On Sharing
From the Archives: This one is from December 31, 2010—almost eight years ago. Not much has changed, other than the social media piece, which we’ve still not jumped into whole hog, preferring to invest with readers one on one, rather than relying on social media to connect us. Takes more time, but it’s worth it—and the relationships will last longer than Facebook. There’s only one change that really matters. We said goodbye to Carroll LeFon, a.k.a “Neptunus Lex.” His was one of the first blogs I followed and then I had the honor of corresponding with him about books and family. I still have his e-mails and remember the conversations. As kind as he was knowledgeable—and he could write. Still very much alive. ~Callie
Steve’s blog was created to serve as a vehicle for sharing his video series “It’s the Tribes, Stupid.” His goal was to share information about a common thread that had presented itself
throughout his years of research. He wasn’t interested in financial gains or promoting his books through this outreach, so we focused on sharing rather than selling. The lessons we learned led us to where we are with the blog and outreach today.
How We’ve Shared
With Steve’s projects, we’ve tried to get to the point and share information that is relevant to the individuals and outlets receiving it.
We’ve avoided generic e-mail press release blasts and postings. Instead, we’ve approached individuals and outlets one by one, with tailored information that speaks to the work they’re doing. The one-by-one approach takes time, but it’s worth it. It’s also a way of showing respect—that we’ve taken the time to learn about the work and interests of others, rather than blanketing everyone with the same release.
Saying thank you is a big part, too. Authors and publishers wouldn’t survive without readers. Though we’ve never expected something in return, more often than not, when we’ve said thank you to someone, they’ve had a valuable lesson to share—about publishing, outreach, blogging, readers’ interests, and so on. Jonathan Fields, Jen Grisanti, Mark McGuinness, Justine Musk, Jeff Sexton, and Barbara Winter are just a few of the people we’ve learned from this past year.
Sharing via Facebook and Twitter involved a bit of trial and error. Steve’s blog posts are automatically posted to both. Soon after setting up his Twitter account, Duane Patterson (@radioblogger) schooled Steve on hashtags, shortening links, and other Twitter to do’s, and Steve tackled his first Twitter Chat, via @litchat. This past year, though, Steve’s been on a strict schedule finalizing his next book, so I dove into Facebook and Twitter in his name. I always shared info with him about those I contacted, but it was weird. It was important to keep things “real” with his readers, and tweeting and posting as Steve was as far from real as it gets. In an effort to get Steve into social media, I made a huge mistake, by taking Steve outside the “keeping it real” realm. Today, I thank people under my Twitter account, while Steve’s Twitter account is used as a way to share his blog posts. Steve is on Facebook. You can catch him in there from time to time, replying here and there and posting. I remain a HUGE fan of Twitter and Facebook as vehicles for sharing, but if someone is tweeting or posting for you, be clear about that up front.
End of day, how we share comes down to treating others how we’d want to be treated—Karma marketing/outreach/whatever you want to call it.
Who We’ve Shared With
For the launch of the blog, we approached friends, colleagues, and journalists with which we’ve worked in the past. Steve didn’t have any contacts with bloggers at that point, but they were the first to weigh in on the video series.
Some of the responses were positive, some critical and some straight-up nasty. We expected and were open to comments criticizing Steve’s project/effort, but the personal stabs at Steve, by people who’d never met him, were a surprise.
Michael Yon, who is used to being loved, then hated, and back and forth, offered a critical piece of advice:
People who post those comments are like bar-room brawlers. They’re looking for a fight. Even if you’re just defending yourself, by engaging, you end up getting dirty, too. Ignore them.
We took Michael’s advice. The cost of wading into the muck wasn’t worth it.
We thanked the individuals who provided positive feedback and started contacting those who offered constructive criticisms. One of the first bloggers we approached was Mark “Zenpundit” Safranski. Mark was critical, but he was a professional—he made his points without encasing them in crap.
We had a great first call—during which he pointed out things we could be doing better on the blog (including content that needed more development), and then he and Steve started corresponding. We’ve learned a lot from Mark. He’s always honest and will tell us if an effort is off-mark—and he always does it with respect. His input played into Steve’s first Writing Wednesdays post.
As Steve got to know other bloggers, we found that they were more willing and able to help share than traditional outlets. This isn’t a knock on the traditionals. As mentioned in last week’s “Elephant in the Room” post, there’s only so much column space and air time via traditional outlets. Steve is still interested in working with the traditionals, but working with bloggers has helped him direct-connect with readers—whether those bloggers are independents such as Neptunus Lex and Black Five or are connected with traditional outlets, such as At War and Mouth of the Potomac.
Bringing It All Together
As we continued the outreach for the video series, we were approached by a growing number of bloggers interested in Steve’s books. Steve wasn’t actively promoting his books at the time, but wanted to reach out to the readers who had e-mailed him or posted about the books. Enter Writing Wednesdays.
