M is for Marketing

M is for Marketing.

Marketing is the worst. The end.

This would make for a pretty crappy blog if I stopped there, but let’s be honest…I don’t think a writer has ever said, “Oh! I am so happy I have finished writing my book and I can’t wait to market it!” I believe people write because it makes their heart happy. They write to share their story. They write in hopes that it makes a difference to a reader. With all of that said, you can’t have readers if they don’t know about your book. Here is what I’ve learned:

1. Set up a website
I found wordpress.com to be user friendly with great tech support. A website gives readers a place to go to learn more about you and your work. A website can continue to evolve as you learn and grow and does not need to be perfect before launching it.

2. Determine your target readers
For picture books, you have two target readers: the children and the adult who is looking to purchase new books. Most children are not on social media or subscribing to email lists, but create posts/newsletters that share what a child will gain from your story.

3. Connect with other authors
I find it very challenging to share about my book. However, I LOVE sharing books written by other people! Find other authors or literacy enthusiasts who will share your work. When you post about another author or book, you are sharing the book to your audience and vis versa.

4. Social media
I have a love/hate relationship with social media…and that’s ok. I was given great advice in a writing conference, “You don’t need to be everywhere, but you need to be somewhere.” TikTok and Twitter aren’t in the cards for me. However, I am most active on Instagram and enjoy sharing and reading posts on that platform. There are times I truly enjoy creating posts and engaging and other times I find it to be exhausting. I have learned to post when I am in the mood and take a break when needed. I am sure any marketing guru will tell you to be consistent and constant, but there are times it just does not work for me…and that’s ok.

5. Continue to learn
Like anything else, don’t be discouraged and be willing to try something new. We live in an era that promises so many things to happen immediately with “one simple change.” “Do this to be a best seller!” “Do this to gain 10,000 followers!” A quick fix is typically never the answer. Do what you are comfortable with, with the understanding that there is always more to learn. Make small changes over time, which is more sustainable, to see growth.

Wishing you the best on your own marketing journey. Be kind to yourself along the way.

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