Is Marketing for Artists and Writers More Important than the Creative Process?

When I began painting works of art on canvas and, later, started to write books, I truly believed that the creative process was the end goal. When the book was finished or the paint was dry, my part was over.

Not so if business success is the goal.

Once the art or writing is completed, the creative person soon learns that the real work is in the marketing of the finished product. Like it or not, artists and writers need to develop marketing skills. A writer once told me that she spends two days marketing her books for every day she is writing. Without marketing skills, she would be in big trouble.

Some people will decide to develop a marketing budget and hire others to do the work for them. Depending on your choices, that might or might not work well for you. What you can afford might buy less promotion than you need or expect. Much of the marketing still might fall back on you, and it is likely you will have missed the opportunity to get  reviews before the release of your book.

"Map your plan for the road" ©Mary Montague Sikes

Do it yourself:

1. At least six months prior to the book release or the opening of a one-person art show, make a marketing plan. One of the first items in that plan should be the creation of a good press release. Be sure you have one or two good quality photos to accompany that release.

2. If you don't already have a newsletter, start working on one to send out to announce your upcoming release or show. Don't struggle with this. Make it simple and offer information and tips that are helpful to others along with your news. Photos are always helpful.

3. Develop a mailing list. As you work on your plans, add people who are interested in you and in your work to the list you are developing. Collect email addresses at meetings, in your art gallery spaces, on line, on trips, etc.

4. Write articles about your areas of expertise and have them ready to send out to appropriate sites. If your book is about horses, use your research and knowledge to create an article that enhances your reputation in that field. Develop a list of ideas for articles that might include ones highlighting the setting of your book or the location of your paintings (if your work is realistic).

To Be Continued...

For professional artists and writers, marketing is essential, but your must first have a good product to begin your journey into the world of promotion. Go ahead now and map your plan for the road.

Marketing Your e-Books and More

After you've written "The End" on your manuscript and sent the file to your publisher, what next? Just a short few years ago, the answer would be start your next project.

With the increased importance of e-book sales, the demise of many of the large bookstores like Waldenbooks and Borders, and a market flood of all kinds of books, everything has changed. While you must still prepare to start your next project, now you need to create a major promotional plan as well.

1. Develop a presence on the Internet. Be involved. Be interested. Join groups of writers whose work is in or close to your genre. Be positive in what you say. The personality of a writer is evident in the comments that writer posts. People have long memories, and sometimes even an innocently conceived remark can be taken the wrong way. So choose your words wisely. You will need a Facebook page for both you and your book. You should have a Twitter account. Try to visit both sites once or twice a day. Check out the people who want to friend you or follow you. Friend and follow back those people who you feel comfortable having as followers and friends.

2. You will need both a Web site and a Blog. The Web site is the steady location to which you will direct your readers so they can learn more about you and your books. You should update your Web site periodically. Ideally, the site should contain a buy link for each of your books.

You can create one or more blogs for free. Blogger and Word Press are among the most popular. You will need to create a new post at least once a week. The Facebook and Twitter icons at the end of your new post make it easier to announce it. Choose a theme and post with the theme in mind at least periodically.

3. Create an impressive and useful Blog by taking a class or reading articles. Dani Greer offers occasional Blog Book Tour courses and also has helpful articles and tips available for free on the blog site.

4. Plan a Blog Book Tour. You will need to research blogs that feature writers in your genre. Also, you will want to find readers' blogs. After all, these are the people you really want to reach. Once you discover appropriate blogs that have good traffic and comments, then contact them and see if they are willing to host you during a one- or two-week blog tour.

5. Write Press Releases. Get the word out about your book the old fashioned way. Tell about your new book with a brief blurb. Make your press release appealing by focusing on an unique aspect about you or your book. Attract the editor's interest.

6. Write an Article about the location where your book is set or about some unusual aspect of the plot. If your book happens to be a reincarnation story, write on that subject. Become an expert on a subject important to your book.

7. Become a speaker for meetings of local organizations, conferences, libraries, etc. Let people know about your areas of knowledge. Put your speaking topics up on your Web site. Be sure contact information is easily accessible.

8. Make new Business Cards, Brochures, Flyers, Posters. Have them ready for your personal appearances everywhere.

9. Get new Photographs taken of you, the author. If you don't have someone who can take good photos, hire a professional. You'll be amazed at how often you will need these pictures, especially for your internet blog appearances and for your press releases.

10. Consider every possibility. Radio shows, television, blog radio. The list keeps growing. Be sure to write down all the ideas you have.

All of this promotional effort will take a lot of time, so don't forget to keep on writing--a little each day--on that next book.