I'm with you. Writing is what I love. Inasmuch as my blog posts are mostly stories, I rather enjoy writing them and will probably continue. I've already published one set in book form and am working on two others. All the rest seems to be just killing time to no good purpose.

I don't know if blogging and social media actually sell books. But they do build your name and your brand. And that's what marketing is all about. Social media does give you a chance to reach out to people and let them know about your book. At the moment, I don't think anyone knows how to sell books. The search continues. Frankly, I feel that you have a better chance to build your brand through Facebook and a continuing email program.

I think the best e-mail campaign is one where recipients sign up voluntarily to receive your e-mails.
So, how do we get out of our present nest of connections?

Good luck with it all. I'm just beginning to fear that there may not be a market for any of it. It is possible that with all the other distractions in our lives, there is not market for books. Unfortunately, the market for scripts was never as open to different genres as were books in they best days. Those who produce films and television are very fearful. They will remake the same story countless times rather than attempt something new.

Ditto, Jack. My wife and I were just talking at lunch about this very subject, and, with all the free book give-aways, the blog posts, FB, Twitter, Linkedin, Google+, I'm just about to join Claude: finish my books for the blog and 'keep writing.' Like Claude, 'I honestly don't know.' You have thoughtfully asked the premier question for independent writers, and you deserve better than what I'm giving here. My business field was 'Sales and Marketing' and I'm stymied in this 'brave new world.' You might try Goodreads, Shelfari, Hootsuite, so many other players out there. But, guess what, there are those 'just so many hours in the day,' and it's hard to find time for actual writing.

You were Vietnam, Jack...I was Korea (a really 'old dog' in this digital world). In many ways, this E-world we live in today has its chic elements, but the devil just might be wandering around in there somewhere.

Guess we just keep doing what we love doing --- writing --- and maintain our brand name presence in social media and land where we land. My only positive comment to you is: stay committed to your talent for writing. You and your following know that you're good at your craft. It could take a long time for all the others to catch up. Remember, some of our literary 'greats' took their fame posthumously. Let's hope we can beat that timeline...

My very best to you.

Incidentally, you can read some of my posts at http://billyraychitwood.weebly.com and/or thefinalcurtain1.wordpress.com --- I'm following you on twitter and your blog...we can be 'misery loving company.'

P. S. If I learn the secrets, I'll pass them on --- promise!

Billy Ray

Hi Guys! I'm new to the "market your book via social media" game and frankly, agree that no one knows how to sell books. When 80% of the marketing budget of the Big 6 goes to the Top 5% of the authors, even the publishers will tell you they don't know. This is particularly true when they expect you to do all the marketing and if it works, then they'll jump on board.

I've been thinking a lot about this lately, and I believe that selling books is still done by word of mouth. More often than not, I'll read a book because my mom or sister has recommended it or because my favorite writer has written something new or I just met the author.

While I follow lots and lots of authors on Twitter, I'm more apt to follow blogs or Facebook because of word of mouth (unless like these days, I'm trying to find more writers to join the misery-lol).

Getting out and promoting the book via conferences or book clubs or niche groups is time consuming, but it may be the best way currently to drive people to all the social media sites and ultimately, to your book.

What do yall think, am I spitting in the wind too?

BTW, I am USAF and was in Korea too (2003 so not when Billy was there and certainly not in the same crappy conditions) but I wanted to say thank you so much to both of you for your service.

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Thanks for sharing. Yes, there is the book I should write: A Guide to Self-Publishing. I bet THAT would sell.

I read of a study that said one of the top reasons a person buys a book is because they like the author. Social media is an excellent way for readers to get to know an author, but authors need to stop constantly tweeting messages with links to buy their books and start actively engaging with people, show their personality, shoot the breeze. "Buy my book" tweets are both boring and annoying.

You raise an excellent and important issue. What would happen if I were "discovered" and only had one novel to offer. What will I give them when they come back looking for more. Thus, I'm in no hurry until I get two or even three more ready.

Thanks for this thought-provoking article. I don't know the secret, either, but I think there must be some version of Amazon's word of mouth at work, because I've been lucky enough to be on their best-seller lists for 27 weeks. I believe that readers find books through Amazon and not through blogs. Blogs may be best used to connect with other writers and to connect with readers after they've found you. I've decided that the best marketing is writing another book. Although I'd like to be more active with my blog, I tend to spend my time and energy trying to get that next book finished. I'm not sure if being more active on social media would help sell my book, but being inactive doesn't seem to have too bad a downside. I want to gear more of my social media to topics that intrigue me so that I can connect better with other writers and readers.

What are you? Some kind of pusher? Okay, you got me hooked. Tell me the rest. Please!

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