Best part of this, I don't have to become a super salesman. It's kinda like building a house i plan to live in. When it's ready, i move in and invite friends for coffee. Not the whole town.😄 No pressure pitch. Just me with friends. I can do that. As always, thank you, Tim.
Great advice. I definitely dont have the right mindset. I shy away and don't want people to know i write books. I should be proud and want to yell it to the world!
I love this! The reason I keep on writing and putting my books out there is that I KNOW my stories are good! And my readers confirm this! I've started getting a few really good reviews on Amazon. You're so right, it takes time. Really appreciate this video, perfect timing for me, thank you. ❤
@@storyleaks1681 I use very little social media marketing, I've found it to be expensive with little return. The only social media I use is organic and free. Advertising through Amazon and other sites is better and cheaper. IMHO.
I hope people hear you on the mindset piece. Having true, unwavering belief in your work is vital to your book’s success. The confidence really comes through when you talk to people about it; it’ll be your energy and enthusiasm that will cause people to open it and start reading. Promoting your work is not easy, though. My throat constricted while I handed copies of my novel to my book club-type coworkers. But I’m glad I did; one of them enjoyed it so much, she asked for another copy to give to her dad. That’s how it starts. Thanks for the fantastic video Tim! Congrats on the new book 🙏🏾
Thank you for this! Just what I needed to hear as a first time author. Instead of putting so much pressure on my first to perform miracles, the book can focus on longevity, which I know it has.
This is SUCH a relief!! Thank you for saying that about the launch window being two years. I self-published my book a few weeks ago on KDP and I am NOT a marketing genius in any sense of the word, but everyone is telling me I have to grow a following on social media and I have to have a platform in order to sell any books and I have to do this, and I have to do that or it's never going to take off and it's SO overwhelming!! (I also have ADHD and anxiety, so being on social media is both a torture and an addiction that leaves very little time or mental space for writing the next book in the series) but I DO really truly believe in my book. It changed my life to write it and it changed how I look at myself and I feel like there are likely thousands, or maybe even hundreds of thousands of people who will resonate with what I've written if only my book can find them. Now I don't feel so bad about "only" selling 30 copies so far... I've sold 30 copies to people I KNOW are going to read it, and I KNOW they are going to LOVE it!
New author here. I'm weeks from launch and I totally needed to hear this. I keep hearing about how important the initial launch is but marketing is ongoing. And, I agree, whatever your endeavor, whatever your product, whatever your service, you need to be ground zero for the hype and excitement for it. Thanks.
I found Virginia Woolf’s biography 45 years after her death. I then read all the volumes, without stop. I then found her book “waves”. Similarly with Emily Bronte. I read Withering heights, over 150 years after her death. I read it tens of times, after I began to notice the inventiveness of its structure. I then read everything she wrote. Or that which was written about her. Without her sister Charlotte being business-minded, her book would never have been read…
Sir, you have no idea how motivational and informative-ly helpful this content is to me. Such a blessing! Looking forward for more of your videos! Thank you so much! Godspeed!
Who-Hoo! Copies of The Shithead on the shelf behind you--sharing shelf space with Shawn's original Story Grid book--how thrilled are you right now. Congrats, man, you have earned it.
Thank you for being so concise and honest. I am in the process of interviewing agents since the publisher reached out to me....I want to make sure that when the book is ready It feels right.
Hi ! This is Yennenga. I can't wait to read your book. You're such an inspiring writer and coach ! I wish you all the best for this book and for your work with Story Grid
Thank you!! I really needed to hear that! I believe in my book with all my heart, I can talk about it 24/7, I read it over and over again, and I listen to the audio narration done by the exquisite narrator! I believe in it so much that I am writing a prequel (almost ready :) but what makes it so hard that it is a sci-fi book for a 6+ year old kids and I have to convince parents that their kids will be so much better after reading/listening engaging with my book. It will boost their creativity, imagination, not to mention the science knowledge. When I placed audiobook to the Netgalley many parents praised it being a great listen for kids and them. If I only knew how to convince more people to give it a try and start listening... I am a one-person marketing machine, lol :)
The cynic in me sez: the 1 strategy that works: Use your social media platform to clickbait authors nervous about whether they can sell their book and then repeatedly mention your new book as an example of a good book that will change people's lives. I'm just saying... every single time you mentioned your new book in this video, it sent alarm bells off in my head about the sincerity of the video.
