Marketing, an aspect of being an author I didn't quite know existed. Okay, I think I had some idea of it, just not quite sure of how to go about it. I learned by trial and error, what to say and what not to say when making a sales pitch. Whether it was to a book store clerk when asking if they'd carry my book, or to someone who wanted to buy my book at a book signing. So, after a year of polishing my 'marketing plan,' I calmly called a bookstore the other day to see if they'd carry my book. Remember, I said I'd been doing this for a year, and I'd come become an 'expert' at it, in my own eyes. Well, I fumbled around and said everything wrong, and the harder I tried to save myself, the worse my pitch became. So I finally paused, took a deep breath, and told the lady, "I'm sorry, this isn't the best sales pitch I've ever made." She laughed and that made me feel better. I learned you can never be too sure of yourself in that area, and there's always room for improvement.
Well.... you can't just stop there! Did you get the book signing? lol
ReplyDeleteI too have problems with selling myself. I have never been good at trying to sell anything and still suck at it. But I try and that's all we can do! Goodluck, you'll get better the more times you do it.
She wasn't able to give me permission, but directed me to the person who could give me permission for a book signing. Yes, it was a learning experience and something I can laugh about now that it's over.
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