Honestly, Dan, I think the single most best piece of wisdom I've learned from you is reaching out personally to the authors I admire. I cannot tell you how many times this has turned into a bigger conversation, a collaborative project, or a guest post (for me or for them).
Even more, though, is that my motivation for reaching out is not according to some agenda or angle. It's really about connection for me. It's about sincerity and genuine relationship. I like celebrating others, and I really enjoy reflecting back to a person how I have positively--and specifically--experienced them in the fleeting moments where we connected. That's powerful.
What you are doing is helping us come back to understanding what meaningful relationships look like in this digital age, Dan. Thank you for that.
What an insightful post - thank you!! I love the idea of talking about your writing so much it becomes infectious rather than trying to develop a complex marketing plan.
I was at a party on Friday night and ran into a writer I hadn't seen in a while. I remembered that I'd heard good things about his latest book. Reminder to self, I thought: order it.
We talked about our kids, nothing literary. He's mega shy. Asking about his kids is the best way to keep a converation going.
I have no idea whether he thought, Oh, I've heard good things about Lesley's latest novel, I'd better order it.
But I take your point about showing up. He sold a book by being there. I imagine there's a chance I did, too.
I got to try some of this out in real time this past weekend while attending a vintage-themed weekender. My husband announced, "My wife is writing a memoir about finding her father," making my project public. I felt nervous and flustered, trying to explain it, and afterwards thought, "I need to work on being comfortable telling folks what this story is about." It's easier for me to do that in writing, but saying it...I feel stupid. I know this stems from a lack of self-worth. So I need to work on this part. Reaching out to other writers is something I enjoy. I love connecting, not just "liking" a post, and that is an investment of time. I tend to do more of the connecting and commenting than posting notes or other content on my personal Substack, and I need a way to balance the two.
Thanks Doreen. One way to approach this is to just practice. In a room by yourself, imagine a common situation, and map out different ways of describing your wiring out loud. This is how I would practice presentations I did, doing a full hourlong presentation to myself. Then revising. Then doing it again. By the time the day came to deliver it to an audience, I had not only shaped the content, but become comfortable with the specific words and phrases that felt natural to say.
Thank you, Dan. I will try this. I used to "practice" songs or lines from a play when I would perform, but it feels funny when it's your own lines. I'll pretend it was written by someone else!
Thanks Doreen. To me, that is the usefulness of the exercise. If I’m working on how to introduce myself, it would feel cringy if I said lines like, “Dan Blank is a seasoned marketing expert, whose innovative expertise has lead to game-changing blah blah blah.” So that is when I try wildly different ideas. EG: “I love writers. And each day for 25 years, I have had the absolute privilege of working with writers. Being in conversation with them, and helping them connect with readers.”
Glad that my working on writing craft and writing the best novel I can is on the list. Granted, I'm parked there and will have to spend more time in the other areas. For now,echoing the Steve Martin quote, my goal is to have novel be too good to ignore. Powerful, just typing that.
AND I was very excited and intrigued to hear about your book project!! Look forward to learning more, about it and your experience. The fact that you make the time to write and research genealogy on top of all you do is really impressive :)
All of this is such great advice. And so common sense (isn't that usually the case:) And I was recently talking to another copywriter about that same Steve Martin quote. She has it on her wall in her office.
Effective marketing at its core is about finding your people and starting or joining a conversation they want to have or are already having. But when you've poured so much energy into your book, I know people get lost in listening to so much advice and noise...thanks for keeping this practical.
Thank you for this; it arrived at the right time if I want to get serious and honour my writing and potential readers!
Am revising my manuscript . But more importantly thank you for bringing this piece home- your suggestions on reaching out to others if I want to build a vibrant successful readership eventually - in a nutshell! Thanks again
Dan, thanks for the reminders, clear explanations, and why these actions are so important. Best of all, you make these critical steps feel very doable.
Great summary of the essentials, just in time for a free conference I'll be speaking at tomorrow (June 21) at a lovely library in Janesville, Wisconsin. I always recommend your newsletters and website to new writers and fellow authors. Craft, Conversation, Connection = perfect summation of what we writers must attend to. Thanks!
