Is there too much focus on the book?

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Is there too much focus on the book?

(21 posts) (16 voices)

Started 2 years ago by GraveyardShift
Latest reply from klutzgrrl
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GraveyardShift
Member

I'm curious, has anyone else thought the book advertising has gone a little over the top?

I bought the book because I've enjoyed the blog so much. Now, though, I'm beginning to regret it because the blog seems to be all about promoting the book. I think the book is mentioned every couple of days, in addition to the direct link that's always hanging out on the right side of the page.

The book is a good resource with lots of information, but it's still obviously written like a blog, so I was hoping more emphasis would be placed on adding new material to the site. Maybe it's just me, though.

Posted 2 years ago #
sparkle
Member

I'm impatiently waiting for my copy of the book to arrive (it should have been here before Christmas but the revised delivery date from my 25th Nov order is now 13th Jan) so I'll soon let you know if it's worth all the promotion or not. Personally I just figured they were excited - I would be too if I had a book out! ;)

Posted 2 years ago #
Another Deb
Member

The book is an organizing tool, and represents Erin's system of organization. Other organizing tools and resources are promoted here, as are other peoples' books (Happiness Project, just today). This blog has reached a lot of people and this is the time of year that more will come searching for organizational help. Knowing that there is a book associated with the blog is a natural connection that needs to be made.

I designed a website for my classroom. It has all of the information I need students to know to be successful with MY system. I also refer to it a lot because it is the resource that keeps me from having to re-teach the basics endlessly. I put everything down in a step-by step manner,in a logical order,and based on the needs of my clientele, the kids.

Posted 2 years ago #
GraveyardShift
Member

Maybe sparkle is right and I just need to wait out the excitement phase. Blogs didn't exist when I wrote my first book, so I guess my perspective is a little dated. :)

Another Deb, I expected there to be a lot of attention for the book when it was published, and I think the image on the right side of the page is already a great way to associate the book with the website in the long-term. People who enjoy the blog posts will be naturally curious about what else they could learn by reading the book.

It's okay if it's just me, though. :) I noticed in the site archives that there are already about as many posts on the book as there have been about college life, or food, or pets. I guess I'll just check back in a few months to see if things have changed.

Posted 2 years ago #
zchristy
Member

I unsubscribed from the blog because it got out of hand. Clearly, this is Erin's website and should be a place for her to promote her book, but it was getting to be less about uncluttering and more about the book. Things have settled down, so I may resubscribe at some point.

Frankly, I'm not really interested in paying for a book to tell me how to unclutter. With all due respect, it seems like adding more clutter. The whole point of the exercise is to consume less and purge more, so this seems to defeat the purpose.

Posted 2 years ago #
Abeline
Member

It's not just you. I've gone from amused, to eye rolling, to downright annoyed at the constant commercials. I appreciate her position, but the site content is suffering for the endless plugs.

Posted 2 years ago #
Lehcarjt
Member

Ditto to what Abeline and zChristy said. The launch excitement (first week) & the advertising on the sidebar is fine. I know where I can find the book if I want it. All the rest is annoying.

Posted 2 years ago #
PJ Doland
Forum Admin

I really don't know what you folks mean by "constant commercials."

If you look through the last three weeks of posts, you'll notice there's been only one full post (on 12/28/09) that was aimed at promoting the book, or rather, an in-person book-related event (a book signing).

Other than that, the posting schedule hasn't changed from our typical holiday schedule.

Posted 2 years ago #
Linada
Member

Doland, the issue seems to not be the last 3 weeks. As zchristy said "Things have settled down". But all the book related stuff, followed by a reduced holiday scheduled has meant there was not that much, let's say, inspirational content.

Posted 2 years ago #
s
Member

IMHO, Unclutterer has been one of the few blogs that's still keeping my attention during this slow holiday period, when I actually have more time to follow it. It's a little less stellar than other times of year, but I'm a little surprised by all this whining. The book is very important to Erin and the whole blog and staff. I'm happy to say that I read it and was surprised to find that I already follow many of the recommendations, but there's always room for improvement. Anyway, as far as I can tell, the great Unclutterer staff is keeping up with regular posts and providing ADDITIONAl info that's related to book and forum stuff.

I say, Great Job. Happy New Year. Relax and appreciate and breathe a little. (Coming from someone who suffers from depression and is pretty cynical, I think that says something.)

Posted 2 years ago #
Erin Doland
Forum Admin

Just spotted this thread -- thought I'd add my two cents ...

