Well, that tile isn’t exactly right. There is a certain amount of bragging involved in marketing—if you consider talking about your talent and works as bragging. Someone has to do it, right? If you can’t, some credibility is lost. And we can’t always count on others to do the heavy lifting or promoting and supporting our work. So… It’s either share your accomplishments with the world or face the possibility that they won’t be shared at all. The way you share can make all the difference.
“I just won a big award!” Said one way, it’s bragging. Said another way, it’s marketing. Here are a few ways marketing and bragging differ.
- Bragging is all in the words, which serve are the total value. Marketing uses the words with substantiation to add value.
- Bragging is fodder for the ego. Marketing is for consumers, or those outside yourself.
- Bragging has no purpose except to make yourself feel better. Marketing serves a purpose with a tangible outcome.
- Bragging irritates those around you with an “I, I, I” attitude. Marketing educates and entices others to learn more about you.
- Bragging tends to make others think less of you. Marketing serves to establish your credibility and make others feel good about you.
- Bragging can make people want to avoid you. Marketing (done right) will make people want to find more about you—and your work.
No one really enjoys being around a braggart, and after a while, their words tend to lose attention and value. Marketing adds value to words with proof. In the case of a book, “I just won a big award!” means more when teamed
with a graphic of the award, review snippets that prove the award was deserved, and a plea to buy the book so that you, too, can enjoy this really great book—great because someone else determined it, not you. Sometimes there is a thin line between bragging and marketing, but other times they miss by a mile.
Read the next blog in the blog hop by going here.
Dee
Only a Good Man Will Do: Seriously ambitious man seeks woman to encourage his goals, support his (hopeful) position as Headmaster of Westover Academy, and be purer than Caesar’s wife. Good luck with that!
Naval Maneuvers: When a woman requires an earth-shattering crush of pleasure to carry her away, she can’t do better than to call on the US Navy. Sorry, Marines!
You’re right, Dee–it is a balancing act. In other areas (appliances, cars, vacations), obvious, oily salesmanship makes me want to run in the opposite direction, especially when combined with phony friendliness. I haven’t seen much of that in the book marketing world. I did unsubscribe from an email newsletter that arrived in my mailbox twice weekly, especially after I sampled her books and found them not to my taste. Overall, though, I’m glad to support other authors by trumpeting their books, awards, etc. via social media.
We have to support each other! Thanks for your comment, Sadira.
Sometimes “I won an award!” is just an excited announcement and an invitation for others to celebrate alongside the winner. So much nuance is lost in print.
You’re so right, Holly. Thanks!
You’re right, Dee. How it’s said makes a big difference. It’s hard, too, because everyone responds differently.
Thanks, Kate!