The Modern Writer

The Modern Writer must be more than a wordsmith. She must understand marketing, social media, and design. There are many software options out there to help with formatting and design, and even grammar, but today we'll focus on marketing.

I hate marketing. It feels like bragging about yourself, selling yourself. That's exactly what it is! Yourself, your book -- if you're anything like me, those two things are one and the same.

Some authors have used Facebook as one of their marketing platforms. I, too, have a Facebook writer's page. I share blog posts, but that's about it. I've tried promoting a few, to see if they garnered any more followers, but I didn't see a worthwhile jump. It's due to the new algorithm, or some such thing; I barely understand the word let alone how it works!

Luckily, there are other options for authors. In addition to marketing on Amazon, Good Reads, etc., an author can promote and sell her works right on her own web site. You're already here, so when In the Shadow of Mr. Lincoln is ready for sale, it will be easy for you, my Dear Readers, to find. For my readers who are also authors, here are three benefits of marketing and selling your book from your own webs site.

1. Profits. Amazon will sell your book, but they'll take a cut. So will your publisher's web site. That's not a bad thing; they're not cheating you, and from my experience it's not an astronomical amount. But let's face it: most authors are not J.K Rowling or Stephen King -- we're not raking in the millions. Every penny counts, and you'll have more pennies to count if you sell from your own web site.

2. Followers. Anyone who buys a book from your web site must provide their contact information. How else could you send them a book? But this will also increase your newsletter emailing list. Even if you don't have a regular email newsletter, you can send them information when your next book comes out. And of course, there will be a next book!

3. Keepers. What do I mean by "keepers"? If you have an Amazon link to your book page on your web site, few people will use that link. You may sell books on Amazon, but most of those will be people who found your book by searching the genre or following the "you might also like" prompts. Selling from your web site means you're keeping the people who are already interested.

Some authors will tell you not to use Amazon at all. I'm not in that camp. This is book sales, not the Arctic. The more exposure the better. But don't neglect your loyal readers. They're on your web site already; give them an opportunity to buy your books while they're with you.