Feel welcome to have your criticisms, but I feel that our behavior has been extremely appropriate. I'm not going to pretend that I don't want people to read the book, because I DO want people to read it. The book has the ability to transform people's lives -- why would I want to hide that under a bushel? Heck, I want to shout it from the roof tops. The reason Unclutterer exists is to be a resource for people looking to get rid of clutter and establish some organization in their lives. Sharing information about the book is exactly in line with our mission.

Additionally, just because one specific reader hasn't found things I've written in December to be inspirational doesn't mean that other people haven't. Not everyone has been reading this website for many weeks, months, or years. Learning about my book can be very important to a new visitor to the site who is swimming in clutter and needs a great deal of help. There are close to 100,000 people who read this website every day, and they are from all walks of the uncluttering process. We keep ALL of our readers in mind when we decide on content for a month, and we have different posts that speak to our different audiences.

Our website mission to share with others the benefits of an uncluttered life is not going to change. I will continue to provide as many resources as possible to our readers -- and that will include my book alongside of thousands of other tips, insights, and materials.

Posted 2 years ago #
Sky
Member

Erin, Unclutterer is a fantastic blog. Your book is fantastic as well. It is so down to earth and full of inspiration. Please keep doing what you do.

Posted 2 years ago #
Claycat
Member

If I had written a book, I'd be shouting from the rooftops! Erin, you go girl!

Posted 2 years ago #
charliepark
Member

As a datapoint, I haven't found the posting about the book bad at all. I'm not actually sure what you're talking about, zchristy / Abeline / etc.

As PJ noted, in three weeks, to have only one post (and that was regarding a meetup) about the book ... doesn't seem out of hand to me.

Posted 2 years ago #
Lehcarjt
Member

Food for thought:

The goal of the blog is clearly to help people, but (intentional or not) that isn’t the message that I’m getting when it comes to the sales pitches for the book. Perhaps I am too sensitive to the general hard sell of products on the internet. There is a line for me between ‘giving information’ and ‘trying to get my money’ and the moment a paypal link goes up, my defense mechanisms kick in. That is why I find myself rolling my eyes now when the topic comes up.

This may not be everyone’s experience, but it is definitely someone’s (several someone’s) and might be worth considering.

(The never-ending pitches for FlyLady products chased me away from there.)

Posted 2 years ago #
Lehcarjt
Member

P.S. The goal for me isn't to attack Erin. If I didn't like her I wouldn't be here in the 1st place. To me, this is feedback - although unsolicited.

Posted 2 years ago #
sherrybanarsi
Member

Erin, thanks for the reply and I completely agree. I can understand why people would feel this way in general, as I am personally averse to advertising myself, but I didn't think that Unclutterer ever went out of its way to promote the book excessively or unnecessarily. Besides, if I ever wrote a book it I would be excited too (and that goes for anyone else here, whether they admit it or not). Where else would you find promotion of a book if not the author's own website?

Posted 2 years ago #
Claycat
Member

Erin, I enjoyed seeing that video you sent us from your interview on WGN.

Posted 2 years ago #
Claycat
Member

I have something additional to share about this topic! I don't want to sound too preachy, but I feel like this needs to be said.

Keep in mind that this blog and forum were started by Erin. She is the one who has put the money and the work into them to keep them going. It requires a great deal of work to set this up and continue posting day after day. Even though it is something she enjoys doing, it is okay for her to be paid for her work, whether it is through monetizing her blog or writing a book to sell. A person has a right to advertise their book or their products on their blog.

Most of us have jobs we do everyday, whether we commute or telecommute. Some people stay home and paint or make pottery. Sure, they enjoy what they do, but it is work, and they deserve good pay if they produce a good product.

I am an artist. Something that has always amazed artists is the idea other people have that their work should be cheap or free, because they had so much fun producing it. Many people have the idea that most people who give pleasure and beauty to others should do so out of the goodness of their hearts. Just remember that artists need to eat and pay mortgages or rent, too!

So, for any of you who have found a creative and fun way to make a living, more power to you!

Thanks!

Posted 2 years ago #
Catrien
Member

Actually, it's even more interesting. I entered a comment on on of the 'plug' posts to this effect (that there were fewer tips etc. than plugs). The comment was not abusive or whatever, but it was removed (!).

Wonder whether this one will stay.

And I agree, the last few weeks have been better.

Posted 2 years ago #

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