Wednesday, July 3, 2013

IWSG: Promotion

First, you get your newly-published book, and you're like:

Yippie!!!
(image from clipartheaven.com)


Then the Promotion Monster rears its head:




And pretty soon you're strapped into the car,
sucking down coffee, wearing a long-distance diaper,
and mumbling:

But you're NOT ALONE!  There are others going through the same thing.  Find them on blogs, Facebook, or Twitter. If you join together, you can collaborate on exciting blog hops, make bigger giveaways, do cross promotions and even share expenses going to book fairs or conventions.

If you need help -- just ask for it!
There are more people willing to help
than you realize.




 BOOK GIVEAWAY!
Sarah's Reviews is helping promote three of C. Lee Mckenzie's novels by offering copies of them on her blog.  For the Rafflecopter giveaways, go to the page-links below.



















This is a post for the Insecure Writer's Support Group, the brainchild of Alex J. Cavanaugh. It exists so the community of blogging writers can share and support each other, blog-hopping to cheerlead and commiserate. To find out more, visit: Insecure Writer's Support Group.



61 comments:

Unknown said...

It's always good to be reminded that we're not alone! Love the clip art :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

It's amazing what we can achieve together!

Heather R. Holden said...

Promotion can be a very scary thing, but I agree, being part of such a helpful online community like this is a definite bright side!

Tammy Theriault said...

i just like wearing the long distance diaper because you know...i like the crinkle sound when i walk :)~~

kimlajevardi.com said...

You've taken the first steps on a difficult road, but there are so many great people along the way. And some of us have chocolate stashed between boxes of books. :) Great post, Lex!

Kate Larkindale said...

Just the idea of a long distance diaper is enough to give me a case of the skeevies.... But you're right. There are lot of people out there in the same boat, and if you band together, you'll be unstoppable.

mooderino said...

Promoting is definitely the least appealing aspect of writing. Still, has to be done.

mood
Moody Writing

Kim said...

Promoting books is such a daunting task. Not every publisher is that hands-on with helping promote books nowadays, so it often falls on the writer's shoulders. This is doubly true for those who self-pub. It's always nice to remember we're not alone. And it's really true that there are a lot of people out there that are willing to help out :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

So agree that promotion can be overwhelming. That and the publishing deadlines are the things I dread the most.

Kelly Hashway said...

Promotion is definitely overwhelming, but the writing community is very good about supporting new authors. I was amazed by how many people were willing to help me out, and I always try to promote others.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

That's right! There are enough of us that someone will be able to help.

Luanne G. Smith said...

Wait, getting published and having to promote the novel requires wearing a diaper? Nobody told me that part. I don't really object, I just don't like surprises. :P

But, yeah, it's awesome that so many people are willing to help each other when their books come out. :)

stephen Hayes said...

Since I'm currently compiling "The Best of Chubby Chatterbox" I'll be sure to keep your advice in mind.

Nancy Thompson said...

Oh my God! I SO could have written this post!! Marketing is the PITS!! But it does get easier as you get the hang of things. The secret I've found is connecting with the right bloggers, especially on Facebook. Even the tiniest mention can send your sales into the stratosphere, even temporarily. But you can never stop wrestling with the promo monster. It's a daily battle that never ends. It just gets easier as you get stronger.

Nice to see you again! I'm one of Alex's IWSG minions this month.

Julie Flanders said...

Promotion is so hard!! I really stink at it LOL.
Love the clip art!

Unknown said...

I wish i have that problem :) but its great to know now that there's lots of support out there!

Delightful Ideas
No Bake Cake Pops Giveaway

Meredith said...

Ha! That was great. It would be even better if I could substitute in my picture as having that problem :) A girl can dream!

Meredith
Meredith’s Musings

Michelle Wallace said...

There's strength in numbers! Let's mobilise the troops... full steam ahead!
Btw, The clip art is priceless!

Writer In Transit

Anonymous said...

Oh, that was too funny! No worries, girl, we're all here to help you *except for the diaper part, that's all you*

Mark Means said...

Very cool post and I really liked the message. Always nice to remember that we're not alone :)

Jocelyn Rish said...

Hee, I love the pictures to show the stages. When you're ready to promo your book, know that you always have space on my blog. :-)

ELAdams said...

Love the pictures! It's true that promotion can be overwhelming at first, but the best thing to do is not try to do too much! I've been blown away by the support of other writers since i published. :)

Stephen Tremp said...

Not sure about the diaper. Bur hey, if I have enough wine you just never know.

LD Masterson said...

I don't know if I should worry about not getting published or getting published. This promotion stuff is scary.

Cathy Keaton said...

That promotion monster looks down right scary! I'm not even close to needing to worry about that, but good luck with it.

DL Hammons said...

Is there a cape involved? :)

klahanie said...

Hey Lexa,

You can relax now. Yes, I'm here and noting, "IWSG" aka "I Was Seeking Gary" :) Thank you for that.

Did you mention blog hops? One moment, please......Arggghhhhh!!! Phew, much better now. Sorry about that. I reckon all these promotions are a great way to accumulate followers . Um, I reckon all these promotions are a great way to all get together in the wonders of the amazing blogging community.

I note that about another one of my starstruck fans, yes, C. Lee McKenzie. I also found out that "Las Pulgas" is not in either California or Nevada. Of course I checked.

