Marketing Ideas

[Jess]

Hope it's okay to start this thread on marketing. Francine and I have been talking about promotion and felt like we should move the discussion to a new thread. So... please join in.

Back years ago, bookmarks and booksignings were the way to go with marketing, as well as TV and radio interviews. Now, there are so many other ways: blogs, websites, one blogger interviewing another author/blogger, guest blogging, speaking, and dozens more. My head is spinning! If I ever sell another book, I wonder if I'll be able to promote to that extent. Do I WANT to? I know it's necessary these days... but I find myself dreading it.:(

Want to talk about marketing?:D
jess

[patches]

I decided to try self-publishing and my head has spun so much my hair looks like crop circles!

Seriously, I've got a freind who is pushing and pushing me to get into book peddling. The kind that requires that you spend tons of money on copies and travel expenses and then requires you to sit in people's bookstores and sign books till you have carpel tunnel syndrome. I just am not up for it. I would prefer to stay home and write.

I'm going to take the easy way out. I figure my motive for writing is because I enjoy it, not because I want to get rich so I will start with making sure all of the forums I belong to have my site link in my sig. That my email has a link and a promo of some sort and if I do happen to write articles for ezines or some such I will make sure I get a free ad.

That's all I can afford write now.

Steph

[DrRita]

I'm not a sales person, marketing expert or promoter. Heck, I'm not even very outgoing. I don't care for crowds, mingling, spending hours concocting marketing plans and sales ideas. :o I like to spend most of my time alone doing writer things; writing, developing ideas, reading and such. However, these days writing a book proposal is more like writing a business plan than pitching a story idea. The agent/editor want to know your marketing stratedgy. It scares me because I've never been a good sales person and I fear because of that, I'll fail as a writer, not because I can't write but because I can't sell. :(

I know there are many writers out there that are the same boat as I am and need someone to come alongside and give a hand. I've often said if I had to earn a living as either an accountant or a sales person, I'd have starved to death long ago. So does anyone have any solutions for those of us who are not lazy, just :eek: at the prospect of promotion and sales?

[edmmom]

Dr. Rita,
Although, I haven't sold anything yet as far as writing is concerned, I have worked in sales a little. However, I think the same principals of sales applies not only to merchindise but also to selling our written material to publishers. I was most successful in sells when I chose not to use the routine sells pitch, but like David when he defeated Goliath, to don the clothing I was most comfortable in. Those clothes I wore were honesty, humbleness, love, humor, and my passion for the product. But the most important garment was my faith in My Father, who ultimately is in control and to whom I give all the glory. With Him, I have no need to fear. The worst that can happen is I get a no. (Believe me, I have my share of rejections from articles I've submitted.) But, a no is not a negative thing if we use that no to re-evaluate how we could make a better presentation. Eventually, the nos will turn to yeses, for all we have to do is to follow Our Father, trust in Him Completely, and persist in sharing His Gospel. This is what I use to remind myself each time I'm tempted with fear of the unknown of the publishing world.

[BrotherDave]

I'm looking at future book promotion with much fear and trembling as well. So, I've decided to take it one step at a time. My first victory will be to get one of my books in my church book store. After that...we'll see.

brotherdave

[Jess]

I share your feelings. I share ALL of your feelings. I can remember sitting at my first booksigning feeling like a fool, wondering who I thought I was to be sitting there like the guest of honor. I'm not very aggressive, in fact, quite shy. If you see me at a writer's conference, I'll be sitting alone or standing on the edge of a crowd. But I realize it can't be this way if I'm seriously wanting to write, sell, promote more books. I'm a loner too, Dr. Rita... I'd much rather be here in my little house, in my little office, than out in the real world peddling my books. And I sure don't want to do a TV or radio interview. But we have to put those things in our proposals, don't we? We have to tell the pub company we're willing. arghhhhhhhhhhh

Since I'm coming from a secular writing background... I'm having to relearn everything. In the secular market, editors would have trashed a ms. coming in a pink binder with flowers decorating it... I find that the inspirational houses don't have a problem with that kind of presentation. Weird to me.

When I was a realtor, I practiced being fair, honest, all those other things. After 5 years of selling real estate, I realized that the majority of the public prefers AGGRESSIVE realtors, not soft-spoken, fair, honest, trying-to-be-Christ-like realtors. Aggressiveness in a realtor makes a customer feel safe and feel as though that realtor knows her business.

I say this because... I've shared some booksignings with other writers. It's the aggressive writers who sell the most books. LOL

Is there hope for the shy writer/marketer? Hey, I think there's a book out for shy writers... can't remember the author though.
jess

[writegirl1949]

There is a lot to marketing and yes, I think we are forced to think about and plan BEFORE we even submit to a publisher. The publishing business is a tough one and I suppose those BIG publishing houses need to be shown why we think our book would make them money.

