"I'm working on a chapter book now, the second in a series called "Weirdville". It's all set in this small town named Weirdville where, like the name suggests, strange things happen. It's a series of stand-alone horror…"
Keep track of your successes
In a recent post, I emphasized the importance of writing down your ideas quickly so you won't forget them. Today, I strongly suggest you also write down something else: your successes. Marketing a book isn't easy, especially if you are independently published, but if you work hard at it, eventually you're going to experience some cool things. You may speak at a local library or bookstore, or maybe you'll be interviewed by a radio station. Perhaps your local newspaper will even do a feature story on you!
It's important to keep track of these achievements, not just for your own self-esteem, but so you can put them in your bio. That way, over time, marketing your book will become easier because people will see where else you've spoken and who else has interviewed you. You'll have credibility, and that opens doors to additional opportunities to get the word out about your book.
You might not think that speaking at your neighborhood library or being interviewed by your college's alumni magazine is a big deal, especially if your dream is to be sitting in a chair next to Ellen DeGeneres or Matt Lauer. But believe me, it is a big deal. Most people spend their entire lives without being interviewed by anyone in the media, much less speaking in public about their own book. Don't forget that!
Writing AND publishing a book is something the vast majority of people out there only dream of doing. So celebrate your successes as they come, and proudly add them to your author bio. Soon you might be surprised at how impressive you sound.
-Maria
Maria Murnane is writes romantic comedies and provides consulting services on book publishing and marketing. Learn more at www.mariamurnane.com.
This blog post originally appeared on CreateSpace.com. Reprinted with permission. © 2012 CreateSpace, a DBA of On-Demand Publishing, LLC. All rights reserved.
Comment
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Comment by cheryl stahle on January 31, 2012 at 5:52pm -
Great ideas....I forget that I actually do things besides write. I'm self-publishing, teaching writing and trying to build a blog. Today I had a wonderful article published in Adoptions Today and earned a freelance assignment. Instead of giving myself a pat I started thinking about the next thing. Take a breath! Thank you for the reminder.
cheryl (yourbestwritinggroup.com)
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Comment by Joanne Tombrakos on January 27, 2012 at 11:20am -
I could not agree with you more! Every success in marketing your work is worth celebrating. I write them down, include them on my media page on my site and of course, share them via all these wonderful and free social network mediums we have at our fingertips. I often find my FB followers are the very ones who remind me just what a big deal each one is!
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Comment by Joanne C. Hillhouse on January 25, 2012 at 12:31pm -
Thanks for this reminder. I think a success journal might actually help me deal with some of the anxiety that comes with the marketing and publicity end of writing and publishing. Currently, I'm involved in a journaling project that involves taking time for self and making note of those special moments during the day and it's really helping to refocus my emotions (you know, into each day a little good falls only we're too busy putting out fires to savour it). Savouring it; that's my mission.
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Comment by RYCJ on January 24, 2012 at 6:36pm -
Ooo... this is really a good post. Something that easily slips by a busy person's thoughts. Thanks.
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Comment by Helen Gallagher on January 24, 2012 at 10:52am -
Good point, Maria. We need to celebrate all our successes. I use a separate writer's calendar (bylinescalendar.com) for all my writing projects, which in itself is motivating and keeps me on track. I also use it to record every small success on a weekly basis. It proves I'm always, always moving forward.
Helen
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Comment by Doreen Pendgracs on January 24, 2012 at 9:31am -
Great column, Maria.
Yes, I started a "Success Journal" last year at the suggestion of writing coach, Suzanne Lieurance. It's a great idea to celebrate (and record) our successes - large and small.
I've got a blog post that adds more detail at: http://doreenpendgracs.com/celebrating-our-successes/. Drop by for a peek at my Success Journal.
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