That’s *Byrds
Sometimes when I push the “publish” button I’m even more scared than usual. Even though my last article was about caring too much about what other people think, I find myself still worried that I’m going to offend someone or just look stupid. I had some of that fear when I pushed the button for last Wednesday’s article on authors and marketing. But my growing passion for the issue decided to override my fear of you readers thinking I just don’t get it. I was amazed at the conversation in the comments. Many of you shared my passion. Your thoughts encouraged me to think even more on the matter.
“I’m Not a Brand” focused on what I don’t like about marketing and promotions. But marketing and promotions are not bad in themselves. Indeed, they are necessary and helpful to the writer, as well as the reader. Clearly there are more authors just like me, struggling with how to go about this in a positive way. And equally as clear, there are many readers out there who want to hear about books they may be interested in without feeling like they are being hustled.
A major point of irritation that I mentioned was the language being used like “tribes” and “branding.” These aren’t just neutral marketing terms, they reveal something about how you view your readers and yourself. It’s dehumanizing. Another popular marketing term that makes me feel uncomfortable to say is the idea of “building a platform.” I do get the suggestion that it offers. Readers need to know that you exist. A publisher can market your book with all their might, but there is value to increasing your own publicity, that is, providing venues for readers to hear you, read your thoughts, “meet” you.
But building a platform makes it sound like I am constructing some self-raised stage to make everyone look at me. Writing is a very public activity. It insinuates interaction. I’m not depositing my thoughts down to you from some mountain top; I am trying to facilitate a place for discussion.
In the genre that I write, I suppose there is an idea of a platform from which authors speak. I look at church denominations in that way. It is always helpful and sharpening to be clear about our positions, so that we can have honest, sharpening dialogue. But, this isn’t anything I am building. The foundation had already been laid.
That’s why I would like to look at marketing and promotions more like opening a door and extending an invitation. I’m am certainly no marketing expert, but I think I want some kind of a front porch approach. I am inviting readers to come and look at my work, but not as passive consumers. The nature of my writing asks for response and continued conversation.
I have no problem promoting myself when it comes to inviting someone to my house. In fact, I am pretty darn good at prevailing over them to come. Why? Because I passionately want their company, I’m happy to serve them for it, and I know that they will leave with their bellies and minds filled. And that is why blogging has been a blessing to me—I get to be hospitable with my work.
But while I am wrestling with hospitable marketing (how’s that for a clever marketing term?), I also want to mention the responsibility of the reader. If you want to know about good books, you have to look at reading as a public act. You have to share your thoughts with others. Do you really want to leave it up to CBD or your local, so-called Christian bookstore to tell you a top ten? You have to open some doors of invitation as well.
Amazon reviews have become pretty important to an author. Do you rely on them as a reader? Have you ever written one? I’ll admit, I hesitated for a long time. I hate the 5-star rating system for books because I wouldn’t rate my friends that way. But the reviews are helpful. At least consider spreading the news about your favorite books this way.
I am reprimanding myself here too. I have been a very unfaithful reader for Goodreads. Seriously, I did the initial sign-up, and can’t even remember my password. Minus 100 points for me.
But I get like 800 points for my book review club. Me and my fellow local readers get together to give book reviews on something we have read in the last month. It’s so much fun, and a great way to learn about books, as well as soak in what you have just read a little better.
I’ve also argued the case that with the increase of cyber-shopping for books, we need a new kind of librarian–someone willing to help match readers to their books.
What about you? How do you learn about good books that may interest you? Has there been a particular form of marketing or publicity that resided with you as a reader? Is anyone lucky dipping in the bookstore still?
Sometimes, I rely on the opinion of others whom I trust as well as simply taking the plunge and a risk and reading something. I am always aware that I not fall into the trap of reading what others are reading simply because they tell me I should read it. I occasionally read reviews from Amazon, but I don’t rely on them. I don’t think there is any harm in just making our own decision; we like the sound of the book, and we take a chance. Sometimes, in Christian circles, and especially the teeny tiny blog circles (teeny tiny in comparison to the vastness of the internet) we tend to read because we feel we’ll be left out of the cyber water cooler discussions. I tend to read because the topic sounds interesting, or I have questions. My primary goal in reading is to gain understanding, so that will direct my choices. I tend to cringe at marketing schemes.
Kim, what would you say is the most common way that you find out about books that you may want to read?
Footnotes from books I’m reading would be first. Also, the “Readers who bought this also read this,” suggestions at Amazon or other online booksellers, and then suggestions from other readers.
I find many treasures in the footnotes.
I would also add that, recently, being signed up with Cross Focused Reviews has also thrown book suggestions my way.
From Aimee’s publisher: I am just so pleased that I have never referred to you as a brand and asked you to develop your tribe and platform! So much of what goes on with self-promotion plays straight into the hands of America’s obsession with the cult of the individual. A church shouldn’t lose members when there is an interregnum, but it does. Surely we are united to each other and Christ and not to the senior pastor? We should go to conferences to be edified by the exposition of God’s Word, but we look at the speaker list to see if we will go. There should be no difference in our purchasing decision on who’s name is on the book but we instead should decide based on the quality of the content—but we don’t. Granted, that there are good reasons that we listen to some people rather than others, based on our experience of the quality of their thoughts, but we do not help our heroes by puffing them up.
