Whether you’re a self-published or traditionally-published author, you are no doubt engaging in marketing your books. One effective way to accomplish this is by blogging regularly on social media sites. However, recently, a number of writer “groups” within those sites have put a kibosh on posting a blog with links that take the reader back to your website, ergo, your books. In other words, no self-promotion.
I can understand this . . . to some extent. But what if you’re trying to make a point about the craft of writing? Can you not use your own writing to emphasize the point? After all, whose writing do you know best?
What about the research you’ve done? Why did you choose a particular location, or a particular time period in history? Can you not reference your own writing to enhance the reader’s understanding? If I discuss how I researched the forensics of fire in 1911 for one of my books, wouldn’t it be helpful to use a bit of background from it to clarify?
There are many self-promo groups on Facebook and Google + and you can post links directly to your books without feeling guilty. But what about sharing your own experiences or knowledge about writing? How you created your characters, developed your plot, built in tension and conflict. Why you choose to write in the past or the future. Who your target audience might be. How do you write a blog like this and never mention examples from your books?
A second concern regarding posting blogs: When a site administrator asks you not to post a link to your blog, the alternative is to cut and paste the blog directly onto the site. Frankly, I think this looks tacky and much less professional than sending someone to the blog page on your website.
Let’s give the readers some credit. If they choose to read your blog, they can click on the link and read it. No one is forcing them to browse the website any further. Certainly no one is forcing them to purchase a book.
Please share your thoughts.
If you were to post about the craft of writing and if you made a fantastic point that resonated with me, that would personally drive me to find IF you had a website/blog. If the conent you offered in the ‘no promotion’ discussion group was the answer I needed, I’d feel compelled to follow you to see what more answers you could give me about the craft of writing. You wouldn’t need to mention your books because the answer would drive me to seek out more.
That’s just my 2 cents about posting throughout social media without always referring directly to the book you’re selling.
Good point, Carrie. Thanks for reading.
I agree with you. I understand why some admins of these groups need to be strict because some people ignore all rules and are true spammers; however, for most of us a simple link at the end of a blog post is our way of saying “if you’re interested, find more about me here.” The rules become too restrictive for those of us simply sharing our knowledge. Great post!
Thanks, Amber!
Some groups are moderated to the point of having no value to me as an author. If I can’t post the occasional link to a book or a promotion, or see similar posts from other authors, what’s the point.
No one is forced out of the group by some auto-linking feature and we all know it’s about making it easier for the user, not harder.
I agree. Thanks, Robert.