Let's face it, as writers we're determined to get our stories into the hands (or e-readers) of as many book lovers as possible. Sometimes, that's not an easy task. Today, author Marji Laine gives us her recipe for successful marketing. -- Sandy
Marji: SUCCESSFUL Marketing can be
compared to the Loch Ness Monster: avoids description, difficult to visualize,
and impossible to capture. Yet authors continue to search for the elusive
creature.
Though there are countless possibilities for promotions, the
success of any given one depends on too many variables to list. Despite that
fact, a successful plan will always have 3 ingredients:
- A great product
- Creativity
- Timing
The Product
Marketers and promoters will agree that the best strategy in
the world won’t work for long without an excellent book. You can’t ignore the
quality of your product. The things the author can control – editing, cover
art, formatting, details of the book itself – shouldn’t scream “Home-made!”
What’s great for bake sales and craft shows doesn’t work so hot for publishing.
The Plan
Marketers herald the need to get in front of our audience.
That’s easy enough for non-fiction writers, but tricky for the rest of the
literary world. One might attempt to write with a current high-profile topic
included in the story, but the better approach is a creative one that doesn’t
require a full re-write.
The best marketing idea
hasn’t been developed yet. The standard and success fluctuations are always
changing.
Try posting to the various
book-lover groups on Facebook. After joining, an author can post promos as
often as they want (within each group’s “rules”) see the promotions, both good
and bad, from others. Readers do visit these groups for ideas about their next
reads.
With so many books in those avenues, however, unless your
book has an amazing cover, you should be creative with your display. Do more
than post your link. Build a cash of memes that you can use anywhere. I saw the
cutest picture the other day – a cup of coffee, a gift with a tag that said 99¢
and a Kindle with the author’s book pulled up on it. Simplicity itself, but so
clever and downright brilliant!
The Timing
And that brings up the final ingredient. While it’s
important to get a good idea of when your readers are on Facebook, Twitter, or
other social media, it’s even more important that your name doesn’t conjure up
visions of billboards that say, “Read my book.”
Social media is, foremost, social. Use a 6-1 rule of thumb.
Post 6 things that aren’t about your book – repost others, use quotes, details
about life or experiences. Then post something about your book. This rings
especially true for Twitter, but is applicable for other outlets. Always
interact more than you advertise.
Don’t forget we are a global market now. Make sure you post
things for the overnight crowd. Schedule a one or two with connected buy links
for India, Japan, UK, and Australia along with the other smaller markets. Those
times can be lucrative opportunities.
Above all, don’t give
up. Interact well with your chosen media. Support others. Share your message.
~~~~~
Marji Laine is a
homeschooling mom with teenage twins left in the nest. A new indie-author with
her debut, GRIME
BEAT only out for a couple of weeks, she spends her non-writing time transporting
to and from volleyball, teaching writing classes at a local coop, and directing
the children’s music program at her church. Raised in suburban Dallas, she got
her first taste of writing through the stories of brilliant authors of their
day, Mignon Eberhart and Phyllis A. Whitney, and through stage experience.
After directing and acting in productions for decades, Marji started writing
her own scripts. From that early beginning, she delved into creating
scintillating suspense with a side of Texas sassy. She invites readers to
unravel their inspiration, seeking a deeper knowledge of the Lord’s Great
Mystery that invites us all.