I chose a small publisher for a lot of reasons although, I'd previously developed a proposal for the University of Arizona Press which required much of what you were talking about, Dr. Rita. While they turned down the fiction proposal, they asked if I was interested in doing a non-fiction book on deaths in the desert. After some prayer, I graciously turned that down. Anyway, like I said, I submitted to a small publisher knowing I'd need to be involved in the marketing and promoting of the book.

I have an extensive background in that sort of thing. And, I LIKE talking to people, speaking in front of folks, and all that stuff. I've done radio interviews (for other things) and am quite comfortable, especially when I'm talking about something I believe in.

Anyway, a couple of things on marketing. One of the BEST things I did was purchase, "Guerilla Marketing for Writers." It's a great book, chock full of lots of ideas that range from virtually no cost to more expensive things.

I do plan on using bookmarks and postcards (when I get back to Arizona). I was accepted as a featured author in the High Desert Crimes Book Fair that will be held in March and we've got authors from Colorado and California attending (sponsered through the Sisters in Crime organization and the local library). There will be booksignings and presentations and I plan to really use this to kickoff promoting "Death in the Desert." The organizers will do lots of publicity (which I won't have to pay for) and so I hope to supplement that when I can.

I've develped a list of local and regional news outlets and plan on contacting, via email, reporters that have previously covered the topic of illegal immigrants ... looking mostly for those I feel are sympathetic BUT I'm not adverse to those who aren't. Let's face it, controversy sells. LOL.

Anyway, as I begin this major marketing campaign, I'll share what works and what doesn't. The thing is, I'm doing it one step at a time. I know there are lots of ways to promote the book but I'm focusing first on the regional areas where people are experiencing some of what happens in the book.

I guess it goes without saying that a good website is a big help. I beleive blogs help as well.

I hope others will share what works and what doesn't as well.

Blessings, Francine

[Keith Wallis]

I'm with DrRita, by nature shy, introverted, almost have a preference to be a HERMIT (or so the wife says)! Then I find I'm in a senior position on our church leadership team (and have been for 20 years or more) - God must really have a warped sense of humour. Maybe there's a parallel there for writers, maybe not.
Anyway if your'e a good writer why should that mean you have to be a good marketer - maybe there is a place for ChristianMarketers.com !!!!
Keith

[DrRita]

Most writer's (I think we did a personality profile somewhere on this forum) are introverts by nature. We have to be to spend those huge blocks of time alone writing. Many of us are shy and reserved, preferring our privacy. But like most people, we can do what we have to when called to do it. I started dancing when I was four and learned early in my life how to be in the public eye. As a public speaker/pastor, I have no problem getting up in front of crowds or meeting people, or speaking or whatever. No, we can do it if we must.

Having been in retail sales most of my career, my adversion is not so much fear or apprehension about meeting people and getting out there, I just hate sales. My last job with a coporate chain was so much about numbers, profits and the "bottom line" figures, about boosting sales, selling the customer unneeded extras and promotial gimmicks that I couldn't wait to get out of there. You may ask why all of that was so repugnant if I was in retail sales? Well, I was a licensed optician and healthcare professional; not a sales person. When I began my professional career, the focus was serving the patient, but in the late 1980's that all changed and the focus became selling the product. I had spent a lot of time and money getting where I was and couldn't just walk away. Anyway, when I think of having to reenter that world of numbers, promotions, sales strategies and the like, I want to run!!

So I have to reprogram my mind and remember my efforts are not for the corporation but for me and the Lord's glory. I know when the time comes to do that, it will be just fine.

I love that, Keith--ChristianMarkerters.com!

Thanks, Francine, for the tip on the book. And I'll be doubly blessed to have you nearby. ;)

Edmom, thanks for the encouragment. I know that God is able when we are not and I appreciate your words of reminder. !thumbsup!

Jess, thanks for starting this thread. I have been avoiding the issue and guess I needed to face the facts. :cool:

[ellenjames]

This is a great thread!

And it is necessary. If we want to get our books/writings to our audience, sadly we have to do some marketing! I'm not up to that either. My personality bent is to serve people rather than convince them to buy something. (I've tried marketing health products and wasn't successful.)

Dr. Rita wrote that if one believes in something strongly, one overcome their fears. But I certainly agree -- I'd rather be writing or creating, rather than selling.
Ellenjames

[patches]

Yeah, Christianmarketers.com sounds like something that is needed out there. Maybe we should all start praying for God to provide it????

