Notes from Minnesota

* Scroll to the bottom to listen to this post! *

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer,

You know I enjoy marketing. Persuasion is (and will likely always will be) one of my favorite topics.

The human psyche’s amazing, a complex vortex of mystery… yet despite our (sometimes) crazy tendencies, we’re surprisingly predictable… sometimes. 😛

I spent the weekend watching Jerry Seinfeld’s newest series “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” and more than once he mentioned (paraphrasing here), “You really can’t teach comedy. Either you get it or you don’t.”

I think, to a smaller extent, marketing is a little like that.

A so-called effective technique placed in the hands of someone who doesn’t “get” people often falls flat. Case in point: today’s article.

Oy. It’s a doozie. I look forward to your thoughts!

Onward and upward,

Beth 🙂

P.S. Happy 2018! If you dislike staring at your screen to read this, click the link and you can listen to my gorgeous voice (ha) read this (I may even add a little impromptu commentary). Enjoy! 🙂

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I’ve always wanted a simple, uncomplicated calendar that would help me progress towards my goals. I couldn’t find one, so I figured, why not make it? So here ya go! Check out what it looks like in the short vid right here.

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Facebook Messenger: A New Marketing Opportunity?

By Beth Erickson

It’s happened twice since the 2018 odometer flipped.

Someone “friends” me on Facebook. I check ‘em out. Things look legit so I accept, thinking this person looked interesting.

Then I get a message. At first it’s friendly. “Thanks for the add!”

I reply, “You’re welcome. I look forward to meeting you.”

Then the pitch starts. The first time, the person wanted to sell me his service supplying me with “insider marketing information” on a particular publishing niche.

Dang.

The second time, the writer sent a friendly line (complete with flowers and emojis!) asking me to download her new novel. Of course, she also wanted me to promise to leave a review.

Sigh.

Here’s the deal. Unless you have explicit permission to send sales messages to another person online, don’t do it. Seriously. Don’t. That’s why our emails are double opt in.

Sending unsolicited messages won’t help you sell books. It won’t trigger an avalanche of writing assignments, either. If your writing is a legit business, you need to treat it that way. Only contact people who have expressed an interest in talking with you about whatever it is you’re selling.

There’s a time and a place to market. I’m not sure Facebook Messaging someone you just met fits that criteria.

After this little scuffle occurred, I poked around online and discovered a number of so-called gurus advocate this type of marketing. Just as an FYI, this advice also comes with a pretty steep price to learn all the ins and outs on how to “properly” do this.

And sure, you may make a sale or two. But I’ve already noticed a couple downsides.

Although I didn’t report her, the second writer was placed in “Facebook Prison” for 48 hours due to her Messenger activity. Someone else clearly didn’t appreciate her marketing strategy.

Also, I don’t hold real warm feelings towards either of these peo...

Today I answer a reader’s question: How does a writer find work, how do they know what to charge, and how do they get paid. Ah, timeless questions…

Your wish is my command!

If you have a Facebook “Page,” you may be in for an unpleasant surprise.

According to The Guardian (link below), Facebook is running a test in six countries keeping all the people (and companies) you “like” out of your Facebook feed… unless they pay to promote their post.

This means authors you enjoy, celebrities you “like,” and local companies you support could be locked out of your feed, leaving friends, family, and paid advertising on your wall.

But it’s not a done deal… yet. Get details here.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/23/facebook-non-promoted-posts-news-feed-new-trial-publishers

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Uff-da. I never thought creative blocks could be controversial. Guess they are.

Yes, the “blocks don’t exist” and the “just sit down and write” crowd is alive and well. Those methods probably would’ve worked for pre-cancer Beth but… yeah, not so much now.

Today I share some of my personal cancer story and explain how it helped create my creative block. If you aren’t able to get going on the path to creativity, check it out. You may find some useful tidbits…

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After checking out today’s podcast, you may want to rethink your notions on who should write books and why.

Just think… for just a little effort, you can turbo-charge your career.

Don’t believe me? Check out just five reasons you should get cracking on your book project… sooner rather than later:

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If you’re not as prolific as you’d like, it may be time to examine what’s going on.

Life on the other side of cancer isn’t necessarily all roses and tulips. In today’s episode I talk about:

* Creative Block Myths

* How the angel of death seemed to hover way too close lately

* You’ll meet my new writing partner! (She even comments)

* How life isn’t all that bad… usually. 😛

The roller coast continues. But somehow the ride is quite interesting…

Oh… and I wrote a book all about his. Check it out.

Here’s the episode. Hope you find it helpful!

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer,

Oy, what a week. As I’ve been focusing on rebuilding my post cancer writing career, a couple interesting events have unfolded this past week.

First, I’ve received a few quality queries, titles I hope we can add to our slowly expanding romantic suspense line. I’m pretty excited about this.

