! Also, trolls don’t drink tea, and marketing is not my cup of tea. Furthermore, trolls are generally big, burly and mean. They inflict pain! Marketing is a pain! Thus, marketing is troll-pain.
I have read up on the various marketing schemes. For most of them I don’t have the time, patience, or technical aptitude. I have tried a few of the “essential” marketing techniques: Website, “trying” to build an e-mail list, having a Facebook author page, and using Twitter…Pinterest too. Results have been minimal. Keeping up with them is troll-pain!
Getting book reviews is troll-pain too. I am not good at putting myself forward, let alone at figuring out where to put myself forward. That takes some research—more troll-pain! I am a writer, not a marketer. Thankfully I do not write because I want to make a living writing. I write because I love to write and my head is filled with stories. Ultimately what I need is someone to do the marketing for me.
The one aspect of marketing that has been fairly successful and a delight as well, has been book signing events where I share about writing, talk about my books, and answer questions. It is like deflecting the troll’s cudgel with my sword, of which I have three hanging on my wall.
Marketing Compared to Writing
Well, really there is no comparison when it comes to writing and marketing. Marketing takes business acumen, while writing is an art. I was involved in cold-calling sales back when, and I nearly lost my shirt—wasn’t a very nice shirt anyway. On the other hand, when I had a sales job selling windows based on leads from people asking about our windows, I became the company’s top salesman.
Marketing one’s books is pretty much cold-door sales…unless you know where the warm doors are. For instance, book signing events are warm-door sales. People come because they are interested. You present, to some degree you entertain, rather than sell, and they buy because they come with somewhat of a predisposition to buy. And although I am not a gifted marketer, I am a gifted speaker, and I trust I am a gifted writer as well. You can check out my books at Amazon and at Barnes & Noble.
Ok, I am done venting. So engage with me. What are your thoughts about marketing? What venues have worked for you? Which venues have you found not worth your time and effort? Have you found marketing a troll-pain?
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