When I was in my early twenties in the 1990's, it became possible for independent and unsigned bands to make their own recordings. And so we did.
But the next step was: how were they going to be heard?
The media channels we had at our disposal were: word of mouth, live shows, newspaper, radio, and tv. I don't ever remember having any of my bands' music featured on tv. But I did score some newspaper interviews, several radio appearances, and some good live show slots opening for bigger acts.
Now, the social media is intense and varied. The specialized channels have become specialized platforms. The technology has become great enough that hundreds of thousands of people are making independent books or movies or music on-line.
But the question remains: how are they going to be heard?
After reading several blogs and articles and listening to author's videos, here is a quick rundown of what you need to do to be "heard": blog, vlog, maintain a website, run ads, make merch, create social media profiles to run memes and posts, publishing content to sell on large commercial platforms, and somewhere along the line you become a "social media influencer."
I have tried a few different things that didn't work:
--ran ads on google and Facebook, but they didn't convert to
sales.
--entered two book fairs through the Combined Book Exhibit, but since I was a nobody, I regulated to a catalog in some tent somewhere or just available on-line. The only calls I got were from dubious or doubtful publishing "companies" and one out-right scammer.
What I did right:
I have gotten three reviews: Clarion, Kirkus, and PW's Book Life. This gives you discounts for other products they offer.
Press releases through Smith Publicity.
This website through Bowker where I bought my ISBNs.
Made ebooks, paperbacks, and hardbacks available. Paperbacks may be cheaper, but hardbacks are what libraries buy.
I was able to get both my books in the school library and make the book Accelerated Reader testable, so now it's in the nationwide AR testbank.
I made a Facebook profile for ForgivenIAm Publishing.
Now all of this hasn't equaled a ton of book sales yet, but I am
doing more things right than wrong.
Now, instead of entering book fairs, I have entered contests.
And, of course, there is one last thing that I do often and which is the right thing to do: I pray about my writing and book sales. I give it over to God and ask Him to bless or it's just going to end up in vain.
I entered two contests in July which both had end of August
deadlines:
The Story Trade Awards (which is smaller and not as well known as
others) and the Book Life Prize run by Publisher's Weekly for the
independent authors (like me).
Within three weeks I heard back with some good news from the Story Trade Awards which I can share on September 1st. That was worth the effort.
I am still waiting to hear back from the Book Life Prize who will give a Critic's Score based on 0-10. They have four rounds, round one ending on August 31. The top ten scored books in four categories will move on to the Quarter Finals.
Well, I already had a reveiw with Book Life and they gave me a solid "B" rating for Ex-Mas Song. I entered in General Ficiton and right now there are 48 entrants, but no one has scored a 10. If I score a 8 or so, I will probably not make it to the quarter finals, but I will have made a good showing.
So, that's my goal with this second contest: to secure a rating of 8 and make a good showing.