tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post451682779367291189..comments2023-09-28T10:59:26.381+01:00Comments on Living, writing and other stuff: A guest posting - great marketing advice from LInda FaulknerBill Kirtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-17707097740837197522011-01-13T21:43:14.577+00:002011-01-13T21:43:14.577+00:00JRL, You're welcome!JRL, You're welcome!LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-87793933361910971992011-01-13T19:38:10.191+00:002011-01-13T19:38:10.191+00:00Too often we forget, writing is a business and pro...Too often we forget, writing is a business and promotion is a major part of it. Thanks for the reminder.jrlindermuthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09204855909246670628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-56338897076202704752011-01-13T18:40:36.348+00:002011-01-13T18:40:36.348+00:00Hey, you can't blame a girl for trying.Hey, you can't blame a girl for trying.LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-51647410172070648032011-01-13T17:06:19.060+00:002011-01-13T17:06:19.060+00:00Well, if you agree to be my ghost writer, you can ...Well, if you agree to be my ghost writer, you can draw up the contract on my behalf. There will, however, be NO payment. That seems fair.Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-42775610944458802132011-01-13T16:20:31.134+00:002011-01-13T16:20:31.134+00:00Thank YOU, Bill, for being kind enough to allow me...Thank YOU, Bill, for being kind enough to allow me to visit as a contributor. Does your offer of a ghostwriting position require a contract and payment?LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-86506650513671974392011-01-13T09:48:14.241+00:002011-01-13T09:48:14.241+00:00Er ... right ... I have a message for the scores o...Er ... right ... I have a message for the scores of people who've visited this particular posting (scores more than the blog usually gets). I'm a writer. (There, that should do it.)<br /><br />And Linda, thanks again for a real magnet of a contribution. Are you busy next week? Could you do another one - oh, and sign it Bill Kirton, will you?Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-42401421393788725632011-01-13T03:07:09.317+00:002011-01-13T03:07:09.317+00:00Stephen, I couldn't have said it better myself...Stephen, I couldn't have said it better myself. Now, how many more people will know how wonderful we are if we get all our friends to tell people? Can you tell that I'm into the law of large numbers?LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-84397453578413849182011-01-13T02:34:18.631+00:002011-01-13T02:34:18.631+00:00Very informative. Many authors think just because ...Very informative. Many authors think just because they write a book, people will buy it. You have to tell people, then tell more people, then tell even more.Stephen L. Braytonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14575880529198211433noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-27101526794500969802011-01-12T21:17:56.382+00:002011-01-12T21:17:56.382+00:00Michael, Thanks for your comments. I think my beg...Michael, Thanks for your comments. I think my begging-pleading-tears routine worked well on Bill, don't you?<br /><br />Keep on telling everyone you're a writer. Consider it part of your marketing plan and author "platform." Also, direct people to your blog and website. The more "fans" you can establish now, the easier (and less nerve-wracking) future marketing will go.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to reading your book.LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-36037410440242687392011-01-12T18:56:42.134+00:002011-01-12T18:56:42.134+00:00Great post, Linda. Bill showed much sense in givin...Great post, Linda. Bill showed much sense in giving you this forum. (Wondering who and what hit him over the head?)<br /><br />I'm REALLY looking forward to getting out there when my book is launched-and I'm kinda nervous as well.<br /><br />And I tell everybody that I'm a writer. Most conversations go like this...<br /><br />Complete Stranger - hello.<br />Me - I'm a writer!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13316263425112020638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-29754903214335414972011-01-12T17:08:19.259+00:002011-01-12T17:08:19.259+00:00Sally,
You're correct about persistence: mos...Sally,<br /><br />You're correct about persistence: most everyone who's succeeded at anything will tell you they stuck with it far longer than most other people did. Few of us reach the brass ring the first time we reach for it.<br /><br />I suspect the reason non-writers give unsolicited and inappropriate advice is because they think the business side of writing and publishing is exactly the same as other business industries. While certain business skills are universal (forming and maintaining relationships, providing quality service and customer attention, being ethical), most industries and occupations have aspects that are specific and unique.<br /><br />What was it Margaret Mead said? "You're absolutely unique. Just like everyone else." In order for business advice to be good, it has to take into account the uniqueness of the individual, and his or her particular duties and responsibilities.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing your thoughts.LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-35768993178326635692011-01-12T17:00:35.898+00:002011-01-12T17:00:35.898+00:00I liked the idea of persistence--that's how bo...I liked the idea of persistence--that's how books are written and nobody makes a fortune over night. Also good to help other writers. Too easy for writers to get so wrapped up in their own work they became selfish. However, my experience in talking to non-writers is that they give bad, unsolicited advance about writing and marketing!--Sally C.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-33274843514369472072011-01-12T16:27:21.722+00:002011-01-12T16:27:21.722+00:00Martie,
Thanks for your comments.
