Things, they are a changing. As an author, I’m forced to do much more than write an excellent book. I need to do the M word–market. And I find myself biting my lip in worry and frustration as I navigate what that entails.
When I first started this journey, marketing required having a Facebook presence, then a twitter presence. Now there are even more social media platforms to conquer. Some I’m not convinced have the audience for my Historical romances. Even contemporary romances aren’t followed on every platform. And successful marketing is not a buy-my-book kind thing but rather, this is me. Then I hope you find me engaging enough that you’ll check out my novels. It’s not focusing on my newest release but rather my brand.
Magic key?
All of this makes my head spin. I’d love to be able to say I’ve found the magic key and my books are flying off the shelves. There are seasons of magic keys. Facebook used to be the perfect place to get recognition. Then the algorithms stirred everything up. Only a small portion of my followers can see my posts each day. And if those posts (ie wishing a family member happy birthday) get lots of comments, then it is sent to more of my followers. I posted about my sister’s birthday at the beginning of October. Here it is the last week and it is still getting comments. Facebook algorithms love that post.
Finding those magic keys is true of the majority of social media today. Finding those golden posts that get you lots of traction isn’t always easy. Once you discover it, then the algorithm gets changed and you’re back at square one.
TikTok etc…
Tik Tok and others like it are not about pleasing people but the bots that determine how many people see your post. So weird. This is why you see all those people dancing to Applebee’s jingle. The bot knows it was well received, and it is sent out to more people. Add a popular music clip and the same thing happens to a variety of different posts. I’ve not begun to get that all figured out. And I don’t dance.
Videos are what I need to be on as in Instagram Reels as well as TikTok and Facebook Reels. And let’s not forget YouTube. This explains the migraine sitting behind my eyes as I type this.
Reviews, reviews, reviews
Then there is Amazon. Reviews are an author’s life blood. If my book sells well but has few reviews when it is first released, it won’t stay near the top of the rating for long. The more reviews, the better chance of being placed in that also-read column under other author’s books. BookBub needs lots of followers to get the best benefit. And Goodreads is more than reviews from book lovers. All of these, I’m struggling to master.
My biggest problem with marketing is figuring out how to spend the minimum time for the maximum amount of results. I need to write more novels. I need to do book signings and other in person events. In other words, I need a life beyond the veil of social media.
Life outside social media
And I have found part of that life is exercise, a good night’s rest, and eating healthy in order to maintain the energy I need to sit at my laptop for hours to write and create marketing stuff.
Things they are a changin’
Gone are the days the publisher does all the marketing. My first novel came out a few years after that change. I did not grow up with computers. I had to learn the keyboard via a typewriter. Personal computers, laptops, and cellphones all invaded part of my adult life. That dates me and probably explains why spending so much time on social media platforms is exhausting for me.
How about you? Love marketing or struggle? Got any tips that you’d like to share?
I’m giving away an eBook copy of my newest release, Angelina’s Resolve, to one lucky commenter.
And because I really want to know any tips you have, I’m also drawing a name for an audiobook code for Rescuing Her Heart and another for The Cowboys. Leave a comment and I’ll draw names Monday, November 1st. (Be sure to let me know if you live in the UK, I have codes for there as well.)
COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN AN E-COPY OF ANGELINA’S RESOLVE OR AND AUDIOBOOK CODE FOR RESCUING HER HEART OR THE COWBOYS.