I think that both are creative in their own respect. For me, the writing aspect comes very naturally and is more creative, while the selling aspect I must work at. I find I must gear myself up to be a salesperson whether I am selling books at a signing, or presenting my work at a conference. I am a good salesperson, but I must constantly work at it.
If like me you're an Indie writer it's more hard work than work.It's especially difficult if you're not used to selling things as first you have to sell yourself then I'm fairly sure the soul follows in quick order. So many social networks to get to grips with. Currently I have one network tweeting each of my books once a day. Not adequate and certainly not good manners but all I can manage since my mail has me at breaking point. I joined a new network called ASMSG which has authors tweet each other to their own followers which number over 300,000 but the tweeting is so time consuming.
Both writing and selling are an "art" but are, alas, different types of "art". Thus a person who is highly talented at writing may not have the instinct or the feel for selling, and vice versa. I have found, though, that most writers if they really believe in their book can be taught to become competent sellers. But I have not met many people who are primarily competent sellers who can be taught to be excellent writers. For example, a top-selling real estate person or a top-selling car salesperson is unlikely to have much skill with creative writing and it's more difficult to teach them this, whereas an author with strong creative writing abilities can be taught (sometimes painfully) to sell his/her book.
Absolutely - selling is a form of art. It's a gift, too. I can write, but I can't sell as easily. Point me where I need to go, and I'll be there doing what needs to be done, but is that my gift to create it? Not at all. That's why I pay a webmaster and a marketer. Both are equally creative, both are a form of art, and both are a gift and talent. One is not more important than the other, and they both play critical roles in the process.
Deborah Herman > Janet Starr HullOctober 16, 2012 at 4:08pm
You may also want to pick up the reins with certain types of marketing efforts. There is no one who can be more passionate about you and what you do than you. The problem is that people feel there is a mystique about social media and the internet. It is made to appear more complicated than it is. Try doing your own twitter posts for example and see how much fun it is to get instant feedback from your followers. Just an assumption. Don't know if you are a tweeter. Your passion comes across in your books. I am sure people would love to interact directly with you as well in a calculated sort of way. Thank you Janet for all that you do.
Replies
It seems that where writing awards creativity, selling awards cunning.
I think that both are creative in their own respect. For me, the writing aspect comes very naturally and is more creative, while the selling aspect I must work at. I find I must gear myself up to be a salesperson whether I am selling books at a signing, or presenting my work at a conference. I am a good salesperson, but I must constantly work at it.
If like me you're an Indie writer it's more hard work than work.It's especially difficult if you're not used to selling things as first you have to sell yourself then I'm fairly sure the soul follows in quick order. So many social networks to get to grips with. Currently I have one network tweeting each of my books once a day. Not adequate and certainly not good manners but all I can manage since my mail has me at breaking point. I joined a new network called ASMSG which has authors tweet each other to their own followers which number over 300,000 but the tweeting is so time consuming.
Both writing and selling are an "art" but are, alas, different types of "art". Thus a person who is highly talented at writing may not have the instinct or the feel for selling, and vice versa. I have found, though, that most writers if they really believe in their book can be taught to become competent sellers. But I have not met many people who are primarily competent sellers who can be taught to be excellent writers. For example, a top-selling real estate person or a top-selling car salesperson is unlikely to have much skill with creative writing and it's more difficult to teach them this, whereas an author with strong creative writing abilities can be taught (sometimes painfully) to sell his/her book.
Absolutely - selling is a form of art. It's a gift, too. I can write, but I can't sell as easily. Point me where I need to go, and I'll be there doing what needs to be done, but is that my gift to create it? Not at all. That's why I pay a webmaster and a marketer. Both are equally creative, both are a form of art, and both are a gift and talent. One is not more important than the other, and they both play critical roles in the process.
You may also want to pick up the reins with certain types of marketing efforts. There is no one who can be more passionate about you and what you do than you. The problem is that people feel there is a mystique about social media and the internet. It is made to appear more complicated than it is. Try doing your own twitter posts for example and see how much fun it is to get instant feedback from your followers. Just an assumption. Don't know if you are a tweeter. Your passion comes across in your books. I am sure people would love to interact directly with you as well in a calculated sort of way. Thank you Janet for all that you do.