Marketing and You

Initially, it was my intention this week to post a blog about the feedback I received on marketing, but specifically about platform creation. In doing research, and talking to people, my original thoughts quickly went out the window as I realized there was a more significant issue I needed to tackle.

Self-awareness.

There, I typed it. (Did anyone else feel like the elephant in the room just became visible? I did.)
Self-awareness tends to be this elusive thing that people either aren't talking about or talk about in such a way that it's still not helpful.

I've listened to a few talks now done by various motivational speakers, entrepreneurs; you name it, I've probably YouTubed it. What did I learn? Honestly, not much. So why is this a topic that's earned its own blog post?

Because even though I haven't quite figured out this whole self-awareness schtick, I think it's pretty darn important. Why?

Many people believe that one of the keys to marketing is selling yourself just as much as your product. That statement is even more valid and critical for authors (so I'm told). I'm not good at selling myself. Any of you who've talked to me extensively here can attest to that.

But there was a time, in a not so distant past that I was. People often asked for me, for my advice, and would double check the suggestion of our veterinarian with me to make sure it was sound. That was a head trip and a half.

So, how does that translate into marketing? Getting the best me out there that I can to help drive sales. It's about knowing your strengths and weaknesses. I've touched briefly on that when I talked about goals vs. lists. But, it's about knowing who you are and who you want to be and reconciling the two.

So for me how does that translate to marketing? In part, it comes from making myself release work. Not my novels, but the many shorts that I have written that are now languishing on hard drives.

Releasing teaser content will help get my voice out there, all while assisting me in honing skills that will translate to my novels. But ultimately, there is no safety net. The best marketing an author can do is to release work. Each novel's release can help drive sales on previous work and get the word out even more for your readership.

I don't have this self-awareness thing in the bag yet, but hopefully, I have enough of a headstart with it to understand basics to get myself into a better marketing position because of it.

Up for next weeks blog: A talk with Forum member @Link the Writer on making the most out of your forum time, building support, and his writing journey.