Joe Taylor
Results have exceeded my expectations. I should feel grateful. Instead, I feel thankful. Of the 78 copies of “I’m Just Lucky To Own My Own Car” that I’ve sold — exceeding my goal by over two dozen copies — I calculate only about 20% of those sales have been from people who don’t know me. People who actually wanted to read my book on the basis of what it promised, not because they were connected to me in some way.
I am thankful for family members, friends, and fellow Writer’s Block Party members who bought my book. I know most of them do enjoy my writing and have expressed that long before I published the book. But, I also know, or believe that a few folks bought multiple copies to give to unsuspecting friends of theirs who they assumed would want to read the book. Re-reading those words I sound so ungrateful. I’m not, they helped me recoup my investment in the book and make a tiny profit. It was a reality that is teaching me a lesson—how to sell my books without relying on the kindness of family, friends, and fellow writers. As Blanche DuBois might put it, how to sell my books relying on “the kindness of strangers.” I need to find those strangers.
I was hoping those strangers would come to my live reads. I did five of them, two in Brookville (including a live and virtual event at the Watershed Bookstore), one each in Clarion, DuBois, and Ridgway. I heavily promoted them on my Joe Taylor, Writer Facebook page, and the venues themselves advertised my readings. A handful of people I hadn’t seen in awhile came out and bought books. Mostly they were attended by the friendly faces of fellow Writer’s Block Party writers. The readings were a kick, fun interactions with friends, old and newer. But they didn’t give me exposure to a new audience. I’ve heard this experience echoed by other writers in our group.
On the positive side, I have seen some results from my Writers Facebook page. Having added friends, who were also Facebook friends with WBP members then inviting them to my Writer’s FB page has yielded “Likes” and some purchases. It also allows me to regularly post new work and samples from the book. I’ve even had folks on the page who’ve been interested in meeting me and buying a copy. I still fumble and blush when asked to autograph the book. (Who me? You want me to autograph my book? C’mon, get serious.)
Building off of the relative success of my Writers Facebook page and aware of the need to expand the universe of potential buyers for my forthcoming book about my 60 year career in radio, I realized I needed to dramatically increase my presence on social media. Recently, I launched a podcast, “The Literate Truant”, and created a YouTube channel.
The number of views and engagements are currently piddling. I am told, by those who have gone there before me, this is how it starts. They advise — and I accept their advice — keep putting stuff out there, and find every way you can to distribute and push your content farther out, to more eyes and ears. In having these platforms up and running I am hopeful that by the time “In The Twist Of The Dial” publishes in October it will have a couple hundred people ready to hear about it, and buy it.
I did not promote “I’m Just Lucky To Own My Own Car” in traditional media, like newspaper, radio and TV. It was a small, quirky book without mass appeal. The radio book will be a different story. Everybody has listened to the radio. I will be utilizing, and paying for ads and enhancements on Facebook and KDP to reach out nationwide. Since much of the book is about my experiences with radio stations in southern New England and Pittsburgh, I’ll be personally contacting traditional media in those areas to set up interviews. I’ll also do that locally, where I have been involved in radio for the past several years.
What about the live reads? They’re too much fun, I’ll have to do a couple. I believe the DuBois Library will let me in. I don’t think I have any outstanding late book fees. If Sarah and Jess will put up with me, I’d love to read live in person and virtually again. But, to reach more potential buyers my primary focus has to be beyond just friends and family. There are strangers out there who might like to read my book — or your book. Reaching out beyond our circle to find them is essential.
I’m learning. I hope I’m helping you learn too.
Thanks Joe. I’m toying with a tiny CHILDRENS hand held book with art—hopefully—by me. I’m an amateur, so wish me luck. I have many places who may remember me in my long life that may be interested in it; who knows. We can cheer each other along.