Wednesday, June 5, 2013

MARKETING and REMAINING A HUMAN BEING--by Christine Lindsay



Marketing has to be the most frustrating, awful, draining, dratted thing a writer has to do. No doubt about it, it goes against the grain of the intuitive, creative person God wired us to be.

If you’re like me, the only reason you go to all the work of learning the craft of writing and copiously re-writing a novel is to spread the message of Christ to all and any who will listen. Selling books isn’t your main goal.

Having said that, we must market as much as we hate it. You thought you made sacrifices before in regards to the writing ministry. Well now it’s time to really step out on the water.

It’s time to build your platform, and one of the biggest ways is by public speaking. My advice, take a speaking class. One I highly recommend is Toastmasters. 

Make sure your website is enticing and clear as to what you want your visitors to do---buy your books. If they don’t read your book, how will your message get across? 

So on your home page make sure there is clear instruction that says, click here to buy this book. Amazon link for Shadowed in Silk  


Originally, I made the mistake of politely inviting my guests to check out the next page. I was making my reader work. Big mistake.

If you notice on my web, intsructions to buy my books are right on the front page.  

Tell your guests what to do in the same way you would warmly instruct them to enter the dining room when the roast beef and Yorkshire pudding is waiting for them. It’s only being an effective hostess.

Learn how to sell books on the internet. That’s the big store these days. And get visual, either have a professional make your book trailer, or really learn how to do it yourself like I did.
 

Hint, to listen to this book trailer---Turn up the volume on your computer---the music is fun and evocative of the story.


Make friends with other bloggers. It’s terribly time-consuming, but it’s basically free advertising.

But can we do all this and still feel like a human being?

Responding to comments and blogs creates relationships, and helps me feel good about marketing. At least when I’m chatting with someone on a blog, I try to be a real person with them. Not just a writer selling books. In many cases I’d developed real friendships.


Give your book away to key people. Seed the market. Providing you’ve done the work, and you have a professional looking book, the editing is up to snuff, your story is good, then let your work shine. 

Garner as many reviews as you can, and the only way to do this is give your book away.

If a blogger does a free giveaway of your book, then kindly ask that winner---providing they like your book---to tell all their friends and family. Most likely they’ll have a blog too, and will do this. But I found it best to come right out and ask. 

Please share the news about Amazon link for Captured by Moonlight 

Always be polite and kind. Win people over by being a real person, and not just an author. Perhaps one reviewer will not like your book, but thank them anyway. They may be so charmed by your response they’ll introduce you to someone who will enjoy your particular style. 

Never burn a bridge.

And pray. Oh my goodness, pray. Have fun.  

About the author: Irish-born Christine Lindsay writes award-winning historical novels, and delights in weaving the endless theme of God’s redemptive love throughout stories of danger, suspense, adventure, and romance. The Pacific coast of Canada, about 200 miles north of Seattle, is Christine’s home.
Christine Lindsay’s latest novel Captured by Moonlight.
Prisoners to their own broken dreams…

After a daring rescue goes awry, Laine Harkness and her friend Eshana flee to the tropical south of India…and headlong into their respective pasts. 

Laine takes a nursing position at a plantation in the jungle, only to discover that her former fiancĂ© is the owner…but fun-loving Laine refuses to let Adam crush her heart like he had years ago.  

Eshana, captured by her traditional uncle and forced once more into the harsh Hindu customs of mourning, doubts freedom will ever be hers again, much less the forbidden love for Dr. Jai Kaur that had begun to flower.

Amid cyclones, epidemics, and clashing faiths, will the love of the True Master give hope to these searching hearts?



Christine would love to connect on Twitter  Be her friend on Facebook Join Christine on Pinterest
Kobo Link for Shadowed in Silk 

6 comments:

  1. You are so right that marketing is not the most fun part of being an author. Thanks for the encouragement to treat it like making friends.

    Your new trailer is fabulous! You do the marketing well!

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  2. that is sooo true! I find myself running away from Marketing because it's just so... well, I get shy and I feel like a twelve year old asking another girl if she wants to play with me. Thank you!

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  3. Thanks, Christine, for all your excellent suggestions. I think what has helped me with marketing is that I look on it as a form of ministry to others, particularly when I get to speak somewhere. But I do understand and love your comment above, Jenn!

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  4. All right, Christine, you've put out the challenge. I'ts time I got stuck into that side of things.

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  5. Christine, great post! Thanks for sharing your helpful marketing tips :)

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  6. Christine, thanks for a great post!

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