Do You Have the Author Glaze Factor?

The deer in the headlight look is common when authors hear the phrase “social media marketing.” When the glaze factor settles in, the heels dig in and resistance oozes from every pour.

I know that resistance—I resisted it too. The last thing I needed on my plate was something that could literally suck hours of my time each day. That was then; this is now. One of the first things I need on my plate is social media to support my work as an author and the positions and visibility for organizations I’m connected with.

Most authors immediately say—I don’t have the time … I just want to write. Of course, they are really saying … I want to be left alone … I do not want to market anything.

Fine … so who are you going to hire to market your book … your words … your writing? Have you got the money to do that?

Ummmmm is the response.

Okay … this is where all those social media platforms come into play—Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Instagram, etc. Authors who are introverts don’t have to get in front of people—their fingers can do their talking … and shouting. And for those who have no fears, fingers, and mouths can roar.

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and all the others start with just a few numbers. Sometimes a “0” … so that’s where the starting point is. As time progresses, numbers build. BUT YOU HAVE TO GET OFF YOUR TUSH AND START. As in NOW.

At a recent author workshop, I saw the glaze-in-the-eye syndrome take effect. It was a “Let me show you what can happen …” moment–not planned, just that it was the right thing to do at the time for my group.

All had their computers; all were online throughout the two days as we worked through a variety of examples and how-tos in the author and book worlds.

My computer opened on my Hootsuite task bar … waiting for me to “wake it up”—which is exactly what I did. Taking just a few of my participants’ titles, I opened the Amazon page of each, copied its URL and then began …

Taking them within my Hootsuite account, I “composed” quick messages for Twitter; longer ones for Facebook, and LinkedIn, linking each with the book’s URL on Amazon. Within SECONDS, I recommended their books via Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook to hundreds of thousands of potential eyes via my followers, fans, and peeps. Hashtags were added to expand the reach. Within ten minutes, I created multiple posts, multiple times, and spread them out over time and days.

All through the power of marketing; the power of social media. Checking their own social media feeds, they saw my messages pop up.

Seeing it live, in person, on the large room screen, and on their own—a transition started. The non-believers, unsure believers and believers saw the seeding of a social media message.  It could have been their message. Within minutes, I got direct messages from some of my followers—they liked my message.  Will any of them turn into book buyers? Who knows … but they may have never heard of Fish Tummy Soup, Thaddeus of Beewicke, or The Last Request if I hadn’t cared enough about their books and their messages to share with others.

Today’s author must get this: social media is the town hall of book marketing. Stop digging in your heels. If you want to be seriously successful as an author, take the first step, a small one, and get started. Now. You don’t need the Author Glaze Factor.

What say you? Are you ready to go from “0” to building a fan base?

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 44 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Success for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon and her historical fiction debut Secret Journey. Collectively, her books have earned over 45 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences. 

Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged in-person and online experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensives limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE. 

Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorYOU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her.

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