Love every bit of this but especially talking about your book. I tend to run on, which at some point, I just stop and say, "It's a work in progress". (cop out!). I'm keeping this in my notes and plan to read it weekly to see how I'm doing on each of your tips. Which are so much more than tips! Thanks Dan!
"#1 Focus on the craft of writing" Yes. But writing is easily learned. Children, or at least young adults can be easily taught. After that, you're on your own. As my high school English teacher said, I can teach you to write, but I can't make you interesting.
So much value in your 5 tips! It wasn’t easy to work up a simple pitch or 2 sentence verbal description of my novel and to be able to fluently express it, but it is truly gold to have that in your pocket. Sometimes when people just ask what genre it is, I’ll answer, pause, and then give them the description. I especially like your idea of continuing the conversation AFTER that point. When I see people nodding their heads or smiling, I ask “Because isn’t it true that…?” And then we’re conversing. It works!
Thank you for the details on how to find your readers beyond just knowing who they are.
As always, Dan, there are so many great tips and ideas here! Something I’m struggling with right now, though, is how to discuss my manuscript with people who either aren’t in the industry or who might have a vested interest in taking ideas from it. I have a completed manuscript and proposal, but no agent or contract; I’m working on building platform and developing myself as a writer. But when I mention having a completed ms in conversations with people (ie seatmate on a plane, colleague of my husband’s at a work function, etc) should I give that “elevator pitch”? I’ve seen conflicting opinions on this. Some say, “Talk about it to everyone!” Others say, “Hold back if you don’t have much platform.” What’s your take?
I find there is always something to learn from having a wide range of conversations around topics you are interested in — which obviously includes something you are spending the time to write a book about! This also brings up the idea of having multiple ways into the topics. So many there is a more casual way to talk about the themes of your book — or questions you ask about it — to a seat mate on an airplane. Thank you so much Joy!!!
Honestly, Dan, I think the single most best piece of wisdom I've learned from you is reaching out personally to the authors I admire. I cannot tell you how many times this has turned into a bigger conversation, a collaborative project, or a guest post (for me or for them).
Even more, though, is that my motivation for reaching out is not according to some agenda or angle. It's really about connection for me. It's about sincerity and genuine relationship. I like celebrating others, and I really enjoy reflecting back to a person how I have positively--and specifically--experienced them in the fleeting moments where we connected. That's powerful.
What you are doing is helping us come back to understanding what meaningful relationships look like in this digital age, Dan. Thank you for that.
Aw, thank you Jeannie!
What an insightful post - thank you!! I love the idea of talking about your writing so much it becomes infectious rather than trying to develop a complex marketing plan.
Thank you Judith!
Such great advice. Scary. But great advice. Simple, basic, foundational. Scary how much I miss the mark when trying to pitch my books!
Thanks Rachel!
I was at a party on Friday night and ran into a writer I hadn't seen in a while. I remembered that I'd heard good things about his latest book. Reminder to self, I thought: order it.
We talked about our kids, nothing literary. He's mega shy. Asking about his kids is the best way to keep a converation going.
I have no idea whether he thought, Oh, I've heard good things about Lesley's latest novel, I'd better order it.
But I take your point about showing up. He sold a book by being there. I imagine there's a chance I did, too.
Yay!!!! Thanks Lesley.
I got to try some of this out in real time this past weekend while attending a vintage-themed weekender. My husband announced, "My wife is writing a memoir about finding her father," making my project public. I felt nervous and flustered, trying to explain it, and afterwards thought, "I need to work on being comfortable telling folks what this story is about." It's easier for me to do that in writing, but saying it...I feel stupid. I know this stems from a lack of self-worth. So I need to work on this part. Reaching out to other writers is something I enjoy. I love connecting, not just "liking" a post, and that is an investment of time. I tend to do more of the connecting and commenting than posting notes or other content on my personal Substack, and I need a way to balance the two.
Thanks Doreen. One way to approach this is to just practice. In a room by yourself, imagine a common situation, and map out different ways of describing your wiring out loud. This is how I would practice presentations I did, doing a full hourlong presentation to myself. Then revising. Then doing it again. By the time the day came to deliver it to an audience, I had not only shaped the content, but become comfortable with the specific words and phrases that felt natural to say.
Thank you, Dan. I will try this. I used to "practice" songs or lines from a play when I would perform, but it feels funny when it's your own lines. I'll pretend it was written by someone else!
