Tag Archive | book marketing

Thinking About Writing in Multiple Genres? Here’s What You Need to Know

Kimberley Grabas writes about genre hopping on Joel Friedlander’s “The Book Designer” site . I am about to do that for the first time and I would have to agree with her, it is probably not a smart move marketing and sales wise.

For those of you who don’t know me well, I have 5 books out in the historical fiction genre, one memoir (not mine) and I am about to publish my first MG (middle grade) adventure mystery story – “Intrigue in Istanbul – An Agnes Kelly Mystery Adventure.”

Why switch genre’s (and age groups)?
I came upon the Flavia de Luce series of Allan Bradley and I was inspired. [If you haven’t read any of Allan Bradley’s books, I’d highly recommend them. They are well written and entertaining.] Because it is quite a jump from adult histfic, I have done more work on the front end to make sure I have the genre and age group down. I have had more readers (over 10) read it ahead of time, had MG readers (5) read it ahead of time and read a lot more in that same genre.

All this will not ensure I do well, but I think it is a good first step. Now I have to figure out how to market to that age group, since it is parents that have the checkbook, it will be an interesting genre to market to. I am told by other MG writers that I need to get into the schools. I happen to have two friends who are MG teachers, so I am going to start there. I am also going to join a children’s writers and illustrators group (Society of Book Writers and Illustrators – SCBWI) as well as talk to other MG writers who are willing to share their marketing wisdom.

Would I do better sticking to my genre? – Probably.

Would I be happy sticking to my genre? – No – to confining.

Do I care? – Not particularly. I still work a day job (helping other writers!) so writing and publishing for myself is the cream in my coffee (if I drank coffee :), that is). And I’m up for the challenge!
I’ll let you know how the jump turns out.

Source: Thinking About Writing in Multiple Genres? Here’s What You Need to Know – The Book Designer

CKBooks Publishing
Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

Sharing with Writers and Readers: Book Sales: Targeting Education Sellers

Oct23

For those of you who have books that would fit into a college library or bookstore, Carolyn Howard-Johnson has an idea for you that someone she knows tried and had some success with.

I have tried a similar strategy with my first book (“Rosebloom” which was a IPPY award winner) with public libraries. Most libraries didn’t respond, but a few did. Sometimes it lead to visiting the library and doing a talk about the book (It was for a historical fiction book, though I’m not sure that mattered).

Was it cost/time effective?

I’m not sure. I haven’t had the time to do it again for other books I’ve since published. But it didn’t cost that much to do, it was mostly a time thing – looking up the library, trying to find the person to send the letter to… but it’s another marketing strategy to put on your ever-growing list! 🙂

Source: Sharing with Writers and Readers: Book Sales: Targeting Education Sellers

CKBOOKS Publishing

Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

Book Marketing Tip: Apply for Awards

Oct15

For midwesterners – I’d also recommend the Midwest Book Award. I agree with Maria – My first book won an IPPY Award (independent Publishers) and my last book was a finalist for a Midwest Book Award. Both organizations have stickers (electronic and paper) you can purchase to put on your books. I find I have gotten more traction from award books from individuals than organizations like bookstores or libraries but then I don’t know who has taken a second look but didn’t decide to pick up my book, and I consider second looks a good thing too! 🙂

And remember – most (if not all) awards can only be entered for the book published the previous year e.g., 2016 award for a 2015 published book. Application dates will vary depending on the award so check them out in the fall of the year you published your book. You may have until the spring to enter but you may not.

Source: Book Marketing Tip: Apply for Awards – She Writes

CKBooks Publishing
Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

Book Marketing Is an Emotional Roller Coaster

Sep15

I thought I would share this post from Maria Murnane because it illustrates what anyone who is trying to market their work needs: a good sense of humor and persistence.

I have also set up events around my books that no one showed up for. It happens. But then there are events like what I did last evening at the WJ Niederdorn Library in Port Washington, WI and 20 people showed up and we had a nice time together talking about my book. I started out by talking about myself and my 4 other books I have in print (which I had on display, of course) and I ended up selling 5 books – only 2 were the book I was talking about! (So make sure you bring all of your books to any one-book event and business cards!)

And hang in there. Not everything you try is going to work but some things will and that’s what counts.