Ha, I love this. Did you notice the 100+ videos I’ve put up, all but a couple don’t even mention my book? Or maybe you think the 1000+ hours I’ve put into creating this free content I shouldn’t use to promote my $10 book? What exactly is your stance here? I should creat unlimited free, helpful content and never mention anything I or my company do? I could use more clarity on your expectations on me. - Tim
Really excellent video Tim. It's really what I thought about my book, that it's about sales over time and having the intention to find the right readers. Whenever I talk about my book, people are genuinely interested, and there's definitely an audience for it. I have one question though. You say give copies to people you know will love the book. I'm slightly nervous of this, because I don't want Amazon to say I have a personal relationship with the reviewer, which can break their terms and conditions and lead to account deletion. Should I tell readers I know personally not to review the book, but just tell others about it instead?
Hey Tim, is "Your First 1000 Copies" still worth a read and the price? After all, it's already over 10 years old. That may not be much for a book, but a lot has changed in marketing and book market in recent years.
@@feruspriest According to writing models, it doesn't make a difference. But for marketing and sales (which is what this video was about)? It does, and that should be obvious.
Love this advice Tim, always practical and real I’m curious to know who the SAM is for The Shithead? Can it be another version of myself, simply because I’m writing a genre I love? Thanks 🙏🏻
@@StoryGrid Ahhhh, so the Narrative Device (and its Author/SAM relationship) is not just a tool for the author to write the book, but it's also an integral part of the reader experience (hence not wanting to spoil it). I'm starting to see the importance it more and more.
Do you still do publicity? My book is at the galley proof stage. I have written an excellent nonfiction and when read by mothers of people who live with mental illness, county mental health directors, legislators and people who are working to reduce homelessness, it will happen. I signed up to meet with you but hard to wait. Not sure if the class is right. Might be better to work with you directly. You and your vid were recommended to me.
I'm into the speculative and experimental, which naturally becomes what I write. However, I highly doubt that anyone I know will enjoy reading it based on the fact that it's speculative fiction. What I write is New Weird-ish even, and that's not for everyone. Who do I write for? Thanks. Also, first
@@miggseye I agree. What I meant was that I haven't found that someone to write for yet, and I don't know what to do in the meantime. I agree with Tim. I could write for my wife, though I'm not interested in the kind of books she's interested in, which creates a sense of being disingenuous on my end. It's more of a "this is my situation, what now?"
I'm a little baffled by this video. How exactly is giving a bunch of people who are already connected to you and will love your book, free copies of it going to help you? You say they will generate buzz, but a lot of book lovers are introverts who will read it and never mention it to anyone. Amazon frowns on 'friends' writing reviews--since a lot of our readers are FB friends with us, it is risky to have them write reviews. Are you doing the classic move of making your book free on Amazon so that these folks can be verified as having purchased it? Are you telling them to post about it on social media? You never finished your thought here.
So, basically, what you are saying is that the only way to sell a book is to have followers first. Either the author has them by the thousands on FB, X, or YT, or he can find a good enough publisher who uses theirs. Therefore, authors without these followers cannot self-publish, and if no agent picks up their book, there is no way to successfully publish it.
Hi Tim, just a nobody here getting started in my writing career, but... even I know the first rule of marketing is "the customer is always right." Not sure why you feel the need to further impress your credentials upon people in the comments by replying indignantly. --- Jacob
Hey Tim! I know you from those CreativeLive days! You remember? Those 3 days live workshops. Anyhow, glad to see you and thanks for this video and the reminder.
Best part of this, I don't have to become a super salesman. It's kinda like building a house i plan to live in. When it's ready, i move in and invite friends for coffee. Not the whole town.😄 No pressure pitch. Just me with friends. I can do that.
As always, thank you, Tim.
Great advice. I definitely dont have the right mindset. I shy away and don't want people to know i write books. I should be proud and want to yell it to the world!
I love this!
The reason I keep on writing and putting my books out there is that I KNOW my stories are good!
And my readers confirm this! I've started getting a few really good reviews on Amazon. You're so right, it takes time.
Really appreciate this video, perfect timing for me, thank you. ❤
Love this Jane! - Tim
Have you self published your books? If so, how do you market it? Ads or social media marketing?
@@storyleaks1681 I use very little social media marketing, I've found it to be expensive with little return. The only social media I use is organic and free.
Advertising through Amazon and other sites is better and cheaper. IMHO.
I hope people hear you on the mindset piece. Having true, unwavering belief in your work is vital to your book’s success.
The confidence really comes through when you talk to people about it; it’ll be your energy and enthusiasm that will cause people to open it and start reading.
