Does RSVP Really Mean Respond, Dammit?

Remember learning that RSVP meant “répondez s'il vous plaît?” And, if you learned that as a kid, do you remember how cool and sophisticated it made you feel? I sure do. Not only was it French — the most romantic of the romance languages — but it was like I had been given yet another key to open another secret grown-up door. And, in this case, I was picturing a very swanky, high-class door. How cool was that? All I had to do to become part of the club was to communicate. Usually in writing. Even better, am I right?

So what does RSVP have to do with writing? Not much — if you don’t care about having your stuff read. But, if like many of us, your goals include getting your beautiful book babies in front of readers, then you are probably engaged in far more marketing, outreach, and networking than you ever dreamed possible. You may still not be seeing the connection but, trust me, I’m getting there.You post on Facebook and Instagram. Or Pinterest and Twitter. You interact with readers and other writers. You re-tweet and

Do You Care About Getting Your Stuff Read?

re-post in support of good people, products, or ideas but, when it comes to your own work? You’re frequently committing professional malpractice.

And, to make sure you don’t miss it, I’m going to break one of the cardinal rules of online communication. I’m going to (virtually) shout at you. Ready?

When someone offers you an opportunity for increased exposure? RESPOND, DAMMIT!

What forms of increased exposure, you ask?

You’re offered an interview? RESPOND.
Someone asks for your author photo? RESPOND.
A reviewer has requested a copy of your book? RESPOND.
A Twitter chat leader invites you to co-host and needs a bio for the promos? RESPOND.
And what do you do when one of your contacts asks for a high-resolution copy of your book cover? Let’s hear it from the tenors, now: RESPOND.

And, for the hundreds of other opportunities that might come your way? Let’s hear it in unison, loudly, for the people in the back… RESPOND, DAMMIT!!!

And Here's a 'Respond Dammit' Don't

And here’s what you shouldn’t do: DO NOT WAIT.

Believe me, I am well-aware of how busy a solo practitioner (aka indie author) can get. And, I promise you that I’ve dropped the ball on more occasions than I can count. That’s probably why I get so agitated about it: I hate to waste a good mistake.

What no longer works is an e-mail auto-responder — or slotting these things for “later, when I have time.” You’re not going to have more time later — and email is not where many of the requests will come from. (It is, however, useful for longer communications, such as the Q&A for an online interview, but more about that in another post.)

But... HOW to Give a Fast Response?

So how does a busy, perhaps traveling, author ensure she can respond? The answer, my friend, is in the cloud. Not only do I keep author photos, bios, and book covers on my desktop, but I’ve got them stashed in various locations in the cloud: on a private page of my website, in a documents folder in my iCloud, and in the DropBox folder I got along with my Amelia Indie Authors membership! (shameless plug).

Why does a fast response matter so much? As stated before, you’re busy. We know that. But so are the people making the request. And the longer it takes them to assemble the pieces they need to reference (or feature) you, the less of a priority you — and your beautiful book — become. And, if you sit in virtual limbo for long enough, the initial idea becomes untimely. Or irrelevant. And it takes more work to figure out how and what to do with you -- if anything. You’ve gone from an interesting addition to a mildly annoying loose end. And that’s surely not your intention. Or your wish.

So, how about looking at those requests as invitations? Invitations to a more grown-up, professional place in the writers' community; special invitations that come with an RSVP.

How about you just RESPOND, DAMMIT?

Mercy buttercups.

Not only does Andrea Patten speak some French, but she is our Director of Operations, currently tasked with keeping all of the plates spinning. In her "spare time," she does her level best to keep up with her dogs and -- gasp -- even with her own writing.

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