Gather A Flock

by Peter Leavell @peterleavell

Create a following, and they'll sell your books for you.

But how to cultivate a flock of adoring fans?

How geniuses have created followings in the past—

—Escape the inescapable. (Houdini)
—Itch curiosity. (documentaries)
—Engage and connect. (talk to people where they are, both physically and mentally)
—Do something incredibly stupid and brag about it. (viral videos)
—Elaborate marketing schemes. (PT Barnum)
—An irresistible product. (according to time.com, PlayStation is the highest selling product of all time)
—Jump the Grand Canyon in your minivan. (Don’t. Just don’t)
—Be extraordinarily attractive. (mmmhmmm. We've already got that covered, haven't we? *swishes hair over the shoulder)

The key to each of these methods? 

Great marketers did. And did again. And again. They did their scheme over and over, perfecting their ideas and shows until polished. Houdini kept escaping. Ken Burns keeps churning out amazing documentaries. Ted Talk speakers connect with their audience. Stupid folks continue to accentuate their weakness. And so on.

How many diets work? All of them. If you can stick the discipline like a gymnast's landing.

Consistency, coupled with a great product, creates a following.

For ten years, I’ve set before me the slogan History is the passion. Historical fiction is the game. I consistently used my passion to make history entertaining for those who need a strange fact or a laugh. History explains the past to make a point for today. History shows successes and failures, giving guidance and hope to the lost.

But these things take:

Time. (years/decades)
Consistency. (similar product/content)
Practice. (tweaks for polish)

To maintain a decade long campaign, you have to LOVE what you’re doing, or be completely dedicated, or be slightly insane. Insanity helps.

Once you have a bit of a following, how do you keep them?

—Don’t jar them with wild changes. (When the musician had changed his sound, I remember yelling at his concert, ‘practice on your own time!')
—Know your audience, meet their needs.
—Keep content fresh. (copy/paste your previous successes doesn’t cut it. Like Houdini, challenge yourself to step up your game. Make your work more interesting, clear, and impossible to escape)

Gain and keep your following. They’ll encourage you when you’re down, sell your books while sleep, and frankly, they’re just the coolest people to hang around. Reward them with your best!

Tweetables:

Consistency, coupled with a great product, creates a following. TWEET THIS!

Do something incredibly stupid and brag about it. #marketing TWEET THIS!