CreateSpace Community: Resources: Book Marketing Is an Emotional Roller Coaster

CKBooks Publishing
Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

Fifty Ways to Show Readers Some Love (Part 1)

Jul28

It’s always a good idea, and fun as well, to connect with our readers. It helps build a fan base and there is nothing better than a books fan. Word of mouth is a wonderful thing.

I like doing this at book events, but those only happen a few times a year. Tracy Weber gives us some good ideas about how to connect with readers even when you’re not in front of them at a book sale or signing. There are some good ideas for your reader’s e-newsletter. I know I’m going to use some of them.

InkSpot: Fifty Ways to Show Readers Some Love (Part 1).

CKBooks Publishing
Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

7 Must-Do Tactics for Promotional Tweets

Jul23

Laurence has made some good suggestions about tweeting for book sales. Take a peek:

7 Must-Do Tactics for Promotional Tweets | BooksGoSocial Book Marketing Blog.

The Right Tool for the Job: Logline

Jun21

I got this post from Lynette Davis’s blog. The original post if from Chris Mandeville. It is something every writer should read!

The Right Tool for the Job: Logline.

CKBook Publishing
Where Publishing Dreams Become Reality

When You Feel Invisible in the Crowded Book Market

Jan28

I like Jody’s topic because I think every writer feels this way, whether we are working with a traditional publishing house or doing it ourselves – more and more marketing and promotion is being put on the writer.

Again – my advise to all who publish: persistence, persistence, persistence, in marketing, in events, in finding connections, in helping other writers, in reading and, of course, in writing.

Author, Jody Hedlund: When You Feel Invisible in the Crowded Book Market.

Book Marketing 101

Jan10

image from edit5523naz.wikispaces.com

So what does every author (whether from the traditional published side or the self-published side) struggle with? Book Marketing, of course. Just google those two words and see all the sites that will try and sell you some wonderful, surefire way to market your book. Before you actually hire someone, there are some basics book marketing things that your should try. (And only pay someone if you have a personal recommendation from someone you trust. Because marketing is such an issue for authors, there are a lot of people trying to hoodwink you, so beware!)

Some basic things to try:

♦ put yourself on goodreads as an author and do a book giveaway. It’s a great way to get seen and to make contacts! It’s also a way to get reviews.

♦ get as many reviews on amazon and goodreads as you can. Actually, this really should be your number one thing to do and something you never stop doing. It’s not easy because people are reluctant to do it but Reviews Sell Books! Giving away some ebooks for review, or discounted paper books to get a review. It is well worth the cost to you.

♦ put a review request in any paper book (as a book mark sort of deal with you signing the request) and in the back of any ebook.

♦ do local events at libraries, coffee shops and bookstores. Search out groups that might be interested in the topic or genre of your book and offer to come and talk.

♦ search for craft fairs and books fairs in your area. I have made many sales at craft fairs and made lots of good contacts, and it’s fun to talk to readers and have them come back the next year for another one of my books because they liked the first.

♦ I assume you have a website. That’s a very easy thing to do and very necessary in this day and age. I have mine through wordpress (my books blog [free] and my business blog [$99/year]). They are very easy and can even be free if you want.

♦ If you have a facebook page for you and your books (not a personal page but one devoted to writing, reading and your books, as well), that is a plus but not a must have. If you blog at all on your website (again, not necessary but an added perk to readers), then you can easily link your posts to your facebook page. Believe it or not, your readers want to know about you. Build a fan base by talking to them (and send a few discounted or free items their way just for following your website! They deserve that much).

These are some very basic ideas, but the more you do, the more people you can encounter and people (especially fans!) are your greatest asset.

And good luck!
Christine Keleny

How Authors Can Survive Among the Glut of Ebooks

Nov20

Mark Coker of Smashwords gives us some grim statistics, but also shares some very concrete ways to keep on keepin’ on.

I agree – looking at the long haul is the way to go. I first published in 2008 and I still get sales from that first book. For me, it’s never been about the big launch with big first sales – though there is some of that, of course. It has been more about staying the course, keeping up with my writing and publishing, picking and choosing my marketing strategies and learning new things with each new book I publish (Just published book #6 – Will the Real Carolyn Keene Please Stand Up). I don’t exclusively write and publish – I do have a day job (that I love, by the way, because it’s helping others publish!), but I am not tossing in the towel because there are a lot of others writing and publishing these days. In fact, I encourage people to write and publish (through the writing and publishing workshops I do for libraries and school children). I think there is room for everyone!