I’m not very good at marketing, which shouldn’t be surprising. There are parts of it I like doing, and others that are even worse than having teeth pulled.
On of the things I rather enjoyed doing was putting together the blog tour; it was a chance for me to ask some of the people I have worked with on this book and in the wider quilting world to share their thoughts on the book. I was able to reach out to friends and colleagues in a show of my regard and respect for them. So often I spend my time wrapped in my own world of working away, trying to hit the next deadline (which is always looming) and don’t get to reach out like that enough. And luckily I have made some amazing friends around here, and have had the opportunity to work with some incredibly smart and talented people. And before blog tour even starts (in a couple of days) I want to thank everyone that is taking the time to be a part of the launching of my first book out into the world.
And the list of people taking part really is amazing. Here is who we have lined up: Lisa Sipes, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Katy Jones, Bill Volkening, Kelly Biscopink, Audrie Bidwell, Mary Rachel Kolb, Rachael Gander, Sew, Mama, Sew, Cloth Paper Scissors, Cheryl Arkinson, Quilting Daily, Fat Quarterly, Pellon/Erin Sampson, Sew Modern, Rachel May, Quilty, Amy Smart, Quilter’s Connection, Teresa Coates, Generation Q, Sara Lawson, Kim Niedzwiecki, Rashida Coleman-Hale. See? Amazing…
But then there are parts that are way outside of my comfort zone; the things that are actually about selling the book, not just talking about it. I like talking about it, and if I could just do that and everyone would run out and buy it that would be awesome. Seriously, wouldn’t it??? But there is more work to be done. So, in an effort to avoid doing those things much, and to make sure I don’t blur the lines between my voice and selling too much here is the list of some of the things I have to do…
1. Hey shops owners!!! Look at that amazing blog tour list. Now would be a good time to buy the book and stock it; the reach these people and companies have is insane. Take advantage of the early traffic and put it on your shelves/racks.
2. Hey shop owners!!! Oh, and in case you are worried about the marketing not continuing I am lining a second mini blog tour for after Quilt Market with some more serious heavy hitters. I’ve got your back…
3. Hey shop owners!!! (Last time…) I will also be starting a teaching and speaking tour in July that will include a trunk show with all of the book quilts. I have your back in lots of ways…
4. Everybody!!! Just because you aren’t part of the official blog tour, that doesn’t mean you can’t post about the book. Share your thoughts and send me the link; I will send the blog traffic and my undying love. (And honestly I’d love to hear what you think…)
5. Everybody!!! (And this is the one I hate, but the PR person at F+W is making me do this. Seriously making me.) Once you have the book, DO NOT FORGET to go over to Amazon and review it. (Edit: You can only review it on or after the official release date, March 14th.). Lots of reviews do something with the algorithms, especially those five-star reviews. So, and please forgive me but if I don’t write these words the PR person will seriously hurt me, go and give the book a five-star review if you can. (See Meaghan, I did it. Now you owe me a bottle of good whisky…)
I think that about covers it. There is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes: arranging media stuff, working with magazines, trying to get interviews, etc., etc… Heck, K and I are currently working on a pitch to send to NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday. (Wouldn’t that be awesome??? Heck, anybody know anybody there???)
‘Cause seriously, there’s no pressure here. All that’s riding on this is the chance to do more books, and it ain’t like that is what I want to do more than just about anything… Ack!!!
Two more days until the official launch day: March 14th. That just happens to be the day I will kick off the blog tour… Ack, still need to write that!!!
Help!!!
-t
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