Monday, February 23, 2015

Sometimes a Big Mouth Can Be a Good Thing




 This morning I met a friend for coffee and we talked about, what else, books. We also talked about promoting said books and creating a buzz, something I’ve posted about in the past. Today I’m focusing on readers, not writers. Yes, most writers are also readers.

I firmly believe word-of-mouth is the best advertising. Think about it. How many times have you read a book or watched a television show because a relative or your best friend, or maybe a neighbor, said it was the best thing they’ve read or watched since sliced bread? They’re enthusiastic and want to share their excitement with you.

Let’s say you read a book recently that you truly enjoyed. Did you tell anyone about it? Here’s something I read, but at the moment I can’t remember where. Think about how many people you know. We’ll use the number fifty for today. What the heck? Let’s make that a hundred people between work, family, friends and acquaintances. You’ve read a book that was both entertaining and memorable. Now imagine you tell every one of those hundred people about the book. They read the book and enjoyed it as much as you did, and they tell every one of the hundred people they know about the book. That hundred reads the book and ends up telling all of their connections, and on and on and on. The word spreads like wildfire.

By the end of the week (or month or two) the author’s name could become a household word. I’ve read some really good books because of word-of-mouth. Honestly? I’d never heard of Janet Evanovich until a friend told me about her books and that they made her laugh. I think she had three of the Stephanie Plumb books out at the time and I’ve been hooked ever since. Rhys Bowen? Can’t get enough of her books, and I heard about her through word-of-mouth.

Authors can be a Big Mouth about their own books, but unfortunately sometimes that makes people crazy because we go on too much (at least in my case). We do what we can to get the word out, from personal appearances to book signings to any event we can attend. We post on the Internet in as many places as possible. We talk to total strangers and find out we may have something on common with them. We make new friends along the way.

A lot of the personal connections happen at conferences. Many attendees go home and tell their relatives, neighbors and friends about what fun it was to meet a real live author. There are a few people I’ve stayed in touch with, and I’ve enjoyed the interaction.

I’m no different than anyone else. When I go to writers events I come home and talk about the people I’ve met and things I saw and heard. Sometimes I see my husband’s eyes glaze over, so I turn to my friends and repeat the stories. I’m excited, and without meaning to, I’m creating a buzz.

I’ve met some famous authors, which is exciting, and I’ve also met some relatively unknown authors whom I liked, and soon found myself trying one of their books. They were enthusiastic and friendly, and that’s what generally makes me take a look at their books. (Don’t forget, readers. That there are conferences who welcome readers as well as authors.)

Let’s not forget reviews. If you really enjoy a book, write a review. It’s just another form of word-of-mouth. In the case of a review, you’re blabbing to strangers. It still creates a buzz, although I’ve heard that some people won’t even bother with reviews. Personally, I tend to check them out. I’ve even read a few books that got bad reviews. The storyline sounded good, even if the review didn’t. I wasn’t disappointed.

As a reader, what do you think about creating a buzz? Do you have a big mouth? Can you recommend a good book? I love it when I set a book aside and sigh, thinking how much I enjoyed it and what a satisfying ending the author gave to the story.

Until next week, if you’ve read a good book, start buzzing about it. Tell a friend, and have fun connecting with other readers.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website
CLICK HERE for a quick trip to Amazon.com


What do purple cows and elderly spies have to do with each other? Lots. Please check it out.

27 comments:

  1. You're absolutely right about word of mouth, Marja. Building interest isn't easy but it certainly is worth it.

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    1. Susan, I couldn't agree more. Now we just need to figure out how to get people talking. : ) Thank you so much for commenting!

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  2. An interesting post as always, Marja...! Honestly, it's a pleasure to read anything by you :-)

    I am not an author, but I LOVE to read, as reading quality fiction is a source of immense happiness for me...! :-) Though I read a wide variety of genres, but enjoy mysteries most of all.

    Moreover, I am enthusiastic about recommending the authors whose books I enjoy, to my friends and family etc ...which is one of the reasons that I created a blog to recommend wonderful authors of cozy mysteries (such as you...!) in the first place...! :-) There have been many times when my friends, relatives, and even my own mother, who actually initiated my love for reading, have actually thanked me for introducing them to delightful authors/books/series ...and it just feels so good to know that I have in some way contributed to their pleasure...!

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    1. Ramla, You're every author's dream reader. : ) And we all appreciate your help in getting our names and books out there. Thank you so much for commenting today, and for the compliments!

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  3. Word of mouth does work and I am especially thrilled when I write a review recommending a certain book and Amazon e-mails me that my review helped/inspired someone to buy it.

