This post is part of a weekly series on YWP, aptly titled “The Writer’s Weekly Wrap-Up”.
Each Sunday, I will endeavour to provide you with a curated list of the best articles I have seen throughout the week that relate to building your platform.
The featured articles cover topics on book marketing and promotion, blogging, social media and self-publishing. (I may even throw in a few inspirational and fun posts, just so that it’s not all work and no play!)
Marketing May Have to Change Its Name
Marketing is simply the process and activities involved in creating awareness for a product or service, typically aimed at a specific group.
And, although there can be many definitions and variations on the theme (based on the intentions and the values of the one actually doing the marketing), the core concept itself isn’t especially unfavourable.
Intuitively it makes sense that there be a mechanism for connecting what you have to offer, to the group you’d like to offer it to.
The issue that arises for many authors is the suspicion and negativity associated with marketing that has evolved over time: smarmy undertones, cheesy or self-serving tactics, and the in-your-face aggressiveness of mediocre marketing strategies gone bad.
But, I think ‘marketing’ has gotten a bad rap.
The theory is sound, it’s the application that is–in many cases–somewhat less than stellar.
But, marketing your work as an author is a must, so if it still makes you feel dirty, just think of it this way: [Read more…]
