Building a Marketing Plan

Building a Marketing Plan. That's something I've been thinking about most of this year and many times before that.

After all, I have a few published books, languishing in the darkness, waiting for the light. Years ago, when my first novel was released, I had a few good plans and had scheduled lots of book signings. It was September 11, 2001. I had my first big signing set for that evening at a large Barnes & Noble venue in Richmond, VA. You know what happened to that.

"Hilton Head Waves" ©Mary Montague Sikes

The next week, we headed to Hilton Head Island into the most morose setting imaginable. Everything and everyone had fallen apart; no one wanted to promote anything, nor plan ahead. The art gallery owner with whom I had a prior business relationship told me she was only interested now in promoting the work of local artists. She was clearly upset.

Very early one morning, I slipped down to the beach to watch the waves roll in and to listen to their sounds. No one else was there. Had those waves started at an earlier time on a far away shore along the coast of Africa?, I wondered. Now with an ancient rhythm, they splashed along our sandy beaches.

The waves calmed me that day. I continued with plans to promote. Doing something was better than not doing anything at all.

My book promotion and my art marketing were not organized. I was younger and filled with the enthusiasm of a first-time author, even during those days of darkness for our country. Now, older and wiser, I am setting up an organized plan.

My goal for 2020 is to see clearly with 20-20 vision a marketing plan that will reveal an audience and buyers for my work. I will build a detailed marketing plan.