My daughter is a master of promotion. She turned eight on Saturday and everyone in the county knew about it.
For one thing, she wore a glitzy tiara (is there any other kind of tiara, actually?) that was fringed with pink faux fur. She wore this crown in public during our many shopping expeditions and for at least a week before her birthday. (I figured…well, why not? I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff.)
Why did she wear it? So kind ladies and gentlemen would sweetly inquire why she had such a lovely tiara on. And she would have to explain about her imminent birthday...it would be rude, after all, not to respond to a grown up.
Not only that, but she had a sign outside her bedroom door that said “Birthday Princess” on it. The tiara rested on the balcony railing right outside her door when it wasn’t on her head. You could see it from the front door downstairs.
In late May she started counting down the days until her birthday.
She’d told so many people about her birthday that she sent out invitations to her party over a month in advance (and didn’t even say who the invite was from…after all, it had been well publicized.)
She’s a natural promoter.
I also think she may prove to be a foundling.
Promoting is hard for me. I personally know a writer who had a clever shirt made up after the movie The Sixth Sense came out. The shirt read: “I Write Dead People.” I thought it was wonderful, but I’d never be able to get away with it, myself.
What’s been my salvation? The internet. I had an August release only a few weeks before my daughter’s highly publicized birthday. I did a countdown of sorts online--I’d mention the day of the release and what I was doing to prepare for it.
I’ve connected with readers, writers, and reviewers via Twitter, Facebook, blogging, and my website. My efforts seem to be going well---folks are reading my book. I’m getting emails from readers saying they enjoyed the mystery and asking when the next one is coming out.
The face-to-face promoting that my daughter is so awesome at? I’ll have to work on that one.
25 comments:
I must say this for your daughter, Elizabeth - she takes after you.
You are really good at promoting your book, and are a lot more gracious about it than your daughter is.
Thanks, Rayna! I hope my quieter method is just as effective. We did roll our eyes a lot at my daughter. I'd hate it if people did that about my book! :)
Oh to be young and unihibited again! I'm not that brave, but I do mention my books and leave bookmarks everywhere. At booksignings I have no fear though!
L. Diane Wolfe “Spunk On A Stick”
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
Diane, leaving bookmarks everywhere is a great idea. Readers appreciate the freebies and we get some good advertising at the same time.
Elizabeth - I've had that problem although I AM a natural promoter and was a pro for quite awhile - it is me that I don't want to promote. That was problematic with the plays I've had produced especially Death, the Musical, Kaeroke at the Afterlife Bar & Grill, which did get quite a bit of exposure. Then I realized that if I could think of it as separate from me - as its own entity then I could promote it. So separate yourself out from your book - you wrote it to be read and people need to hear about it for its own sake! You need to take care of it - shine it up so people will see how it glows and glimmers. You are the custodian of your book - without you it will be...remaindered! So step up and realize you aren't boasting - you're boosting!
I'd like to hire your daughter! Maybe you should have a t-shirt made up for her that says, "Ask me about my mother's book."
Elizabeth-I think you need to have a book signing with your daughter at the entrance in her tiara, handing out bookmarks and pointing the way to her fabulous Mommy :)
As a first time author about to launch my first book, "Buckley's Story - Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher," I have yet to experience the full range of self-promotion. So far, I've utilized the internet and social media to generate a buzz for the book, but I know that once it's out, I'll need to ratched the PR up a notch and do book signings, talks, interviews, etc. I'm excited about it and looking forward to it, but it definitely means stepping out of my comfort zone for me. Internet promotion is so much easier for me.
I wish I could dial back the clock and be as uninhibited as your daughter again (although I'm not sure I ever was, even at her age!)
Labanan--That's a wonderful way to look at it! Because if I think about it as being part of me, then I feel like I'm bragging. But if I look at it separately, it should be a lot easier.
Jane--Maybe I can have a shot at getting her to promote for ME now that her big day is over! Good idea about the tee shirt. :)
Lisa--Ohh....another great idea! I can see my daughter being busy-busy shilling for me. :)
Ingrid--I wasn't that uninhibited ever, either! You're right...we're leaving our comfort zone when we get off our computers.
