Blurb

The shoes didn't fit. It was an omen.













Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Will the Real Social Network Friends Please Stand UP

Yesterday, I posted this on my Facebook Fan Page: If there is one thing I never want to do, is to bug peeps to buy my books and stories. Especially other authors. YIKES!

And I mean it. It's annoying to me as a struggling author to have my message box at Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin ... or even my email bombarded with desperate pleas to buy someone's book. And I'm not talking about planned books tours, cover reveals, and invites from Goodreads. What I am talking about are the peeps who never say 'hi, how are you doing', because they really want to know that. But instead, they say, 'hi, please buy my book'. As authors we already have plenty of stuff to weed through daily and probably feel guilty about. Mine is I just can't read as fast as I'd like, write a review quick enough, and comment on everyone's blog that I follow.

A lot of us...maybe all who write are grabbing at straws trying to make a sale. I know I can't always sell something at The Salon until I've sold myself. And that might be a whole year.

As a hairdresser, a relationship and a good reputation with our own kind have to happen before we can have the same with the public. I believe the same goes for us writers. Of course, this  is my opinion. 

Relationship is highly important for any kind of cooperation and cohesiveness. 

Anybody else feel the same?

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly






18 comments:

  1. I agree, Shelly! (I've never sent anyone a message like that. And my publisher told me before my first book came out not to target authors.)
    But everything comes down to trust, and you can't have trust without a friendship.
    I came to blogging to build a platform and stayed for the friendships. If someone buys my book, then that is just a bonus, not the purpose.

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  2. I keep thinking that one of these days I will try to sell something I have written. That is not why I try to make friends. I like friends because I like people.

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    Replies
    1. This is true. Its not a good way to make friends. Feelings get hurt that way.

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  3. I agree that some people do get carried away. There's a difference between getting the message out there, and being too pushy. I think that it's all about finding the right balance. You've worked hard on your books, and you should be able to proudly display them on all of the social networks.

    Julie

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    Replies
    1. All the networks are swamped with authors pushing their books. There are even groups out there that want us to promote each other and then there are the spammers.

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  4. Great post, Shelly... the balance of promoting and not being a pushy sales person is fine, but no excuse on constant badgering to buy buy buy.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tania. Did you get my email about ch. 8?

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  5. I've seen writers who are much, much too pushy. And it ends up backfiring on them in the long run.

    It seems, particularly the last couple of months, that there's never enough time.

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    Replies
    1. Yes. I feel as if there is never enough time, too. A lot of things fall to the way side.

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  6. I don't do "buy my book" emails. I don't ask for reviews. I post on my blog, Facebook and Twitter when I have something out. That's as far as it goes. And I've found my methods of marketing work far better than the pushy approach.

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  7. I absolutely agree! Getting those messages on FB or Goodreads just throws me off. But a great relationship with a reader who emails me - that's more precious than gold!

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  8. Agreed. The support comes from true friendship. You do a particularly great job at that.

    Sarah Allen
    (From Sarah, with Joy)

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  9. I'm late getting over here, but I hear you. Seems like there are some people who suggest you have a "mailing list" and begin bugging people in this way. I won't do that either. Support from readers comes not too easily. I've given out dozens of my business cards, put them up, and sometimes I get one sale from such things.I don't like putting up my books everywhere twice a day either. That gets old.
    It's a big old crap shoot. You get a lucky sale, and move on.
    Support from friends is more important than a sale, and I cherish your friendship!

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  10. Hey, Marta, Norma, SarA, and Lorelei: I'm on the iPhone and its being silly. Thanks guys. Hugs and chocolate!

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  11. I'm really against authors trying to sell their books to other writers. It's annoying and counterproductive. I just don't get it.

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  12. Hi, Shelly,

    HAPPY 2014...

    I've been wanting to say hi, and see how you're doing all week. It's just been nuts. All with frigid temps here in Chicago, and desperately doing rewrites, taking down Christmas, and getting my place ready to sell.

    I couldn't agree more! I am MORE THAN happy to lend a hand to a fellow writer, but to be hawked at night and day about buying their book is a HUGE turn off.

    I have actually stopped visiting certain blogger sites, And sadly these were very close blogger buddies, but their posts were ALWAYS about their books and networking. Some indy authors are relentless.

    I believe in a relationship with my blogger friends, writers, and readers. It should be an honest and real relationship with respect.

    Wishing you ALL the best for 2014!

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  13. A million times, yes! I couldn't agree more. Nothing is more annoying than making a "friend" on, say, Twitter and then two seconds letter being pestered to buy a book. I usually unfollow at that point.

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I'm dying to know what you think.