I've
been reading how certain writers aren't getting a boost in sales from
media, from interviews and appearances in newspapers, on radio, or on
TV, but get a more immediate boost from appearing on popular blogs on the internet.
Some have suggested it's a
waste of time to go on television or radio. I don't think that's
enough cause to throw these resources to the side if they're
available to us. There may be other reasons, but I don't trust the
logic that they won't help us.
There very well may be
something similar to “delayed gratification” at work here.
Readers who see a writer on TV may not today want to rush out to buy
their book, but will file that author's name away for a later date.
People are busy, they're broke, they're already reading something—in
short, they may not be able to drop what they're doing to
read what they saw on TV or in the New York Times.
But this doesn't mean
readers won't remember.
Name recognition is
important when selling books. Stephen King has an enormous advantage
over someone like J. R. Nova (whoever that is), for the simple fact
that more people know the name “Stephen King”, and know his
reputation as a writer.
Every interview we do, every TV appearance we make, every radio show we go
on, every
story we publish, all of these things add value to our writing by putting our name
out there. They may not be worth it at the time, because there is not
an instantaneous uptick in sales, but there is
a cumulative effect.
Name recognition doesn't
translate into today's sales, but weeks or months later, when a
reader is in a bookstore or shopping around Amazon and wondering what
to buy. On the shelf or the screen is your book with your name on it
and in the back of the reader's mind she thinks “I've heard that
name before,” and takes a chance on something she's never read, if
only because the name is familiar.
It's not
as simple as that (your name, no matter how familiar, must still
compete with other familiar names), and this may not even be a
generality, but just because we do something that doesn't have an
immediate payoff, doesn't mean it won't help later on.
Every little bit helps.
Relationships have love banks, and writing has a marketing bank. It's a karmic effect. The more positive we do, the more positive we get.
Posts
I know if I had the chance for radio or TV time, I'd so it in a heartbeat...any chance to share your work with an audience is worth it, even if it's just talking to a group at a table. Word of Mouth is a powerful tool, but it's never the only one. Great Post!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Aaron.
DeleteI think it has as much to do with this microwave generation as it does with many writers being introverts.
ReplyDeleteIt also does not help that so many people do not understand how to network.
I am a people person. I understand that the more places you go the more people you see and meet.
The next person could be a mover and shaker or a new best friend.
These insights can be the difference between creating a blogging buzz and having a name or brand go viral.
I'm introverted. I doubt I'll ever make it onto television or radio just because I'm too shy. But I do what I can, however I can do it, because it is the absolute truth, the next person I meet can change everything for me. But I've got to be there to meet him.
DeleteI'm not a classic introvert, J. R. , but the thought of being on TV or radio is daunting. I do think the social network is a great way to promote our writing as our friends share on their feeds. If our friends sell our books, then I think the hungry lit. agents out there just might take the bait they should have taken all along.
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
If I sell well enough to attract a literary agent I'll be in a position not to need one :D
DeleteThis is a great post! And you are perfectly right about getting ourselves out there so our names are heard and recognized. JR, good luck! I know you will find success!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lena! I am sure I will, too, if only because I'm seeing how many wonderful people support me. I can't fail you. Now someone pass me a megaphone!
DeleteGreat post JR as they always are. Any way to get yourself known and share your words is a good way to go.
ReplyDeleteThat brings to mind "There is no such thing as bad publicity" :D
DeleteI agree with you, JR. Nothing compares to the 'look' and 'voice' that television and radio can give. Here's to seeing you on television in the near future :)
ReplyDelete*gets nervous* Yeah right :P
DeleteIn a world where instant gratification and instant results have become the norm, sometimes one has to remember that not all things are instant. You make a very good point here.
ReplyDeleteYes! Sometimes it's better to take the time to grow a fire that will last throughout the night, instead of burning all the firewood shortly after dusk :D
DeleteI enjoyed your post. You made many good points.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Amber.
DeleteI'm working on studying viral and "guerrilla" marketing myself. It's definitely a slower road than people expect.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should just make cute videos of my cat and hope for the best. LOL
Lol! that's not a "bad" way to go. People like cute cat videos. I should actually read a guerrilla marketing book. I have never actually studied the subject in-depth, but merely pick up on what people say about it. I'm sort of outing myself as ignorant, but to me it's too simple to really be complicated. Like you said, it's a slower road. I also think it can be a fulfilling one and I aim to enjoy it, rather than use it as an end.
DeleteSeeing as my book came out today, I hope I get every chance I can to promote it one way or another. Name recognition is huge, whatever the form of media, so never deny yourself the opportunity.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the insight. Hope all of it comes around to us at some point.
Congratulations on getting your book out there! What a great step to take. I'm with you, I hope we can all share in this. I have made a lot of friends in the last few months and it'd be nice that in ten years we can look back at 2012 and talk about how we all got started :)
Delete