Promoting your work is not easy, though. My throat constricted while I handed copies of my novel to my book club-type coworkers. But I’m glad I did; one of them enjoyed it so much, she asked for another copy to give to her dad. That’s how it starts.
Thanks for the fantastic video Tim! Congrats on the new book 🙏🏾
Love this! - Tim
Thank you for this! Just what I needed to hear as a first time author. Instead of putting so much pressure on my first to perform miracles, the book can focus on longevity, which I know it has.
New subscriber here - will self publish my first book soon
OMG, I found someone who is sane about marketing. This was such an inspiring video.
This is SUCH a relief!! Thank you for saying that about the launch window being two years. I self-published my book a few weeks ago on KDP and I am NOT a marketing genius in any sense of the word, but everyone is telling me I have to grow a following on social media and I have to have a platform in order to sell any books and I have to do this, and I have to do that or it's never going to take off and it's SO overwhelming!! (I also have ADHD and anxiety, so being on social media is both a torture and an addiction that leaves very little time or mental space for writing the next book in the series) but I DO really truly believe in my book. It changed my life to write it and it changed how I look at myself and I feel like there are likely thousands, or maybe even hundreds of thousands of people who will resonate with what I've written if only my book can find them. Now I don't feel so bad about "only" selling 30 copies so far... I've sold 30 copies to people I KNOW are going to read it, and I KNOW they are going to LOVE it!
New author here. I'm weeks from launch and I totally needed to hear this. I keep hearing about how important the initial launch is but marketing is ongoing. And, I agree, whatever your endeavor, whatever your product, whatever your service, you need to be ground zero for the hype and excitement for it.
Thanks.
@ 12:12, that is very encouraging. That is how I feel about my book Time Seed that I just self published.
I am so happy the algorithm threw this into my feed. Just on the cusp of my book going live and this was the one issue that I was worrying about
I found Virginia Woolf’s biography 45 years after her death. I then read all the volumes, without stop. I then found her book “waves”. Similarly with Emily Bronte. I read Withering heights, over 150 years after her death. I read it tens of times, after I began to notice the inventiveness of its structure. I then read everything she wrote. Or that which was written about her. Without her sister Charlotte being business-minded, her book would never have been read…
Thanks for the great video and helpful advice. It makes sense.
Sir, you have no idea how motivational and informative-ly helpful this content is to me. Such a blessing! Looking forward for more of your videos! Thank you so much! Godspeed!
This really is the most motivating type of advice for creatives
I'm about to self publish my first book and your talking about the time it takes for the book to find its audience was extremely helpful. Thank you!
Who-Hoo! Copies of The Shithead on the shelf behind you--sharing shelf space with Shawn's original Story Grid book--how thrilled are you right now. Congrats, man, you have earned it.
Thank you for being so concise and honest. I am in the process of interviewing agents since the publisher reached out to me....I want to make sure that when the book is ready It feels right.
Thank you!
Awesome advice!!
Hi ! This is Yennenga. I can't wait to read your book. You're such an inspiring writer and coach ! I wish you all the best for this book and for your work with Story Grid
Thank you!! I really needed to hear that! I believe in my book with all my heart, I can talk about it 24/7, I read it over and over again, and I listen to the audio narration done by the exquisite narrator! I believe in it so much that I am writing a prequel (almost ready :) but what makes it so hard that it is a sci-fi book for a 6+ year old kids and I have to convince parents that their kids will be so much better after reading/listening engaging with my book. It will boost their creativity, imagination, not to mention the science knowledge. When I placed audiobook to the Netgalley many parents praised it being a great listen for kids and them. If I only knew how to convince more people to give it a try and start listening... I am a one-person marketing machine, lol :)
So humble!😄
The cynic in me sez: the 1 strategy that works: Use your social media platform to clickbait authors nervous about whether they can sell their book and then repeatedly mention your new book as an example of a good book that will change people's lives. I'm just saying... every single time you mentioned your new book in this video, it sent alarm bells off in my head about the sincerity of the video.
Ha, I love this.
Did you notice the 100+ videos I’ve put up, all but a couple don’t even mention my book?
Or maybe you think the 1000+ hours I’ve put into creating this free content I shouldn’t use to promote my $10 book?
What exactly is your stance here? I should creat unlimited free, helpful content and never mention anything I or my company do?
I could use more clarity on your expectations on me.