[mikeratliff]

When I wrote my first book I felt led by God to do so. The work is a non-fiction book about personal revival. Anyway, I completed it before I ever thought about who would publish it. Marketing never entered my mind.

After I completed my manuscript I started looking for a publisher. I put out some feelers to some self-publishing companies who were all eager to do it for $$$$. I tried to submit to AMG Publishers, Nelson, Zondervan, Tyndale and Crossway only to find that they don't want manuscripts. They want proposals and marketing strategies. Some suggested I hire an agent. I was more than a little discouraged. I sent my manuscript to my current publisher who agreed to give it a shot. The rub is that they do NO marketing. They expect the author to do all of the leg work. However, I am not geared that way at all. I am a Bible teacher. I can speak and write and teach, but not market.

The best strategy for marketing the non-fiction books like I write is to write articles and get them posted in the high profile blogs. I haven't done that yet, but I will submit a couple of my articles to one soon. On the other hand I am thinking about starting my own blog with links back to my web site. I have never set one up before, but it doesn't look too hard. The deal, as I see it, is to have quality content on dynamically changing schedule.

I found one on like that I liked not long ago, but the people running it haven't updated the blog since before Thanksgiving. That isn't what I'm looking for.

Just some rambling thoughts. I'd be interested if anyone here has done any exposure strategies like that before.:)

Mike Ratliff
www.mikeratliff.com

[Jess]

I think marketing ourselves is as important as marketing our books. I've heard of the book Francine mentioned, but I haven't bought it. There's another marketing book by Carmen Leal. If you google her name, you can go to her website. She has some marketing tips there too & you can learn the name of her book.

I've also found Marita Littauer's CLASServices a big help. She has some cassettes that I listen to over and over and over again: Speaking & Writing like a Hand in a Glove, Creating a profitable product for Pennies and Talking so People will Listen to name three. She gives great instruction on how to set up a speaking ministry to promote yourself and your books & products. Lots of good stuff. But the sound of her voice -- so upbeat and energetic-- really gets me in gear to think and write and speak. Marita is also in charge of the Glorieta writers conference.

When I was a realtor, I'd leave my card in restaurants and coffee shops. My husband and I created cards with a scripture and an invitation to our church and leave them with tips, etc. I see no reason we can't do that with our books and websites. You can make your own cards easily or you can get them from Vistaprint for free -- except for postage. But be warned...when you order from Vistaprint, they may look pretty on one side, but on the other side they have "Business Cards are FREE at www.vistaprint.com I didn't know that until I ordered about 1000. LOL I felt a little bit cheap! So now, I make my own. I have a friend who does all her own promotion. She creates her own bookmarks and business cards, etc. She puts a card or bookmark in EVERY piece of mail that goes out of her house. That means... people who get her water bill or electric bill, also get a bookmark, they know the name of her book, that they're dealing with a pubbed author... believe me, they don't throw that bookmark away.
I know we need to put as much thought into our marketing as we do our writing...
and it's more difficult for some of us than it is for others.

I know one trick to marketing is. . . never, never meet a stranger. :D
Blessings,
Jess

[Jean Ann]

I absolutely LOVE marketing. I have studied it and read everything I can get my hands on about marketing. I try to use as many of the tools as possible but in a context that works well for the situation. As implied by the word itself, you have to know the types of approaches that your market is willing to use before you apply it to your strategy. For example, if your audience is younger, you want to use the internet more in order to reach them. Some audiences prefer a face to face approach with book signings and presentations.

You find these days most publishing houses, big and small, do not market their authors. Money is too tight to expend it in this area. Authors end up frustrated because they do not know how to begin marketing themselves. Perhaps this is why we created a company that not only assists our authors with their marketing but then offers them training sessions, in conferences and seminars to teach additional ways to personalize their marketing.

The bottom line is this: If you really believe in your message and want to share it with as many people as possible, then you need to develop a marketing plan that gets the word out to your audience. If this overwhelms you or you need some guidance, let me know. I am willing to help.

[writegirl1949]

I have to agree with Jean. And yes, Jess is right ... we need to have B & B's ... lol, bookmarks and business cards. I've heard of the same strategy of putting one or the other in everything that goes out in the mail. I think that is doubly important in your home town, especially if your book is set in that location. I'm toying with magnets. I always pick up magnets and the nicer ones end up on my fridge. When I need some service or product, I glance there to see if I have a magnet. Has anyone had any experience with magnets?

I've been reading the posts and thinking about our "reclusive" natures. Yes, I do have one. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been happy sitting over here in Germany with no car and living in a small farming community (my choice, by the way). I loved the solitude.

