Can Introverted Writers Effectively Market Our Books? Absolutely! Here's How.
Marketing is perfect for us introverts. Let's discuss...
Many writers find book marketing overwhelming. Not uncommon, given that most writers don't have a marketing background. The writing part may come easy to us; however, connecting with readers and other publishing industry influencers can often feel awkward and uncomfortable, particularly when starting.
The 'cold call' approach is incredibly ineffective and feels well, slimy. Nobody wants to feel slimy.
Now take that awkward discomfort and add being an introvert, and you enter analysis paralysis territory.
Is marketing impossible for introverts?
Nope. Not even a little bit! I've spent the last 30+ years as an introverted salesperson, trainer, marketer, and author. Most people don't believe me, but it's true! Some of the most successful marketers, businesspeople, and authors in the world are introverts. Let's break it down.
Introversion, Defined
Our parents and teachers often label us as either/or: introverts or extroverts. If we're shy, we're introverted. If we're outgoing, we're extroverted. As we now know, that's not always the case (and we can be somewhere in-between, an ambivert).
The classic definition comes from Latin intro-, "inward," and vertere, "turning." It describes a person who tends to turn inward mentally. Introverts sometimes avoid large groups of people, feeling more energized by time alone. The opposite of an introvert is an extrovert, who finds energy in interactions with others.
Introvert can also be a verb, meaning literally to "fold inward," or "turn inward," as when a child's personality seems introverted once she starts elementary school.
It's important to understand that introverts aren't necessarily shy. Parents and educations commonly mistake shyness and introversion as being the same thing.
Shyness involves fear of negative evaluation (and is a milder form of social anxiety). In contrast, introversion refers to a tendency toward becoming over-stimulated and the need to be alone to gain energy.
These are helpful definitions in understanding ourselves as writers and laying the foundation for our author platforms. Suppose we've convinced ourselves that our inherent introversion will prevent us from interacting with readers.
In that case, we don't give ourselves a chance to discover the many ways we can interact in ways that won't sap our energy.
How to go about it?
Marketing 101 For Introverts
There are four types of introverts: Social, Thinking, Anxious, and Restrained (aka, the STAR model created by psychologist Jonathan Cheek).
Which are you? Take a quick quiz (non-scientific) here.
Regardless of which type of introvert you are, marketing your writing will still be a part of whatever you do. Writing is only part of the publishing equation.
Let's break down the critical parts of your author platform and how to manage them as an introvert.
Social Media
Social media is one plank of your entire author platform (think about a deck—you need lots of planks to make it sturdy). Some social channels are more conducive to introversion than others. For example, I've found X/Twitter to be great for connecting with readers because you respond when you can, there's no pressure to video chat with someone, and you can take part in Spaces, all behind the safety of your screen (more below).
Go to any social media platform with the intent of connecting strategically with people with similar interests. The algorithms will start connecting you with people with similar interests, so a lot of that discovery and visibility work is done FOR you, making it easy to follow/gain a following.
As long as you pay attention and do the work, that is.
The fun part is when you get involved in the 'deep dive' sides that you enjoy, making social interaction that much more enjoyable.
For example, one of my clients is very into macro flower photography, so now those posts and people pop up when she's on various social apps. Result: she's found her people on Instagram and even TikTok. She's completely blown away!
Social media is what you make it. Put into it what you expect to get out of it. Block, mute, ignore, or respond if you feel strongly enough that it's helpful or essential to do so. And always remember: just because someone engages with you doesn't mean you're obligated to respond (hello, trolls!). More on that here:
Tip: I created the one-reply rule for myself. When I respond to someone who challenges me, I do so with one reply only (often a 'quote tweet'), if at all.
Dealing with confrontation online is energy and time-draining. Creating boundaries is super important when it comes to our energy preservation.
The same rules apply to Facebook or LinkedIn groups (or wherever you may spend your time). Ask yourself this question: how else could I be spending my time? This question is constructive if you find yourself getting caught up in political or other hot-button, trending conversations.*
*By all means, contribute and participate as you feel necessary; however, be aware of not only the drain on your energy when you could be writing or marketing but also the possibility of alienating potential readers. Not to mention the effects on your mental health.
Blogging
Blogging is a crucial part of an author's platform for the SEO benefits alone, whether that's here on Substack (where posts are also newsletters), over on Medium, or on one's website (highly recommended). For introverts, blogging is a perfect way to spend our precious writing time while also preserving energy and commenting or providing value-added info at a pace we find comfortable.
As mentioned above about social media, know your strategic topics and keywords/keyphrases so you'll always know what topics you want to touch on in your blog posts.
If you're unsure, think about what you are curious about, want to learn more about, have some expertise in, are excited about, etc. More here (my most popular newsletter)!
We are humans before anything else, so blogging need not be solely about writing. Make it ‘newsy.’ I highly advise against writing about writing unless you're a writing expert and/or your demographic is writers. Unless they're writers themselves, readers are far more interested in writers' lives, who we are, what drives us, where we come from, and where we're going.
Newsletters
Newsletters are the gift that keeps on giving. While it would be lovely to handwrite letters to readers (I'm a letter-writer and journaler by hand, not sure about you), the mere thought is impractical. Communicating with readers who have been kind enough to sign up to learn more about us? Exciting!
Plus, email marketing reaches more people than Twitter and Facebook combined.
If you're starting new, create a free account with your pick of any of the newsletter companies out there: Substack (obvi), MailerLite, Mailchimp, ConstantContact, etc., and begin asking readers of your articles here or on your site to become subscribers. It's a simple CTA (call to action), and if you don't ask, you don't receive.
