Comments on: The 60/40 Rule of Self-Promotion

By: banana_the_poet

banana_the_poet — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:48:48 +0000

This is a tricky one for me. I find people like me to post small (or entire) pieces of my poetry on Twitter. They seem to like that more than my vague burblings – in fact the only reason ‘banana_the_poet’ is online is to have somewhere to share my poetry. My most popular blog kicked off as simply a repository for my funny poems and has stayed that way ever since.
So it is difficult to know what counts as promotion and what doesn’t – because if linking to my poetry does count – then I’m more like 90/10 promotion.
Lately I have had to start marketing my published books. I do enjoy that because it is such a challenge. Everyone says that poetry doesn’t sell – and so many people say they don’t like poetry – so I am on a mission – to disprove those apparent truisms – or look a complete idiot trying. It is worth the effort and the risk.

I’m being good in this comment by not linking to my books or mentioning their titles. Maybe that will help restore my promotional karmic balance?

By: 10 Commandments for Writers Using Social Media | Journeme

10 Commandments for Writers Using Social Media | Journeme — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:13:17 +0000

[...] do, at least add value by telling people what they get out of it. How much should you self-promote? Maria Schneider thinks 60/40, but I believe it should be closer to 70/30. That’s between Pareto’s 80/20 and Maria’s [...]

By: 10 Commandments for Writers Using Social Media « Coretan di Dinding Maya

10 Commandments for Writers Using Social Media « Coretan di Dinding Maya — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 05:58:21 +0000

By: 10 Commandments for Writers Using Social Media | Meryl.net

10 Commandments for Writers Using Social Media | Meryl.net — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:01:36 +0000

By: michael solender

michael solender — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:19:04 +0000

Call me crazy but what about letting your work speak for itself. I’m all for letting my virtual social network pals know when I have a new piece up, but even that has limits.

When one earns a following the work should be the biggest draw.

By: Navigating Twitter « QuinnCreative

Navigating Twitter « QuinnCreative — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:14:32 +0000

[...] Schneider is helpful and concise. She’ll tell you how to use the 60/40 rule on Twitter as well as how to get street, or maybe it’s Tweetcred. Schneider also has tips [...]

By: Maria Schneider

Maria Schneider — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 12:35:12 +0000

Hi M.J.,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. I didn’t mean to imply an author should spend just 60% of her time writing and 40% marketing. Only that every time you post a blog, tweet, or engage in any other social media, you keep your self-promotion beneath that ratio. I do agree with you that strategic spending on advertising and marketing is also important and I think Authorbuzz is a wonderful advertising vehicle for authors to consider.

By: M.J. Rose

M.J. Rose — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:55:44 +0000

Hi Maria,
I think that ratio is way too high. At least for me. I’d never get anything written. That would sap my energy. I spend about 10% of my time promoting – or less – over the course of the year. But I do spend a lot of my advance promoting. I’ve found that I do much better taking out ads and doing buzz than I could ever do self-promoting via social networks and blogs etc. I’ve tried both ways and seen the results. And based on the authors who I know and who are happy – that’s a better way to do it. Some are friends and others are clients at Authorbuzz.com – which was invented for just this reason.

Writers are suppposed to be writing not marketing. There are experts for that.

Even freelancing to pay the promotion bills seems to make for happier authors who are more satisfied with their work. There are lots of reasons for it – that would probably make a good article.

By: Alegra Clarke

Alegra Clarke — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 03:36:07 +0000

I like that ratio. I find myself overwhelmed by the promotional/networking aspect of things – especially with so few hours in a day. What I do enjoy about networking is meeting interesting people and the friendships I have picked up along the way. I think when I approach it from a purely business perspective I quickly burn out, when I look at it from a relationship perspective I re-tank.
uhoh kids snuck out the door…

By: Penny Martin

Penny Martin — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 12:38:19 +0000

I agree. I’ve also notice some networkers offer help in areas, but for a price. I was shocked. I decided then if someone asked for help, I’d give it freely. I don’t care how successful I become. Fellow writers deserve that much – not to be charged a fee for answers to a question or two. If that is how I have to make money, I’m not interested in that type of Freelancing….