First, you get your newly-published book, and you're like:
Yippie!!!
(image from clipartheaven.com)
(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.
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.
61 comments:
It's always good to be reminded that we're not alone! Love the clip art :)
It's amazing what we can achieve together!
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!
i just like wearing the long distance diaper because you know...i like the crinkle sound when i walk :)~~
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!
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.
Promoting is definitely the least appealing aspect of writing. Still, has to be done.
mood
Moody Writing
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 :)
So agree that promotion can be overwhelming. That and the publishing deadlines are the things I dread the most.
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.
That's right! There are enough of us that someone will be able to help.
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. :)
Since I'm currently compiling "The Best of Chubby Chatterbox" I'll be sure to keep your advice in mind.
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.
Promotion is so hard!! I really stink at it LOL.
Love the clip art!
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
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
There's strength in numbers! Let's mobilise the troops... full steam ahead!
Btw, The clip art is priceless!
Writer In Transit
Oh, that was too funny! No worries, girl, we're all here to help you *except for the diaper part, that's all you*
Very cool post and I really liked the message. Always nice to remember that we're not alone :)
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. :-)
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. :)
Not sure about the diaper. Bur hey, if I have enough wine you just never know.
I don't know if I should worry about not getting published or getting published. This promotion stuff is scary.
That promotion monster looks down right scary! I'm not even close to needing to worry about that, but good luck with it.
Is there a cape involved? :)
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 :)
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!
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.
Brilliant!
Share the wealth by sharing the work!
Great post.
Heather
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.
Loving your post... and it is spot on. We don't have to feel alone when promoting, which is such a great feeling.
Holy cow, that 3rd image cracks me up! Love this, Lexa. :)
So true! Loved reading your post.
Nas
ps Lexa I've been thinking of you.
It's definitely not over after the contract, revisions, edits, and all that. The blogging community is a great help.
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!
Lexa, the journey is definitely easier with friends to help share the load.
Lexa, you get my vote for BEST IWSG POST this month! WOOT....loved it!
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.
we do love C. Lee Mckenzie
So cool to remind writers together more can be accomplished. I loved it too!
Now where did I put that long distance diaper?
Good luck and remember to eat your veggies.
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
Whoops! Looks like someone has a lot to do in the next time :) 62 bookstores? gee, that's a lot!!
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!
There's strength in numbers. Who likes promo? Er, no one!
Think that your PROMO is a friendly monster who likes to bug you until you make it big:)
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!
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
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!
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
And it's all so much fun. :)
Yikes! Good luck with everything. Have fun with it!
Aaargh! The promotion monster. Grrr.
Wohoo Lexa! You can do it! Good luck!
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
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
Long-distance diapers, LOL! Er...I think. ;-)
Some Dark Romantic
Wait. The promotion monster is a giant sentient beet!
Hey Lexa, I forgot the post this month. :( Love yours. As always fun, informative and without pointless elaboration! :D
Wow! Great post and as usual you covered all aspects!
Nas
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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