Did you know in Britain, a "diaper" is called a "nappy"? Gosh, I mention such interesting stuff!

Gary :)

cleemckenzie said...

You are amazing! You captured it from beginning to books in your car and all in words as well as perfect images.

Thanks for the links and the cover shots. Really a very nice surprise to see all of that.

Thinking of you and Egypt with all the turmoil. What a time this is!

PK HREZO said...

You bring up a great point, Lexa. A lot of times all you have to do is ask. i get emails all the time asking if I'll help with a reveal or release and I always say yes. Most writers will, I think, cuz we all know what goes around comes around.

Heather M. Gardner said...

Brilliant!
Share the wealth by sharing the work!

Great post.

Heather

Carol Kilgore said...

Promotion is a monster - that's for sure. It's like a flashing 'open' sign in the window that I turn on every morning. I don't much even think about it now - just turn it on.

I've thought about you a lot with everything going on in Egypt. Take care. Stay safe.

Anonymous said...

Loving your post... and it is spot on. We don't have to feel alone when promoting, which is such a great feeling.

Unknown said...

Holy cow, that 3rd image cracks me up! Love this, Lexa. :)

Romance Reader said...

So true! Loved reading your post.

Nas

ps Lexa I've been thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

It's definitely not over after the contract, revisions, edits, and all that. The blogging community is a great help.

Catherine Stine said...

Congrats, Lee. Um, yeah I am in the throes of the promo monster. My big launch week for Ruby's Fire is over, but a huge tour beckons, starting July 29. Gah!

J.L. Campbell said...

Lexa, the journey is definitely easier with friends to help share the load.

Donna B. McNicol said...

Lexa, you get my vote for BEST IWSG POST this month! WOOT....loved it!

Sherry Ellis said...

Good luck with all of that! If my book was accepted and published already, I'd jump on the wagon with you and we could promote together.

DEZMOND said...

we do love C. Lee Mckenzie

Al Diaz said...

So cool to remind writers together more can be accomplished. I loved it too!

Anonymous said...

Now where did I put that long distance diaper?
Good luck and remember to eat your veggies.

Unknown said...

Loved the graphics, Lexa! That's what every blog needs...visual aids! Yes, I'm helping spread the word about a few great books coming up, and hope that others will do the same when my time comes.

M.L. Swift, Writer

Maynard Morrissey said...

Whoops! Looks like someone has a lot to do in the next time :) 62 bookstores? gee, that's a lot!!

Cecilia Robert said...

Long distance diapers *snickers* great post, Lexa! :) The promotion monster can be quite scary, and alsp friendly when one gets things right. :) Thanks for making me smile, Lexa!

Denise Covey said...

There's strength in numbers. Who likes promo? Er, no one!

MunirGhiasuddin said...

Think that your PROMO is a friendly monster who likes to bug you until you make it big:)

Anonymous said...

That promotion monster scares the heck out of me! I wish there was a person or group of people who would do that stuff for us so we can focus on the writing part. But yeah, there's definitely strength in numbers. I've only seen a couple blog hops, do they work? I'm guessing it depends on the # of followers per blog. The IWSG is a great community, you'll have plenty of help there!

Tia Bach said...

I talked about promotion this month, too, so your graphics really spoke to me. So true... from excitement to unease. It's so hard to know where to put your energy. Great post.

My IWSG Post

DMS said...

Great post! Branding together is a great way to hear from others in the same boat and to make things bigger and better. :)

Yeah for Lee's books being promoted!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Promotion is indeed a monster. Furthermore, the noise online is so incredibly loud that I think most avenues of promotion including blog tours are completely useless now. I know I'm never going to do another. It's kind of "freeing" because it's extra work to crank out all those posts lol

Beverly Stowe McClure said...

And it's all so much fun. :)

Ruth Schiffmann said...

Yikes! Good luck with everything. Have fun with it!

Patsy said...

Aaargh! The promotion monster. Grrr.

nutschell said...

Wohoo Lexa! You can do it! Good luck!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Jak said...

LEXA! Oh, Lexa...

I feel maybe just a tad bit dirty and ashamed. I don't think I've ever replied to a post yet since the A to Z (and I'm not even sure you were fully participating there, but rather just happened across my blog) and even then, while reading one or two entries, I'm uncertain I even made posted a comment. I apologize and will try to back track some, but it will be a slow process for me. I'm super... super slow.

And really, I mean come on... your Eye is extremely intimidating!

Good luck with your promoting endeavors!! I am no where remotely close to worrying about that monster rearing it's ugly face. I don't exactly know if that is a good thing or not, though.

Having support and people you can ask help from is an amazing feeling! As long as you can get over that barrier of actually having to ask someone for help >.>

Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of Ink

Mina Lobo said...

Long-distance diapers, LOL! Er...I think. ;-)
Some Dark Romantic

Breanna Teintze said...

Wait. The promotion monster is a giant sentient beet!

Shah Wharton said...

Hey Lexa, I forgot the post this month. :( Love yours. As always fun, informative and without pointless elaboration! :D

Romance Reader said...

Wow! Great post and as usual you covered all aspects!

Nas

Sean McLachlan said...

I love the image of the Promotion Monster. Bonus points for using the term "long distance diaper" in a blog post. That was. . .special.

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