Did This Old Dog Learn Any New Tricks?

In January, I posted a blog proclaiming that I was going to spend this year learning about digital marketing. Did I?

I learned that e-marketing has different goals than old-school, hard copy advertising. I learned that digital marketing is a 24/7 activity and that I would need to diligently post every day on multiple sites to build my network. I learned that young people I hired as consultants did a great job, but I needed a dictionary to understand what they were saying about cyber business. I learned that I really don’t like digital marketing. But, I did find my way through the haze.

I posted (not as often as I should have) and I liked and I commented. I joined sites and organizations. I used hashtags! Until quarantine set in, I attended meetings. After that, I Zoomed in. I still don’t like this phase of marketing. However, my book sales are up.

I had my website revamped and added a direct sales component. I set up an Etsy market. I offered books autographed by Herbert Clark himself and even had a Herbert doll created for maximum cuddling. But…I’m still not liking this 24/7 digital world.

2020 presented us all with endless surprises and missteps. I worked at navigating them, too. In my first year of retirement, I did indeed learn new things. Some, like where to buy masks to match my outfits, I hope I never have to use again. Others, like messaging with fellow writers, are exciting new opportunities. I heard from so many readers who loved my stories. In all, I am encouraged. I did learn some new tricks and I intend to put them (and others to come) to good use.