Retweet = Sales?

89% work and worry over work, struggle against lunacy 10%, and friends 1%

Tennessee Williams, with the breakdown of his life : John Laht, Light Fantastic (1996)

The things I thought I knew, and more importantly understood about being a published author has been turned upside down. The reality of being published isn’t the same as dreaming of it. Added to this is the inconvenience of the virus, which has thrown a spanner into all my plans for a book launch. Now I’ve been looking about for other original ideas for marketing my books.

I’ve been slutting around on Twitter. The thing I’ve noticed most is how impersonal Twitter is. Facebook allows you to develop relationships, to get to know your followers on a more personal level. Marketing is about selling a dream and to do this you need to know your customers. The more they know about you the more likely they are to buy your next book (product)

[image error]Photo by Launchpresso on Pexels.com

In the click and share world of Twitter and Facebook, Twitter is the easiest to share, but this leaves me with a nagging question. How productive is clicking and sharing Tweets? And what about Followers? Does having a large number of followers equal more sales?

For my brief hustle on Twitter, I just clicked and shared quite a few random tweets as well as book related tweets. Yes, I increased my followers, but I wouldn’t say I found new friendships. Many were people I already knew through Facebook. I realise the numbers just don’t add up. Please stay with me. I’m not trying to burst your bubble. If it’s working for you, and you’re enjoying swimming with the pack, then please carry on. Hunting in numbers works. Swimming with the crowds means you’re less likely to be picked off, but here’s my problem. The simple fact is my product.i.e my novel is lost among a sea of books. Everyone on Twitter who has a book (or product) for sale is huddled among the masses. Being caught in the dragnet of data flowing from one retweet to another. This doesn’t allow my book to stand head and shoulders above the rest.

[image error]Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

Another question that concerns me is the reasoning behind why everyone retweeting? Of course, I understand that much. Okay, let me reword my question. Yes, you might like the tweet, it’s your friend’s tweet, its an interesting question, it’s funny, worth sharing etc, but… Yes, I know you knew a but was coming. Do people retweet in hope that someone will want to check out your name and buy your book (product). You see, I’m more likely to buy someone’s book, if I’ve engaged in a tweet with them, or chatted on a more personal level. For me, a Facebook groups are a great place to get to know other writers, to engage in chats about all sort of writing related things. This allows you to ‘Get-to-Know’ someone much better as they chat not just with you but other members to, about common problems as we all struggle to become published.

I’ve noticed a common theme about tweets, people ask a question. I guess it’s a great way to get a response from others, but does it lead to sales. Another is to share five things about yourself and then to share five friends’ links in your tweet. Does this generate sales, more friendships or just followers?

I’m at a bit of a lost. I don’t wish to waste valuable writing time retweeting stuff if all it does is generate more followers who all wish for sales too. Networking is great, but if all I’m doing is drag-netting useless detritus from the data flow, I’m not improving my sales, and just wasting valuable writing time.

Right, I’m now off to do some writing. Please comment in the box, if you have generated sales from retweeting. Thank you.