Or just start one here and import your subscribers. More here from Substack.
You don't have to start sending newsletters yet. The thought freaks out most writers who haven't published yet. It's okay. You'll get there.
For now, start building your subscriber list. That's the goal. You will have something to share. Read more about building newsletters and subscribers from Bakerview Consulting, my go-to expert.
Giveaways
Giveaways are awesome. If your comfort zone is hanging with other writers, create a giveaway that includes them in some way, e.g., a multi-book giveaway or a gift card or a Kindle or iPad that would be pretty spendy on your own.
Understand what the goal is here. Be strategic. Why put forth this time, effort, and funds? Giveaways are great for three main reasons:
growing your mailing list subscribers (ask people who enter to subscribe),
increase your following (ask entrants to follow all involved on various social media and reading sites like Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub)
visibility (ask entrants to share the giveaway).
Tip: Have everyone involved create tweets and posts to share on all of your various social media accounts so everyone pitches in. Then, you won't feel the burden to do all the sharing and posting—and schedule yours (see below).
Low Interaction Tactics
The tactics I mention above are considered low-interaction, which means you won't feel energy-drained when you've completed one of these tasks. Social media can cause energy drain, however, so I recommend a few more tips:
Use A Social Media Management Tool
Use a social media management tool like Hootsuite, Buffer, or others (many have free options to help you decide which you like best) to help you schedule some of your social media articles, visuals, and blog posts.
I don't recommend scheduling all your posts and becoming an automaton. The point of social media is to interact, be social, and build relationships with readers and other publishing industry connections. So why mention scheduling?
Well, scheduling in content doesn't mean you won't interact. It means you are practicing good time-management as well as energy-management skills.
Scheduling your posts allows you to create energy boundaries. Interact when you can.
Plan Your Social Interactions
One of the reasons I always enjoyed X/Twitter so much is for planning reasons. Do you attend chats or take part in X/Twitter Spaces, the new-ish social audio option.
X/Twitter Spaces (aka, social audio) is a wonderful option for introverts because we can plan our interactions down to the minute, and decide how participative we want to be.
Want to join a Space but don't want to talk? Great, listen-only and learn.
Want to host a Space but don't want to be the main presenter? Great, invite co-hosts who are more comfortable talking (you can have up to two co-hosts).
Want to grow your readership community without a heavy sales hand? Spaces are perfect.
Join my monthly #BookMarketingChat audio space on X(Twitter) on the first Wednesday of each month at 2 pm pst/5 pm EST. Recorded if you miss it.
Spaces are a great way to plan your energy and time interactions on social media, interact with others, grow your following, provide and/or learn valuable info, and consistently maintain your social media presence without a huge time-suck. Win/win.*
*Note: You must have an X(Twitter) account to listen or participate.
Use a Messaging Platform with Colleagues
Given all the privacy issues with Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp — many of which many writers use to communicate with one another — I recommend moving to a more protected interface such as Slack (I am in no way affiliated. I love the app.). Beyond that, I find it helpful with my process orientation toward work and, yes, energy output. And it’s free.
What is Slack? In technical terms, it's a "Primary communication and workflow platform." In English, it's an app you can download to your computer, phone, or tablet (and sync on all) or work online. With it, you can chat in real-time, share documents and files, import notes, create teams, speak privately, etc.
It's like email and social all rolled into one — plus, you can add Google Docs, a calendar, and almost anything you use frequently.
I find this app energy-helpful because it's right there on my screen dock (as opposed to going to an online social media app), and it works in real time, which I find efficient. There is no wasted energy or time trying to wrangle a team of people into one chatbox on some online platform that might be down.
Final Thoughts
As an author and entrepreneur who has spent much of my professional life in marketing and sales (30+ years), I've learned to adapt to a gregarious world of extroverted people online and IRL. Being an introverted author and marketer makes me efficient and able to understand what works for me and what doesn't.
Everything I mentioned above is easy to learn through the links provided, online tutorials, or by hiring someone to help you. Want my guidance? Email me at badredheadmedia@gmail.com.
Marketing our books is part of the publishing process and the business of writing, and it is not an option we authors should ignore or avoid completely.
I learned by doing, and so can you!
Upcoming Audio Spaces
• In case you missed it: My monthly #BookMarketingChat Space was this past Wednesday, 6/4, at 2 pm pst/5 pm EST with my very special guest, Dr. Donna Jennings, who launched her new book, The Fiction Writer's Sexuality Guide: Sex—It's More Than a Scene.
It’s fantastic.
Click here now to listen to the replay.
• #TheWriteLab Space with me and cohost @VennieKocsis! Join us every Thursday at 1 pm pst/3 pm est to discuss your author branding, socials, writing (of course), and marketing - FREE! Audio-only, recorded if you miss it.
Click here to set a reminder now. Topic: Author Websites - What Do We REALLY Need?
Featured Book Of The Week
Fantastic read by bestselling author Don Gabor, Vienna On Fire, available now. I read it in one night. Beautiful, terrifying, and informative, I highly recommend it. Here’s a brief summary:
Can Greta Kolbe escape Nazi Vienna and reach America before her past and the Gestapo catch up to her?
In the heart of darkening Europe, amidst the looming war, Vienna on Fire by Don Gabor tells the riveting story of Greta Kolbe, an eighteen-year-old Jewish woman whose life was upended when German troops annexed Austria in 1938.
Sponsor
💜 Thank you, Booklinker, my exclusive advertising sponsor for 2024! Free universal book links for all authors. It's super easy to use. And they have a fantastic blog here.💜
See you next week, and happy writing!
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