Market Smarter, Not Harder

Okay, so today we're going to have another installment of marketing tips. Now that I've been around the block once, I've learned some things. Here's hoping this will help some of you, no matter if you're releasing your first book, your fifth, or still waiting for the publishing deal.

1. In publishing, you want to know a lot of people. Take the time to make meaningful relationship with people. It's not about numbers, it's about the connection. Not sure if that makes sense, but it does inside my head.

2. Begin early and focus on organization. Release dates can seem extremely far away, but they have a way of sneaking up on you. This is where Excel can be your best friend... Well, maybe that's just me. I am such a spreadsheet junkie. I put everything in there. Names, dates, blog sites, emails, the works. Then I can stay organized with who's doing what, and when.

And have you become familiar with Google Cal? Because, dude, it will save your life when you're planning a blog tour. Here's a shot of mine on the "Agenda" setting. It's AWESOME to color-code things--I made the blog tour stops RED--and can see the blog address right there. 

It helps me to know what's coming up. In the notes section inside the event, I detail what I'm doing (interview, review, guest post, contest, etc.) so everything is available no matter where I am. (Because let's face it. I have this thing on my phone too...)

You'll see 5 calendars here. That's because my family and I schedule our lives on this thing. Three of those calendars are mine (green, orange, and dark blue). The other two are my husband's and son's.

3. Make your noise different. It's no secret that there's so much NOISE out there. Everyone has a contest you can enter. Everyone has something to say on twitter and Facebook. So why should someone listen to you? Click on your link? Enter your contest?

Your noise has to be different. I can't tell you what kind of different, but you can take note of what's out there already. Watch what other authors do that you like, that you think worked. And do a version of that. Your version of it. 

Dedicate some time to thinking about it. Lay it out in front of you. Get your friends from #1 to help you. If you begin early enough, your release will "sound" different from what's already out there. 

And that's how you want to market smarter, not harder.

So what have you seen that you've taken note of? How are you planning to tweak it so yours isn't the same noise everyone's heard before? 

Authentic Online Personalities

Okay, I'm going in deep again today. I know it's Friday and some of you might not be able to handle it, but take a big swig of your favorite beverage (Ginger ale for me) and you'll be fine.

Online Personalities. Yes, capitalized. The question is coming at the beginning of this post. Here it is: Are you yourself online?

A couple of days ago, I met up with Suzy, Michelle, (me) Tess and Natalie. That's me in with the red flower in my hair, so you can match faces with names.

I've been reading most of their blogs for a while now. I've met Suz lots of times; we go way back. But I was nervous to meet the others. Why? you might ask. Because you never really know if someone is who they say they are when you only know them online.

Let me say that again: You never really know if someone is who they say they are when you only know them online.

You know this is true. Think of all the Dateline's you seen about child predators. Why would we think because we're authors and bloggers that it's any different? It's not. Some people put out personal information about themselves and their family. You might feel like you know them.

You don't.

So rewind. I was nervous, and I was late because my girl kidlet had tumbling class. When I got there, the party was in full swing. And I was thrilled to report that each and every one of them ARE who they seem to be online. So I relaxed and had a good time. I hope they did too!

So I want you to think about the "you" you're putting out there.

What would people be able to say about you? Are you being your authentic self online? Do you think it's important to be able to "trust" your online friends?

I totally do.

In fact, I participate in online critique groups with people I've never met. And I've learned that these kinds of groups don't form overnight, because you never really know a person until you've given them a few months to prove consistent and trustworthy behavior.

What do you think? Am I way off-base here? What's the status of your online friendships? How fast did they develop? Do you trust those people you've never met?

Here's the question of the day again: Are you yourself online? If someone met you in real life, would they be able to say, "You're exactly like how you write on your blog!"

I hope people can say that about me. (Suz, Tess, Michelle, Natalie?) I aim to be myself in any and every situation.