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Social Media Won't Sell My Book

3/2/2015

5 Comments

 
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I remember an old adage from my days as an outreach coordinator: the best advertising is free, it's called word of mouth. And it's true.

I can't tell you how many times at my monthly book club meetings a book is picked because "I heard that it's a good book." And never ever, in the fourteen years has this news been passed on due to social media. Book reviews, yes, but not tweets of book reviews.

Yes, I hate to tell my other twitter followers who have chosen me becaue they know I will follow them out of politeness. I don't care about your book. Not if I don't care about you. So get to know me. Tell me something I would actually find interesting about you.

There seems to be a belief out there that if one 'tweets' or 'facebooks' or 'instagrams' or links their book to every review, comment, or blog they write, somehow people will flock to their story. Maybe it works. But I'm not convinced.

In fact, I've already dissociated myself with people in social media that insist on sending out mass links to their book every other day.

It's not why I entered the cyber-social world to begin with. I did it for the same reasons so many 40-something mothers did: to stalk my kids. Yes, let's admit it, all of you other mothers out there. Did you really get into Facebook to be social with your friends? I stayed with it because then there was my 30th High School reunion, and after that my family reunion. What better way to reconnect?

But getting back to marketing of my book. If I know my target audience then I am not going to rely on social media. I doubt very many of them are on it. And I doubt anyone will buy my book if I 'tweet' about it ad nauseam. They will buy it for a myriad of other reasons: it's a well-researched, rousing good story set in the dark northern woods where greed and corruption abound and familial loyalties are all challenged; or because  they are railroad fans, history buffs, interested in the Adirondacks, interested in Ella Durant and the Dante Society, interested in Thomas Durant, Hell on Wheels fans, interested in William Durant and Adirondack architecture, friends, family, the list goes on.

I will not necessarily rely on them to do the marketing for me. Of course I need to tap into social media, book signings, and well placed ads. But if I have you reading this blog I have already started the word of mouth marketing, haven't I?


5 Comments
Jodi Schmeelk
3/2/2015 01:50:36 pm

I am not on Facebook , but I will read your book, and spread the word.

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Sheila Myers
3/3/2015 12:41:23 am

Good - that is exactly what I will need to be able to write the follow up two books the series about the Durants. Thank you!

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Ginger Simpson link
3/17/2015 09:59:09 am

Funny we both blogged about virtually the same topic today. I'm an author, and using social media is something I've always relied upon in order to keep my name out in the ever growing sea of authors. I do try to not become just an AUTHOR, but a PERSON by posting things about me and topics that display my interests. I also have a variety of topics on my blog...not just about books all the time. Word of mouth is the best way to promote oneself, but if you don't have a ton of flesh and blood friends, then you must utilize what is available, and right now that's FB and other media sites. If there is anything you'd like to know about me...just ask. I'm an open book....literally.

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Ginger Simpson link
3/17/2015 10:01:42 am

I just noticed your last paragraph. How do you get people to your blog if you don't use social media to let folks know you have one? I share my posts every day on Google+, FB and I also belong to Triberr which is a twitter group. I also share them on Pinterest, although I'm not entirely sure that helps, but I have a page entitled "shared posts from Blogspot."

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Sheila Myers
3/17/2015 10:29:41 am

Thanks for sharing Ginger. I am using a variety of methods to get the word out about my book, and importantly, my research for the story. Since my book is coming out this spring I am now planning speaking engagements to talk about my research at local historical societies, art institutes etc. I think the research journey interests people as well as the novel. I have had quite a few people contact me through this blog that have connections to the Durant family or relatives in one fashion or another and are interested in my work.

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    Sheila Myers  Professor at Cayuga Community College in Upstate New York.

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