I’ve been doing some thinking today, something I like to hold to a minimum, but reading a great many posts on this board spurred the little gray cells to action. I know, right away people are going to say this guy comes along and in four or five days he’s going to tell us we’re doing everything wrong. No, that isn’t it at all, but sometimes a newcomer gets a different perspective of things than those who have been close to the situation for a long time.
One of the purposes of any board is fellowship. Perhaps helping someone down in the dumps feel better or just enjoying the companionship of others who share similar beliefs. That works beautifully here.
Then there is the goal of steering people away from PublishAmerica. This brings to mind my father, a super salesman for Lever Brothers, Gillette, Scott Paper and a few other large companies. He used to say that regardless of what you say or do, 15 percent of the people will like you and believe you. Another 15 percent will dislike you and won’t believe a word you say. That leaves 70 percent to be won over if you go about it the right way. That’s pretty much the way it is here. There seems to be an endless supply of people ready to use PA so here is how I’d warn them away:
First of all I wouldn’t warn them. When I was much younger, kids were warned not to put beans in their nose or ears. As soon as the adults were gone we set out in search of beans. Most people don’t like to be warned. Some even see it as a dare. Place a chip on your shoulder and someone will knock it off.
Second, I wouldn’t shout. Think of Billy May, the huckster on TV. That first 15 percent believes everything he says and buys every product he touts. The persuadable 70 percent hit the mute button. Even on message boards or email, using all capitals is considered shouting and most of us don’t like to be shouted at. You have to take it from a drill sergeant or a boss, but a smart boss doesn’t do it. When someone shouts at an online site, we walk away.
So what approach would I take? That of the best friend or the kindly old grandfather. The person who lays an arm over your shoulder and quietly says, “Here’s a few reasons I wouldn’t recommend going with PublishAmerica.” Then name them, and there are many – no editing, no attempt to market to the public other than online retailers . . . Everyone here has a long list in mind. That 70 percent is open to persuasion from a friend or the nice old grandfather, but not from a shouter or someone issuing a warning like a traffic cop.
Under no conditions would I say, “PublishAmerica is a vanity press." It’s certain that a huge number of that 70 percent has checked out vanity presses. They know that the first step is writing a check or providing a credit card number. For $600 we give you a book. For $900 we’ll give you a really nice book. For $1200 we’ll give you a book that will turn Random House green with envy. That’s always the first step, money up front. PublishAmerica doesn’t ask for money up front. The people who have checked out the vanity presses will think I’m a liar or that I don’t know what I’m talking about. Instead, I’d lay that arm on a shoulder and say, “PublishAmerica makes its money by selling books to the people who write them. I think you can do better than that.” Then I’d give the names of some small presses to try. Not just say small presses, make it specific by providing names.
I’m sure there are other things that don’t leap to mind at the moment. All would be aimed at that persuadable 70 percent. Speak softly, have specific points about PA to mention and concrete suggestions to make, avoid buzz words or phrases that might trip me up. Like they say, you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.