Fun stuff today! We’ve got literary agent Amanda Luedeke hanging out here today with a Q&A about her new book, The Extroverted Writer.
Amanda’s pretty much the coolest agent ever. She also has really great taste in clients. Which I may or may not be saying because I happen to be one of her clients… 🙂
But seriously, Amanda is awesome at what she does. And she knows her stuff when it comes to marketing and author platform. If there’s anyone to listen to, it’s her! So here we go…
1) So, we’re talking about your book today—The Extroverted Writer. I love the title. How’d you land on it?
I first got the idea because I’ve heard so many writers say “I’m an introvert! I can’t market!” But thanks to the Internet, that excuse is no longer valid. I mean with online promotions, you can sit at home in your pajamas, sipping tea, while interacting online, and you can have as big of a impact as if you were speaking to tens of thousands of people. Plus, the Internet allows introverts the chance to think through responses and take their time with things. It’s just not as immediate as the face-to-face, which is what scares most introverts.
So all this to say, because my book focuses on online promotions, I wanted to communicate that it’s a tool for helping introverts become extroverts and for helping extroverts become even better at what they do. Plus, it’s the title that I got the best feedback on 🙂
2) What prompted you to write The Extroverted Writer?
I come from a marketing background, so I’ve quickly found that what I have to say on the matter causes people to perk up and listen! So, I’ve been blogging every Thursday on marketing at chipmacgregor.com, and it’s been a great experience. But the blog is difficult to search and I quickly started seeing repeated questions and such. So, I figured if I put together a book, my readers and those I meet while on the road would have the reference tool they desire!
The book is a compilation of blog posts, but each post has been smoothed out and expanded. Plus, there’s lots of new content in there, too. I did that to make sure it was a worthwhile investment for writers.
3) Who’s one of your coolest clients ever? HA…just kidding…thought I’d sneak that in there…but seriously, you pulled all the pieces of this book together and published it as an ebook. Was there anything surprising or extra challenging or eye-opening about that process?
Haha! Oh, Melissa. You know you’re one of my 40 favorite clients. 😉
I’ve done a lot of ebooks on behalf of our clients (check out www.playlistfiction.com, for example). So it wasn’t too surprising in terms of the process. I mean I’m pretty visionary in that regard, and had no trouble with my cover or with the content or the angle.
But I’d say the marketing process has been eye-opening. Because it’s an ebook, I have lots of flexibility with when I market it. But for the authors who are tied to a specific release day, and they then need to make the biggest impact in that small window of time…let’s just say I totally feel for them. With this book, I’m able to choose when I’m going to focus on marketing, but most authors don’t have that luxury. And the worst part is there’s nothing to be done about it. It’s the nature of the business.
So all the more reason to have everything in place for launch…all the more reason to figure out online marketing.
4) I think a lot of non-writers would be surprised at the amount of time and thought authors put into the marketing side of their careers. The need for authors to market is a somewhat new-ish thing in the past couple decades, right?…do you think that gradual shift is a good thing? Are there pros to authors spending time on marketing other than, obviously, selling books?
Yes, it’s really a new thing, and I think it has to do with volume and availability. We’re publishing more books than ever, so it takes that much more for each book to get noticed…and the publisher can’t do it all. I think it’s unfortunate that many publishers rely on more old school methods (such as ads), and I also think it’s unfortunate that there is so much pressure put on authors who, at their core, are typically introverts. So for those reasons alone, I do think it’s unfortunate, and I’m sad that I can’t just tell my authors to go into seclusion and work on the next masterpiece.
But the pros that we see include these crazy book fads that hit like never before. The 50 Shades fad is a great example of that. Never before in publishing have we seen something take off so fast and so crazily. Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Hunger Games are also examples of books seeing lots and lots and lots of sales. I’m not quite sure this happened much before marketing and promotions became a standard expectation.
So I guess you could argue there’s more opportunity now. There’s more room to make money and sell a bunch of books. But yes, it’s a huge commitment, and it’s not one that every author can make, sadly.
5) Many of this blog’s readers are writers, but for the ones who aren’t…how can readers help market their favorite writers’ books?
There are lots of things you can do (and I expect you all to do these for Melissa’s book MADE TO LAST!). Writing reviews for Amazon, B&N, and Goodreads is one. Another is to tell your friends about the books and authors you love! I think most of us read a book and then it just kind of gets set aside. But if you really love something, tell others.
Lastly, it always helps to buy books from your local indie store. Now I LOVE shopping at Amazon, so I get that this can be tricky. But indie stores have limited shelf space. If they get requests for an author they don’t typically shelve, then they’re more likely to carry that author’s books! Which translates into lots of opportunities to impress those who go to bookstores to browse.
*****
Amanda Luedeke is a literary agent with MacGregor Literary. Every Thursday, she posts about growing your author platform . You can follow her on Twitter @amandaluedeke or join her Facebook group to stay current with her wheelings and dealings as an agent. Her author marketing book, The Extroverted Writer, is available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
More about The Extroverted Writer: Literary agent Amanda Luedeke uses her background in corporate marketing to show readers that even if you’re an introvert you can have a great online author following by tapping into the reader-packed world of social media. From ideas to tips to absolute musts, THE EXTROVERTED WRITER builds on Amanda’s successful “Thursdays with Amanda” blog posts on ChipMacGregor.com. This easy-to-read guide breaks down the most popular social media sites and online options to give YOU the tools you need to be effective when engaging with your readers.
All right, readers, question time: Are you an introvert or extrovert?
