How Do I Market And Write? There’s Not Enough Time! 
One of the most difficult aspects of writing is marketing our work while writing our next work. One of my favorite quotes from screenwriter Ryne Pearson addresses this: ‘How do I get people to buy my book? Write another.’
Many authors struggle with these questions daily:
- How to write and, at the same time, get our work out there?
- What’s the line between self-promotion and building a following?
- Which social media channel is most important?
Let’s deconstruct.
TIME
This is everybody’s issue with everything and will be till the day we die. So…get over it. You can’t possibly be in all places at all times so you must prioritize (even we women who multi-task constantly know this).
If you have four hours per day to spend writing, spend half of it writing (not tweets) and the other half marketing. And do I mean spamming links on social media ‘Buy my book! Like my page!’ No. If that’s how you’re using Twitter or Facebook, you’re not only selling ineffectively but, you risk people blocking you for annoying them.
I also recommend learning how to use desktop applications like Hootsuite or Tweetdeck – connect all your social media accounts in one place, schedule in some stuff, live interact when you can. Social media is not a free ad platform; it is, however, a wonderful opportunity for you to build relationships and form connections with readers.
TARGETING
Part of developing your platform on social media is targeting readers. Too many authors start on Twitter or Google+, join author groups, and then promote their books to other authors. Authors are great – we are a wonderfully supportive community. But readers are your target audience. So are reviewers and book bloggers.
Use the Search function to find your demographic, then follow and interact with them!
I generally share an excerpt or review snippet once a day (more for a promo) – and I don’t always use a link. Put the link to your book on your bios everywhere: Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Goodreads, etc. It’s just as easy to say ‘link on bio’ and risk someone not bothering, than spamming links constantly and losing potential readers or advocates.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Many authors are afraid of social media because they feel it’s bragging, too self-promotional, or is not worth their time – all valid concerns.
Social media is what YOU make it. I personally feel every author should have a presence on, at the very least, Twitter and a Facebook page (you’re not allowed to use your personal account for sales or business purposes, although many people do it). Google+ is kind of a pain but if you want to be seen on Google’s search engine, increase your Google ranking and/or Author Ranking, it’s essential.
Goodreads is already important but will become increasingly more so now that Amazon has purchased it. It’s easy enough to open an account – connect your Facebook credentials and you’re in. Find friends from social media or email. Join some book clubs – not to promote your own work, but to build relationships.
Keep in mind that with the time you have, you want to build relationships that will lead to sales.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. How do you fit in writing and marketing in limited time? Please share!