With the addition of Writing Wednesdays, we knew we needed to mesh Steve’s static site and blog, to present all of his work in one place.
While some of Steve’s readers are interested in all of his books, there are a number who are interested only in The War of Art or in his novels. Steve was almost finished with The Profession and we knew that we’d need to give it a home, too.
More to come on Bringing It All Together.
DO THE WORK
Steve shows you the predictable Resistance points that every writer hits in a work-in-progress and then shows you how to deal with each one of these sticking points. This book shows you how to keep going with your work.
THE AUTHENTIC SWING
A short book about the writing of a first novel: for Steve, The Legend of Bagger Vance. Having failed with three earlier attempts at novels, here's how Steve finally succeeded.
NOBODY WANTS TO READ YOUR SH*T
Steve shares his "lessons learned" from the trenches of the five different writing careers—advertising, screenwriting, fiction, nonfiction, and self-help. This is tradecraft. An MFA in Writing in 197 pages.
TURNING PRO
Amateurs have amateur habits. Pros have pro habits. When we turn pro, we give up the comfortable life but we find our power. Steve answers the question, "How do we overcome Resistance?"
Callie, I love this blog. It is very conscious oriented and sends out a great message. Sharing information is so valuable to everyone.
Wishing you and Steve a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Thank you for all that you do!! Love and Light, Jen
Thanks, Jen! I learned a lot from the interview Steve did with you in 2010. Good stuff!
I know one is supposed to leave comments of great content and authenticity but all I really want to say is that I am glad I discovered this blog. Its only been recently that I’ve read it, but I keep coming back for more. So, thank you. And Happy New Year!
Thanks, Charlotte. Happy New Year! (Nice Paula Deen post!)
To Steve, Callie, and the rest of your team,
Thank you for being a never-ending source of inspiration. It’s an honor to be a proverbial fly on your wall.
Happy New Year,
Jeff
Thanks, Jeff. If there’s something you’d like to see us talk about a bit more, please let us know.
I’m always happy when I see a new post from this blog. Helpful, encouraging and insightful, I always feel better after reading it. Thank you.
Thanks, Donna! As I just replied to Jeff, please let us know if there’s anything you’d like to see us talk about a bit more. Thanks!
Hey, I’ve got an agent who wants to represent me for my latest comic novel, A Man with Three Great German Shepherds (And 1000 troy ounces of gold)
I’ve been reading this series of posts on the business very attentively and find it most useful in the hopes I have of marketing my novel.
As for the agent, it’s only taken me close to forty years to finally get one. Perseverance matters.
One question. How much does a publicist matter and cost?
Mark—After setting the goals for their outreach, authors should consider everything they want to accomplish and determine whether or not they can implement the plan on their own. If they need help, do they need it in large amounts, or do they need someone to plug into certain areas while they handle others? My experience is that many authors don’t have the time to plan and implement outreach for their books on their own, though quite a few handle portions on their own. They need to determine their needs first and then, if they decide to work with a publicist, look for someone with an expertise in their area. Cost varies.
Callie and Steve, I appreciate your openness and honesty about doing the right thing and your insight into good blogging. Keep it up!
Mark
Thanks, Mark!
Callie,
I remember a mentor of mine telling me a story about a young consultant, right out of a highly regarded buisness school, telling my frined how he was doing this or that wrong. He looked at the “kid” and asked, “have you ever sold anything?” “have you ever made something then tried to sell it?” Since it took the “kid” awhile to respond he had his answer and dismissed him.
Many folks believe they know how to sell things. They believe they know how to market or advertise until they have to do it. I think what you and Steven are doing here is wonderful. The reality of art making money can be intimidating and enlightening but usually disappointing. There is never shame in asking for help.
Keep up the insightful blog entries.
Thanks for sharing that story. “Asking for help” is one of the themes woven throughout Steve’s past year and a half of blogging and the outreach connected to it. We’ve learned so much from others and know that there’s still more to learn. An exciting adventure!
Always like a good origin story.
Fascinating to look back on footprints. Thank you.
Thank you, Callie, for sharing the Blog From the Archives December 31, 2010 as has HELPED with a better understanding of my reaction learning of Steven Pressfield and The War Of Art September, 2013. I always seem to beat myself up because I believe in Sharing.
Also what an ENLIGHTENED interview with Steve and Robert Kiyoski. I shared the link to the Interview with my sons and the New Earth Home Team.
More and more it seems “I like to believe the future already exists. It is known or can be known. Can any of this be true? But I act as if it were.” ~Steve Pressfield~
I’ve been browsing for a post such as this for a
long time.
I only came to say – this article is a written and self indulgent reading.
Thank you to it. I’ve recently discovered another terrific piece at
https://www.facebook.com/essayprocom/reviews/. May seem like I am being exceptionally lucky this week.
Thank you a whole lot for your job, continue writing.
You are just too good at it to stop.