But, and I know some aren't going to like this, I have to look at my writing and ask myself, "If this is what God is having me do, what then do I do? Scripture says we are not to hide our light under a basket. True, it doesn't mean that you spend one-hundred percent of your time marketing. But don't we, as writers of the Truth, have a responsibility to work towards marketing our work.

Yes, we may not like being out there. But there are people in this world who need to hear (read) whatever message God has laid on your heart. It's sort of like the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:15-30. I'm not saying everyone is to be a super-marketer and we each have individual strengths and weaknesses. What I am saying is that we need to look and see what we can do rather than what we can't. Even if it is only doing the B & B thing, it's a start.

Okay, now I'll step down off my soap box and go back to my corner. LOL.

The bottom line, there's so much talent here in this group and if God has gifted you with writing, then there are people waiting to hear the message.

Blessings, Francine

[Jess]

Great comments, Francine. And speaking of magnets. While visiting my daughter in Baton Rouge this week, I saw a magent on her 'frig. It stated:
DON'T FORGET! and named some event that's happening in the future, the date and time. The magnet was right at eye level so when you grip the freezer compartment door, you have to read it... this idea appealed to me. I could see my own magnet informing all of you of my book title & release date. Even if you don't go out and buy it right that minute... you'll have the title and my name, maybe the ISBN # - who knows, so you can pick it up later. I've made my own magnets before - when I was a realtor. Fun and simple.

A couple of years ago when I listened to the Marita Littaur tapes, and getting so pumped with energy I could hardly sit still, she stated not to worry: that we weren't going to become a speaker one day and get a phone call out of the blue the next to come speak. Well, I beg to differ. It happened to me-- sort of. A friend in Houston called to invite me to her writer's group. In the course of the conversation, she said, "I don't know if you ever speak to groups, but if you do.. ." Since just the day before I'd been listening to the Littaur tapes, I figured God had some interesting plan for me so I told her I'd speak. And it was soooooooo much fun! Oddly enough, a few months later, we were losing our Sunday School/Bible study leader on Sunday mornings. No one wanted to replace her. NO ONE including me:mad: --yet everyone wanted to keep the small intimate class going. I prayed that morning while getting ready for church that if God wanted me to teach that class until we could find a REAL teacher, He'd have some one SPECIFICALLY ask ME. Do you know... the phone rang 10 minutes later with a friend from N.O. calling. She had intended to leave a message, knowing I'd be in SS. I told her I was moving slow, feeling down because we were losing our teacher. She said... WHY DON'T YOU TEACH THE CLASS? Can I tell you the chills I got?:confused: Did God really want ME to teach? He did and I did - for about 2 months.

All of this to say... All we have to do is ask God what he wants us to do, how he wants us to market our work... what he wants us to write... Put it all in His very capable hands. He'll provide everything: the courage, the contacts. All of it.

I wonder why I worry about silly things:rolleyes: ... all I have to do is ask God to take care of it. :-)
I should let him be in charge of all my strengths and weaknesses...instead, I try to wrestle with him and keep them for myself ... just so I can worry or fail.:o
Dumb me!
I promise- if I ever sell another book, God is in charge of the marketing!
jess

[Jean Ann]

Jess:

Marita will be thrilled you took her message so much to heart. Even she has stories of people who took CLASS one day and were booked a day later. So it does happen, not often but it does.

[Jess]

Marita will be thrilled you took her message so much to heart.

Hi Jean Ann... I'm guilty of taking everything Marita says to heart. :D I'm a Marita fan. I may have mentioned that her voice energizes me; I love listening to her tapes. She gets my creative juices flowing. I would love to attend the Glorieta conference but can't swing it. Maybe it's for the best - I find once I get to a conference where all my "heros" are gathered ... my mind goes completely blank and I can't think of a word to say to anyone. :confused: Not one word! So much for pitching books, huh?

BTW, I think I learned about Simple Joy from a Marita post or through CLASServices. I've been enjoying it for a couple of years now. . .!thumbsup! Or maybe longer. Time flies pretty fast anymore.
jess

[writegirl1949]

Jess ... all I'll say is amen

No ... wait:p -- you said it much better than I did. I agree.

Blessings, Francine

[jvdoles]

Even if you find a publisher for your book, it will be up to you to get out and market it. Your book will sell only as long as you are out selling it.

The internet offers plenty of opportunities even for self-published authors. Blogs, home pages, pages that post your articles. With the Amazon Advantage program, you can get your book up on Amazon. You can get your own website and feature your book there.

You can talk it up wherever you go. If you got out speaking or teaching, that certainly is an opportunity to move some books. Book signings are still good for getting out with the book-reading public.

