Successful Marketing of a Collaborative Work by Jennifer Hallmark

Has your writing ever been part of a team effort? Today, Jennifer Hallmark gives her experience in marketing teamwork with the release of her latest book compilation. -- Sandy

Jennifer: Congratulations! You’ve been asked to join a book compilation. Maybe a friend needs your short story that’s been sitting stagnant in that file folder for a short story collaboration. Or perhaps you’ve been asked to write a novella to go with a series on, let’s say romantic suspense. Or maybe like me, you’ve been asked to contribute to a book with nine other authors, each adding her style and character to make the story unique.

One nagging fear floats in the back of your mind, keeping you from sending that email with a resounding “Yes, I’ll do it.”

Marketing.

To many, marketing is the hardest part of being a writer, whether you write novels, articles, or blog. The thoughts of marketing a book that’s not totally yours can seem daunting. It can, however, be done and actually even be enjoyable.

Yes, I said enjoyable.

I looked forward to the July 1st release of Unlikely Merger, the third book compilation I’ve been privileged to take part in. Here’s the blurb:

No longer needed as her father’s nurse, Mercy Lacewell attempts to step into his shoes at his acquisitions firm. That means travel, engaging strangers, and making final decisions—nothing she feels equipped to do. If her best friend has her way, Mercy will simply marry one of the single, available men she meets, but they overwhelm her. So handsome and kind. And so many. Even if she felt obliged, how could she ever choose?

Should she shove all attraction aside and focus on her father’s business, or is God warming her heart with the possibility of forever?

It’s a great story. How can ten women and a publisher work together to make Unlikely Merger successful? The key is simple.

Teamwork.

Tracy Ruckman, the publisher at Write Integrity Press, says it like this:

“During our collaborative projects, we stress the importance of cross-promotion. Collaborations give authors a chance to focus their marketing on each other instead of themselves, and their efforts benefit everyone involved.”

It’s the golden rule of book compilations.

Or as it says in Matthew 7:12 in the Message Bible: “Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them…”

Our contributers invite each other to write blog posts. We share each author’s social media updates: Facebook posts, tweets, Google plus, and more. We belong to a closed Facebook group where we encourage each other, share prayer requests, and talk about the book.

In short, we esteem one another better than ourselves. At the end of the day, each person is lifted up and everyone has a good time. Best of all, marketing has become a learning experience that we can carry to our next project.

Which for me is another compilation called Not Alone: A Literary and Spiritual Companion for those Confronted with Infertility and Miscarriage, to be released this fall.

Another opportunity to enjoy marketing. With a team.

The secret of significant and successful marketing.

Even if you've never been part of a team writing project, have you had the opportunity to participate in some type of team or group marketing experience? How did it work out? Any suggestions you're willing to share? 

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Jennifer Hallmark is a writer by nature, artist at heart, and daughter of God by His grace. She’s published over 200 articles and interviews on the internet, short stories in several magazines and been part of four book compilations, A Dozen Apologies, Sweet Freedom A La Mode, Unlikely Merger, and a non-fiction compilation on infertility and miscarriage, the latter to be released in early fall. Jennifer’s website and the group blog she co-founded focus on her books, love of the South, and helping writers. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.