I am going to share a very important secret with you. It is part of what makes IU successful. It helps me sell books. It helps my friends. It helps the community. And you can do it from the comfort of your own bathroom (or kitchen…whatever). It’s called pimping, and you don’t even need a feather hat (it helps though).
Let me preface this by saying that I have been SUCKING at this lately. Here’s the deal. There are a fairly large group of people (including my IU pals) who I like to promote. When I see they have something posted to Facebook or Twitter, I share or retweet it. And they do the same for me.
There are a few important things to remember if you want to be a good pimp. Don’t overdo it. We are all guilty of getting manic at times and spamming the crap out of everything within reach, but think sniper rifle, not shotgun.
Don’t be a baby. That’s a big one. When you pimp someone’s post/story/book/review you are doing something nice. If you are doing it because you expect something in return, then you are doing it wrong. Imagine if real pimps did their jobs because they expected some kind of payoff and not just as a non-profit service for lonely men.
Let’s look at the microcosm of IU for a minute. Ideally, everyone would pimp everyone’s posts. It’s easy. All you have to do is click a button. And it helps everyone. Now, things come up. Kat’s Internet gets sleepy. People have babies. Antrobus invades my country and drops off the grid. But we could all step it up a bit.
And this applies to every writer. Don’t think of it as a strategy…think of it as helping out your fellow writers. It is the decent thing to do, and it will come back to you if you do it right. When I do a promotion or something, I am astounded by the support I get. You reap what you sow…and I used to be a lot better than I am, so my crops are fertile and ripe and something something.
That’s one of my new goals. To get my pimp game back. It was the same deal when I played music. You put your friends’ stickers on your guitar, you covered each other’s songs, you got them into and onto shows you were playing. Everyone helped out, and everyone benefited.
If you’re going to be an Indie writer, you need to promote. And it helps a LOT to have other people helping you promote. This is not an invitation to endless spamming. There is an art to it. It is all about targeting and providing something of benefit. And you IU fans can do it, too. If you dig a post, leave a comment, post it, email it, print it out and stick it under your neighbor’s door.
I made a new Facebook friend the other day (I won’t name names, but she makes good badges). Anyway, I invited her to check out my blog and she said something to the effect of ‘I read everything you write when KD Rush sends it to me’. Bam. That’s it right there. That’s where it’s at. (RUSH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) Alone, we can only reach so many people, but if we combine our networks, if we pimp for the right reasons, if we do it in an entertaining and non-invasive way…well, my friends, people will start soliciting our work and we can all spit gum on people and fall in love with Richard Gere.
It’s how we roll…great post, JD!
Thanks lady. 😉
Hear, hear. Until recently I only sent to twitter and facebook but I just got into google+ now, too. (see the old girl’s still learning,lol) That one’s tricky though. Or maybe it doesn’t like me. My fingers aren’t fast enough. And that’s why it’s good to have a lot of followers so that when we send each other’s stuff into the ether more folks will see it.
Yeah, Google+ is like a carnival game. Speed and reflexes. 😉
“I get by with a little help from my friends.”
Thanks for the fb pimpage.
Sure, when are you going to get me high? I know the song.
I do dutifully do what I must muddily must til I bust bodily bust. Somehow it is never enough, enough, enough – but that is just tough, toothily tough tough tough. Good article!
I thankfully thank you might mightily (you been hanging out with Lois?) 😉
I don’t think we’re in Kansas any more
Toto?
Just follow the yellow brick road.
True words. I usually get my post updates for IU from JD. I have the site saved in my favorites, so I can check in whenever I can. :o)
Right on, right on.
I need to get better at this too. Well said.
Thank you. 🙂
Shared and tweeted, and JD on Thursday, watch my facebook page for something special.
Thanks! And I will! 🙂
Another great post. I just wish I had more time to keep up with all the good stuff I want to read and share.
Thanks Tasha. Me too. 🙂
I was going to ask why there is a photo of David Antrobus on a post you’ve written but perhaps the two of you just like to share 🙂
With regards to ‘pimping’, I just want to add that I think it is most effective, and most appreciated, when a note is added on so the new audience knows it was actually read by the sender. An example:
“JD Mader writes of the importance of ‘pimping’ – no, not that kind! https://indiesunlimited.com/2012/08/21/pimping/ ”
People are much more likely to read it when it’s personalized.
I agree, Jo. And I like to throw in a hashtag or two for Twitter (but not go overboard — mindful as I am of another post here today!). But the suggested tweet copy does help if you’re short on time.
I think the more like you act like a part of community who has some decency the better. 😉 Like both of you.
Awww. Thanks Dan 😉 …and I am chuffed to be included in a community with Lynne. She’s one of the good folk 🙂
Aw shucks, Dan, thanks. (scuffs toe on carpet)
(looks for band-aid for bloody toe)
Great post. Spurred me into pimping – on Twitter – for you (:
Hahaha! 😉 Thanks.
Oh I just loved “a non-profit service for lonely men”. Sheer genius JD. And yes, your wise words on pimping are so very true and from here on in I shall call myself ‘Madame Meeka’. 😉
Thank you, Madame. 😉
I love supporting other authors. To me it is part of my writing life, and paying it forward for the support I get from so many. I Tweet out, G+ and FB their good news. I set up a blog purely to promote their books. Not review, but just to give them a free outlet to advertise. It has grown so much, it keeps me busy and I am full until Jan 2013. I am going to pimp here 🙂 , as it is not for me, but for anyone who is interested (new or old releases): http://newbookblogger.blogspot.com/
Cool, thank you!
Great post JD. I just retweeted it. I follow and am followed by fellow authors and I am sure they will enjoy this as well. I ( with Stephen’s permission) added IU’s link to my blog sometime ago. Coffee and IU, my morning mainstay. I haven’t tried G+ yet, I’m not sure if I am fast enough. Thanks again, I enjoy all our posts. One click at a time!
Thank you very much (we) and I appreciate the support! 🙂
Hey…just pimped your post:) I love sharing posts and helping to spread the word about indie writing and their novels! Really helps to have a wolfpack. #goodlucktoyou
I’mma pimp this post about pimping and I’m very aware of the irony… while also being back in Canuckistan and plugged back into the Matrix… uh, the Grid… Nice job, bro.
Hey, prosty-tootin’ aint easy either, fella. That’s what we do over here on the barely not-indie side of the street. We have publishers, but they heed us not. Their covers suck, they refuse to send our stuff out for reviews, they howl with maniacal laughter if you ask for promotional support…I could go on and on. So we need to join up, the pimps and prosty-toots, and sing each other’s praises, stroke each other ‘s withered egos, more often than we do.So why not do it starting right now? I’ll paste my comments into your blog comment and tweet the site. With no expectation of reciproation, and that’s my rap. Outta here. And ps…Helluva blog, really enjoyed. You work this side of the street… I’ll work the other.
Yep, and that’s another reason to stay indie. Good luck.
Very true. I dedicate a page in my newsletter to other authors where I make a box with a pic of their book and or contest or whatever they have going on that month. I do it Fall winter and Spring. Summer is too busy at home :)I figure a complete website for myself is a bit indulgent, why not share. Great post.