Marketing your writing during challenging times

Hey Creative Entrepreneur!

This past week I was chatting with one of our authors and she commented on the challenges when it comes to selling their writing. Honestly, I get where she’s coming from. Without a doubt, it’s getting more challenging to sell these days.

Perhaps it’s the perceived glut the writers swarming social media.

Maybe readership has declined.

I suppose closing down all those newspapers and releasing copious former reporters upon the freelance world complicated things.

Either way, I don’t know any working writer who isn’t facing some interesting challenges while practicing their craft. And never forget, selling your writing and cashing the check is definitely part of that craft.

So, that’s the challenge I’m going to discuss in the feature article today. I hope you find it helpful.

Onward and upward,

Beth 🙂

P.S. I’m just getting warmed up. Wait till next time…

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https://filbertpublishing.com/our-titles/our-books/365-tips-for-writers/

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Marketing Your Writing during Challenging Times
Beth Ann Erickson

Good grief, if you live long enough, if you’re in this crazy business for of couple decades, you’ll see everything.

I had the super fun job of navigating Filbert Publishing through the whole 9/11 tragedy. We also got to enjoy the great recession of ’08.

When I began this interesting career, debate raged as seasoned professionals argued whether e-books would ever become relevant. Self-publishing still carried a stigma. Back then, Amazon paid out a lot more to far fewer authors.

I don’t mention this to reminisce. Mostly, I highlight the past to let you know that in all likelihood, everything is going to be okay, especially for writers who know how to adjust and adapt.

But this knowledge doesn’t take away from the fact that times are tough.

Readership continues to decline while record numbers of aspiring authors flock to Amazon to upload their latest masterpiece.

The mad scramble for eyeballs on social media has made outrageous behavior the norm as writers twist their talent attempting to move a few books.

So… is it still worth it to pursue a writing career when it feels like such a challenge to stand out in an overcrowded marketplace?

I’d say the definitive answer is, “It depends.”

With this in mind, what are your goals? What do you want to achieve with your writing?

If your goal is to sell books, your marketing strategy would be different than if your goal was to create a sales funnel.

If your goal is to tell stories, your publishing methods would differ from someone who is supporting an existing business.

If you’re an avid marketer, you might be a great self publisher. If you dislike marketing, it might best serve you to work with an established publishing company (but beware, these waters are often shark infested…)

If you simply love writing and don’t like to market, don’t quit your day job. But by all means, enjoy your craft.

Sometimes it’s helpful to adjust your expectations and expand your product base. For example, if you’re only interested in print and e-books, you’re missing some great opportunities in audio. If you’re an article writer, branch off into copywriting. Cultivate multiple streams of income and the ebbs and flows of the industry won’t sting as much.

Bottom line? Yes. The market has changed. Audiences move around a lot. Reading preferences have evolved. Business needs have changed.

That’s not good or bad. It’s simply reality. As my wise child says, “The only constant in life is change.”

The real question is this: Are you able to adapt and cash in on all the marvelous new opportunities popping up?

***

Want help to navigate these complicated waters?

https://filbertpublishing.com/help/

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Beth is available for a limited number of one on one 30 minute consultations. Got questions on marketing, publishing, freelancing, or making a living writing? Click this link. Plus, as a Writing Etc. subscriber you can use this coupon code (ZJFHR8TOW5) to snag a 25 percent discount.
https://payhip.com/b/hlam

You can use any of these articles free of charge on your own website or zine. Just don’t make any changes and be sure to include this byline:

This article is courtesy of Filbert Publishing. Make your writing sparkle, market smart, repeat. Subscribe to Writing Etc., the free e-mag for freelancers, and receive the e-book “Power Queries.” http://filbertpublishing.com

Enjoy!

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