June 3, 2019
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
When I started the journey as an indie author, I had no idea how expensive the process could be. Editing. more editing, formatting, the cost of buying author’s copies, publicity…
Yeah, that’s a lot, and if you have an bottomless pocket, there are plenty of people willing to take more of your money. I don’t have one of those. The bottomless pocket, that is.
Throw in the cost of advertising and writing courses and fees to sell your books at events. Oh, and business cards and a website.
But what’s the best money I’ve ever spent?
The first big event I did was a ComicCon. That was back in 2016. I spent a lot of money getting ready- I needed business cards, postcards, a tablecloth. But the one purchase I made that I didn’t really need? A banner.
That’s Tasha from Wolves’ Knight, larger than life. She’s my best purchase ever. When I go to events, she’s got my back. The greatest part is how she draws attention. Even if a passerby doesn’t stop and buy one of my books, she catches their eye. She makes me feel powerful.
One of these days, I should get a banner for the Harmony Duprie Mysteries. But I’m in no rush. As much as I love her, I don’t know how Harmony could compete with Tasha.
Now, I’m going to head on over and find out how our other authors spent their money. You can too, by following the links below.
June 3, 2019
What was the best money you ever spent as a writer?
Rules:
1. Link your blog to this hop.
2. Notify your following that you are participating in this blog hop.
3. Promise to visit/leave a comment on all participants’ blogs.
4. Tweet/or share each person’s blog post. Use #OpenBook when tweeting.
5. Put a banner on your blog that you are participating.
I have a banner for events, definitely worth it. Mine is not brilliantly balanced and tends to keep falling over (they always seem to put me in a draft, near the door). Makes a great conversation piece as I wrestle with it.
I’ve made some modifications to the stand I bought, but it won’t work outdoors if it’s the slightest bit windy. Inside, it’s fine.
That’s a great banner for sure, P.J!
Thanks!
I live too far away from “the world” to do many book events. There’s one in Anchorage every year, but buying all the books I need and the cost of the booth just hasn’t quite penciled out. I have sent some books with a friend who does a cooperative booth for Fairbanks authors and the sales have been okay, but not worth the cost of my own booth. I’m going with her this year and we’ll see if that helps. I do take a stack of books to our local First Friday events and some times it’s worth my time and some times I should have stayed home and wrote my next book.
I haven’t got a banner mainly because to order one locally costs more than editing a book does, but I’m going to have to keep an eye out for when I can order one at a decent price, as an experiment.
There aren’t many near me that are affordable. I’m trying to be creative and go to smaller events. They may not attract as large of an audience, but the costs are lower, and if I break even I call it a win!
Yes, I have to break even on costs and that’s always a consideration in everything I do. This is not a hobby. It’s a business. It’s a slow-growth business and that’s fine, but it can’t impact our household budget. I can forego mochas and lunches out, but heating oil isn’t’ optional.
I am currently in rebuild mode on my advertising budget since I allowed my husband to talk me into a booth at the local Women’s Affair. I don’t write romance. What was I thinking? Oh, yeah, I let the master salesman talk me into it. He meant well, but he needs to concentrate on his business and let me market my own books.
Promo material is very important. I remember one time when I forgot to have business cards with me. A person asked me for more information. I was able to give them a tee shirt with my web address. The person was very happy, and I ended up with a boost in subscribers.
I carry business cards with me everywhere I go. 🙂 I’ve started carrying a few of my postcards as well. I leave a couple behind when I go to restaurants if the opportunity permits.