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Spamming & Rating/Reviewing One's Own Book - Aggressive Promotion or Narcissism
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It doesn't really bother me if authors rate/review their own books. They are certainly entitled to do so if they wish, and I'm not going to refuse to read any of their books because of that practice. They may have perfectly valid reasons for rating them, other than the obvious one of showing at least one 5-star rating! :)It's just that I personally don't feel comfortable doing it with my own writing. As I said in my previous post, I don't think it's going to influence readers to rush out immediately to buy my amazing 5-star book based on my own opinion of it, so why bother? And, if I receive a genuine 5-star rating from a perfect stranger, then it means a whole lot more.
Rayanne wrote: "As an author, I can't imagine writing a review of my own book. Of course I am required to market the product of my work, but even that's not something I relish. Furthermore, I find very few people ..."Goodreads authors are encouraged to write reviews of their own books with the suggestion that they write about background and motivation for their writing rather than a standard review. If that's site policy and authors abide by the guidelines, what's the problem?
I agree that it isn't terrible when an author reviews his/her own book, as long as he acknowledges that he is also the writer. It's when authors "pretend" to be reviewers and write stellar reviews about a (usually) subpar book that readers tend to get a little annoyed.
I'm a lousy marketer of my own work-just can't promote and don't get how some people do it all the time---I can promote authors' works-& do-but just can't turn the camera on my own novel--it's so distasteful to me---surprising me how much I don't like all this-
I'm the same way, Maris, whether it's my jewelry, my writing or even myself in a job interview. I truly and monumentally suck at it.
That's why promoters, agents and other such creatures can make a good living off of other people's work. At some point, in desperation, we'll sign away our souls.
Renee wrote: "I'm the same way, Maris, whether it's my jewelry, my writing or even myself in a job interview. I truly and monumentally suck at it.
That's why promoters, agents and other such creatures can mak..."
Temperamentally that's the way a lot of writers are. I'd rather write a dozen novels than try to market one. But these days any writer, whether indie or trad published doesn't have the option. We either bite the bullet and market or we sink without trace. (Pardon the mixed metaphors!) But there's a vast difference between marketing and blatant spamming.
i wouldnt rate my own books that high, lolz. crushing self doubt a tom collins can fix right eh? if i did what he did I'd prolly come off as totally fake as i dont have that savvy of a skill. it takes some mad bones to pull that off. im content if i get 3 stars from readers. at least its decent yeah? im surprised by the few 5 stars i got. yay? i guess im trying to say i wont let it get to my head. my original aim was to get rich. then reality slapped me and I'm still poor haha. readers are a fickle bunch.
Everything I write is a 5-star read for me. When I finish something I put it on my Kindle, and in the evening, if the weather's nice, I'm out on the porch with a stereo, a cigar, and a rum & cola. When I first read my newly finished work, it's like, "meh, needs work." By then I've finished the rum & cola and go in for another, maybe make it a little stronger. I read again, and it's a little better than I first thought, maybe 3 stars. By the time the evening's finished--Wow! I wrote this!--it's a definite 5-star read, and I'm out of rum.
Ken wrote: "Everything I write is a 5-star read for me. When I finish something I put it on my Kindle, and in the evening, if the weather's nice, I'm out on the porch with a stereo, a cigar, and a rum & cola...."Now that's funny. I get out the Jack Daniels instead of rum.
I wouldn't know what to rate my own novels. I'd probably go with 4 stars, because I like what I write. I put a lot of work into making it as best as I can, but I'm definitely not up to par with writers who deserve 5 stars.
But I'll take 5 star reviews, if people want to give them. :)
Ken wrote: "Everything I write is a 5-star read for me. When I finish something I put it on my Kindle, and in the evening, if the weather's nice, I'm out on the porch with a stereo, a cigar, and a rum & cola...."What a great approach. Will have to give it a try, except I'll open a nice bottle of Bordeaux red!
Ken wrote: "Everything I write is a 5-star read for me. When I finish something I put it on my Kindle, and in the evening, if the weather's nice, I'm out on the porch with a stereo, a cigar, and a rum & cola...."Merlot for me! And, I think I'd forgo the cigar. But, I like your approach, Ken. :D
Marla wrote: "I'm a lousy marketer of my own work-just can't promote and don't get how some people do it all the time---I can promote authors' works-& do-but just can't turn the camera on my own novel--it's so d..."I have quote I'm getting fond of posting regarding self-promo. "Develop a dual personality, one that can morph into a marketeer that doesn't give a crap about what the creative self holds dear."
Like you, my nature is not one to "blow my own horn". Oh, but I'm learning. I recently went to a luncheon (with a friend) who introduced me to the group as "an author". During conversations with many of the women at the luncheon I handed out my novel's business cards.