Getting your book into bookstores may not necessarily be the best way to sell your books. There may be some non-bookstores that would carry your title.

Here's a couple of books that might be helpful:


Guerrilla Marketing for Writers: 100 Weapons for Selling Your Work by Jay Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman ad Michael Larsen
The Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book by Dan Poynter

[patches]

Hubby came up with an awesome idea the other day. I was telling him that I needed some good reviews for the back of my bookcover and he suggested an old friend who runs the Came to Believe retreats.

We've gone to a couple of them.

I had forgotten that they have book tables at the retreats. I also forgot that the retreats are held all over the world and they love guest speakers.

So, I am sending him a copy of my book to review and pray that he at least suggests it for the book table. And I don't really have a problem with speaking. I've given my testimony in jail, treatment facilities and mental hospitals.

[writegirl1949]

Keith and Patches:

Thanks for the input. I am interested in getting my book up on Amazon. Anyone have any advice or how their advantage program works? Is it "user friendly?"

I think connections on the internet are one of the "least painful" ways to get exposure for your book -- and I think that helps those who don't enjoy being out there. I know it's helped me tremendously.

I'd forgotten about the book tables, too. Thanks for the suggestions.
!thumbsup!
Blessings, Francine

[Debtfree]

When I wrote my first book I felt led by God to do so. The work is a non-fiction book about personal revival. Anyway, I completed it before I ever thought about who would publish it. Marketing never entered my mind.

After I completed my manuscript I started looking for a publisher. I put out some feelers to some self-publishing companies who were all eager to do it for $$$$. I tried to submit to AMG Publishers, Nelson, Zondervan, Tyndale and Crossway only to find that they don't want manuscripts. They want proposals and marketing strategies. Some suggested I hire an agent. I was more than a little discouraged. I sent my manuscript to my current publisher who agreed to give it a shot. The rub is that they do NO marketing. They expect the author to do all of the leg work. However, I am not geared that way at all. I am a Bible teacher. I can speak and write and teach, but not market.

The best strategy for marketing the non-fiction books like I write is to write articles and get them posted in the high profile blogs. I haven't done that yet, but I will submit a couple of my articles to one soon. On the other hand I am thinking about starting my own blog with links back to my web site. I have never set one up before, but it doesn't look too hard. The deal, as I see it, is to have quality content on dynamically changing schedule.

I found one on like that I liked not long ago, but the people running it haven't updated the blog since before Thanksgiving. That isn't what I'm looking for.

Just some rambling thoughts. I'd be interested if anyone here has done any exposure strategies like that before.:)

Mike Ratliff
www.mikeratliff.com
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike,

Thanks for the tip. I, too, need to start writing articles to get my writing out and my site in others view.

My first book was printed with Morris Publishing. Found their address etc. in an issue of Charisma Mag. I printed 800 copies, but have given away most of them. Still have around 500 copies left.

When I began the adventure, I knew very little about ads on-line and forums etc. I am doing a bit better now. Have believed the Lord for the money to publish/advertise. Thinking of publishing 2nd book with lulu.com at first and then move up as sales progress.

I'm not out to make a million with a book but would like to use my writing as a spring board into full time ministry to inclued writing/publishing regularly. I work presently as a registered nurse...pay is good and I get to minister at work to my patients, but I really want to be doing more teaching of the Word of God and writing.

That is my vision!

Debtfree!thumbsup!

[Naomi Musch]

This is a wonderful thread; a topic I've been thinking of starting and here it is! I'm a timid marketer as well, and I've only just begun. To help me "move my feet" I've tried to make it my goal to try and least one or two new ideas per week. (Initially it was one per day, but that just didn't happen consistently.) This might mean finding one new place to get my website linked to or one new place to leave a business card. I'm pretty slow at this in general, but by keeping at it with baby steps, I hope to keep myself going.
Naomi
www.naomimusch.com

[Jean Ann]

Most publishers, even the major houses, do little or no marketing these days. That is why the marketing section of your proposal is so important.

The 2 most important words in publishing today are marketing and platform. How do you plan to market your book and do you have a ready made audience for it?

More than blogs or websites or any other marketing, public speaking is what sells books. If you write non-fiction, you should seriously consider speaking on your topic if you are not already doing so.

You should also put together a strong media kit. If you are writing non-fiction, then you consider yourself an expert on the subject. Create a kit that demonstrates your expertise.

I am putting together the finishing touches on our writers' conference. Marketing and promotion are 2 of the big topics we are discussing so I have been working on both of this topics a lot recently.

