Thanks to Gen Z

  So I published a book and that means I’m learning a lot about the book publishing industry. It wasn’t something I focused much on when I was writing and rewriting and rewriting again. Then I got caught up in the world of sending out query letters to publishers and agents, hoping against hope that someone would find my words interesting enough, marketable enough, good enough to contract for. And unbelievably, it was. I don’t think anyone was more surprised than me. Doesn’t everyone think their creative efforts aren’t quite good enough?
And friends and family liked it – which is wonderful. And some strangers said they liked it, too, which is very rewarding. But then the focus turns to marketing. Phht, I thought, easy – I was in advertising for most of my career but it was an eye-opener that it’s a lot harder to market yourself than it is to tout the virtues of Bank of America’s credit card product or LL Bean’s Bean boots. I found it really, really awkward to pat myself on the back. Is it because of my age, being a woman, a New Englander? All of the above?
  And, going with a small, independent publisher, you are pretty much on your own in the marketing arena. And from what I’ve been learning, even with a big publisher, authors take on a lot of marketing tasks themselves. I follow a lot of authors online and for some reason it doesn’t seem like bragging when they post a picture of their newest book and direct people where to buy it. Or when they publish an excerpt, or a picture of someone holding their book in an exotic place or mention they’re appearing somewhere. It just seems cool. Perhaps I have a little imposter syndrome – I’m not like them, I tell myself, I’m just me. Someone who happened to get lucky and write a book and found a publisher to publish it.
  So I did a thing – I turned to a much younger (and smarter) family member to help me. My niece, Rachel, is a Gen Z member and belies any derogatory term about that generation being unmotivated, lazy or difficult to work with. She swims in the social media ocean like a sleek dolphin chasing fish. Although in her case, she wouldn’t eat them, she’d pet them and take a selfie. She’s raised my profile on multiple channels, has suggested content, helps me with responses. She’s not trained in marketing, but she’s got a degree in psychology and all-round brilliance. And, she has an innate sense for what people on social media will respond to, click on, buy. She’s teaching me a ton (which then gives lie to the ‘you can’t teach an old dog…’ thing, so take that, bashers of boomers).
  And, she’s encouraged me to pursue off-line avenues – other appearances, sending books to influencers, and maybe, just maybe, a video or two. What can I say? It’s a whole new world. This post, then, is by way of a huge thank you to a young woman who is passionate, engaged, smart and so tech savvy. Not to mention a sweet and loving human bean. So thank you, Rachel for teaching me, listening to me, and being your best self. Love you lots. Maybe you’ll teach me how to type on a phone with just my thumbs…