                                     ~~~~~

Peter Leavell, a 2007 graduate of Boise State University with a degree in history, was the 2011 winner of Christian Writers Guild's Operation First Novel contest, and 2013 Christian Retailing's Best award for First-Time Author. Peter and his family live in Boise, Idaho. Learn more about Peter's books, research, and family adventures at www.peterleavell.com.

~~~~~

Do You Want Sales…or Readers? By Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu

The answer seems obvious at first. As authors, of course we want readers. But we want sales, too, because without sales, it’s difficult to find a publisher for our next book and the next.

So, especially when first starting out, we check sales numbers, promote the book, watch sales rankings, cringe when an acquaintance says they passed their copy around to their “whole Sunday school class” (instead of each person buying a copy).

Sure, sales are important. But even more important is providing stories of hope and light to a dark and scary world.

To achieve success in this publishing field, you first need to determine what success looks like for you. Why did you start writing fiction? And who is your reader? Think in terms of one person and describe her in detail. Consider what she likes and dislikes, her age, what kind of family she has, why she reads.

If you consider one Reader while you’re writing and, especially, while you’re marketing, you’ll be better able to target your promotions and you’ll worry less about the numbers.

Book-marketing expert Steve Harrison says, “If one person’s life is changed by [your book], it’s worth the effort.”

After having three books published, I still have to remind myself that I write for readers, not for fame. Every time I hear from a reader who enjoyed the book, I’m thrilled, of course. And if they loaned their copy to two or three others—or a dozen—that means more readers and, perhaps, fans. This increases the chance of the book getting into the hands of that one person whose life will be changed by it.

And that is why I write.

Stop worrying about the numbers. Instead, pray that your book finds the reader who needs your story.

About the Author

The Secret Heart
by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu’s newest novel, The Secret Heart, is now available from Write Integrity Press. Follow Marie on Amazon.com to be notified when it becomes available. The Secret Heart, loosely based on the lives of Bathsheba and David, is the third book in the Mended Vessels series. Books in the series are contemporary re-imaginings of the stories of biblical women, including Esther and the woman at the well.

Her debut novel, For Such a Moment, won the Books of Hope Contest. Thirsting for More, the second book in the series was a finalist in the 2016 Selah Awards Contest and a semi-finalist in the Royal Palm Literary Awards sponsored by Florida Writers Association. You can find more about Marie and her novels on her Facebook page (Author Marie Wells Coutu), at her website (MarieWellsCoutu.com), or follow her on Twitter (@mwcoutu). 
Marie retired after 15 years with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and she and her husband now divide their time between Florida and Iowa.

The Secret Heart

Beautiful Shawna Moore married Hunter Wilson, the governor of Tennessee, after a whirlwind romance, only six weeks following her first husband’s death in Iraq. Now, she wonders if the governor loved her at all or only hoped to avoid a scandal.

An investigative reporter—and friend of Shawna’s—is asking questions. If he discovers the truth about Shawna’s baby, Hunter’s chances for reelection could be ruined. But keeping the secret is destroying their marriage. Will Shawna convince Hunter to choose his family and drop out of politics, or will he continue to put his career first?

For a sneak peek, download the first chapter here. You can also read Angie's review of The Secret Heart here: The Secret Heart - An Innovative Retelling.

Love Your Indie Booksellers by Jessica Ferguson

Last year I heard a bookseller speak at a conference. She was very specific about how self-published authors can help local independent bookstores. I’d like to share her info with you, along with some of my own experiences and observations.

First, she advised to make certain our books have a spine with a title and author name on it. It helps the bookseller shelve our books. It’s to our advantage. We can’t all be facing outward on the shelf.

Our books need an ISBN, barcode and price on the back to expedite checking out and helping the store add to and maintain their inventory.

When planning a book signing at a particular store, we have to know the bookstore’s process and follow their procedure. Each independent bookstore is different in the way they handle things. During our initial visit, we’ll meet the person in charge and ask for their guidelines. In our small Christian bookstore, we have a “reader” who vets all books to make certain they’re adequate for their customers. Most Indie bookstores know their customers well.

I shouldn’t have to mention this, but we should never enter any bookstore with demands—before, during or after our signing. I’ve heard horror stories about temperamental authors with an inflated view of their own talents and importance. Those authors make two hour book signings seem like four hours—for everyone involved. I’ve also heard one bookseller say because of the way one best-selling author acted and treated her sales people, when her books sold out, the store never re-ordered. They had no desire to promote that hateful, obnoxious author. If a customer requested a specific book, the seller would order it, but she wouldn’t stock them. See how much power a bookseller has?

