I’ve been remiss in posting here, lately. As many of you know, I try to maintain this blog daily. There are just too many large projects, small tasks and annoyances vying for my attention. I find that I just can’t get it all done. Something has to give and, lately, my blog and household duties are taking the backseat and some projects are being delayed. My first enewsletter, for example. It is written, but it won’t go out until sometime in August. All of my ducks with regard to that newsletter just aren’t in a row quite yet.
Do you ever feel as though you are walking through Jello? Does your perfectly planned life sometimes spiral out of control? It’s all good here—just busy and sometimes simply more than I can handle. Good thing I know my priorities.
Clients come first. I’ve had two large editing jobs back to back in the last weeks. Commitments are important. I agreed to speak at a conference in Las Vegas this month. And SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) still takes some of my attention most weeks. Family is a priority. My 91-year-old mother needs more help these days. My own work is significant in my world and I’ve been trying to squeeze in time to work on my novels. Then there’s that daily walk I value, my social life and a house and yard to maintain.
I often hear authors say, “I just don’t have time to promote my book.” And this is certainly one of those times when I’m finding it difficult to do so. How do I handle this situation? I remember my own advice to authors and promote every chance I get in every way I can. Book promotion can and should be ongoing and constant no matter what else is going on in your life. Here’s how I manage:
• I promote my books and services every time I send an email because I have a signature attached to my outgoing emails.
• I post to this blog almost daily.
• I use Twitter to promote this blog.
• I submit an article to a magazine or newsletter read by my audience in between tasks. (I submitted two last week after I finished one editing job and before starting the next one.)
• I talk about my books wherever I go—if I meet an author or hopeful author, I talk about “Publish Your Book” or “Promote Your Book.” If the individual reads fiction, I tell them about my mystery series.
• I leave bookmarks here and there when I’m out and about.
• I respond to authors’ questions when they come to me directly or through SPAWNDiscuss.
• I send information I discover to authors who might be interested—in other words, I network.
• I take time to read or at least print out information of interest to authors so I can include it in my own newsletter or the “Market Update,” which I compile for SPAWN members.
• I try to always take care of the smaller, less time-consuming tasks that come across my desk immediately, if possible.
• When I hear or read about a conference or other author event locally, I apply to speak. This doesn’t take much time.
• I might get up an hour earlier or work an hour or two later when the work starts to become overwhelming. This gives me time to plan or do a couple of book promotion activities.
• I combine book promotion activities with errands. I’ll stop by a bookstore to make sure they have a good supply of my books, drop off bookmarks or a poster at the library, set up a book signing, etc.
• During down time—after dinner while in front of the TV, I research possible speaking opportunities or book festivals, write new promo about one of my books, seek out new markets for my articles, comment at appropriate blog sites and forums, and so forth.
If you have a book or several books to promote, never ever give up completely on your marketing responsibilities. No matter what’s going on in your life, you can continue to promote your book. As you can see, it is possible to get exposure for your book and maintain a rapport with your potential readers throughout the course of even your busy days and weeks.
For additional ideas for planning and executing your marketing strategy, read “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.” It’s at Amazon in print, Kindle and audio as well as at other online and downtown bookstores.