Inkshares Community discussion

From what I've learned as we've all hit up our social networks already.

1. The Author becomes a self promoting shameless whore.
2. A good book cover.
3. Good Writing.

Haha...I agree with the shameless self-promoting. But if you ends alienating your friends, that's where I cross the line.

Goodreads glitched.

Yeah. I struck out at a book store today. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Kinda hard to sell a book to people.... when you don't actually have a book. Catch 22 of Inkshare.

Pitching the book to every single person you find. It is incredibly strange to put yourself out exposed in front of people. I find it to be embarrassing, but it is effective. I hope to one day build enough people interested in my work that less begging is required. I have some other thoughts on content, but I need to get dinner for my family so I'll fill that in later.

Richard wrote: "Yeah. I struck out at a book store today. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Kinda hard to sell a book to people.... when you don't actually have a book. Catch 22 of Inkshare."

i'd planned on going to our local bookstore to leave flyers, but then discovered it closed down almost a year ago...awkard..

Paul wrote: "Richard wrote: "Yeah. I struck out at a book store today. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

Kinda hard to sell a book to people.... when you don't actually have a book. Catch 22 of Inkshare."

i'd planned on..."

That's kind of weird. I dunno, but it's kind of weird to find a book lover not staying up to date about everything book related. I meant no offence, but it's kinda weird.

Also, can you post this poster around town? Thanks.

Hey how do you imbed an image on here?

K.E. you just have to type in some html:

img scr=" [your url for where the picture is location "

Surround that with < and >

(I can't put that in or else Goodreads interprets it as code and you won't see it)

Ahhhh coding, I have no coding skills.

Also wik I have 11 pre-orders now!

I tried getting it to work, and it doesn't show up :P.

Here you go for your cover:

John, you are such a helpful person. You are helping so many people out there. I might need to help more people too...

Yicheng wrote: "John, you are such a helpful person. You are helping so many people out there. I might need to help more people too..."

It is my every intent to prove that kindness is contagious.

I know. I think I caught it.

*Achoo*

John wrote: "*Achoo*"

Same here: check this really helpful thread I just started!

A whore is pretty much how I feel. I even tweeted a picture of my red leather shoes with wooden heels on my twitter page @SBHartSmith; see, I just can't help myself!

Well, while I can definitely agree with the cover and writing points, I think being a "self-promoting shameless whore" isn't quite the right attitude- this is just from my experience.

I've found that engaging with others on social media (i.e. being social at all) is a good way to show people that you care about them, that you have something witty to say, and/or that you're enjoyable to read.

By responding to comments, articles, and topics online in a sensible way, it shows that I'm a considerable choice as a person's next read. I show them my writing by writing out a thoughtful response, instead of bellowing "BEHOLD! GET MY BOOK! I'M A WRITER! YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!" The reality is they probably don't "want to" unless you give them the proper desire to read you.

So that said, I've been getting into the swing of advertising and promoting my work, by simply writing to people, rather that writing to sell to them.

Sorry for the long response, but in my experience just being a relatable person online is one of the best advertisements you can make.

Kell, I couldn't agree more with your comment. With that said, do you not think one needs to go along before getting along as the adage goes?

Re: this idea of being a genuinely helpful person as a promotional strategy, I want to recommend a great book for all of you. This book changed how I see promotion for the better and shows tangible ways to take into account this helpful approach in all you do as you network:

"You First 1000 Copies" by Tim Grahl. I think http://www.yourfirst1000copies.com is the link, but if tha doesn't work, google it. Sign up for Tim's newsletter too -- he gives you a free 20 part course on how to put his principles in action.

I also recommend Dan Blank's "Get Read" course, as it is built on the same foundation.

SB wrote: "Kell, I couldn't agree more with your comment. With that said, do you not think one needs to go along before getting along as the adage goes?"

I think it heavily relies on the situation- to be quite honest. I think a plug for a book is harmless enough to an interested audience, but if that's the only (or even main) thing that comes out of your keyboard while on social media, others will no-doubt feel soul to, as if being coerced into a decision they'd regret.

So that said, I think it depends on the time and place, but generally sticking out is the finest social advertisement.

John wrote: "Re: this idea of being a genuinely helpful person as a promotional strategy, I want to recommend a great book for all of you. This book changed how I see promotion for the better and shows tangible..."

Excellent suggestion, John. I took that course and I can vouch that the content it covers is stellar.

I have been trying to come up with new and innovative ideas for promo. It's so tough though.