Second, I’m amazed at how implementing just a few (easy) marketing strategies can plump a newsletter list faster than I could imagine. The number of new subscribers to my VIP reader list on my personal site has blown my mind. I’m in awe.

Third, I’m continually astounded at how kind the author community is. I seriously believe writers are the nicest people anywhere.

Fourth, I’ll expand on each of these topics as time progresses. So watch this space for updates on how to rebuild and/or enhance your writing career after… er… interesting challenges.

’Til next time!

Onward and upward,

Beth 🙂

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Got Questions?

* How do I land writing assignments?

* How do I get published?

* How do I gain a devoted readership?

* What makes an effective query?

* How do I sell my writing?

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Should You Pay to Publish?

When I penned last time’s feature article detailing the reasons why I felt authors shouldn’t have to pay for publishing, I didn’t realize I was opening a can of worms.

Here’s the book that sparked the discussion: Publish Smart.

Perhaps I’m incorrect. But from what I’ve experienced, if an author wants a book published, they should receive just that… a published book. Not a large credit card bill. They’re providing a publisher with a product, the publisher sells the book and pays the author.

But it appears as though I could be in the minority.

Case in point. I received this message shortly after releasing Writing Etc. (it’s been edited to protect the identity of the author. Also, this is one of the kinder responses I received.):

Hi Beth,

I’m not sure I understand your critique of publishers… I know a very legit publisher that charges for all of the following in different packages…are you saying that the only fees a publisher should receive are royalties from the sales of your book? Or where do they get their money from then? I just don’t understand. Thanks.

Paying for publishing:

Any time a publisher, agent, or editor asks you for money, politely decline. These people are (in all likelihood) scam artists who prey on writer’s dreams. Legit publishers will not ask you to pony up dough for any reason.

Paying for edits:

If a publishing house or agent “just happens” to be affiliated with an editing company that will take care of your manuscript for a fee,

~~~ Notes from Minnesota ~~~

Hey Freelancer!

My head is spinning.

I recently ordered four books from Amazon. When they arrived, I realized every single one of them was printed using POD technology. To make things more exciting, one of the titles was a full color cookbook! Amazing.

Wow. Mind blown.

I remember the crazy days when POD was a novelty… one tier “lower” than self publishing. I also recall thinking that label was pretty unjust.

While my sample pool may be a bit skewed, I found my little discovery pretty astounding. Thrilling, really.

We live in exciting times. Never before has information been more democratized. So, get writing. Share your dream. Write your book and avoid the pitfalls I outline in today’s article. (Ha… awesome transition, eh?)

Onward and upward,

Beth 🙂

P.S. My latest novel, Reclaimed Wonderland debuted at .99. The price goes up on February1. Just click here.

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How will you harness the power of new technology to grow your creative empire?

Thanks to technology, getting your work published is easier than ever… or is it?

Writing and publishing a book is one of the most powerful marketing strategies any creative entrepreneur can undertake. Although the Internet has created new publishing opportunities galore, it’s also created a new breed of publisher that may (or may not) make it easier to make a living (or have a profitable hobby) as a creative entrepreneur.

This handbook explores various options to get your work published. You’ll also discover tips to give you the edge when you evaluate publishing opportunities, how to easily spot scams, little known (but profitable) markets that will augment your income, and much more.

Armed with a little industry savvy, creative entrepreneurs can not only make a good living, they can save hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars by avoiding scams, hooks, lines, and sinkers lurking in the current publishing environment.

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Avoid These “Publishers”

Beth Ann Erickson

You’ve worked hard on your manuscript. Give it the treatment it deserves by not settling for less than what your work merits. If you see any of these red flags in a publishing house you’re considering, run… don’t walk… away from them.

Paying for publishing:

Any time a publisher, agent, or editor asks you for money, politely decline. These people are (in all likelihood) scam artists who prey on writer’s dreams. Legit publishers will not ask you to pony up dough for any reason.

Purchasing books as a part of your publishing agreement:

If you have to buy a set number of books and sell them yourself, this isn’t a legitimate publishing company.

Paying for edits:

If a publishing house or agent “just happens” to be affiliated with an editing company that will take care of your manuscript for a fee, decline to work with them. Legit publishers and agents will edit your manuscript free of charge.

Setup Fees:

Unless you specifically want to self-publish, there’s no reason to pay setup fees… ever. A legitimate publisher does not charge “setup fees.”

Reading Fees:

A literary agent I once contacted wrote this: “With the inundation of quality manuscripts, I feel I must charge you for my time to review yours.” Bull-doggie. Forget it. Any publisher or agent who charges a reading fee is a scam artist and isn’t worth your time.

And more importantly… why is it there?

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The passing of a creative entrepreneur is something to be mourned. Today Beth and Jackie discuss the artists they miss. They also discuss:

* How many world woes could be solved by sensible shoes

* The power of author journals

* Song writing versus long form prose

That about covers it! Who do you miss? This could be a great journal entry…

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