Thank you or this, Ian. I am so blessed to have worked with you all at P&R. The more I am learning, the more of a blessing I see that it is!
“There should be no difference in our purchasing decision on who’s name is on the book but we instead should decide based on the quality of the content—but we don’t.”
I’m not sure a universal is quite right here, Ian. Rather than purchasing a book because of the name of the author being an instance of puffing up the author, I think it is often a matter of the ad hominem influence. Many folks think that ad hominem arguments are always invalid, but that’s not true. Ad hominem abuses are always invalid, but there is a fair and proper use of the ad hominem, and buying a book is a good example.
For example, Aimee is writing a book. I’ll buy one (or several) the minute it becomes available, and I’ll do so because of the author’s name. This has nothing to do with puffing Aimee up, but rather has to do with the fact that I’ve read her blog long enough to be convinced that her book will be of benefit to the women in my Sunday School class. In the same way, if I see a book with ‘R. C. Sproul’ on it, I buy it without looking at anything else. Why? Because I’ve never read anything Dr. Sproul has written that wasn’t engaging, useful, and gospel-focused. The same rule can be applied to conference speakers…we are attracted by the names on the roster because we’ve heard them in the past and we know our time won’t be wasted and they’ll give us valuable content in their talks. (I think you hinted at this very thing in your last line, but waived it off with your ‘but’ clause at the end.)
In a circular way, your quote above is true…by discriminating between books on the basis of the author, we are indirectly buying a book on our “experience of the quality of their thoughts”. Rightly so. But just like good reviews, the name of the author is just another way of making an educated guess at the quality of the thoughts in the book. It isn’t a matter of puffing up (unlike much in the pop culture, I think).
I agree that what you suggest sometimes happens, but not universally so, or even a majority of the time; at least not for the average thinking reader.
I think you are expanding on the point Ian was making, Doc. We have those that we are likely to trust more, and therefore buy from or attend their speaking engagements, but they are as accountable as everybody else. You give a good example of this when you put my name in a similar trust category as R. C. Sproul. I am obviously much more obscure in readership than Sproul, but that makes no difference to you–our content does. Your willingness to spend time reading my blog and discern whether I may be an author you would recommend shows you aren’t just driven by big names.
That’s the hard part for new authors–getting their writing/content to speak past their unknown name.
Interestingly, when I attended the TGC Women’s Conference last summer there were many well-known speakers, but the one whom I appreciated the most was Paige Benton Brown, someone I’d never even heard of. I’m so glad I didn’t skip that session just because I didn’t know who she was.
And can I say that I am so delighted that you are passing HWT out in Texas, being that God blessed it and all…
That front porch metaphor is golden, Aimee. Just another example of why your writing is worth reading!
Thanks, Tim. I think Lisa highlights what I’m saying about how the terms we use reveals our thinking. It does help to remind us who is serving who.
I really like this post. I love the idea of your blog/book as a form of hospitality. My recent, persistent writing reticence has more to do with insecurity than I think I even realize. Viewing the blog as hospitable causes me to think more about the reader and less about the writer.
As for me, I choose books based on blog chatter, amazon reviews (I read mostly, if not only, the negative ones), and recommendations from readers I respect.
And another fan of Paige Benton Brown here! I’d never heard of her either prior to her keynote at TGCW but hers was a message that continues to resonate!
“… think more about the reader and less about the writer.”
Lisa, that should be posted above every blogger’s computer!
…and like your last post, Lisa, blogging is such a great way to remind us how purposeful our conversations can be.
I read the negative reviews too. It’s always good to get the whole picture.
I have to tell you that since I’ve started “following” yours and Tim’s blog, I have purchased about 4 books that were referenced. Some of them, I will repurchase as gifts for others. Being pretty new to the blogging world, I am enjoying this bit of “community” finding like minded people who are daily striving to die to self and encourage the rest of us to do so as well! I love your front porch analogy too! Sometimes I feel like I’m standing on the Rock, but start to totter a bit… you call from your porch “Hey! Let’s remember that Focus Point and re-balance” Thanks for that!
Looking forward to your book.
Kathleen, I just love getting feedback from readers when they’ve bought a book I’ve reviewed, and want to tell me how much they enjoyed it. Being “a different kind of librarian” is one of my absolute favorite things about blogging.
I enjoy and value your deep and sincere thinking Aimee. I value your perspective and how you prompt others to think beyond the status quo.
Thanks, Sarah. It’s an encouragement to see in the comments that others are thinking along the same lines.
Good post, Aimee.
Most of the books I read (from different genres) are suggestions made by friends (or bloggers) I trust, others I found in the footnotes of other books. Normally I don’t read the reviews on Amazon, instead I look for reviews on Goodreads.
Other times, when I want to read about certain topic, I find myself going first to Monergism to look for a book, from there I easily find more books related to that topic.
Happy reading!