Actually launch day, as eventful as it was leading up to it, I took a major breather. I slept, I did family and friend things and most importantly did not ONCE look at my sales ticker. I didn’t want to be overjoyed or depressed. Understanding that I’m an Indie Author I realize there are things that go with that. First….I don’t have a big name. Second….I don’t have a big publishing house behind me. What does this mean for me? A lot more work, but ultimately the traditionally published author and I have one thing in common….our chances of success. They don’t have a huge marketing team behind them either; it makes no sense but that’s the gosh darn truth unless they are a huge household name. Of course I would choose Indie over the other because I like knowing what I’m getting into and not be let down by a house meant to protect me and show me off.
This is my second go-round and I am quite certain I’ve figured out plenty since the first. If you have read my blog from the beginning or checked through the archives you will realize marketing/social media and I have had our time in the ring. I’m stubborn and confused. You can throw numbers around and TELL a person what works, but in actuality there is no algorithm on current human behavior so it’s a crap shoot. Your determination plus lots of luck is what gets you places. We’ll use Instagram and things of the like as an example. The interaction/follows/likes don’t add up, especially on Instagram. I can post the exact same thing on my author accounts as I do the private ones (really, Is Instagram really private though?) and a funny thing happened. With the same exact picture, caption, and hashtags I get more interaction on the private one. On there I have twice as many followers and I can honestly say it’s not because they’re all friends I’ve met in real life. So what gives? Logically speaking they should be identical but they’re not. That is why I give up on trying to mathematically figure out what in the world is going on in people’s minds. The best I can do is keep trying to figure things out.
I would LOVE to get the word out. I would LOVE for people to enjoy my work and even be a bit more fantastic by leaving a review. I’m obviously not in it for the money, I do it because I love it. The biggest thing I would LOVE???? More interaction; I’m a people person not someone destined to be the only voice in the room.
SO BACK TO WHAT I DID ON LAUNCH DAY….by the end of the day I was in the company of two fabulous friends sitting around the table drinking pumpkin spice coffee (yes I’m one of THOSE) and enjoyed myself. I think I’ll leave the stressing for another day don’t you think? There’s only so much confusion I can handle.
Now to keep interacting with everyone and I’ll be right as rain.
Google +: all I can say is I don’t have one for my author account. In all honesty why would I? I went there with my personal page a while back in an attempt to veer from FB and all its changing but the whole flow of it just felt wrong. Not saying I won’t give it another try, but until I can figure out how to utilize it I see no real purpose.
Pinterest: OMG I am a pinaholic on a personal level. I used to be worse. The geek and humor sections alone have me pinning like crazy. But that is my personal page. They say authors have one for just them? Why? What would one do? I would think you could only go so far. I try my hardest to keep my personal life and work life separate although they tend to blend at times.
Instagram: First things first. Pictures? I’m okay with pictures, but does a person really want to see stupid images of a self-conscious me or my food? Don’t people take tons of pictures of food?
Skype: sure Its great to call dad or grandma. lol.
Youtube: on a personal level I use it okay, as long as I’m looking up something, but how would I utilize this as an author? I have nothing to really contribute. I hear people making trailers or something, but for a book? I’m so missing that point. It may be a good one, but I’m not a techie and have no clue what to do.
This brings me to a new one I was introduced to the other day. Vine. What in the world? Its youtube for ADD I think. Not in a bad way cause my attention veers quite quickly. But silly stuff in an 8 second format? What in the world? Please navigate me through this.
J.S. Riddle 