If anyone wants more information, just let me know. Unlike many publishers, we not only market our authors, we train them to market themselves.

[Naomi Musch]

Jean,
So if your book is fiction (mine is historical fiction / romance) how would you suggest finding or arranging speaking opportunities? I can see how it would be very important, but can it work for fiction?
Naomi
www.naomimusch.com

[BrotherDave]

I suppose you want a real audience not a fictional one...he he he....

I would look for groups and orgainizations of people that would relate your historical setting....such as if it was civil war book I'd look for civil war buffs to talk to.
I'd google "civil war organizations" and then start making some calls.

brotherdave

[patches]

Even if you find a publisher for your book, it will be up to you to get out and market it. Your book will sell only as long as you are out selling it.

The internet offers plenty of opportunities even for self-published authors. Blogs, home pages, pages that post your articles. With the Amazon Advantage program, you can get your book up on Amazon. You can get your own website and feature your book there.

You can talk it up wherever you go. If you got out speaking or teaching, that certainly is an opportunity to move some books. Book signings are still good for getting out with the book-reading public.

Getting your book into bookstores may not necessarily be the best way to sell your books. There may be some non-bookstores that would carry your title.

Here's a couple of books that might be helpful:


Guerrilla Marketing for Writers: 100 Weapons for Selling Your Work by Jay Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman ad Michael Larsen
The Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book by Dan Poynter


I've got a book that Dan wrote the foreward to, "The Economical Guide to Self-Publishing: How to Produce and Market Your Book on a Tight Budget", by Linda Foster Radke

It's pretty good and it is published by five-star publications which is a self-publishing outfit.

Steph

[yetsirah]

I will have to agree with writegirl1949. I am in advertising and precisely because of this I extremely dislike marketing. But what I have come to learn over time is that, that too is a part of the ministry. Signing books is only that if you are in it for the dough. But signing books is an oppurtunity to share face-to-face what God is doing and wanting ministered if we look at it that way. Otherwise, He could have just made us all with computers, printers, and chairs built in. And we wouldn't need a face. (Hope you follow that, it's a visual :) ) Basically, if God hadn't intended "marketing" neither Judaism nor Christianity would have progressed anywhere. If we look at it as a ministering function then we can allow ourselves out of our batcaves to bring God's message of shalom (wholeness/peace) to the world.

yetsirah

[patches]

I will have to agree with writegirl1949. I am in advertising and precisely because of this I extremely dislike marketing. But what I have come to learn over time is that, that too is a part of the ministry. Signing books is only that if you are in it for the dough. But signing books is an oppurtunity to share face-to-face what God is doing and wanting ministered if we look at it that way. Otherwise, He could have just made us all with computers, printers, and chairs built in. And we wouldn't need a face. (Hope you follow that, it's a visual :) ) Basically, if God hadn't intended "marketing" neither Judaism nor Christianity would have progressed anywhere. If we look at it as a ministering function then we can allow ourselves out of our batcaves to bring God's message of shalom (wholeness/peace) to the world.

yetsirah

Have you seen that old Ziggy poster, where Ziggy is up on the mountain top and a hand comes down out of the clouds and thunking him in the back of the head?

That's what you just did to me, LOL!

Steph

[Scepter]

I know of a little publisher in Newberg, Oregon. Many of the professors at George Fox University use them to publish their creative works. I am sure that they would be happy to review your works.

I have never worked directly with them, but have posted reviews on their website. Check them out...maybe they can help you get published.

https://www.barclaypress.com/infodesk/pub-focus.html

[Naomi Musch]

I've found some good tips in "How to Publish Your Novel" by Ken Atchity published in 2005
(ISBN 0-7570-0049-5 www.squareonepublishers.com.) He covers a wide range of topics for novel and other writers including: developing a marketing plan, obtaining endorsements, creating a publicity packet, making personal appearances, and offbeat (guerilla) marketing tactics. It seems, so far, like a well done book both for beginning writers and for those who've published and are now wading through the bog of marketing their material.
Naomi Musch
"The Casket Girl"
www.naomimusch.com

[kriswrite]

I, too, am a quiet person who hates sales. But I do find that I don;'t mind radio interviews. I can do them in my own home (in my robe and slippers, if I like!), with notes (if I need them), and often on a day I choose. It's not so bad.

I also make sure to send press releases to all my local papers. Often, they'll call and interview me for a larger story.

I love the idea of including business cards or bookmarks with every piece of mail...and leaving them with tips, too. Great idea!

Magnets might be expensive. You can print lovely ones at home, but I think the "paper" for them is about $5 for 12 magnets. You might be able to have them printed elsewhere cheaper.

