So, in my eternal search for real advice and real help with marketing and book promotion, I joined Reedsy – which promises to team you up with experts in publication, editing, book design etc. And I am sure it works quite well, if you can find what you are looking for. Such as an editor, or someone to design a book cover.
But me? I wanted someone to teach me how to market a book properly. This turned out to be a bigger ask than anticipated. After bouncing around from person to person, I finally received an email from someone at Reedsy, telling me about a great program I could join, that would teach me all these useful things for marketing. Note that they do not lift a finger to market things for you, so whatever you pay is for their program alone. I then received this email:
 | JD (Denis) Jul 05, 24 – 20:08 |
| Hi Sasha,I’ve been considering whether what I have to offer is right for you, and I genuinely believe it could help us reach the next stage. Let me give you some more information about what it is I can offer. From experience, I genuinely believe that our offerings provide the best value, ultimately saving you time and money while fully supporting authors like yourself. Super happy to keep chatting about a potential collaboration. However, I want to address the elephant in the room upfront, as I know it’s an important being open for both of us. |
Opening the attachment entitled “working together”, I was stunned to discover the cost was “only” $750 in two separate instalments. So, a total cost of $1,500 (I’m not even sure if this was US or AUD, nor do I care), for what exactly? Let me detail what was on the brochure:
- Join our onboarding specialist for a 20-minute, 1-on-1 session to ensure you have access to all materials and to address any technical issues. Together, we’ll set the stage for your success.
- Join the heart of our program: intimate, collaborative sessions where we exchange insights, provide mutual support, and celebrate your progress. Each week, we’ll explore new horizons and refine your skills, ensuring you’re on the path to success.
- Immerse yourself in a community of fellow travelers, sharing stories
and wisdom. Together, we’ll build a network of inspiration and
encouragement.
There are more things to follow, but the huge cost is a huge turn-off, to me. For that kind of money, I would frankly hope to hire a decent marketer to do all the hard work for me – not be forced to invest the time in a course teaching me how I can do it. Even if they called it “investment in your dreams” – such a catchy phrase to use on poor, struggling writers! So, for now, my preference is to learn by reading ‘how-to’ marketing articles and books, which I can actually afford. Sigh. The journey continues!