Tis a Writer's Life for Me! - Marketing!

Hey everyone, check out the new tabs at the top of this blog! Each one leads to a separate page that has all kinds of cool info on my individual books, including character pictures. Let me know what you think!

This week I've taken some time off from writing and worked on the dreaded, the insidious, the revolting and disturbing job of Marketing! Can you tell I don't like marketing?  Hey, if I wanted to sell things, I'd go back to working retail at a Christmas shop in Tennessee.  But I digress.

We authors have the internet and the invention of "Social media" to blame for this sudden overwhelming burdensome responsibility of "talking up" our books to any and every Sally, Jane, and Elma, sailing around on the cyber waves!  This includes but is not limited to:  Facebook, Goodreads, Twitter, Blogging, Google Plus, Linked-In, BookClub Networks, Gather, Myspace, Ning, Mylife and the new fish on the block, Pinterest!

And No, I'm not on each of those listed. There's only so many hours in the day! I mean, my real job is to write compelling stories that will keep you up at night. (In a good way, that is) And believe me, that is a full time job! So, that doesn't leave much time for all this other stuff. Frankly (and can I be frank with you?) I'm not very good at this social media stuff. In truth, I'm a introverted, social-inept hermit who would prefer to stay in my cave all day and night. Just the word, Social, causes hives to break out over my body.


If you feel the same way, yet you have a need to get out there and have your message heard, then here's some tips that have worked for me.

• Be consistent on your blog. Blog every week or on certain days and stick to a schedule so your followers know what to expect on what day when they visit your blog. (On this blog, I do a devotional on Monday, A Cool Picture on Wednesday, and Something about Writing on Friday)
• Be consistent in your Tweets and your posts on Facebook and don't use them to advertise yourself. Use Facebook to get to know other people. 
• In fact, it's important to approach Social Media not as a marketing tool but as a way to get to know a lot of different people. 
• Think of something you have to offer your "social" contacts, whether it be something instructional, something inspirational, something fun. That's why I do a devotional on this blog every Monday and something instructional every Friday. It's important to offer something of value to your social followers. 
• Gather a group of devoted friends/followers who will help spread the word about your books or whatever it is you're selling. This takes time and energy developing this tight group as you get to know people on these media sites. 
• And last, but not least, think of your interactions with others as a ministry not marketing. Jesus said "Give and it shall be given unto you"   Even though you may be trying to sell something, in God's economy, it's important to give freely first without any expectations and leave the results up to God.

That's what I try to do. I will use this blog and my Facebook to help promote my books from time to time, but the majority of the time I hope and pray you find it a comfortable safe place to come, get to know each other, be encouraged, and maybe learn something too.  I've made several great friends in the process and I love you all so much!!  Thank you for dropping by my blog and my facebook and all the other areas out there!  I treasure all your comments and your friendship!


Speaking of friendship, look me up on Twitter! I just joined!

So, what are your thoughts on Social Media? What do you use it for? Have you made new friends? Do you enjoy hearing what others are doing? If you are trying to sell something, has it worked?  Or are you one of those people who'd rather boil in oil than be social on the internet?  I'd love to hear your thoughts, comments, opinions and if you have any suggestions on how a true introvert can use these social outlets better.