Shuyi Chua's Blog
August 22, 2019
Marketing the Book
How do I get my book out there?
On the 16th of August 2019, there was a sudden spike in sales. Usually, I don't get any sales at all, but suddenly on that day, there were more than 100 purchases.
What did I do? I scratched my head and cannot pinpoint anything in particular I did that was different. I have been on a campaign since I started a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GraduateStud... (Please like it!) to share inspiring quotes on writing and my thoughts on writing, to try to increase the visibility of my book. However, I have been doing this for weeks since July.
Was it that particular post I promoted on the 16th of August?
I don't know. But what I have found is that marketing is a whole new world. I tingle with excitement that I can actually reach an audience from far-fetched countries but also struggle to know who they are and what they need and whether they will find the price I put on the book too expensive.
Naturally, I am sympathetic to people from ASEAN, my region (because I know people from these countries and we grew up together and I want them to succeed), so I focus my advertisements on my neighbouring countries. But... what about the audiences out there, from countries, I have yet to step foot on?
So promotional activities have opened a whole new world to me. I thought I would have been intimidated, but no, actually I found out that I enjoy it. I enjoy reaching out to people in a way that they would receive me. I guess that's how I am as a person as well. So it just fits who I am so well.
But that being said, I am weaker in the science and technology of it, learning about algorithms of Amazon or Facebook, and what is the best way to "break the code"... Or how do I actually reach the intended audience. Right now, I seem to be reaching the wrong ones... Not those who will buy my book, but those who like my posts... I have a feeling the book is not relevant to them or that perhaps they don't feel inspired to click on the "Shop Now" button.
Alright, I'll keep thinking about that. Here's my 5 minutes of freewriting for you!
On the 16th of August 2019, there was a sudden spike in sales. Usually, I don't get any sales at all, but suddenly on that day, there were more than 100 purchases.
What did I do? I scratched my head and cannot pinpoint anything in particular I did that was different. I have been on a campaign since I started a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/GraduateStud... (Please like it!) to share inspiring quotes on writing and my thoughts on writing, to try to increase the visibility of my book. However, I have been doing this for weeks since July.
Was it that particular post I promoted on the 16th of August?
I don't know. But what I have found is that marketing is a whole new world. I tingle with excitement that I can actually reach an audience from far-fetched countries but also struggle to know who they are and what they need and whether they will find the price I put on the book too expensive.
Naturally, I am sympathetic to people from ASEAN, my region (because I know people from these countries and we grew up together and I want them to succeed), so I focus my advertisements on my neighbouring countries. But... what about the audiences out there, from countries, I have yet to step foot on?
So promotional activities have opened a whole new world to me. I thought I would have been intimidated, but no, actually I found out that I enjoy it. I enjoy reaching out to people in a way that they would receive me. I guess that's how I am as a person as well. So it just fits who I am so well.
But that being said, I am weaker in the science and technology of it, learning about algorithms of Amazon or Facebook, and what is the best way to "break the code"... Or how do I actually reach the intended audience. Right now, I seem to be reaching the wrong ones... Not those who will buy my book, but those who like my posts... I have a feeling the book is not relevant to them or that perhaps they don't feel inspired to click on the "Shop Now" button.
Alright, I'll keep thinking about that. Here's my 5 minutes of freewriting for you!