I first got the idea because I’ve heard so many writers say “I’m an introvert! I can’t market!” But thanks to the Internet, that excuse is no longer valid. I mean with online promotions, you can sit at home in your pajamas, sipping tea, while interacting online, and you can have as big of a impact as if you were speaking to tens of thousands of people. Plus, the Internet allows introverts the chance to think through responses and take their time with things. It’s just not as immediate as the face-to-face, which is what scares most introverts.
Comments 34
Introvert, hands down. It’s funny. I didn’t start researching the publishing/promotion side of being an author until I had finished writing my book. And my first thought was, can’t I just go back to writing?? 🙂
Haha, I have a feeling a lot of writers have that feeling, Crystal. 🙂
Yes, my authors make this type of complaint all the time. 🙂
Congratulations Amanda! It’s so cool to witness people living out their dreams.
I wrestle with this. Seriously wrestle. I think if there were an exact middle place between I and E I’d land there.
In the end my energy comes from my time alone.
~ Wendy
Wendy, we are the same in the I and E confusion. I’ve had to take personality tests, Meyers-Briggs, that type of stuff for college classes, job training, etc…and I think literally every time I take it, I get a different personality. I think I land right between I and E too…
Great post! I’m saving it. I’m an extrovert, but don’t know what that means as far as marketing is concern, other than I will be out there. I’m in the process of lining up book signings and TV appearances in our area (even as an extrovert, I don’t want to do this one, but feel God is leading me to it by giving me contacts in this area. :-))And Wendy is right…our energy comes from our time alone!
You will be wonderful on TV, Pat!
Hmmm…I suppose it depends on the day. 🙂
I’m with Pat. I don’t know about being on TV, but then the last time I was, I was giving an official statement over an incident that happened at my company. I did remember to look at the camera and smile (apologetically).
Congrats on your new book!
Tagg, I will so be splashing your book all over the world. And I meant world, b/c of social media. Global domination! Must be an extroverted day today. 😉
Haha, I like that, Jess. Global domination, yes. I mean, seriously, our world could use a dose of romantic comedy, right?
Hi, Mel! Hi, Amanda! Awesome to have you both in one place today.
I actually don’t know if I’m one or the other. I like being alone, but not all the time. I crave quality time, but more one-on-one. I’ve had to learn to be friendly, if that makes sense–to go out of my way to talk to people I don’t know. It’s not natural for me, which makes me think I’m an introvert. But then, I don’t mind being on stage, so am I an extrovert? Haha, no clue. Guess I can be both…but I agree, the Internet and social media make it sooooo much easier to be extroverted!!
I say you’re both, Linz, because I am both and we’re like the same person, so… 🙂
How veeeeeery true!
Congratulations on your release, Amanda! Many writers will benefit from your expertise.
I’m an introvert, but I have been known to fool people on occasion.
That’s funny, Keli, because I would’ve taken you for an extrovert. 🙂 You’re so friendly and fun!
Total introvert! THis was a great post and reminder that even us introverts can do this. Social media has been a great tool for that. Think I’m gonna need Amanda’s book:)
I remember you saying before ACFW last year that you were an introvert, Susan. 🙂 But yeah, I highly recommend Amanda’s book–so helpful and practical.
Thanks for the kind words!
Enjoyed today’s post. I’m an introvert who knows how to roll like an extrovert but who is still trying to find the balance between writing and marketing …
if I ever do.
Probably it’s an ongoing balancing act for all of us, huh…
Definitely an introvert, though social media has made it easier to “pretend” I’m more of an extrovert. 🙂 Sounds like a fantastic book!
Haha, pretend extrovert. I like that.
Congrats on your new release, Amanda! And Melissa, thanks for letting us hear about it here. For me, I’d say it depends on the situation. I’d say a good mix of half extrovert/half introvert. 🙂
Yep, I’m a halfer, too, Donna…I used to think I was the only one but after reading comments today, turns out lots of us fall in the middle. 🙂
I’m an extrovert, I get energized when I’m interacting with people – including imaginary people. 🙂 I used to be shy until I started working at a historic site where it was my job to interact and mingle with strangers. I discovered how much I loved it and I’ve been an extrovert since.
I can definitely see you as an extrovert, Gabe! 🙂
To chime in, I fall between I and E too! I LOVE going to conferences and interacting with new people, and I never really feel the need to recharge, but when I’m home I’m very introverted. I wonder if you can be one thing when you’re working and another thing when you’re in your personal life??
I totally think you can be. I love being around people and there is nothing more energizing to me than a writing conference. But then, I do feel the need to crash when it’s all over…and recharge…so yeah…I think there are way more of us in-betweeners than I realized!
GREAT interview! I love hearing about the “other side” of publishing experience and it sounds like this book is a treasure full of wisdom.
It really is, Sherrinda. Soooo helpful.
Thank for all the great info! I am an introvert, but I also very much love people and interacting.
Thanks for stopping by, Lisa!
I’m an introvert trying desperately to be an online extrovert to increase my platform. I’m trying to network in person too, but man that’s hard! Self-promotion is definitely something I have to learn how to do better 🙂
Hmm… I’m both when I need to be. My preference, no surprise, introvert. But I’ve learned to be both when necessary ;0-).
Okay, this comment is totally unrelated to the introvert/extrovert question, but I’m just going to throw it out there. Posting reviews and buying books at your local bookstore is a great way to support your favorite books and authors, but if purchasing books is not in your budget, request books and authors at your local library. As a trustee on the board of a local library, I know for a fact that a good percentage of book buying choices our library director makes are the direct result of a patron’s request. And then the book is not only available to you, but to all patrons of the library. Casts a wider net, so to speak.