Thanks Doreen. To me, that is the usefulness of the exercise. If I’m working on how to introduce myself, it would feel cringy if I said lines like, “Dan Blank is a seasoned marketing expert, whose innovative expertise has lead to game-changing blah blah blah.” So that is when I try wildly different ideas. EG: “I love writers. And each day for 25 years, I have had the absolute privilege of working with writers. Being in conversation with them, and helping them connect with readers.”
Such good stuff here, Dan.
Glad that my working on writing craft and writing the best novel I can is on the list. Granted, I'm parked there and will have to spend more time in the other areas. For now,echoing the Steve Martin quote, my goal is to have novel be too good to ignore. Powerful, just typing that.
AND I was very excited and intrigued to hear about your book project!! Look forward to learning more, about it and your experience. The fact that you make the time to write and research genealogy on top of all you do is really impressive :)
Aw, thank you Maria!
Thanks, Dan
Hey Dan,
All of this is such great advice. And so common sense (isn't that usually the case:) And I was recently talking to another copywriter about that same Steve Martin quote. She has it on her wall in her office.
Effective marketing at its core is about finding your people and starting or joining a conversation they want to have or are already having. But when you've poured so much energy into your book, I know people get lost in listening to so much advice and noise...thanks for keeping this practical.
Aw, thanks Jen!
Thank you for this; it arrived at the right time if I want to get serious and honour my writing and potential readers!
Am revising my manuscript . But more importantly thank you for bringing this piece home- your suggestions on reaching out to others if I want to build a vibrant successful readership eventually - in a nutshell! Thanks again
Thank you Roja!
Dan, thanks for the reminders, clear explanations, and why these actions are so important. Best of all, you make these critical steps feel very doable.
Thank you so much Bruce!
Great summary of the essentials, just in time for a free conference I'll be speaking at tomorrow (June 21) at a lovely library in Janesville, Wisconsin. I always recommend your newsletters and website to new writers and fellow authors. Craft, Conversation, Connection = perfect summation of what we writers must attend to. Thanks!
Aw — thank you Christine!!!!
Love every bit of this but especially talking about your book. I tend to run on, which at some point, I just stop and say, "It's a work in progress". (cop out!). I'm keeping this in my notes and plan to read it weekly to see how I'm doing on each of your tips. Which are so much more than tips! Thanks Dan!
Thank you Diane!
"#1 Focus on the craft of writing" Yes. But writing is easily learned. Children, or at least young adults can be easily taught. After that, you're on your own. As my high school English teacher said, I can teach you to write, but I can't make you interesting.
Thank you, Dan. Excellent advice as always. I will be using this in the upcoming weeks before my new book comes out in July!
Exciting!!!!! Thanks Claire.
So much value in your 5 tips! It wasn’t easy to work up a simple pitch or 2 sentence verbal description of my novel and to be able to fluently express it, but it is truly gold to have that in your pocket. Sometimes when people just ask what genre it is, I’ll answer, pause, and then give them the description. I especially like your idea of continuing the conversation AFTER that point. When I see people nodding their heads or smiling, I ask “Because isn’t it true that…?” And then we’re conversing. It works!
Thank you for the details on how to find your readers beyond just knowing who they are.
Yes! Love that! Thanks Linda.
As always, Dan, there are so many great tips and ideas here! Something I’m struggling with right now, though, is how to discuss my manuscript with people who either aren’t in the industry or who might have a vested interest in taking ideas from it. I have a completed manuscript and proposal, but no agent or contract; I’m working on building platform and developing myself as a writer. But when I mention having a completed ms in conversations with people (ie seatmate on a plane, colleague of my husband’s at a work function, etc) should I give that “elevator pitch”? I’ve seen conflicting opinions on this. Some say, “Talk about it to everyone!” Others say, “Hold back if you don’t have much platform.” What’s your take?
Thanks again! :)
I find there is always something to learn from having a wide range of conversations around topics you are interested in — which obviously includes something you are spending the time to write a book about! This also brings up the idea of having multiple ways into the topics. So many there is a more casual way to talk about the themes of your book — or questions you ask about it — to a seat mate on an airplane. Thank you so much Joy!!!
Thank you! This really helps get the wheels turning for some new ideas! :)