Are you using the 80/20 RULE when it comes to marketing your books?
(Please click on image to enlarge.)
Hello, my lovely SBMs, SBMs-in-training, and soon-to-be SBMs!* Today’s tip is quite simple, but please do not mistake simple for unimportant.
Chances are, you’re familiar with the 80/20 Rule. I used to hear it from my personal trainer: “Eat well 80 percent of the time; eat whatever you want the rest of the time.” I’ve heard it said about our closets: We wear 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time. I’ve encountered it in productivity discussions: 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. It just seems to be a breakdown that works in many situations. Book marketing is another really good example.
We’ve been talking over the last few posts about the need to BALANCE relationships with selling. This has never been more true than across the ubiquitous social media platforms. Want proof? How fast do you “unfollow,” block, or “unfriend” people who constantly spam your Twitter feed or Facebook wall with ads for their businesses or products? If you’re like me, the answer is: Immediately! Someone may have the best damn tire shop in Toledo, but if all they do is post ads for their wheels/rims specials and all-terrain tires, I’m just not interested. Especially since I live in Arizona!
Somehow, with all the buzz about the need for authors – and sellers of all stripes (a.k.a. just about every entrepreneur/business owner in existence) – to get into the social media game, one little details seems to be frequently overlooked: the first word in “social media” is SOCIAL!
Of course, each person’s concept of social – and therefore social media – is going to be a little bit different. However, there are some universal truths. Would you marry someone after the first date? Probably not. So why would you even consider trying to sell your book to a brand new online friend, unless you already have a relationship with them? One of the most beautiful aspects of social media is its global reach. Remember the ancient days of pen pals? Today, we can interact with friends all over the world!
But interaction means just that – getting to know them on a one-on-one basis. Exchanging conversations with them. Sharing news, ideas, and information. And … if and when the timing is right … marketing your book to them. Take a look at your personal campaigns as well as your overall strategy, and keep the 80/20 rule in mind!
See you Monday!
MARCIE
*Savvy Book Marketers
__________________
We’d love it if you’d take a few minutes to give us some feedback via SurveyMonkey about an upcoming Author Sales Training Webinar series we’ve got in the works. Anyone who completes the survey and provides a viable e-mail address will be eligible to win a $10 Amazon gift card.
__________________
We welcome and encourage your thoughtful, courteous comments below.
__________________
If you’d like us to add a link to your writing/self-publishing/book marketing blog, please send us a note. If we think it’s a good fit, we’ll be happy to add you. Of course, we’d appreciate the reciprocity of the same!
Additionally, Marcie would be happy to make a guest appearance on your writing/self-publishing/book marketing blog. Just let us know the theme or your idea (preferably including a 6-panel concept), and we’ll see what we can draft for you.
__________________
Marcie Brock, Book Marketing Maven 
Does your website have a contact page? I’m having problems locating it but, I’d like
to send you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it develop over time.