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I thought I was a writer not a marketing guru

How many of you were surprised to find that a modern writer must be their own marketing guru? I bet you didn't get into writing because you loved the idea of marketing yourself and your book! This was an unwelcome lesson for me and I am very thankful that my computer savvy husband is taking on this role with me. Publishing has changed so much since the advent of the internet and publishers now expect you to do your own marketing and if you are going to self publish, well, who else is going to do it for you? This can be terrifying. Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Pintrest. Authors can no longer ignore the world of social media if they want to succeed. If you have buried your head in the sand to avoid this brave new world, now is the time to poke your head out. If you are young, then it is all second nature to you but for those of us who remember when all phones were attached to walls it can be intimidating and overwhelming. But take heart. If you have teenagers let this be an opportunity to let them teach you something. I designated my teenage son my 'meme' manager. He showed me how to find a meme app and how to use it. It was a moment of bonding for us, a temporary reversal of roles. Who knew that my decision to become a writer would involve my whole family and bring us closer together?

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