by Kariss Lynch, @Kariss_Lynch

In the last couple weeks, I’ve received several messages from new writers asking if I can meet or give them tips and tricks on marketing. I think I laughed. Me, really? The truth is, I’m still figuring it out! I don’t have a secret formula. There are a HOST of other people who have mastered marketing and continue to grow in it, including our very own teachers at My Book Therapy (which I HIGHLY recommend). I don’t have all the secrets to marketing, but I do have three tips for you, tips that I’ve learned over the years and am continuing to practice and grow in. Tips that just might give you a push in the right direction to figure all this out.  

• Become a voracious learner.

Everything I do is based on hours spent reading articles, listening to podcasts and online classes, and reading books on marketing. Why? Because there are tons of people much smarter and farther along than I am, and I want to know what they have learned. I take the tips and tricks and through trial and error, I see what works best. I recently created a newsletter strategy based on a lesson by Susan May Warren and Jenna Kutcher. I read books like Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller, Tribes by Seth Godin, and Platform by Michael Hyatt. I’m learning what my readers respond best to and I’m finding my own marketing style.

• Don’t talk at your audience. Talk to your people.

This is one of the biggest lessons for me in this season. We need to change how we talk to our audience. They aren’t just readers. They are our people. They are our biggest fans and biggest critics. Why? Because they love these stories the most. I’m used to just talking at people in my social media space. After all, it’s where I share life and book updates. But I’m working to switch the narrative a bit. I’m working on talking to the people who follow me. It feels a little unnatural right now, a little vulnerable, but I’m slowly starting to turn the ship to engage in a different way, both in my newsletters and my social media spheres.

• Practice creativity.

Honestly, I think marketing is a topic that paralyzes most people. I’m learning there can be a lot of freedom and fun in how I do it. I created a newsletter strategy for the year, and I’m planning for a couple upcoming emails to include free giveaways just for subscribers. I’m getting creative with how the emails look as I play around in MailChimp. Then I’m having fun with graphics and posts, quotes and pictures on my social media. I use free resources, like Canva, to create quality graphics, and I use free stock photos to create professional looks. I’m playing with scheduling time on all my social platforms to see what is seen most and when. And I’m even playing with creating Instagram stories (which terrify me if I am being really honest).

Here’s the bottom line: marketing doesn’t need to be paralyzing or time consuming. It can be fun. And while there are guidelines, there is a lot of freedom in figuring out what works best for YOU. Am I panicking any Type A’s out there? Take it from a reformed Type A. You can do this. You can do it well. Learn, engage, and create. I promise…you’ve got this. Do you have any marketing tips you would add? I would love to hear them! Shoot me an email to kariss@karisslynch.com. Like I said…we’re always learning.

Surrendered

With a wedding on the horizon, Nick Carmichael and Kaylan Richards prepare to commit themselves to one another and their future together. But for Kaylan, every step closer to the big day brings with it more disaster as she struggles to learn the sacrifice of joining the Navy SEAL family. In the middle of wedding plans, Nick is called away on one last mission. And this time, he will be forced to cooperate with the woman he fears and hates above all others: known terrorist, Janus. As the clock ticks closer to the wedding day, Kaylan and Nick fear Janus’s actions will cost them everything. Victory is possible, but it will only come with surrender.

Kariss Lynch writes contemporary romance about characters with big dreams, adventurous hearts, and enduring hope. She is the author of the Heart of a Warrior series and loves to encourage her readers to have courage. In her free time, she hangs out with her family and friends, explores the great outdoors, and tries not to plot five stories at once. Connect with her at karisslynch.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, or Goodreads.