Marketing. It’s not for the faint of heart.

 By Kait Carson

I’ve written about marketing before. Not much has changed. When I hear the term, my first reaction is the same one I had when the first AARP solicitation came through my mail slot. I stomped on it and tried to squish it like a bug. Didn’t work. They kept sending stuff. Eventually, I appreciated their concern and joined. Never regretted it, and it’s introduced me to some fun stuff.

Marketing is like that. Initially, the thought of putting myself out there was painful. Writers, okay, this writer, is an introvert. I’d prefer a root canal without anesthesia to thumping my drum in public. Like AARP, I kept at it. Over time, I realized that marketing, like much else in life, is not one size fits all. As a lifelong adventurer, I’ll try anything once. With marketing, if I find myself gritting my teeth and persevering only through the strength of will, I’ll never do it again. Once is enough, even if the system is viral and touted as the best thing since sliced bread. I’m looking at you, TikTok and Facebook ads. If I have fun—different story. That’s my kind of marketing. It’s also proven to be successful—for me.

While I don’t get along with Facebook ads, I enjoy Amazon ads. I’ve taken the Mark Dawson classes for each, and I know lots of people who swear by Facebook ads. I haven’t figured out my sweet spot for them, and they’re expensive since they don’t charge by the click, but by the length of time the ad runs. Amazon charges by click, and you set the parameters for the price. Both platforms track clicks and sales, so results are obvious.

Canva, recommended by blog mate Sarah Burr, has been a game changer. I’m visual and playing with photos and elements is fun. Sundays are set aside as Canva day. Since I have the paid program, I’m able to schedule posts across four of my social media platforms for the week. It’s fun, creative, and I enjoy doing it. Does it pay off in terms of sales? I can’t be certain, but sales have been steady, so it’s at least keeping my name out there.

A few months ago, I discovered another fun marketing tool. Evidoozle, a free online evidence-based card game created by mystery author Sharon Daynard and her team. The backs of the deck are book covers. There’s no charge for the author, and every time one of my books has been featured, sales have spiked. For authors, the link for information to market your book is here.

 Every marketing course I’ve ever taken has emphasized that the key to marketing is doing what you enjoy and leaving the rest behind. I enjoy the give and take of social media, creative outlets, and sharing with other authors. These types of marketing have become painless for me, and it saves a heck of a lot on dental bills from all that tooth grinding I no longer do.

Authors and readers, how do you feel about marketing on social media?

 Kait Carson writes the Hayden Kent Mysteries set in the Fabulous Florida Keys and is at work on a new mystery set in her adopted state of Maine. Her short fiction has been nationally published in True Romance, True Confessions, True Story, True Experience, and Woman’s World magazines, and in the Falchion Finalist Seventh Guppy Anthology Hook, Line, and Sinker. She is a former President of the Guppy Chapter of Sisters in Crime and a member of Sisters in Crime, Guppies, and Sisters in Crime New England. Visit her website at www.kaitcarson.com. While you’re there, sign up for her newsletter.