Here it is: #marketing for #indie #authors, a 🧵.
About me: I am a bestselling author who self-published my Aestus series and am now an SFWA member (and other achievements I’m v. proud of, thank God). I learned much of this by trial/error. Thx to those who have supported me!
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About me: I am a bestselling author who self-published my Aestus series and am now an SFWA member (and other achievements I’m v. proud of, thank God). I learned much of this by trial/error. Thx to those who have supported me!
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Things I didn’t do:
- book launch (covid, whoops)
- TikTok (for a long time) or many ads (still don’t)
- KDP Select
- Medium
- Paid reviews or blog tours
- Selling books in person (haven’t been able to)
- Utilizing my backlist
BUT:
Things I didn’t do:
- book launch (covid, whoops)
- TikTok (for a long time) or many ads (still don’t)
- KDP Select
- Medium
- Paid reviews or blog tours
- Selling books in person (haven’t been able to)
- Utilizing my backlist
BUT:
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Things I *did* do:
- Interact!
- Professional product/image and authenticity
- Visibility!
- Research and persistence
- Mapping and understanding of the indie book world “ecosystem”
Let’s discuss:
Things I *did* do:
- Interact!
- Professional product/image and authenticity
- Visibility!
- Research and persistence
- Mapping and understanding of the indie book world “ecosystem”
Let’s discuss:
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(A disclaimer: this thread is not endorsements or legal advice. Your results may vary!)
⭐️Short version: You need a solid product and you need to get it out in front of ppl. For this you need good artwork and marketing materials and a strong social media presence. You also…
(A disclaimer: this thread is not endorsements or legal advice. Your results may vary!)
⭐️Short version: You need a solid product and you need to get it out in front of ppl. For this you need good artwork and marketing materials and a strong social media presence. You also…
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…need good things said about your book in two forms: REVIEWS and RESHARES. For *this* to happen, you ideally need relationships, a professional image/brand, and a solid understanding of the indie book world: finding book bloggers, etc.
In depth:
…need good things said about your book in two forms: REVIEWS and RESHARES. For *this* to happen, you ideally need relationships, a professional image/brand, and a solid understanding of the indie book world: finding book bloggers, etc.
In depth:
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⭐️VISIBILITY⭐️
You need an eye-catching cover that looks good at thumbnail size. Best done by a professional who knows the genre and can produce marketing assets. I did mine professionally but use Canva for most assets:
⭐️VISIBILITY⭐️
You need an eye-catching cover that looks good at thumbnail size. Best done by a professional who knows the genre and can produce marketing assets. I did mine professionally but use Canva for most assets:
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I also have a repository of copy-paste text (mini-blurbs and reviews - see below). An example of a standard marketing tweet:
Note the main elements: blurb, review, link, and bold cover image. Don’t forget ALT text!
I also have a repository of copy-paste text (mini-blurbs and reviews - see below). An example of a standard marketing tweet:
Note the main elements: blurb, review, link, and bold cover image. Don’t forget ALT text!
https://twitter.com/szattwellauthor/status/1544688612230455299
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Also, REVIEWS are very important. I quote reviews *that I have permission to use* on my website and in tweets. They affect rankings and perceptions of your work. I ask people to leave them if they don’t mind. Even a star rating is helpful! From my site:
Also, REVIEWS are very important. I quote reviews *that I have permission to use* on my website and in tweets. They affect rankings and perceptions of your work. I ask people to leave them if they don’t mind. Even a star rating is helpful! From my site:
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Also important: contests, awards, and your mailing list! My website has a signup link: szattwell.com
(Mailing lists are very important. Very very important. That could probably be its own thread. Anyway…)
Also important: contests, awards, and your mailing list! My website has a signup link: szattwell.com
(Mailing lists are very important. Very very important. That could probably be its own thread. Anyway…)
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⭐️PROFESSIONAL BRAND/IMAGE AND SOLID BOOK⭐️
People form impressions almost instantly. Your book must be a good product. You need professional artwork and a solid website, ideally with a unified design scheme (colors, fonts, etc.). I use Canva Pro’s brand option for that.
⭐️PROFESSIONAL BRAND/IMAGE AND SOLID BOOK⭐️
People form impressions almost instantly. Your book must be a good product. You need professional artwork and a solid website, ideally with a unified design scheme (colors, fonts, etc.). I use Canva Pro’s brand option for that.
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Author image: You “are” your brand in a way - I keep that in mind with everything I tweet. It can appear out of context on someone’s timeline. Assume things can be interpreted wrongly and re-shared accordingly!
Solid book: Quality is key, especially as an indie author!
