CLEARLY, I ENJOY TORTURING MYSELF!
One day many moons ago, I was deep in the trenches of a HUGE project when my boss, lounging on a beach chair in Hawaii, sent me a text that read, “How are things going?” I promptly replied with a picture of a little girl getting drenched by a garden hose. “Fine – everything’s fine,” I assured him, despite looking like a scene from a disaster movie.
As I write this blog, I'm still trying to catch my breath as water trickles up my nose, drips into my ears, and somehow finds its way to my eyes. Why, you ask? Because I’ve decided that in addition to writing, hustling my books, teaching writing workshops, coaching other authors, catering to Elvis’s every whim, and tackling the usual “adulting” tasks, I really needed to take a class on marketing. Not just any class, mind you—a year-long high-level course in book marketing. Because, clearly, I enjoy torturing myself.
I sat in front of my computer like it was the first day of school with my shiny new Trapper Keeper, sharpened pencils, and pristine paper ready for notetaking, wearing a smug expression because, let’s face it, I knew everything about marketing. WRONG! Five minutes into the first lesson, I went from feeling like a math whiz in 2nd grade to trying to solve trigonometry equations with my eyes crossed.
Our instructor, who appears to others as a delightful and confident young woman with a charming smile and a melodious voice, is, in reality, a teeth-gnashing Marine Corps drill sergeant. After the first lesson, I found myself curled up in the fetal position on the cold tile floor and a glazed look in my eyes. She speaks at a speed that makes me feel like I’m stuck in a record player on 33 1/3 while she’s revving it up to 78. What I know about the book world could fit in an eyedropper compared to her vast bank of knowledge. Not only is she an editor, but she also has years of experience in marketing.
Oh, and did I mention there’s homework? There I was, smugly sashaying up to the virtual teacher’s desk with my “branding statement,” only to be sent back to my desk to rework it not once, not twice, but four times. (Fine, it’s pretty stellar now, if I do say so myself—eye-roll included.)
My day planner has now been overtaken by a colony of index cards and paperclips, and my closet doors have transformed into an 88-inch marketing calendar (seriously, that’s a lot of marketing). There are Excel spreadsheets (okay, if you know me, you know I love them) and pivot tables.
Those social media posts I was so proud of? Revamped! And you’ll be relieved to know I’m now only allowed to “sell” on Wednesdays—but please don’t avoid my social media posts that day! I’m trying really hard not to resemble a used car salesman with a bad combover, plaid pants, and a white short-sleeve dress shirt. (Ooh, that sounds like a fantastic character—be right back—I need to scribble that down, I'm also working on book six!)
So, where am I after three weeks of marketing boot camp? Well, I saw my reflection the other morning at 5 a.m. (yes, I’m now waking up BEFORE the chickens), and while the coffee I brew is so strong a spoon stands upright in the cup, I now proudly place my Authorpreneur (there’s a new word for you) hat on my Medusa-like hair and start my day as the boss babe I know I am. I might resemble a grunt going through hell week, but it’s going to be okay. I’m going to graduate.
That said, am I learning? You bet! Are you going to see changes? Report cards come out in November, and I can’t wait for you to see mine!
________________________________________
Hi! I'm author MJ Mac, and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for taking the time to read this month's blog. The Kennedy Reeves Mystery series is a collection of whodunits that have captured the hearts of over 60,000 readers! Many say it’s the perfect blend of Murder She Wrote meets The Love Boat. With a crafted mix of eccentric characters, plot twists, “ah-ha” moments, cliffhangers, and a cruise director you can’t help but root for, it’s no wonder the series has garnered a devoted following and over 400 four-star reviews. I appreciate your support and hope you continue to join Kennedy on her thrilling adventures! Stay tuned for more updates, and happy reading!
As I write this blog, I'm still trying to catch my breath as water trickles up my nose, drips into my ears, and somehow finds its way to my eyes. Why, you ask? Because I’ve decided that in addition to writing, hustling my books, teaching writing workshops, coaching other authors, catering to Elvis’s every whim, and tackling the usual “adulting” tasks, I really needed to take a class on marketing. Not just any class, mind you—a year-long high-level course in book marketing. Because, clearly, I enjoy torturing myself.
I sat in front of my computer like it was the first day of school with my shiny new Trapper Keeper, sharpened pencils, and pristine paper ready for notetaking, wearing a smug expression because, let’s face it, I knew everything about marketing. WRONG! Five minutes into the first lesson, I went from feeling like a math whiz in 2nd grade to trying to solve trigonometry equations with my eyes crossed.
Our instructor, who appears to others as a delightful and confident young woman with a charming smile and a melodious voice, is, in reality, a teeth-gnashing Marine Corps drill sergeant. After the first lesson, I found myself curled up in the fetal position on the cold tile floor and a glazed look in my eyes. She speaks at a speed that makes me feel like I’m stuck in a record player on 33 1/3 while she’s revving it up to 78. What I know about the book world could fit in an eyedropper compared to her vast bank of knowledge. Not only is she an editor, but she also has years of experience in marketing.
Oh, and did I mention there’s homework? There I was, smugly sashaying up to the virtual teacher’s desk with my “branding statement,” only to be sent back to my desk to rework it not once, not twice, but four times. (Fine, it’s pretty stellar now, if I do say so myself—eye-roll included.)
My day planner has now been overtaken by a colony of index cards and paperclips, and my closet doors have transformed into an 88-inch marketing calendar (seriously, that’s a lot of marketing). There are Excel spreadsheets (okay, if you know me, you know I love them) and pivot tables.
Those social media posts I was so proud of? Revamped! And you’ll be relieved to know I’m now only allowed to “sell” on Wednesdays—but please don’t avoid my social media posts that day! I’m trying really hard not to resemble a used car salesman with a bad combover, plaid pants, and a white short-sleeve dress shirt. (Ooh, that sounds like a fantastic character—be right back—I need to scribble that down, I'm also working on book six!)
So, where am I after three weeks of marketing boot camp? Well, I saw my reflection the other morning at 5 a.m. (yes, I’m now waking up BEFORE the chickens), and while the coffee I brew is so strong a spoon stands upright in the cup, I now proudly place my Authorpreneur (there’s a new word for you) hat on my Medusa-like hair and start my day as the boss babe I know I am. I might resemble a grunt going through hell week, but it’s going to be okay. I’m going to graduate.
That said, am I learning? You bet! Are you going to see changes? Report cards come out in November, and I can’t wait for you to see mine!
________________________________________
Hi! I'm author MJ Mac, and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for taking the time to read this month's blog. The Kennedy Reeves Mystery series is a collection of whodunits that have captured the hearts of over 60,000 readers! Many say it’s the perfect blend of Murder She Wrote meets The Love Boat. With a crafted mix of eccentric characters, plot twists, “ah-ha” moments, cliffhangers, and a cruise director you can’t help but root for, it’s no wonder the series has garnered a devoted following and over 400 four-star reviews. I appreciate your support and hope you continue to join Kennedy on her thrilling adventures! Stay tuned for more updates, and happy reading!
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