As I stood in a bookstore the other day, I suddenly became overwhelmed. Not as a customer trying to find the right book, but as an author trying to sell a book.
Wow, there are a lot of books on the market. Two floors of books vying for the customer’s dollar. How do authors and publishers get the book buyer’s attention?
My next thought : There are far more blogs online than books in a bookstore competing for readers’ attention. How do you get noticed?
I know this: If you are an author, you will not attract new readers by standing in a bookstore thinking about your book. The same goes for your office. You will not accomplish much if you sit at your desk waiting for the sales to happen.
The only way to develop a following is to get out in the world, knock on doors, and look for new opportunities online and offline. You also can inquire about speaking engagements, opportunities to write articles and exchanging blog posts to introduce yourself to new audiences.
I’ve been very impressed with my co-author, Lindsay Adler, who got our first book deal The Linked Photographer’s Guide. She earned the first book on social media for photographers not because she was the most well-known social media expert. The opportunity came to her because she asked.
She writes for major photography magazines not because she has two decades in the business. She gets published because she asks. She speaks at conferences and workshops about fashion photography and social media not because organizers were knocking down her door after she graduated college. She presents because she asks for the opportunity.
As I spend more time working with small companies making a big splash, I’ve found they all have something in common: they are active in their communities. One three-person team is selling its wares on QVC. They have an excellent product but the TV shopping network didn’t find them. How did they get on QVC? They asked. A photography client had its first product (using my photos) reviewed on The Today Show a couple of weeks ago. How did they get on The Today Show? They knocked on the right doors.
If you have a blog, product, book or business and want to grow your audience, be like Lindsay. Knock on doors. Develop relationships. Don’t wait for world to discover you.
Tags: authors, blogging, Books, bookstores, Lindsay Adler, Linked Photographer, product launch, products, today show
Just went to Amazon and purchased The Linked Photographers Guide. In the last year, I’ve found that it is not enough to be a good/great photographer but that you also have to be a marketer. Yes I concur that in today’s world you need to ask for what you want and you can’t be shy. Have been working on online marketing and now looking forward to including social media into the mix. Thanks
You are very correct about being more than a great photographer. Thank you for buying the book.
Rosh
Wow Rosh, I am so flattered. I just thought I’d follow up and tell you that you are so very right. For the last year and a half I’ve helped to transform my career by asking. I’ve found so many opportunities by calling people up, sending emails, meeting up at conference, and just trying to get my name and face in front of people.
A couple things I have learned. First, I learned that phone calls work better than emails or facebook message or tweet (most of the time). I usually call up a business (magazine, photo organization) and find out who the right person to talk to is. After speaking to them on the phone, I follow up the connection by keeping in touch on social media.
Second, I learned that ‘name dropping’ works. If I call up one magazine, and mention that I have written for another magazine, this usually helps get them motivated to consider me. If I call up one conference coordinator and tell them I taught at another conference, this helps get them motivated to work with me. So really, all it takes is the effort to get that first opportunity.
I am now working on my second book, because I was able to get my foot in the door for the first book. I speak at tons of major conference and write for major publications because I was able to get my foot in the door by calling and knocking on doors.
Lastly, I’ve found that soooo many opportunities arise when you call and ask. I have almost a dozen different sponsors from Lensbaby, to Miller’s Professional Imaging, to a soon (SECRET) major photo company. From these nearly dozen sponsors one or two reached out to me.
Thanks for the mention Rosh! I’ll see you in New York August 3rd!
Well then great job Lindsay!:-)
I want to buy that Guide too..
You won’t be wasting your money. Is very detailed and really well written.
Regards,
Jennifer.
The book is very well writte and explained. I totaly recommend it!
Regards, Pete.
Thank you Pete.
I borrowed this from my good local photographer Peter Finger and agree that it’s well written. Thanks again Pete for sharing with me!!!