Sometimes we authors don’t put ourselves in a booksellers place. We’re thinking the store is the one benefiting from our signing, that we’re introducing our customers to their store. We believe they’re the ones who get the repeat buyers. Remember, booksellers owe us nothing, but they do have the ability to hand sell our books over and over and over again.

Here’s a biggie from the bookseller’s mouth, and I admit I’ve never thought of it. We should never brag to our booksellers that we’re #1 on Amazon. Or that we’re anything on Amazon. They doesn’t care and they don’t want to hear it. Amazon is the #1 enemy of the small independent bookstore. Maybe we should think twice about sitting in our independent bookstore, handing out bookmarks with Amazon links. Wouldn’t it endear us to our independent booksellers if we created a special bookmark with their store’s name on it?

Do you schedule several book signings in your small town? The store owner I heard speak suggested we invest in one area, and do it right. Invite people to our event—don’t leave it all to the book seller. Can we guarantee 25 people into their store? They’d love it!

Last but not least, we should support other author’s book signings in our indie stores. I know we can’t purchase everyone’s book, but we can show up. And sometimes that book we might not be interested in will make a good stocking stuffer or birthday gift for a friend or relative.

Let’s put our thinking cap on and ask ourselves how we can support each other as well as our small town bookstores.  We’re all a team in this marketing business, helping each other. And our booksellers have the power to make our books live on … and on … and on.

The Bucket List Dare

Four best friends—Texas A&M grads—challenge each other to revisit the bucket list they made in college and tackle one daring item before they turn thirty. Living in different parts of the country and with birthdays on the horizon, the Aggie girls choose their adventure and work toward making it happen.

Arabel, recently unemployed and with a new genealogical certification to her name, takes off for Scotland to discover the answer to a mysterious hole in her ancestral tree. 

Annie, a wedding photographer whose reputation is her pride and her job is her life, crashes the most extravagant wedding in the country.

Kat, an army veteran and amputee, has always dreamed of climbing the most challenging terrain she can find. Now that her life and body have been drastically altered—does she dare?

Jojo is a country veterinarian who has never jumped out of a hayloft much less an airplane. How did that get on her bucket list?

The young professionals, facing unknown dangers and risks, call on their strong faith and Aggie spirit, and walk away with love. 

Jessica Ferguson is a staff writer for Southern Writers Magazine. Her story, Save The Groom, is available now in The Bucket List Dare collection. She is a contributing author in Legacy Letters with Lindsey’s Story, and the author of The Last Daughter, The Groom Wore Blue Suede Shoes and other novella and short story collections. Jess has written for newspapers and magazines in Texas and Louisiana. In her spare time, she coaches and mentors new writers, and plays with her recently retired husband. Jess blogs at http://jessicafergusonwriter.com. For more information on coaching, visit her website at http://creativecoachingandmarketing.com

 

Social Media, Marketing & Branding Basics Part 2, Marketing Your Novel by DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills

We're so excited to have Edie Melson and DiAnn Mills on Seriously Write with this three-day series. Be sure to read yesterday's post by Edie Melson and come back tomorrow for a post by both ladies called (appropriately), The Experts Weigh In. - Angie

We writers embrace words, brainstorming sessions, hours to write, and constructive criticism, but there is one aspect of the writer’s life that shakes us to our core.

Marketing and Promotion

The nightmare of our career.

We think we have the notion.

But can’t move past the fear. 

Okay, I’m not a poet. But I know you understand writers must market and promote their books. Our goal is to successfully place our novels into the hearts and hands of readers.

I’m a firm believer in organization, and when I write a novel, spreadsheets keep me rooted in reality.

A writer gets ahead of the marketing and promotion stress by developing a Timeline Task. This is an indicator of what needs to be accomplished approximately a year before a book is released.

12 months out:

• Contact online and print publications to arrange for ad and banner placement. Make sure they are in place for the month of the book release. 
• Recruit your Street Team. Reach out to prominent authors in your genre for possible endorsements. This allows the endorser to schedule reading the novel. 
• Write blogs that connect to the novel. Stockpile them—you will be glad later.

9 months out:

• Order bookmarks and postcards.
• Arrange guest blogs and calendar when they will appear. 
• Remember, these have already been written. 
• Arrange production of your book trailer.
• Arrange production of author interview video.
