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This is something authors discuss on the regular.  At least the ones I know; the ones self-published or signed with an Indie publisher.  Upon putting your book into the world, the focus isn't on the writing, it's all about marketing.  

What is marketing? 

According to Google, it's the action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising.  

You guys know what my degree is in?  Dental hygiene.  Not marketing.  

Want to know what my life experience is?  Staying home with my kids.  This makes me good at time management and multi-tasking, but not marketing.  

(My childhood best friend got her degree in marketing, which has been helpful).  

The action or business of promoting.  Ah, yes, putting yourself and your work out there.  

Promotion is defined as activity that supports or provides active encouragement for the furtherance of a cause, venture, or aim.  

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My first step, back in December, when I signed my publishing contract but had no clue when my book would be out, was to create an online presence.  Facebook author page.  Twitter profile.  Instagram profile.  Then to post across all three on a regular basis.  About what?  This is tricky in the beginning when you don't have a book cover, a release date, or anything of substance to share.  Plus which people don't want to be bogged down with an author constantly begging you to buy her book.  An element of your personal life must exist, or the persona you've created to sell your books - probably some mix of these.  

Now I'm six months into the process, my book comes out in less than two weeks, and I'm floundering.  I've run Facebook ads - which were not helpful in the least.  An Instagram ad - which got a lot of likes, but didn't sell any books.  I'm active on Twitter and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ.  I've joined author groups (where we help promote one another), reader groups (where I can promote my own books), and tried to put myself out there. 

I'm an introvert.  A true introvert.  Doing all this online isn't as horrible as it will be in person.  I've been sitting on a box of bookmarks for ages, too timid to bring them to local stores and ask to leave a stack.  

I have two signings happening in less than a month.  Admittedly, I have NO clue what I'll do at either.  I imagine myself sitting there being awkward and counting the minutes until I can leave.  Although I'd rather have a hoard of fans, sign dozens of books, have the guts to read a portion of The Guilt of a Sparrow out loud, and walk away feeling a success.  (Maybe I'll strike a balance somewhere in the middle!!) 

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I love Canva.  It's such a fun website, and I've had a good time creating all sorts of promotional images.  I like combining colors, fonts, and pictures to share.  Is it enough?  I don't know.  

If you have any ideas on marketing/promotion, please let me know.  I'm open to ideas - in fact I'm starved for them.  

With love, Jess B. Moore