The Rules Have Changed

I think about books and marketing all the time. I mean all the time. I don't even listen to the radio in the car because I don't want the background noise to disrupt my thoughts. I also think about how I can teach my clients that the Old Rules of Marketing don't apply anymore. I get a lot of resistance but I have to keep pushing because I know once they get the hang of it and let go of the fear magic happens.

The old rules were pretty cut and dry. Advertising and branding. Reaching as many as possible with the tools you had to work with. If you are a major brand then you can advertise on radio, tv, cable etc... but if you are an author with a limited budget you need to be more creative. So you contact bookstores and schedule book signings. Then you put an ad in the paper letting people know that you will be at the bookstore. I know when I say bookstore many are wondering what I'm talking about. It saddens me to say that bookstores are dying at a rapid rate. I am a huge bookstore lover so it really is upsetting. I have a special place in my heart for the Independent Bookstore. Where you can walk in and people ask you what you like to read and give you ideas of great books that you might never know about if it were not for the bookseller in that store. Okay I got a bit off track but maybe not. The reason you may not have ever heard about that book is because of the limited budget for marketing. Don't get me wrong, you still need a budget for marketing your book but you get more bang for your your buck now. I know it's overwhelming and scary and all of those things.

Find a publicist that understands you and will work with you. Let them do the leg work so you can keep writing. I have found when authors try to do the marketing themselves they become discouraged and stop marketing. When your publicist gives you those to do lists that only you can do. Do it. Make the time. This is a business. You will get out of it what you put into it.

We are very lucky! The Web has changed the rules and we have to change our marketing. Many people are very uncomfortable with the internet. GET COMFORTABLE! You know the old saying, " If you can't beat em', join em".

You have the chance to reach the world. What's stopping you?

Denise

Okay Let's Rock This Book Business!

The book business has changed. I miss the idea of bookstores but I love the concept that we are no longer geographically challenged. Now we can reach the world from our computer. Just because you don't have to leave the home office doesn't mean you don't have to work. There are things you have to do and keep doing in order to bring attention to your work. You have to blog. You have to comment on other blogs. Yes, it takes time but the results are great! Blog Tours are great! We set those up all the time and they do work. Does it happen overnight? No but anything worth having is worth working for. It is a rare occasion that success happens overnight. I work with authors all the time. I consult on a regular basis. Those that follow the road map we set up are seeing success.

I know it's weird, and different but man this new book business is FUN! Take the plunge!

Denise

Is A Web Site Really That Important?

It's hard to believe I still hear people ask that question. In this day and age you better believe it's important. This is the way people do business. They want to know what your web address is so they can check you out, see what you are about and what you have to offer. They want to do it on their time. We get busier every day. Time is precious. Being able to check out your web site any time day or night is a must. It also lends credibility to you and your work. My suggestion, if you don't have a web site, have one created for you. It should look professional and be easy to use. Make sure if you have a site built they understand your business. That will allow them to add the proper pages and information to your web site. Remember, a web site doesn't have to be EXPENSIVE to build. Just because it costs a lot doesn't mean it's better. That I learned from experience:)

Happy Writing!
Denise

A Million New Ways To Market Your Book!

Everyday I find several new ways to market and promote books. So many that sometimes my head spins. It spins in a good way but spins none the less. Social networking is so exciting and unlimited in terms of what you can do and who you can reach. I must say it is time consuming and it does take a bit of time to build up speed but once you do it takes on a life of its own. And it is exciting!
Put in the time. You won't be sorry. If you are able, get someone to help you. A publicist already has a good list of sites and will know how to get things done quickly, giving you the time to keep writing.

Happy Writing!
Denise

Take Constructive Criticism and Make it a Positive Thing!

We work in an industry where we need and want people to give us feedback on our book. On occasion we receive feedback that we don’t like to hear. The book could have used a good editor or this is a lot of fluff and lacks substance.
Ouch! Those comments hurt. They hurt because your book is like your baby. No one wants to hear they have an ugly baby and odds are you don’t have an ugly baby.
Instead of getting mad, let’s take a step back, and a deep breath and look at the big picture. Maybe we are in need of a good editor. Editing is never a place to cut corners when you are publishing a book. You need a professional editor. They see things in a different way. It’s not enough to have someone really good at grammar. Maybe we do need a bit more substance, things to think about for your next project.
The bottom line is we asked for this feedback so now we have to learn from it, the good, the bad, the ugly. You will have plenty that love you and your work but for those that wanted a bit more and told us so. We need to say thank you because their comments only make us better authors.

Work As A Team With The Bookstore That Is Hosting Your Signing

When you or your publicist schedule a book signing,work as a team with the venue by providing marketing material well in advance of the event so they can start promoting you. Many bookstores are understaffed so hosting a book signing is a lot of extra work. If they know they are getting your help they will be more inclined to add you to their list of events. Send them bookmarks unique to the event, fliers that they can post around the store. Send out an email blast letting everyone know where you will be and utilize your social networks. Many bookstores want to know that you will invite your family and friends to the signing. The truth is your friends and family already have your book. You want new readers that haven't had the pleasure of curling up with your great book and getting lost in the pages. So spread the word. It's great way to meet new people and promote new readers.