MASSIVE MARKETING MESSAGE FAIL... TO LEARN FROM

I SCREWED UP MY OWN BOOK WITH A TERRIBLE TITLE

Sometimes we are too close to what we do and cannot see the forest for all the damned trees in the way.

This is my story… heh.

My book (which is pretty good) had what I realize now is most likely the worst book title EVER, and it has cost me dearly in sales.

Here’s the title (no longer available on Amazon… with no change in sales numbers. Heh.)

“What I’ve Learned So Far”

1. It made no sense to anyone but me and a handful of people.
2. It didn’t have any context to what it was about.
3. It was “me” focused instead of the end user.
4. Nobody really cared about what I had learned because it didn’t impact them.
5. Nobody really cared about what I had learned because they had no clue who I was.

It is really possible that I titled my book with the worst possible title ever.

Better titles would include.

“My Photos Don’t Totally Suck”
“I Got Your Photos Right Here…”
“Is There Salt In Donuts?”
Any title with the terms F**K or Badass in it… Those are really hot right now.

Oh I know one…

“MASSIVE FAIL”

Awesome.

I needed context, information, and some way of telling people what the book would do for THEM. How it would help THEM learn stuff.

The stuff I learned can help them, but the title didn’t say anything even remotely associative to that possibility.

I.
Am an idiot.

So it is time to rewrite, re-edit and RETITLE this book.

(And if you have any ideas, let me know please.)

PHOTO: ANJALI FONG


Recent Journal Posts

CREATIVE APPROACHES TO WORKING THROUGH THE QUARANTINE

CREATIVE APPROACHES TO WORKING THROUGH THE QUARANTINE

As most of the country is seeing the numbers falling back into a more manageable condition, we are seeing evidence of the impending reopening of the economy. Most states are looking at doing it in stages, and with controls in place to prevent a re-occurrence of the...

read more
PHOTOGRAPHER GREG KINDRED HITS THE KANSAS CITY MARKET

PHOTOGRAPHER GREG KINDRED HITS THE KANSAS CITY MARKET

Greg Kindred was the art director / photo editor for a large group of pet related magazines - both consumer and trade. When the company decided to close its doors, Greg realized it was time to do something else. Fast. The skills he had built up as a photographer are...

read more
BUILDING A MARKETING CAMPAIGN

BUILDING A MARKETING CAMPAIGN

Last week we discussed what a marketing campaign was, and how to get in front of clients that may need your services. And any company that makes something, sells a product or service needs photographs. Yeah, they can find bad stock photography and even great stock...

read more