Marketing Monday - Raising Your MQ - #3

Here are many things every author can do to push their book out into the world.


1) The Gab factor-

• Look for any place that you can reach kids or their parents. Bookstores, libraries, clubs, churches, chamber of commerce, schools, colleges, PTAs, writers clubs, workshops, seminars, conferences, book fairs, festivals, conventions, .
• No matter what, provide an experience. Think about ways to get your audiences attention. For example: Christopher Paolini toured middle schools across the country dressed in medieval garbs as his character Eragon.
• The More the merrier - Invite your customers or audience to your speaking engagements. Post them on your web site.
• Do interviews on radio, TV, newspapers, and magazines.

2) The Write Way

• Write an article for a group newsletter.
• Write emails and letters to the media, bookstores, anyone who may be interested, about your book.
• Create your own newsletter and send to people you meet (be sure to get permission and their emails!)
• Write a series. Get a following.
• Blog

3) You can't do it alone

• Work with locals- they are generally happy to work with local authors. Especially libraries and independent bookstores. Personal connections always works.
• Become a joiner. Join and be an active member in the appropriate trade and social associations. Help others.
• Form alliances. Create a buddy system with another writer especially in different locations. Hook up for signings, tours. You can also promise to promote each other's work. For example, when you to a bookstore - you make sure your book and their book is in stock.
• Do it for Charity - partner up with a charity you love and offer X% of profits in exchange for advertising, speaking engagements etc.
• Be a teacher - teach a class at a college. teach a class to kids. Find a way to teach others about your subject.
• Join groups like myspace, facebook, twitter where you can reach a lot of people fast.

4) And the winner is...

• Submit your book to the appropriate contests for awards or honors.
• Awards are listed in the Literary Marketplace and a book called The Writers Resource Handbook.
• Nominations or honorable mentions are just as good as winning.
• Run your own contests. Give away books to the winners.

5) Make it newsworthy

• Get reviews. Not just from from major national book reviewers. Look for local or special interest media that do reviews. Free magazines in Atlanta can get up to 20,000 issues out.
• Use galleys and any copies you buy in A SMART WAY.
• Do not send out books or galleys until you have personally contacted the person and they are expecting it.
• Have a press/media kit ready to send.

6) Repeat!

• Make 5 contacts a day - mail a letter, make a call, send out a press release,
• The rule of 7 - Did you know the average seller has to touch a consumer 7 times in 18months to get a sale. This means your buyer sees an ad, reads an interview, sees a review etc. Those are all touches.

To me, as a marketing professional, if your book has not sold, you are either not marketing it right or not marketing it at all.