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    1. Oh, yes, Pat. A good review really can make a difference. Thank you so much for commenting today!

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  4. I definitely agree, Marja. Word of mouth is the best way to generate interest in a book. That's why I review every book I've enjoyed and I try to tell as many people as possible about it.

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    1. And every author whom you've reviewed appreciates you. It's all about opening our big mouths and telling everyone what we enjoyed. You've certainly helpoed many authors. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  5. Exactly, Marja. Briefly, a long time ago, I took a sales job. In a meeting, our supervisor asked us to name our favorite TV show. Then he asked us to name the advertisers for the show. Few could answer the question. When he asked how we came to watch the show in the first place, many said it was the result of recommendation by others. It's a lesson I never forgot.
    Like everyone else, I always ask people who say they've enjoyed one of my books to do a review. But I add, if they're reluctant to do that, at least recommend it to family and friends. If they've truly liked the story, most are willing to talk it up.

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    1. Your books are well worth reviewing, Jim. Honestly? I find it humorous that we remember a TV show, but not the sponsors. (Although I have to admit I'm enjoying the car commercials where the yellow Labs are driving. Funny, but I can't remember what kind of car it is.) Thank you so much for commenting today!

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  6. Good post as always, Marja! Spreading the word is not the easiest thing to do.

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    1. You're right, Marilyn, and I hate being pushy. Sometimes it's necessary. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  7. Hi Marja! I started using my blog to recommend books that I've really enjoyed. At first I planned to write recommendations a few times a year, but as I read more and more great books, I have to tell people about them! Several readers have contacted me to say they read the books I suggested and they really liked them, too. Great post, as always.

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    1. Thank you, Amy, for promoting books. And thanks for making me smile. I'm glad to hear you've had such a positive response. Also, thank you for stopping in today!

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  8. Hi Marja,
    The car with the yellow labs is a Subaru Forester. I know, because I just bought one. Not because I saw the dogs driving one, but because it has a great safety rating. I love those commercials too. I always think of your two dogs when it comes on, LOL.

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  9. LOL Thank you, Evelyn! Yes, I think of our dogs, too. They'd make great commercial stars if they'd behave. : )

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  10. It's really true what you said about word of mouth. The reason I'm such a huge Potter fan was because I kept on hearing about how great it is (still can't believe it took me that long to read it). The same can be said for Dan Brown's The DaVinci Code and Angels & Demons, which I've read out of order. I read the DaVinci novel because of a group of students at my college had formed a discussion group about it, which a friend of mine was a part of. And another friend of mine loved the books and mentioned them as well. Now I want to give Gone Girl a try because people at work are talking about it.

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    1. Isn't it amazing how well word-of-mouth works, Lidy? I wish I had more reading time. There are so many books I'd like to read, like Gone Girl. I'm glad to hear you tried the books people were talking about. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  11. Since authoring my first cozy mystery, I always review every book I read. I don't think many people realize how important reviews are to authors and to other readers. Thank you, Marja, for helping to get the word out.

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    1. Your word-of-mouth reviewing is a great example of getting the word out, Joyce. Thank you for your books and for what you do. And thank you for commenting today!

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  12. When I read a book I enjoy, I do talk about it with friends. I believe that word-of-mouth is most important for spreading the word of one's work. I'm a cozy mystery author and I think this is what works best for me.

    Susan Bernhardt

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    1. Honestly, Susan, I think it's what works best for most of us. Thank you for both speaking up and for your books. And thank you for commenting!

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  13. I review almost every book I read on Goodreads and Amazon. When I find one I really got into, I recommend it to my husband and to friends. The success of my Subbing isn't for Sissies series is proof enough of word of mouth for me. I've never advertised or offered books for free, but more people keep finding them.

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    1. I've told a number of people about your Subbing series. It made me laugh out loud, and that's a big plus for me. I don't laugh at books that easily. Yes, word of mouth is a huge promotional tool, even though people generally don't realize how important it is. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  14. I agree, Marja. Word of mouth is important, which is why we authors should help one another promote our books, and the reason I have two interview/guest blog sites and have written four writer interview books, which I hope have helped sales. One of my favorite guest blogs is yours, which is currently featured at Mysterious Writers and will appear at three other blog sites during the following month.

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  15. We authors need to help each other, Jean, and we definitely need readers to spread the word, too. Thank you so much for your generosity in putting my blog up in so many places. I thoroughly enjoy your books, too, and I'll be putting up a review for the latest soon. Thank you so much for commenting!

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