Get a clue and do a marketing plan

Everyone needs a plan.

Even you writing "pantsers" need a plan for marketing. Throwing everything at the wall and seeing what sticks is a waste of time.


Here are some basic steps on how to get started on creating the right plan for your book?

1) What is your overall goal? 
This can be in the # of books you sell or the * of responses you get on a mailing? You book's ranking? You need to set a goal for yourself and your book. It gives you something to focus on and everything you do in your planning should target that goal.


2) What is your budget? 
You HAVE to invest in marketing. Even if your publishing house does. That does not mean you have to go bankrupt doing it. Maybe it is 10 or 20% of your signing bonus. Maybe it's a percentage of your sales a a self pubbed author. Whatever it is - use it wisely. You can be smart about it and there is a lot you can do on your own - making connections, ezine interviews, bookmarkers, business cards, stationary, articles, press releases, blogs Facebook and MySpace. Save your money for things that matter like high-quality brochures, professional web sites, and ads, book trailers, podcasts, phone calls, etc.

3) Who is your target audience(s)?
Think about your market. Don't just think of kids as by age. That is over 70 million people. You need to think in segments. There are many categories you can target with your marketing if you know how to break it down. Try and choose 3-5 categories. You will market to them differently.

For example: lets say you have a YA historical mystery book that is set in NYC in the 1920s. Your target audiences could be:

• teens who love mysteries
• regional NYC
• regional where you live (always do this one - local places love local authors)
• any group that promotes anything in the 20s - retro groups etc.
• historical places (museums/societies/clubs ect)

4) What are the channels for each? How do you reach these targets?
Different markets use different channels to communicate. Think about that for each audience. It might be print advertising, Public Relations, publicity, direct marketing, direct mail, trade show exhibiting.

• Create a excel spreadsheet that has a worksheet for each target audience you identify. 
• Then Google, Google Google that subject (ie historical societies, history clubs, retro clubs, retro teens etc) and list all the contacts you can come up with. ezines, websites, clubs, organizations...anything you can find.
• What is their basic need? How can YOU help THEM?
• Then rank them 1 - 5 with 1 being the best mediums and 5 being the lowest.
• Always pitch 

5) Where do you start?

Start with the most obvious target segment. first teens who love mysteries, then maybe your local area, then maybe historical places, then many NYC and so on. Make a place to dive into each segment sequentially.

6) Come up with a Pitch

Come up with a Unique Selling Proposition (what do you offer them.  Please do not call to discuss your book (zzzzzzzz). Think about what would benefit them! An article, a school visit to teach kids something, a discount. Whatever it is. Go into it offering benefits not asking for purchases. You may have to tailor it. ie mystery places - pitch a story on how to write mysteries. a history place - pitch teaching kids about writing on history or research etc. You can't pitch the same thing to everyone.

7) How can you contact all these resources? 
Start with the biggest group. Use one pitch. Contact personally - either by email or phone. Touch each contact at least 3 times (ie email, phone, and follow-up mailing). Take it in chunks so you don't spend 10 hours a day calling. Try and make 5 contacts a day at first and see how it goes. Change it up as you go to be sure it is effective. If you aren't getting any bites - regroup.

8) Which market/channel is effective? 
You will have some hits and some misses. Keep track of what works and what doesn't. Revise your plan every year.

Other tips
• Create your own story to appeal to different markets and channels
• If you ever write an article for any ezine or newsletter (etc), ALWAYS ask for a tagline. Promote your book in the tagline (XXX is author of. you can reach her at www.)
• emarketing should be a huge part of your marketing plan
• Follow up! Never assume the answer is No. Keep following up with contacts. At least 3 times. But don't be annoying.
• Offer discounts and extras. Buy your books and sell them at a discount to beat bookstores. Or offer free bookmarks etc.
• Partner with a charity or organization to cross-promote and give some proceeds to them
• Cross promote with other authors on team tours.

Marketing plans are hard. Expect to fail some and succeed some. Don't be afraid to adjust as you go.

As always. feel free to ask questions in comments!