I graduated from Seattle University in 1970 with degrees in Economics and Marketing. I understand the marketing game. I just don’t like it.
I make a living as a freelance writer, spending about twenty hours each week writing sales pitches for various corporations. I’m good at what I do. I just don’t enjoy it.
There are several ways to look at marketing, I guess, but to me it is manipulative and a bit underhanded. If I do my job correctly, as a freelance writer, I will use the perfect combination of keywords to entice the buying public to purchase my employer’s product. That’s my job! Mind you, I’ve never been within spitting distance of any of these “products” I market, but in the marketing world that isn’t terribly important. My job is to make those products attractive enough so that people will put down money for them.
Period!
It’s a job I really don’t enjoy, and I find myself turning down more jobs than I accept of late.
AND THEN IT GETS PERSONAL
And then we have the marketing of my own products to consider. I write novels when I’m not promoting the latest commercial real estate offering or beauty salon, and if I want one of my novels to have a chance of selling, it is necessary for me to promote those novels.
And I don’t enjoy that either!
My philosophy regarding my novels is buy them, don’t buy them, it simply makes little difference to me. I write novels because I love writing novels. If people buy them then great; if they don’t buy them then great. Life will go on!
There is no purpose to my mentioning all that. It’s just a peek into my psyche as a writer. You probably have completely different viewpoints about marketing and that, too, is great! I wish you well with your endeavors.
ONE MARKETING GIG I DO ENJOY
Oddly, I enjoy marketing the farmers market I am involved with, not because I want people to buy my product, but because I believe strongly in the farmers market movement in this country.
So it’s all a bit complicated inside my brain. Lol I realize there is a conflict there, and I’m fine with that as well.
SO WHAT AM I GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?
Well, today is Saturday, and I don’t plan on doing anything about it today, quite frankly. I have chores to do in preparation of winter, so I’ll be heading out to the farm soon to start in on those chores. At some point I’ll lay down under the trees and watch the clouds float by. I’ll probably feed some grain to the horses, and most likely I’ll stop to pet the baby goats.
There is no conflict in that at all.
Have a great week and remember, please, to do all things with love.
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Hello Bill – So much distance covered here. At one end you have paying jobs, that really don’t hold your interest and the other is your writing which you love. One is economic the other passion. There is no simple answers. As you know your time has become a delicate balancing act. Do what you love, I am sure you spent years just earning money. I do think marketing your book titles is a good idea.
Thanks for your thoughts, Mike. You do a good enough job marketing my book titles…lol…no reason for me to do it. 🙂 Thanks buddy!
OK, this is just another one of the many reasons we are indeed friends. I also graduated with a business marketing degree in my undergrad years before going on for my masters for teaching. So, yes I get marketing myself, but I am not a fan either. Just cringe when I have to do it and yet a necessary part of the writing gig I suppose. But glad it isn’t just me and thanks for letting me know that here. HappyTuesday now, Bill 🙂
Thanks for your thoughts, Janine….cringe…yes, that’s me. Odd that I’m so good at marketing. I sure don’t enjoy it.
Happy Tuesday my wise friend!
Hi Bill… Yea, marketing does seem a slight bit manipulative but it is capitalism at its finest. I rather enjoy it if it is something I have a passion for but, many of the articles I write to market are just articles and there is no passion… Except the job I do.
Love ya man… Have a great week.
Thanks Greg! I can tell you enjoy it, buddy. You are good at it for sure.
Enjoy the hell out of your week, my friend.
Hey, Bill. Marketing these days is more of a challenge, the SM platform alone is daunting. Sounds like the Farmer’s Market would be enjoyable for many of us. Great place to meet decent people and buy healthy foods.
Exactly, Dee! I just enjoy the whole vibe of the markets. 🙂 Thanks always!
I’ve done the farmer’s marketing thing. I’ve also sold my books in person at swap meet type situations. I enjoy both. I enjoy getting to know potential customers and all. I like it much more than the other kind of marketing.
Very true, Donna! I guess it boils down to me not liking the selling of my books, because I don’t mind selling my chicken eggs at all.
Oh Bill, you have just revealed that the basic education serves as a rebounding bridge for endless immersion in various situations that make life a profitable and successful. I am following you my friend for awhile now, learning to know of your bravery doing whatever come your way, and because the driving source behind of your labor is love- everything prospers. Just continue being you – a blessing to all of us . Thanks.
Michael my friend, thank you! I have made some serious mistakes along the way, but always found myself back to the truth….love!
Blessings to you always!
Bill
I can identify with a lot of this post. I spent time writing SEO for a content mill. I can remember writing one post about American bankruptcy laws for a Law firm in the US (and I’m in New Zealand?)
I struggle with the Marketing not because I don’t enjoy it, I do, but it takes so much time that I don’t have!
Oh well, let’s just keep writing what we enjoy, and hopefully, others will too.
I love your final suggestion, Lawrence! Let’s do exactly that, my friend.
Like you, marketing is one of those things I just don’t enjoy. Yet, for the majority of my life, marketing has been key to my existence (financial). It’s necessary, but I do wish it were more fun. I don’t like marketing my stuff to my friends. So, I market to total strangers. Maybe if I changed the target to whom I market, I might enjoy it. And, as soon as I typed that last sentence, my brain said, “Nope!” Marketing is marketing, it will still feel the same no matter who you market to.
Big Bro, I’m a little late in getting over here (getting ready for the conference this week) but I always love coming over and reading about what you’re up to. 🙂 Fall is definitely in the air. I can’t believe the close of another year is happening in a few more months. This year has flown by. I’ve been so busy! Haha. Speaking of, I had published a post this week, but my website must have been “busy” because it sent everyone the wrong notification. Ah, gotta love technology.
Speaking of autumn…it sound like you and Bev had a great time at the farmer’s markets this year. I have several good friends who do the farmer’s market circuit and I’m always hearing stories of people they meet and fun things they do.
John might grow lots of greens next year and make little salad bags for folks at the farmer’s market, but we’ll see. He’s busily working on his campers. Haha.
Marketing…you know, I don’t much like that term at all. So much so, in fact, that I made the school change my designation from marketing and media to “communications coordinator” – when I put a spin on it that way, blog posts and social media get a lot more fun. Then it becomes about connecting with others – something I much prefer to icky ol’ “marketing.” lol
In any case, looking forward to hearing more about your writing adventures. Sending big hugs! I hope it’s not too chilly up there, yet. 😛
You have had one slogan for a while but your second is becoming quite effective. Do all things with love.
I did Business and finance. I came 2nd in college and had many distinctions. But gave it all up. I know what you mean. Peace, Bro.
Yes, my friend, do all things with love…my favorite slogan. Peace be with you always!