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Rie Sheridan

Why Is Marketing Important?

I've harped on the importance of marketing before, but it was just hammered home to me how important it is when I got my first quarter royalty statement on my fantasy novel. I had been anticipating this moment for months. My book came out so late fourth quarter of last year, that the teensy-weensy size of the amount was expected ... but I had bought 100 copies of my book that would be on this quarter, and I was dreaming of the ways I would spend my huge royalty check. Only it wasn't. In fact, according to the records, I have only sold seven other paperbacks since January. That was a real jolt. I thought that I had done quite a bit of promotion. But apparently, it was ineffective.

As I say, it was a rude awakening. It isn't enough to join lists and use a signature line with a link to the book. It isn't enough to place an occasional banner ad. You've got to attack the marketing plan just like you would if you were a major corporation. It's the only way to succeed. I think.

In despair, I turned to a marketing guru I know who has taken his Celtic duo from obscurity to the top of the mp3.com World/Folk list in less than two years -- by sheer strength of his marketing prowess (though the fact that they are fabulous doesn't hurt anything.) He gave me some hints on where to start. First is to revamp the old website (which I was planning on anyway) to focus its impact. Marc recommends having no more than five pages in the site. Keep it targeted to what is being sold. He also gave me some business weblists to join. And the title of a book on e-marketing that I plan to check into ASAP.

The point: getting the book written is the easy part for someone who is really "meant" to write. But once it is written and published, resting on your laurels only gets you personal satisfaction. If you want to make money at this business, you have to get out there and Sell, Sell, Sell! I'll keep you all apprised of how the new marketing strategy goes.