Kristina
www.kristinaseleshanko.com

[patches]

Walmart has a stack of magnets, business sized, with adhesive on the back. You're supposed to take your business card and stick it on there.

Could get the cheap $9.99 business card deal and put some of them on the magnets. In the store where we are at, they are located under the shelf with the index cards and stuff (bottom shelf), not in the section with envelopes and paper.

Steph

[AngelAzariah]

_____Ok, over half an hour worth of reading in this thread, and that's if you have a deskbot doing it for you. Interesting things said to be sure. I found that busness cards were a waist of my time. I just never get out of the house, and I pay my bills electronicly.
_____I bought a thousand bookmarks and I've gotten them into librarys, and my father in law handed them out on his bus routs. Don't know if it did any good. I'm not so sure I would do that again.
_____As for blogging, I don't but someone I work with does. I keep an eye on their incoming traffic and who refers them to their site. I've yet to see that the blog brought anyone to their site in a four month period of time.
_____However, I've gotten a few hits from other people's blogs. I guess people don't want to go to another site of your writen work, or something like that. For me I have more important work to do than keep an eye on a blog full of random blahs that I felt like writing. Besides, I seem to do that enough here.
_____Now how about some things that work! :D
_____If you get some of your written work into online mags, you will get hits. It's not something to turn your nose from. Even I'm concidering trying to get my work into a few places. I may even write some more short stories to do so.
_____I also went out and started adding myself to lists of links. That seems to bring in one new reader a month. It didn't take me long, and it did do something.
_____Presenting your work seems to be key too. If you don't have a little five hundred or less word discription of your work (I would recomened something shorter that that) you need to get to work on that. People want to know what you write, but they really don't want to liston to you stumble around in your presentation. I'm guilty of that and so I know. ;)
_____Haveing a link at the end of each of my e-mails didn't seem to help much. Having a link with each of my posts has a bit.
_____Now for something that should be obvius. Get a web site, a real one. What good is it letting people know who you are if they don't have a place that is their link to you?
_____In the past your I've had 8031 visets to my site. I peeked at 95 people in one day. These people don't really come from search enguins. I get maybe ten hits a month from dumb search things like google. The real people dropping in already know my place and have it bookmarked, or they come from places like Christianwriters.com , or hisart777.blogspot.com , or theswordreview.com/contents.php .
_____People linking to you and impressing apon those they know that you are worth the time seems to be the most important thing. I'm very thankful for the exsposure that so many others gave me without me even asking.
_____That's how pormoting has worked out for me. I feel better now you know, 8031 visets, that means a year worth of work wasn't a waist of my time. Placing my whole book online wasn't a waist of my time.
_____I need to get some of my work in DKA I think. Maybe even get back ahold of that editor and tell him I didn't convince 1,000 people to buy my book, but I have hundreds drop by my site per month. If only my guest book was more impressive. :rolleyes:
_____Keep your lovely feet trecking everyone.

[MsSherry]

Jean,
So if your book is fiction (mine is historical fiction / romance) how would you suggest finding or arranging speaking opportunities? I can see how it would be very important, but can it work for fiction?
Naomi
www.naomimusch.com


Hi Hope this is helpful:)

You might try contacting your local historical museum or genealogy museum. In the last few months, there have been a few authors speak and sign books at museums in my area(it's a very small area). There have been both fiction and non-fiction books promoted this way. The books took place or were about events in this area. Some of the authors were from quite a distance, so maybe you could contact a historical society or museum in the area where you book takes place. Just a thought.

I'm not sure about this idea, but what about contacting colleges/universities and checking with the English/History/Creative Writing... classes to see if they might need a guest speaker and see if you could offer your book in the campus bookstore? I don't know if they send out invitations or are open to requests when it comes to guest lecturers--might depend on the school??

Oh well, that last one was just me thinking to myself--HEHEHEHe:D

[love2write]

Hello All,

Marketing is getting your book out to readers. Promotion is building a name. This is the formula to use once you get published. There are ways to do this without spending a lot of money, traveling, or exhausting yourself and your finances. Most marketing and promotion can be done right from home, and should not cut into your time doing what you would rather do...write.

Several years ago when my first novel was published, I had little knowlege about marketing. So, I set out to learn the ropes. Once I started gathering some good information, I decided to share it, and began writing a marketing/promotion newsletter called Stepping Stones. It has been circulating for three years now. I include marketing ideas, promotion tips, useful links for writers, book reviewers, literary agent information, and more.

If I had to narrow it down the one thing that is most important I would say to begin on the local level.

