Wednesday, May 23, 2012
We are bombarded with well planned and orchestrated
marketing campaigns daily. Everything from the ads that we see to a
store's floor plan is designed to entice us to buy more products. If
large corporations had their way, we would receive marketing messages
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. To be honest, they are coming
pretty darn close to that goal.
What
is an author to do?
Work
the system....
This week, we want you to go back to your favorite bookstore.
If you are pre-published:
·
Examine how the books are shelved.
Maybe you'll decide to pick the pen name "A. Aardvark" to
ensure that your books are alphabetically first on the shelf.
·
Talk with the store manager to find
out when the new books arrive.
o
How do they decide which books are
'faced out' and which ones are placed on end caps? (If it's a small
bookstore, there's a good chance that the store displays (merchandising) are
determined by the local staff. If it is a national chain, they may
receive specific display set up instructions or kits.)
If you are published:
·
Chat with the store
manager and try to find out the following:
o
How do they set up /
schedule in store book signings?
o
How far ahead of time do
they design their seasonal displays? (Maybe you have a book that takes place
during Christmas or would work well for Halloween or Easter.)
o
For a regionally based
or local store, find out who the buyer is for the types of books you write.
·
If your books are
already for sale in the store, ask the manager if you can sign their stock
copies. (Autographed books can't be returned to the publisher....)
o
If you do sign the
books, be sure to have stickers for the front cover that say "Autographed
Copy" - you'd be surprised by how many people prefer to buy signed copies!
o
While you've got the
book open, shove in a book mark, trading card, or other promotional piece to
drive traffic to your website.
Learn the rules of the
game, then WORK THEM to your advantage!
Field Trip #6: CyberSafari
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
As with any profession, a quick way to gain new
skills is to study successful practitioners.
In this week's field trip assignment, we would like you to take a "Cyber Safari" and examine the websites of a few successful authors. Specifically, we would like for you to examine the three sites listed below:
In this week's field trip assignment, we would like you to take a "Cyber Safari" and examine the websites of a few successful authors. Specifically, we would like for you to examine the three sites listed below:
Questions:
·
What
do these sites have in common?
·
What
are some ways each author is connecting with their readers?
·
What types
of things are included in each site's content?
·
How
are they allowing the reader to further experience the world created in their
books?
In this
week's Finer Points Friday post, we will include some answers to the questions
above and point out some highlights on each website.
Please note: By no means are we suggesting that any website is absolutely perfect or that you have to spend tons of money to have a great web presence. What we are merely trying to illustrate is that there are a wide variety of things you can include in your web content. Remember, your ultimate goal is to keep your readers coming back for more and....to SELL MORE BOOKS!
Therese Says: I'll also add links to this "Cyber Safari" because all these authors, linked above and below, and their books are very different from each other in the type of stories, the target audience, and the author experience they present online.
Please note: By no means are we suggesting that any website is absolutely perfect or that you have to spend tons of money to have a great web presence. What we are merely trying to illustrate is that there are a wide variety of things you can include in your web content. Remember, your ultimate goal is to keep your readers coming back for more and....to SELL MORE BOOKS!
Therese Says: I'll also add links to this "Cyber Safari" because all these authors, linked above and below, and their books are very different from each other in the type of stories, the target audience, and the author experience they present online.
·
Trish
and Rob MacGregor
Feel free to examine other author sites and ....happy hunting!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Like most avid readers, I'm sure you've lost count of how many
books you purchased and never finished reading. Often the author's
writing style or subject matter just didn't click with your reading preference.
It doesn't mean that the book wasn't well written, it just means that book
wasn't your cup of tea.
From the author's perspective, a book was sold. BUT, if the
reader doesn't connect with your work, you won't have a repeat customer or a
raving fan. The reality is that it is impossible to connect with every
reader on the planet, however by better defining your target audience you will
increase your chances of finding your readership (customers). One tool to
help find your readership is a Free Read Booklet.
Free Read Booklets are a great way to:
·
widely promote your book before it is published (to build buzz and
interest)
·
allow your readers to 'try before they buy'
·
provide a signed and personalized memento for readers
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
So far, we've covered
business cards, bookmarks, and free read booklet designs and best
practices. Here is an example of another way you can promote your work:
Eye Catching Brochures
and Pamphlets
Christine McKay's promotional booklet takes the term "bodice ripper" to a whole new level! For this brochure, Ms. McKay combined a dark coral colored, cardstock paper with a corset graphic. She then used a hole punch and black ribbon to tie the brochure closed.
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