I spend some time this past week wearing my marketing hat:

*I managed to get some .pdf pages from my metal clay book from my publisher that will be out on the web soon so readers can download a few free projects from the book.

*I answered some questions and got some images together for upcoming blog interview.

*I packaged up some books and got them to a few people for reviewing.

*I put together some bio information for a few other publishing opportunities.

*I’ve been posting and blabbing about the book, the book, the book, to everyone I know.

Marketing has never been “my thing,” and it is actually one reason I turned to writing about crafts versus selling crafts. Selling takes a huge amount of marketing effort that I am just not up for. However, no matter what type of craft career you follow – selling, writing, teaching, consulting – you have to toot your horn and the louder and longer the better for you.

Though this metal clay book is not my first jewelry book, it is really the first time I’ve made this big of a marketing effort that focuses on one item rather than just trying to promote myself in general, which is still important to do of course, but I don’t doubt I’ve missed a lot of opportunities in the past because I didn’t get the marketing gig going when I got a book out. Hopefully, I’ve learned from my mistakes and will see some return on this latest marketing adventure.

I’m sure I’m not alone when it comes to preferring to spend time crafting versus spending time marketing. So, tell me:

How much marketing effort do you put in now on your crafting career?

Is it enough?

Do you hate it or love it?

Do you think you get a good return on the time you put into it?