I just read a post from over at Writers Unboxed. I felt the author(s) missed an important point. Rather than rain on their parade, I thought I'd make comments here. First, here's the link
Books PR & Marketing Questions Answered Part VII: Tips from Authors on Social Media, Events, Expectation, the Long Haul, +
The problem I have with this article--and there are many others that are along the same path--is that they don't take into account the many different kinds of people who make up the sum total of authors. They talk as if we are all naturally gregarious and engaging (and charming), and that only a misplaced shyness or lack of confidence holds us back. Here are some typical comments.
"Be you. Readers can tell when you’re phoning it in—but they can also tell when you’re genuinely having fun. Don’t do something just because everyone else is if it doesn’t feel natural to you, but do find those things that best express yourself and define your brand."
Sure. And what if me being me means I'm dull and awkward? Am I still supposed to be me, or am I to "fix" myself? To get personal, I'm a historian. I'm well aware that many people find history dull, but I like to write about it, so you're going to find historical (and pseudo-historical) essays at my website. That's me being me, but I doubt it's going to sell many books.
Moreover, how many of us actually know what things best express ourselves? We have many aspects to ourselves, not all of which are relevant to marketing a book. Still more, I don't have a brand. I really don't. I don't care to develop one. That's just me being me. How about someone write advice for folks like me?
"My second tip is this: find what you enjoy doing (for me, it was graphics and newsletters) and dig deep into that modality."
OK, a phrase like "dig deep into that modality" should be a warning flag in any sentence, but I'll let that slide. I enjoy making electronic music. I like to teach history. Those only take time away from writing and marketing. Moreover, I do enjoy playing around with graphics, but that cannot disguise the plain fact that I'm not an artist and I should not be allowed within the same county as my next book cover. Just because I love an activity doesn't mean it's relevant to my marketing effort.
That's sufficient to make the point. We are not all the same. We have different strengths, weaknesses, and depth of pockets. I long for advice columns that recognize that and have something practical to offer across a wider spectrum.
Books PR & Marketing Questions Answered Part VII: Tips from Authors on Social Media, Events, Expectation, the Long Haul, +
The problem I have with this article--and there are many others that are along the same path--is that they don't take into account the many different kinds of people who make up the sum total of authors. They talk as if we are all naturally gregarious and engaging (and charming), and that only a misplaced shyness or lack of confidence holds us back. Here are some typical comments.
"Be you. Readers can tell when you’re phoning it in—but they can also tell when you’re genuinely having fun. Don’t do something just because everyone else is if it doesn’t feel natural to you, but do find those things that best express yourself and define your brand."
Sure. And what if me being me means I'm dull and awkward? Am I still supposed to be me, or am I to "fix" myself? To get personal, I'm a historian. I'm well aware that many people find history dull, but I like to write about it, so you're going to find historical (and pseudo-historical) essays at my website. That's me being me, but I doubt it's going to sell many books.
Moreover, how many of us actually know what things best express ourselves? We have many aspects to ourselves, not all of which are relevant to marketing a book. Still more, I don't have a brand. I really don't. I don't care to develop one. That's just me being me. How about someone write advice for folks like me?
"My second tip is this: find what you enjoy doing (for me, it was graphics and newsletters) and dig deep into that modality."
OK, a phrase like "dig deep into that modality" should be a warning flag in any sentence, but I'll let that slide. I enjoy making electronic music. I like to teach history. Those only take time away from writing and marketing. Moreover, I do enjoy playing around with graphics, but that cannot disguise the plain fact that I'm not an artist and I should not be allowed within the same county as my next book cover. Just because I love an activity doesn't mean it's relevant to my marketing effort.
That's sufficient to make the point. We are not all the same. We have different strengths, weaknesses, and depth of pockets. I long for advice columns that recognize that and have something practical to offer across a wider spectrum.