Following the White Rabbit

White Rabbit Doll by Mimi Kitchner on Etsy

There are things in life we search out, things we stumble upon, and things we are led to. Often we don't realize until later (perhaps when we're writing a blog post) the circumstances that have brought us to the point we now are. It happens in life in a broad way but it also happens with small things.

Three months ago I was starting to feel a bit panicked because my book was written and I was approaching step 2- market it. As lost as I felt writing the book, the thought of marketing it was worse. I'm simply not a salesman but I really believe in the message of this book. It's a book of inspiration and encouragement as well as an introduction to fabric and wire. So I really would like to get the word out- but how? I am no more a marketing maven then I am a techy guru.

That was three months ago. Let me fill you in on what's come my way since. It started with a notice I saw for Kelly Rae Roberts' business e-course. It intrigued me and after reading her description I really felt like I should take this course. I'd never done an e-course but liked the idea and thought if nothing else it'd be good for me to see how they work. The class was fabulous. She filled all her posts with both information and encouragement. 

Here is the one quote that really got to me:  "When we value what we’re doing enough to promote it, then folks will see that. You’re telling the world that not only do you find worth in what you are doing, but that you are taking your creative biz seriously, that it matters, and that you are celebrating its journey.  This speaks volumes to your readers and customers. You have to value what you’re doing and creating (enough to promote it) before anyone else will believe there is value and worth to what you’re doing and creating."- Kelly Rae Roberts

I keep that quote on a sticky note on my computer screen so I see it daily. It's such a positive reinforcement that the marketing we're doing of our art, or our writing, or our blogs is important and is how we show the world we believe in what we're doing.

Since then one resource after another has come to me. I was chasing my 5 year old through the stacks of our local library one day (thus the white rabbit analogy) when I stumbled into (literally) the marketing area. Down that rabbit hole I found the Idiot's Guide to Guerilla Marketing by Susan Drake and Colleen Wells and a book called, The Next Evolution of Marketing by Bob Gilbreath that is all about marketing with meaning. THEN I discovered Craftypod and Hello Craft, two podcasts that focus a lot of handmade/craft businesses. Several of the episodes have been great but just last night I was listening to Craftypod's Sister Diane interview Jennifer Perkins of the Naughty Secretary Club fame about how she was marketing her (then) upcoming book.

You may call it the Universe but I feel like God's directing me to the resources I need to understand this next challenge. I'm positive He'll continue to lead me to the right situations and people so that I can get the word out. And when I'm feeling overwhelmed I re-read the Kelly Rae Roberts quote above and I remember that although hard, this too is important. 

So there's the story, and some of the resources I've run into. I KNOW that many of you are in the midst of this same learning experience or are approaching it so I'd like to encourage you to check out the books and podcasts for yourself. Then, if you have any resources you've found particularly helpful I'd love to hear them and I'm curious about how you feel about your marketing efforts. Is it easy?fun?challenging? I'd love to know!