- Tim
....it's called good marketing. Take notes 😉
Wow amazing credentials
Really excellent video Tim. It's really what I thought about my book, that it's about sales over time and having the intention to find the right readers. Whenever I talk about my book, people are genuinely interested, and there's definitely an audience for it. I have one question though. You say give copies to people you know will love the book. I'm slightly nervous of this, because I don't want Amazon to say I have a personal relationship with the reviewer, which can break their terms and conditions and lead to account deletion. Should I tell readers I know personally not to review the book, but just tell others about it instead?
Hey Tim, is "Your First 1000 Copies" still worth a read and the price? After all, it's already over 10 years old. That may not be much for a book, but a lot has changed in marketing and book market in recent years.
Yep - Tim
Cool beans! My friend had a cat named "Shithead." Good title.
Niche authors gonna be depressed after this one (I'm in that group!) 😅
Why?
Niche isn't an issue according to Story Grid models.
@@feruspriest According to writing models, it doesn't make a difference. But for marketing and sales (which is what this video was about)? It does, and that should be obvious.
It is more constructive to think “How could this work for me?” instead of assuming “This won’t work for me.” - Tim
Great video Tim. Thank you!
He's effectively advocating niche marketing... 🙄
easier said than done. i just write. i thought I had those people. i guess I didn't.
Love this advice Tim, always practical and real
I’m curious to know who the SAM is for The Shithead? Can it be another version of myself, simply because I’m writing a genre I love? Thanks 🙏🏻
Yes, your SAM can be another version of yourself.
As for The Shithead, if I reveal the SAM then it would be a spoiler for my book 😀
- Tim
@@StoryGrid Ahhhh, so the Narrative Device (and its Author/SAM relationship) is not just a tool for the author to write the book, but it's also an integral part of the reader experience (hence not wanting to spoil it). I'm starting to see the importance it more and more.
When you say you send people your book, is it an ebook, a manuscript, a physical book, or what. Thanks.
Either ebook or paperback version. - Tim
❤
Do you still do publicity? My book is at the galley proof stage. I have written an excellent nonfiction and when read by mothers of people who live with mental illness, county mental health directors, legislators and people who are working to reduce homelessness, it will happen. I signed up to meet with you but hard to wait. Not sure if the class is right. Might be better to work with you directly. You and your vid were recommended to me.
I'm into the speculative and experimental, which naturally becomes what I write. However, I highly doubt that anyone I know will enjoy reading it based on the fact that it's speculative fiction. What I write is New Weird-ish even, and that's not for everyone. Who do I write for? Thanks. Also, first
Who do I write for?
Good question.
No book is “for everyone”. But your “weird-ish” is for someone. Finding the someone’s who would enjoy it is what Tim’s talking about.
@@miggseye I agree. What I meant was that I haven't found that someone to write for yet, and I don't know what to do in the meantime. I agree with Tim. I could write for my wife, though I'm not interested in the kind of books she's interested in, which creates a sense of being disingenuous on my end. It's more of a "this is my situation, what now?"
i'm guessing that you'll find your audience
you write for yourself first and foremost
sounds interesting. what books? where? nothing came up under your name.
This is wise advice. Thank you!
Succinct and powerful. Thanks as always, Tim.
I'm a little baffled by this video. How exactly is giving a bunch of people who are already connected to you and will love your book, free copies of it going to help you? You say they will generate buzz, but a lot of book lovers are introverts who will read it and never mention it to anyone. Amazon frowns on 'friends' writing reviews--since a lot of our readers are FB friends with us, it is risky to have them write reviews. Are you doing the classic move of making your book free on Amazon so that these folks can be verified as having purchased it? Are you telling them to post about it on social media? You never finished your thought here.
Tim says to believe in yourself and find people who will read your book. Yeah, a lot easier said than done.
@@thisoldgoat3927 Fortunately, people read my books and they pay for them.
So, basically, what you are saying is that the only way to sell a book is to have followers first. Either the author has them by the thousands on FB, X, or YT, or he can find a good enough publisher who uses theirs. Therefore, authors without these followers cannot self-publish, and if no agent picks up their book, there is no way to successfully publish it.
Wow. No that’s not what I said at all. It sounds like that’s what you already think so you decided to hear that in my video. - Tim
@@StoryGrid Sorry, but this is my conclusion. Seems so obvious.
Hi Tim, just a nobody here getting started in my writing career, but... even I know the first rule of marketing is "the customer is always right." Not sure why you feel the need to further impress your credentials upon people in the comments by replying indignantly.
--- Jacob
Hey Tim! I know you from those CreativeLive days! You remember? Those 3 days live workshops. Anyhow, glad to see you and thanks for this video and the reminder.