• Announce to Street Team and brainstorm promo ideas.

6 months out:

• Contact TV and radio stations for interviews. 
• Create contest ideas with giveaways.
• Goodreads: update bio, headshot, ask-the-author section, add new release to books, link to blog posts, update page, be active! https://www.goodreads.com/author/guidelines.
• Design secret Pinterest Boards. 
• Use postcards to notify libraries of new book.

3 months out:

• Mail ARCS
• Keep Dream Team posted.
• Confirm all blog spots, ads, banners etc.
• Seek events to speak and sign.
• Check that all online platforms and retail stores have updated bio and photo.
• Arrange launch party or signing for the big day.

6 weeks out:

• Mail author copies or e-copies of book to Street Team. 
• Mail author copies or e-copies of book to reviewers.
• Encourage pre-orders.
• Post book trailer and author interviews.

Book release:

• E-mail blast.
• Blogs appear.
• Constant presence on social media platforms.
• Thank those who have helped make the release a success.
• Small tokens of thanks sent.
• Contests announced.

Follow up:

• Keep the momentum going by sharing deleted scenes, research, character insight, and behind the scenes action.
• Party time!

If you’d like a copy of my Marketing Timeline, e-mail me at diann@diannmills.com.

How do you approach marketing and promotion for your book?

About the Author

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.


DEADLY ENCOUNTER
DEADLY ENCOUNTER Discussion Questions
Watch the trailer
Airport Ranger volunteer Stacy Broussard expected a peaceful Saturday morning ride around the perimeter of Houston’s airport. What she encounters instead is a brutal homicide and a baffling mystery. Next to the body is an injured dog, the dead man’s motorcycle, and a drone armed with a laser capable of taking down a 747.
Though FBI Special Agent Alex LeBlanc sees a clear-cut case of terrorism, his past has taught him to be suspicious of everyone, even witnesses. Even bleeding-heart veterinarians like Stacy. But when her gruesome discovery is only the first in a string of incidences that throw her life into a tailspin, Alex begins to wonder if Stacy was targeted. As a health emergency endangers Stacy’s community, and the task force pulls in leads from all directions, Alex and Stacy must work together to prevent another deadly encounter.

Deadly Encounter is recommended for fans of the following:

• Christian Fiction
• Christian Mystery
• Romantic Suspense Books

If you enjoyed this novel, you may also be interested in the novella Trial By Fire!

Why Back Cover Copy Shouldn't Be Your Last Priority By Nichole Parks

Let me tell you. The best part of my job as Marketing Coordinator is back cover copy. And the worst part of my job? Yeah. *wrinkles nose* That would be back cover copy too.

 

You see, I go through life loving the stuffing out of back cover copy.

 

To me, it’s not just a summary. It’s not just long story short. It’s like a whispered secret you can’t quite catch the last of. You’re intrigued. You’ve got to know more. So you open to that first page. And cha-ching! Congratulations, my friend. You’ve just made a sale, and potentially a loyal reader.

 

My poor co-workers—they had such a hard time understanding my obsession.

 

That is, until I explained.

 

It’s your chance to engage the reader before he/she even opens to the first page. Take, for example, the copy written for Julie Lessman’s Christmas novella.

Accidents happen, and then there’s Grace . . .

 

Pastor Cole McCabe isn’t sure he’ll survive the holidays with his new housekeeper and nanny. She’s dyed his long johns pink and scorched nearly everything she cooks—even catching fire to the kitchen. But he’s desperate, and she’s as destitute as they come.

 

Though she’s no good with her hands, Grace sure has a way with her heart. She’s brought a warmth into Cole’s home, added color to his daughters’ lives, and broken down the wall he’s built up since his beloved wife died.

 

When Grace’s past threatens his family, they have one chance to celebrate Christmas together at home . . . if Grace hasn’t burned it down by then.

 

It will impress an agent and publisher and reader. Not everyone is going to share your story with the same enthusiasm. Not everyone will have reader your whole book. But if you have an entertaining and captivating back cover blurb, your passion for the story will shine through.

 

Casey Demchack has some great insight on this in his article 7 Secrets to Writing Persuasive Back Cover Sales Copy. 

 

It’s fun.

 

As you can see from the alternative taglines for The Gift of Grace below, the brainstorming process can be full of kicks and giggles. 

 

She’s the accident to his prayers.

Grace has been good all year, but she’s still getting Cole for Christmas.

He might need saving from his saving Grace…

 

Don’t be afraid to let your imagination run ridiculous. Follow those rabbit trails. You never know when one might land you in Wonderland. Of course, if you need a Mad Hatter to guide you, check out my back cover copy services over at Marketing15.

 

Nichole Parks (not to be mistaken for Nicholas Sparks) packs a punch as Marketing Coordinator for Gilead Publishing. Her fingerprints are all over the covers of their latest books. When she’s not cuffed to her inbox, Nichole evades blind dates and loves on her latest dark humor manuscript. Always with a flair for the traumatic… Stalk her on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram.