An Indie Author’s journal: Part 1 Engaging Friends and Family
Using the COVID break, I have published my poems under the banner Poetarrati. The name itself is a derivation — a takeoff from the word ‘ Illuminati’ and ‘Literati’. The double r, is to ensure a sense of deliberate impropriety.
The book contains two volumes. Volume 1 is an anthology of poems inspired by daily events, people and emotions. Volume 2 is an epic narrative form of poetry, tracing the unrequited romantic relationship of the poet with a fictitious character called ‘Angel’.
I have published Amazon in paperback and Kindle in the global market, and Notion Press in India in paperback form.
The world is different for me now. Angel has evolved beyond the poet’s mind. I have a long road ahead, so my observations are only based on the limited experience that I had gained as a poet and a published author. And they are not cast in stone.
First, let us examine the categories of people I have encountered, while I endeavored to promote my book. Remember, because of COVID, most of my connects have been online.
a) Very few people read poems. Some people have bought the book for me, and some people have bought because I asked. Some people say that they will buy and they have not, yet. It is hard to follow up, as I have considered those ‘buy requests’ as a ‘hard sale’, but as an exploration into the world of poetry.
b) Some people have bought, but have not read. They have been too busy, so I had to push them to read.
c) But there are few people, say 30% of them who have bought, have read. Now out of these, some won’t write a review. And finally, some people have agreed to write reviews. These are the gems among the friends and family. And some genuinely seem to have taken to poetry after reading and enjoying the book.
I have got glorious and encouraging feedback on the book. Many related to individual poems in the anthology ( Volume 1). Volume 2 has attracted a quiet response so far — but when prodded, they have said it is ‘intense’. Mark this, and therefore my efforts to cover and promote, and I promise to cover this in the next article.
Dealing with Friends and family circle has not been easy. There have bene lessons learnt. However, I have stayed the course of not letting down my efforts to reach. My sales is ticking up, both in India and the US.
Numbers? Shhh! That is a secret. No author reveals their sales numbers ( unless they get a best seller tag).
a) Lack of awareness about my book: Most of my friends and family did not know for a fact that I would write. So when it hit them, it was a shock.
b) Choosing among them: In my friends and family, there are the loyal and patronizing folks, then there are that sarcastic and jeering lot, and finally, the silent and sulking characters. I had to choose my bet. Else, it would be sheer waste of energy.
Patrons go a long distance. I need both sales and reviews. So I have taken the liberty to work with them to get the initial sales and reviews. It is good to see the bars in the sales graph.
c) Keep track of a list: I have a journal of names of people who bought, who reviewed and who might have potential interest, and finally who have promised to buy.
Gentle reminders work better, if the person is genuine, hence choosing among them is key. The last ones, who have promised, but yet to buy will have to be handled carefully. At no point in time, I would want to lose a relationship for a sale.
d) Engage and exhaust them over a period, never rush: The list can be revisited multiple times and can be appended. Linkedin and Facebook contacts, phone contacts, friend and alumni groups — there are multiple lists to tap into.
e) Offer them discounts: There are discount offers and giveaways with Kindle and the publisher. I have spaced them out to ensure that I am able to focus in tracking the above groups ( refer point b), and engaging them.
f) Request them to write reviews: I have requested my circle of buyers to read first and then write reviews. This helps stay afloat while we move to round 2.
g) Build a Street Team: I realized that I would need a team that can help to go beyond friends and family. I would need a team of multiple skills and who can volunteer in terms of time and energy, and execution of a plan, which I will cover in the next blog.
I have covered only the ‘known universe’. To cross over to the unknown realm, that is to make the unknown reader to buy my book and write a review, is a story that will follow. I will share my preparation for this journey in my third article.
Well, before that, let me share my understanding of the Amazon publishing world in the next article.
Links here:
US Edition paper back: https://amazon.com/dp/1097682277
US Edition Kindle: https://amazon.com/dp/B087V5ZLHC/
India Edition Kindle: https://amazon.in/dp/B087V5ZLHC/
India Print Edition in Amazon: https://amazon.in/Poetarrati-1-2-Ashok-Subramanian/dp/1648990452/…
India Edition Paperback: https://notionpress.com/read/poetarrati
