Is it useful to treat yourself and your books like a business with a detailed plan of action and set goals and time-lines?
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Is it useful to treat yourself and your books like a business with a detailed plan of action and set goals and time-lines?
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Even if you never write it down, is it useful to at least have a plan in your head?
It's definitely useful to have a plan of action, but I think many writers don't realise that marketing automatically comes with writing, and also, although writers want to market their work, they don't know how. Besides using Facebook and the other social media sites, they simply feel lost as to what else they should do. It took me a long time to realise that I had to think outside the box and get really creative with my business plan.
It's absolutely important to treat yourself and your books like a business. Of course, to echo Monique, I've been in business for myself most of my life. I think a plan of action is essential, but time-lines are really at the mercy of reviewers and interviewers, so one has little control over that aspect. That said, I first query as many reviewers as I possibly can. Then I go for interviews. In the meantime, I go to the local bookstores to see if they'll carry my book, even on a consignment basis. I list my book on any sites that offer that opportunity, and I look for speaking engagements, or readings, wherever I can. Contacting reading clubs is also helpful. Promoting is a full time job to which I devote several hours a day. After all, if the author doesn't work to sell the book, who will? The publisher, publicist, etc. won't be nearly as committed as the author.
Yes. Then again, I'm used to being in business for myself.
Now ask me if I have a business plan.
No. I don't. Do as I SAY, not as I DO.