To those who don't like marketing, there is a school of thought that the best thing you can do is:1. Write a good book.
2. Repeat step 1 over and over.
I understand that it's almost impossible that your book is going to be noticed if you do nothing to promote it, but a couple of points:
A. If a reader likes your book, they tend to consider buying other books you've written. If you only have one book out, all your marketing does is, perhaps, get a reader to buy one book. If you have two books out, the potential of each marketing dollar (counting actual money and the cost of your effort) doubles. This phenomena scales to how many books you write.
B. Books tend to get a bump/are easier to promote when they are first released. Thus, releasing a book, when you take into account the point made in A above, gives exposure to your other books.
I don't know that I advocate doing no marketing, but I'm not sure the best path to success is stressing endlessly over it.
DISCLAIMER: I have absolutely no personal experience with this. I have no books that I've finished and tried to sell. (Working on the first novel hard, though!)
The title of one of this group's other discussion topics is Tips for Publishing & Marketing. Some specific suggestions have been posted by members.
G.G. wrote: "I've seen one say she couldn't stop reading her own book, and she couldn't predict what would happen next. She was posting that on every board as if she had found the best book in the world and whe..."She probably thought no one would figure out she was the author. I've seen that a lot.
im taking the write a bunch of hooks hope folks buy em approach. it seems to be working. each quarter is slightly better than the last.
Eric wrote: "G.G. wrote: "I've seen one say she couldn't stop reading her own book, and she couldn't predict what would happen next. She was posting that on every board as if she had found the best book in the ..."Maybe her memory isn't very good.
Have you ever watched reruns of The Big Bang Theory? Sometimes they are just as funny the second or third time around.
Brian wrote: "To those who don't like marketing, there is a school of thought that the best thing you can do is:1. Write a good book.
2. Repeat step 1 over and over.
I understand that it's almost impossible t..."
Brian, I think it is naïve to believe writing a good book is enough. With the boom of self-publishing, there are hundreds of thousands of books for a reader to choose from. How will they ever know yours is good if they can't find it in the sea of self-publishing? Even if your marketing efforts are just giving away free copies to readers in exchange for reviews, which then leads to word of mouth because your story is so amazing, as a writer we have to get the ball rolling somehow so people will know there is an awesome story out there.
No single method of marketing a book will attract all readers; so it makes sense to utilize as many proven methods as possible to reach the greatest number of potential customers.- Press Releases: Each customized to address the unique tastes of the readers in a targeted area as well as their unique preferences.
- Website: Professionally and specifically designed to promote a particular book and the author, succinctly, yet effectively.
- Book Marks/Push Cards/Business Cards: Each customized to promote a specific book, its author, and related contact/vendor information.
- Thank-You Cards: Featuring the specific book and the author appearing at a presentation/book signing event; to be handed out to all attending.
- Author's Active Participation in Literary Websites: In as many different discussion groups and threads as possible; not just those designated for self-promotion. Let other members become acquainted with you as a person who shares their interests and/or reading habits.
- Personal Appearances: Literary Festivals, Public Libraries, Book Stores, and Book Clubs; prepared to deliver a well-rehearsed presentation, with book signing pen in-hand.
Janelle wrote: "Brian wrote: "To those who don't like marketing, there is a school of thought that the best thing you can do is:1. Write a good book.
2. Repeat step 1 over and over.
I understand that it's almos..."
That advice comes from Michael Sullivan (though I probably paraphrased quite a bit). I think that the general concept is that writing is more important than marketing and, thus, what you should be spending your time doing.
He says that the best way to become a success is to write a book that your readers will recommend to their friends.
To me, that makes sense as it's another multiplier. Seems to me that the goal should be to make any marketing that you do as efficient as possible. If getting a single person to your book's page can net you multiple sales, that's efficient, as is, as stated in the post above, the hope that you can get sell multiple books to the same person.
It seems like I see a ton of posts that say, "I wrote my first book. Buy it."
It seems extraordinarily unlikely that you're going to get success with a single book. Michael says that, in his experience, most good writers eventually find their audience.
Jim has it right. These techniques work in publishing. Spamming does not. I would call spamming "anti-marketing" in this business.
Here ya go, from a thread on Cormac McCarthy's "The Road." Perfect example of Literary Gonadal Elephantiasis:If you liked The Road, you will LOVE this short story titled They Must --> https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
(Free Download, btw)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... Post #50
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show..."
That's a good piece of marketing there. It show..."
Wow, that is pretty good. I wish I could do that with half the savvy. Kudos for him, he appears to be a great writer and marketer. I am humbled by his abilities.