Content Is the New Marketing Plan

Today, beautiful friends, we must face a harsh reality together.

Look into my eyes across the metaphorical Starbucks table where we are both typing away on our newest books, unexplainably feeling just a little more like real writers here at the virtual ‘Bucks than we would at home on that sorta lumpy couch.

And let me break my latest writing tip to you gently.

Spend less time gimmick-hunting and more time writing.

Wahhh. Wahhhh.

And the most unpopular post of the year goes to …

But here’s the thing. As writers who want to expand our platforms, it’s easy to latch onto the latest one-in-a-million success story to hit the headlines.

You know the type.

Woman makes millions selling e-books for $1 each.

Unknown guy gives away his e-book for a month and then, after his Amazon rank skyrockets, he begins selling it…and it stays on top!

Too often, we treat these kind of stories like we’ve stumbled on an abandoned bag of gold…that no one else knows about but us.

Writer after writer tells me about their launch plan. The stealth success they found hidden in the barely-read pages of the New York Times or USA Today where they’re sure no one else will find it.

And while I like a good marketing rollout as well as the next skinny white girl, I have to tell you–in the most endearing grandma-loves-you kind of voice I can muster–that you sound a little tiny bit like the one hundred and fifty urban kids I taught last year…all of whom are going to an alternative school where there are no sports teams, but are sure they’re on track to becoming professional athletes.

As I work through the questions that have rolled in from writers, I’ll have a few things to say about marketing. But… but… but…

The most important thing to say about marketing is this:

Content is the NEW marketing plan.

So spend less time reading get-to-the-best-seller-list-quick headlines and more time writing the richest content you can muster.

You’ll thank me for this when the sting wears off.

*Special Note: Have you been trying to start writing a book? Here’s something free to help you get on your way!*

I learn a lot about writing from my own books and also from my work with publishers. Want to learn more? Click here. Or, if you have a specific question about writing for publication, leave a comment and I’ll get back to it in the posts to come.