In a way, your book is your baby. You gave birth to it and now you're helping it grow to stand on its own feet. You've only got a short time to promote this baby before she gets backlisted and the next cute baby is born and needs your attention. Maybe you wouldn't wear the tiara your daughter loves, but my guess is you got it for her and you walked proudly beside her in the store. (You see where I'm going here, don't you? [;-)
Helen
Straight From Hel
Tiaras and t-shirts, that's the way to go. You could always put a picture of the gnomes on the t-shirt. That'll grab people's attention.
Methinks your daughter is a chip off the old block - and you're a lot better at self-promo than you let on. (wink) But yes, the internet is a great way too promote for those who are a bit reticent by nature in person. Not that I believe YOU are! (double wink)
Marvin D Wilson
Helen--Good point...and this is the best time for me to bite the bullet, for sure.
Alan--I think I need to contact Cafe Press. Yes, a gnome shirt would be cool (even better if I put it on my daughter!)
Karen--I agree....Alan has a good plan.
Marvin--If only, Marvin! If only. :)
I LOVE Jane and Lisa's ideas about the t-shirt and child labor! Believe me, I have little shame when it comes to self-promoting and am wishing right now I had a daughter to pimp me out - complete with tiara. Does she hire out?
Elizabeth, sounds to me like you're raising quite a confident young lady. Bravo to you.
If we are taking a vote, I say go with Lisa's plan and bring the aspiring PT Barnum with you when you sign.
Self-promotion is tough. I think it goes against most writers' personalities to shout "Look at me!" If this was natural, we wouldn't be in a profession that is, by its nature, a solitary one. I have never been good at "Look at me!". It's the same gift as being able to walk into a room of strangers and strike up conversations with ease and poise. Sadly, not in my bag of tricks.
Happy birthday to your daughter!
I'm horrible at promotion. I always fear I'll become one of those people I hate. You know the ones. The people who seal you in a corner and talk non-stop about their product. Yes, the hard-sellers. Because I try so hard not to be one of "them," I fear I go too far the other way.
"You wanna buy my book? No? Well...okay."
It doesn't work that way. I gotta step up.
Sue Ann--And I'm thinking that if my little princess is the one doing the promoting that she'd look so precious that I won't be in the spotlight. Which is a good thing!
Keith--I'll add that to the votes. Hmm...PT Barnum. She could get a job as one of those pretty ladies on the white horses at the circus...
Elspeth--Yes, I'm with you on the party thing, too. Once I'm done with my spiel on the weather, I'm usually floundering.
Jack--I feel the same exact way. I get cornered regularly by people trying to sell me something. Sigh. I have a hard time selling even Girl Scout cookies with my daughter.
Have you considered letting your daughter do the promoting?
Well, I am not quite as outgoing as your daughter, but I am not nearly as shy as I was twenty years ago. Being a teacher has helped me a lot so today I think I would rather be a writer, having to promote myself, than not being a writer :D
I can see that it is easier to do it via a blog, though.
Cute Blog! If I could wear a tiara everyday, I would - so give your girl a high five from me!
Dorte--I'd never considered doing so, but I'm going to have to start! She's such a natural.
Sharon--You'd look good in one, too! :)
I do promotion in person sorta okay. I mean, can do it and sell books. I’m hoping I come across as natural and non-pushy. I try to use people skills acquired over a lifetime. The problem is I dislike it in the strongest possible way. I have to force myself to do it. I actually spend an hour or so psyching myself up before hand. So, yeah, it’s a problem My fantasy? A big book contract with a big publisher who does all the promotion. I get so famous, I just show up at Borders and the line is already wrapped around the corner and out the door. Told you it was fantasy.
Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Galen--I think I'll join you in that fantasy! Wouldn't that be great? Sigh...
Sounds like you're doing a great job promoting your book - I'm quite impressed. As for your daughter - she sounds precious. I love the tee shirt "ask me about my mom's book" idea! Perfect!
Nancy, from Realms of Thought…
I love mysteries and cozies. Send me a review copy and I'll be glad to read and review on my blog, Book Bird Dog. I may even do an author interview afterwards if you are up to it!
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