To Market, To Market . . .

by Rachael Renee Anderson

I have to say that the marketing side of being an author really stinks, at least for me. Sure, I'd love people to buy my books, and sure, I always hope they like them, even love them, but the last thing I want to do is encourage people to buy them.

This has been on my mind a lot lately because my 2nd book, Luck of the Draw, is being released next week. Tomorrow and Wednesday, I'm scheduled to attend a buyers convention where I'm supposed to "pitch" the book to I don't know how many buyers (I've never been before), and my job is to to get them excited enough to want to purchase the book for their stores or websites.

First of all, I'm not great with public speaking, and secondly, how do you go about making your book sound wonderful without sounding like a cocky author at the same time? I despise the thought of coming across as a pushy salesperson, because I don't like pushy salespeople.

And then there will be signings, which are not nearly as intimidating, but still difficult for me. To have the sales clerks say, "Hey, have you met our author who is signing today?" to every customer who walks in the store (including the elderly gentlemen and did I mention I write romantic comedies?) makes me want to sink down in my chair and pull open a large newspaper. Sometimes I've left a signing feeling like I've made several people decide to stick to online purchasing from that point on. And who wants to make someone feel like that? Not me.

So my question to authors and customers alike is this: If you walked into a store and saw an author there signing, how would you prefer them to act? Do nothing, unless you approach them? Smile, say hi, maybe give you a bookmark to introduce you to the book, and then let you come back if you're really interested? Engage you right away to tell you about their book? Or maybe you have a better idea. If so, I'm all ears.

I think that if I were the customer, I'd prefer option 1 or 2, but I'm curious about what everyone else thinks, so please, pipe up!