You and Bill a...Martie,<br /><br />Thanks for your comments.<br /><br />You and Bill are correct to say that a writer can never start marketing himself or herself too soon. I've published both my books with small presses and each of them told me that the fact that I had an established website and two established blogs were an important component of their decision to represent me.<br /><br />Even if a writer submits a terrific manuscript, many publishers are hesitant to offer a contract if the writer lacks the business skills necessary to become succesful. This same thought process holds true of any self-employed person looking for business partners.<br /><br />Bottom line: A writer is a business professional and, as much a writer may hate that prosepct, it's a fact of life. At least until he or she hits the bestseller list and can afford to pay other people to do ALL the stuff he or she don't like to do. (For me, that would be dusting and vacuuming.)LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-57603795077070569882011-01-12T16:18:54.069+00:002011-01-12T16:18:54.069+00:00Elizabeth: Thanks for your kind words. I suspect...Elizabeth: Thanks for your kind words. I suspect part of the reason so many people seem to be charmed by writers is that nearly everyone has a "story" to tell and a lot of people have [what they believe to be] "terrific" ideas for a book. Either they lack the confidence to attempt to tell it in writing, or they have tried and haven't been able to accomplish their goal.<br /><br />In fact, my own doctor has been sharing his idea for a "terrific" book with me for years now in an all-out attempt to convince me to take his project on.<br /><br />Whatever the reason, we're lucky so many others beileve writers are special. I sure wasn't the object of such adoration as an insurance agent!LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-49039088027103241292011-01-12T16:13:45.149+00:002011-01-12T16:13:45.149+00:00Elizabeth, people actually pay to have their names...Elizabeth, people actually pay to have their names (or those of their pets) used in books. Some best-selling writers auction the offer and give the proceeds to charity.<br /><br />Martie, your point about starting early is dead right. Best to make the whole marketing process a natural part of your writing from the start. It's part of being professional.Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-65671937005628550502011-01-12T15:55:28.946+00:002011-01-12T15:55:28.946+00:00Great post, Linda. I was just reading the blogpost...Great post, Linda. I was just reading the blogpost of a friend who just published. She has been promoting herself 'as if' for years when many of her peers were saying what's SHE got to promote? She does everything you mentioned here and more, and she started way before she was actually published. Good luck with the bookMarcellahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05152334280190469669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-61178090947978229662011-01-12T15:47:49.527+00:002011-01-12T15:47:49.527+00:00I really loved this post and I will be looking int...I really loved this post and I will be looking into buying your book. :) I can never get enough advice when it comes to promoting my own book and getting more readers interested. And your write... people do get totally impressed when you tell them your a writer. I almost want to say it's because they either 1) never meet writers or 2) want to be in your next book. Do you get that question a lot? I sure do. Anyways! Lots of positive energy...<br /><br /><3's and Fangs,<br />Liz ^_^<br />www.vampyrekisses.comElizabeth Kolodziejhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13091352709759913291noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-76300427156315372672011-01-12T02:27:38.453+00:002011-01-12T02:27:38.453+00:00Marja,
Woo hoo! So glad you're doing things ...Marja,<br /><br />Woo hoo! So glad you're doing things right. (And for the people you're driving crazy ... now you have proof you're doing it in black and white.)LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-37961705681531974802011-01-12T00:57:02.159+00:002011-01-12T00:57:02.159+00:00I'm relatively sure I drive my family and frie...I'm relatively sure I drive my family and friends crazy, but this is exactly what I do. And I would do the same for them under similar circumstances. I'm really excited about what you had to say because it makes me feel that I'm actually doing something right.<br /><br />Thank you!Marjahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04683888030155879214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-13802792000148781022011-01-11T23:46:44.200+00:002011-01-11T23:46:44.200+00:00Sunny, thanks for the cross-promotion. Don't ...Sunny, thanks for the cross-promotion. Don't you just love it when other people agree with you?<br /><br />Rosemary, I'll look forward to hearing from you again.LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-43997796460277386142011-01-11T20:09:07.687+00:002011-01-11T20:09:07.687+00:00Thanks for the kind offer, Linda - I might just ta...Thanks for the kind offer, Linda - I might just take you up on that nearer the time!Rosemary Gemmellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09311840205603508422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-19260324669833607462011-01-11T18:47:56.225+00:002011-01-11T18:47:56.225+00:00Linda, I've been trying to find a way to get t...Linda, I've been trying to find a way to get that message across! Sometimes people listen when it's told to them in a different way. This was forwarded to me by one of the members of my "posse" and I'm instructing all of them to get over here and read it. Thanks!Sunny Frazierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03693884364418711551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-2650668552575428652011-01-11T16:41:21.522+00:002011-01-11T16:41:21.522+00:00Bill: There you go ... the topic for your next bl...Bill: There you go ... the topic for your next blog post. :)LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-49345695636818805272011-01-11T16:40:00.375+00:002011-01-11T16:40:00.375+00:00Rosemary: I'm glad my advice proved helpful. ...Rosemary: I'm glad my advice proved helpful. I suspect that most of us writers prefer the company of our computers, cats, dogs, and imaginations to those of a large crowd! (I include myself in this group, however, life didn't allow me to work from home until just this year!) Good luck with your marketing for this book in May and do consider sending me something for the Author Exchange Blog to help with your efforts!LINDA FAULKNERhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059741905691302335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-387052581086893410.post-5960802629106325952011-01-11T15:07:11.448+00:002011-01-11T15:07:11.448+00:00I agree about the British thing Rosemary, and you&...I agree about the British thing Rosemary, and you're right to suggest it's silly and we should overcome this reluctance.Bill Kirtonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07675643113010061969noreply@blogger.com