Here is a list of basic things to do to start you off. I first want to stress that marketing and promotion takes time. It is like a snowball rolling down a hill. It takes some time to get things really moving. Just don’t get discouraged. Enjoy the fact you are a published author. It is wonderful, if you keep a positive outlook.

The basics are:

1. CREATE A FLYER FOR YOUR BOOK. On the front have your book cover. Inside the flyer have a brief synopsis, any review blurbs if you have, and ordering information.

2. BOOKMARKERS with your book cover and all your information (title, author, isbn, websites, your email). You can make these from your computer and print them out on heavy card stock paper.
Make new and exciting bookmarkers that have a holiday flavor. Instead of putting all my book covers on the front, I have put beautiful Christmas card scenes for the Holidays, then below that, my book information. I make bookmarkers for every major holiday season of the year. Carry these with you everywhere you go, and give them out to people you meet, the clerk at the bank or grocery store, at the doctor’s office, your hair salon . . . .
You can make your own bookmarkers right off your computer, or have a local printer print them for you.
Ask local libraries if you can put a stack of them at the desk for readers to pick up. This may make a reader be interested enough that they request your book through the library, or they will buy your book.

I find that bookmarkers seem to attract attention much more so than business cards. A bookmarker says BOOK! AUTHOR! A business card says, 'business'. I believe, too, that people look at a free bookmarker as a kind of gift from the author. Be sure you sign them.

3. BUSINESS CARDS: You can make these at home as well. Include your name, website, and email address. Use your business card for networking.

4. SOLICIT AN INTERVIEW WITH YOUR LOCAL NEWSPAPER. Call them and introduce yourself, or send an email with a cover letter, brief synopsis of your book, your book cover, and if you have any reviews send the links.

5. VISIT YOUR LIBRARY WITH BOOK IN HAND. Make yourself available to them for signings, talks, and workshops. Libraries love local authors. I live in Frederick, Maryland, and my library system has been my biggest supporter. I have had several book signings in their branches and met with the book clubs. My library has been very quick to promote me, Elizabeth Peters, and my cousin Nora Roberts.

6. QUERY BOOK REVIEWERS. Your publisher should be willing to send out review copies. When you query reviewers, include a brief synopsis of your book. Tell them they can either request a hardcopy of the book or an electronic file, and that they can request a review copy from your publisher. There are a lot of wonderful book review websites.

7. CREATE AN EMAIL SIGNATURE: An email signature personalizes your correspondance. It should include your website url. This way every time you send mail out, people will see your website, and it will prompt them to visit it, especially people who have never seen it before. An email signature can easily be created on your computer. It will automatically appear each time you send out email.

11. CREATE A LETTERHEAD FOR SNAIL MAIL: A letterhead shows professionalism.

Hope this has helped. If anyone wishes to receive Stepping Stones (its sent out by email and is free) simply email me at rpkg@erols.com and request it.

Sincerely,
Rita Gerlach
Author of Historical Fiction
Editor of Stepping Stones / e-newsletter for writers focusing on marketing, promotion, and writing
Interview with Craig Hart: http://www.craighart.net/Author Pages/ritagerlach.htm

[patches]

I went back to walmart and got a pack of those magnets. I noticed this time that there were two different styles, one is in the shape of a house and had some kind of short saying at the top about quality or something.

The other is in the shape of a business card. There are 25 magnets per pack and the cost was below $4. I believe it was $3.29 or so. Hubby has the reciept right now.

They have a url too.

www.magnacard.com

[kriswrite]

I think something we should all consider is exactly what we want to accomplish through marketing: Sales to editors? Letting readers know about our new works? Gaining new readership? Etc. Because how successful we perceive our marketing to be will be directly related to our goals.

For example, if I want book editors to be able to turn to my website to learn more about me, it really isn't useful to include chapters from unpublished novels on my website. On the other hand, if I want readers to go out and buy my latest book, an excerpt is really important.

Kristina
www.kristinaseleshanko.com

[wgjones3]

Marketing is getting your book out to readers. Promotion is building a name.

So true. Those two functions are entirely different beasts and looked at as such in the business community. Good post. !thumbsup!

[Merry]

Whoa...Rita, REALLY excellent post!

[Debtfree]

Yeah, Christianmarketers.com sounds like something that is needed out there. Maybe we should all start praying for God to provide it????

Patches,

I know of one group that is doing just that: Christian Authors' Promotional Alliance (CAPA). I am planning to become a member soon.

Perhaps all of us on this forum should work together to promote each others writings like link exchanges etc.

Anyone interested. I am...I have a links page on my site and am willing to exchange links with other believers, no matter their denomination (as long as their work glories the Lord).

Let me know.

Debtfree!thumbsup!