Author image: You “are” your brand in a way - I keep that in mind with everything I tweet. It can appear out of context on someone’s timeline. Assume things can be interpreted wrongly and re-shared accordingly!
Solid book: Quality is key, especially as an indie author!
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Research: there is so much useful info out there! IngramSpark has some great info for indie authors on its site, as does ALLi. Also check out Writer Beware (SFWA). Helen Sedwick’s Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook was very helpful.
Research: there is so much useful info out there! IngramSpark has some great info for indie authors on its site, as does ALLi. Also check out Writer Beware (SFWA). Helen Sedwick’s Self-Publisher’s Legal Handbook was very helpful.
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⭐️RELATIONSHIPS AND THE INDIE “ECOSYSTEM”⭐️
This part is crucial, which is why I’ve saved it for the end.
I. Hate. Networking. I like actually talking to people. I love my book, and want others to like it too, and I think that comes across when I talk about it. I try to be…
⭐️RELATIONSHIPS AND THE INDIE “ECOSYSTEM”⭐️
This part is crucial, which is why I’ve saved it for the end.
I. Hate. Networking. I like actually talking to people. I love my book, and want others to like it too, and I think that comes across when I talk about it. I try to be…
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…a helpful, friendly presence in the #WritingCommunity (not to sell books, either!). For example, I have offered my books to reviewers getting started with their blogs (thanks @CalvinFisherMed!). I ask permission to use reviews. Reviews are important, but connecting to…
…a helpful, friendly presence in the #WritingCommunity (not to sell books, either!). For example, I have offered my books to reviewers getting started with their blogs (thanks @CalvinFisherMed!). I ask permission to use reviews. Reviews are important, but connecting to…
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…the *people* who do the reviews is crucial.
The indie book world has several components: authors, readers and book bloggers (#booktwt), editors/designers/similar, awards, and book shops. Bridging the gaps is hard. This is how I’ve done it:
…the *people* who do the reviews is crucial.
The indie book world has several components: authors, readers and book bloggers (#booktwt), editors/designers/similar, awards, and book shops. Bridging the gaps is hard. This is how I’ve done it:
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⭐️INCREMENTALLY BUILDING CREDIBILITY/MOMENTUM⭐️
The more people who genuinely love your book/interacting w/you, and the more you can point to results (reviews, awards), the more likely your book probably is to be noticed by the wider world (readers, bloggers, podcasters)…
⭐️INCREMENTALLY BUILDING CREDIBILITY/MOMENTUM⭐️
The more people who genuinely love your book/interacting w/you, and the more you can point to results (reviews, awards), the more likely your book probably is to be noticed by the wider world (readers, bloggers, podcasters)…
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…because these things (awards, reviews, availability on major sites like B&N) are all *signals that your book is worth buying*.
Some tips:
- Interact! Not just about your book! Try to keep marketing tweets to a minimum. Eventually, if your book is relevant, bring it up…
…because these things (awards, reviews, availability on major sites like B&N) are all *signals that your book is worth buying*.
Some tips:
- Interact! Not just about your book! Try to keep marketing tweets to a minimum. Eventually, if your book is relevant, bring it up…
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…and if not, no problem. I met two of my best Twitter friends, @ScharaReeves, by showing up to their author talk out of curiosity, for example.
- Authors are often bloggers!
- Engage the writing community! Give author talks. You are a professional, and can speak as one.
…and if not, no problem. I met two of my best Twitter friends, @ScharaReeves, by showing up to their author talk out of curiosity, for example.
- Authors are often bloggers!
- Engage the writing community! Give author talks. You are a professional, and can speak as one.
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- FYI, many indie bookstores don’t sell indie books. There is a difference.
- Add awards etc. to your marketing copy! Don’t be shy!
- Apply to contests/awards! (See Writer Beware.)
- Have you tried publishing other formats? (Novels, short stories, flash fiction, etc.)
- FYI, many indie bookstores don’t sell indie books. There is a difference.
- Add awards etc. to your marketing copy! Don’t be shy!
- Apply to contests/awards! (See Writer Beware.)
- Have you tried publishing other formats? (Novels, short stories, flash fiction, etc.)
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- Join professional orgs
- Do sales! I forget abt these.
- Do not respond to reviews.
- Do thank people who have helped you. And make it genuine.
I’m out of room - more here! Thanks if you’ve read this far! Hope it’s helpful!
szattwell.com/2022/08/09/on-…
- Join professional orgs
- Do sales! I forget abt these.
- Do not respond to reviews.
- Do thank people who have helped you. And make it genuine.
I’m out of room - more here! Thanks if you’ve read this far! Hope it’s helpful!
szattwell.com/2022/08/09/on-…
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