Recognition

Years ago when I managed my bookstore, I learned that in advertising, it took an average of three times before something new registered with the public. So three weeks before an event, I’d place an ad in the local paper and run it until the event.

As writers, and especially if our books are with the smaller indie publishers, we face the same challenge. We want and need reader identification, so we create websites, join forums, and do just about anything else to get our names out there in the hopes that when our books are released, the public will recognize our names and have an interest in our books.

I realized tonight how well it’s worked with a writer on our own forum. I was scrolling the TV guide and noticed a couple of Audie Murphy movies coming on, and I thought of Ann Joiner. I even thought of posting on the forum to tell her to take a look, that one of her guy’s movies was about to begin. But I thought that with her attention to detail, she probably already knew.

Seeing our names over and over works. I didn’t even realize how well it was working until I thought of her when I saw the listing.

So keep on keeping on. Three times, five times, a year or two. Whatever it takes, it’s worth it.

Brenda,
That is so well put the way you say it "keep on... keep on..."

After one year they will say: "Ah, so you wrote a book?"
After two years they will say: "So you're a full time writer?"
After three years they will say: "So you've another book out?"
After four years they will say: "I read your first novel! It's bloody marvellous!"

That's how it works. Of course by the time they've read everything you've written you've probably long retired and moved on to better things.

"bloody marvelous" is great! My hairdresser is my best publicist. She keeps telling me to bring another book as someone with whom she spoke needs to/wants to read it. Perhaps I should book a signing there!

Thank you for noticing, Brenda. I'm pleased to see that Audie Murphy is getting a bit more recognition as well. He deserves to be remembered. That's what the book was about.

Ann

Good thread Brenda.

The authors here are great examples of those who use marketing niches. Shelagh keeps encouraging us to help market Forever Friends however we can and gives some great examples.

Ahad, the magazine article was great.

Carol

If I wasn't in such a foul mood I's say well done, Brenda.

Ahad, you’re so right. Ten Times Guilty came out in late 2005, and one of my neighbors recently said, “You wrote a book? Where can I get a copy?”

BTW, I read the article and watched the video. Good job!

Zada, go for it. I’ll be talking to the mgr of one of the larger restaurants I reviewed for a signing, so any place where they like you, is great.

Ann, several of his movies have been on TCM lately.

Thanks, Abe.

I agree, Carol.

Guess who the raspberry is for. Wish there were sound effects as well...

Brenda,

Yes, and whenever one of his movies is shown, some viewers will go to the AM Memorial website at www.audiemurphy.com to find out more about him, and among many other pages, will find a list of "Books in Print."

Your advice about getting your name and books out there is right on.

Ann

I haven't visited that site, Ann, but will do so.

When my husband read Dick's book about the Hoosier Hotshots, he googled the musical group and found Dick's book listed on several sites.

Dick, it is too bad you are in a bad mood, but I understand completely and hope your hand is better soon.

Carol

Carol, what happened to Dick's hand? I just figured he was being his normal curmudgeon self.

Brenda,

He had some skin cancers removed from his hand and it was quite painful. I think he explained it on a Stodghill Says So blog.

Carol