That most writers have too write a lot before their
proficient enough to call themselves and author is a given. However, few
realize while honing those skills that it is as or more necessary to learn how
to market their book, even before it’s finished.
Though the reasons very, it is a normal, healthy thing to tell
others what you’re doing. I believe many good closet-writers don’t publish
because of fear. However, if you start early-on sharing what your doing, you’ll
find within every group another wannabe whose as passionate and worried like you. The adage ‘there’s safety in numbers’ applies here. For in all personal endeavors
which require time and perseverance, isolation and self-doubt rob the world of many
a fledgling – name your favorite author, athlete, or....
Therefore today, I share an article which deals with one
reason writers don’t publish, namely marketing. Now, I’m not posting this
because I know what will work for you rather because the first steps require
those who write to talk about what they are doing.
For me this hit close to home when I learned last year that
my brother started writing in Junior High School and is now seriously writing
for publication. And to think I found this out at 71, was a shocker. Especially
when I would have happily supported him.
Below is what I believe to be valuable, get out of the
closet and do what it advices!
This article is by Kimberly S Hoffman
Develop a Strategy:
* Who is your main
audience? Can you expand this out to include other groups?
* What is your
book’s theme? How can you use that to develop programs around this theme?
* Are there other
elements of your book that can be used to develop programs.
Create a Contact List:
* Brainstorm Who Can You Contact
* Schools (include all age appropriate levels
from preschool-elementary)
* Libraries
* Toy Stores
* Book Stores
* Churches
* Utilize Social
Media
* Ask Children for
Help Reaching Their Teachers
* Bring up what you
do in conversations. You never know what
may come of it
Time to Contact:
* Keep your email as
concise as possible, but include all pertinent initial data.
* Remember that teachers & librarians are
busy people. You don’t have to provide dates,
times, etc.
on the first contact.
* Include who you are, your purpose in writing,
possible choices of programs, and include links to your Social Media site, your
webpage, your publisher’s page, etc. Establish your legitimacy.
* If you cannot find contact information, call.
Keep it to the point. Same rules apply.
You Receive a
Reply:
* Set Up the Visit
* Try to be as flexible as possible to meet
their schedule.
* Determine the length of the program.
* Determine what
program they would like presented.
* Ask for possible
headcount.
* Send the teacher a
confirmation of details and include a pre-buy flyer.
* Mark your calendar
with date, time, contact number, and any pertinent details such as what you need
to bring that day.
* Most schools will require you sign in upon
arrival.
* Some will require you to fill out a
background check.
Programs:
* Read your book
* Main theme of your
book
* How to write a
book
* Secondary topics
* Be flexible!
Follow-Up:
* Thank you note
* Ask for a review
* Let them know you
are more than willing to come again
* Look at what went
well and what didn’t ADJUST
Other Ideas for Marketing
* Book Launch
* Book Signings
* Attend local
Literacy Fair
* Talk up your book
- You are your own best marketing agent!
* Ask
teachers/librarians/etc. to leave a review on your Facebook page, author
webpage, etc.
* Use other sites
such as Author Central on Amazon, Goodreads, etc.
* Look for ways to
give back to the community through your book.
Advertise, Advertise, Advertise
* Facebook events,
posts, etc.
* Other Social Media
/ Websites
* Posters, fliers,
postcards, etc.
* Word of mouth
