Marketing Your Books - Any Success Stories

[Author Ernie Johnson]

Even though I have six books published, 5 through a POD, I am still relatively a new author,.

I know that marketing our books becomes a necessity, if we want to find success, or a close resemblamce to the same.

Those of us, who've been published, are using different methods to get the word out about our book(s).

My question to you all, who are willing to share, are there any success stories out here, who are willing to share with other authors?

I'm doing everything I know, and even coming up with my own bag of tricks, to attract buyers for my book, and I know I'm not alone in this quest, but I'm sure that the economy, in and of itself, isn't helping any.

I'm sure there are other authors who could use some well crafted advice from those who are doing well in book sales.

Thanks in advance for any and all responses.

Ernie

[Lynda Coker]

Hi Ernie,

Very good question. Building a readership is a long process which many new authors are not prepared for. It's important that we stick to our love of writing and market to the best of our abilities, which vary greatly from one writer to another.

Networking is important, being in many places at once is essential. That is where the internet becomes our #1 tool. I try to find groups that have a similar interest to mine, other than writing. For example, I like to create fabric art. I belong to a couple of sites that focus on this hobby. Since I have something in common with the other members, it's easy to make friends and share things about myself and my career without 'selling something'.

I'm currently working on a library presentation which I will give to six different library reading groups starting in January. Haven't done that before so I'll have to keep you posted on how it turns out.

I recently created return address labels that say Author Lynda Coker, instead of just Lynda Coker, and it has a short tag line under the address including my web address.

I also made some for my grown kids. They've been good sports about using them. lol Under the address it say something like: Proud Daughter of Author Lynda Coker, and includes my web address.

These are little things, but little things do add up over time.

Hope you get some more answers to your question,
Lynda

[Anastasia Rabiyah]

Hi Ernest,

Ah, therein lies the mystery. How do we gather a readership? I try many different ideas. I have three publishers, which spreads my name around a bit, and I have three more I am targeting with current works in progress. That's one way.

As Lynda said, another 'in' is to target groups that might have readers with interests toward what you've written. For me, I write a lot of paranormal and erotic works, so I belong to skads of review groups and promo groups online that want that sort of material. I post to them weekly or more often to show what's available from my work.

If you have print books, try to do book signings in your area. The owner of one of my publishers said: "If you can't sell to your local market based on the fact that you're a local author, you won't sell at all." It's a bit grim, but on the other hand, it's kinda true. Local authors are exciting. They came from the city the reader is in. The reader can actually meet the author and get his or her signature on the book. If you can get in, do local book signings. While I wouldn't recommend a live reading of some of what I write, maybe reading an excerpt of your book is appropriate for you. Offer free giveaway keepsakes like bookmarks or magnets featuring your bookcover and website.

One of the easiest methods is to carry promo with you--small stuff like business cards, pens, bookmarks, postcards etc. Talk to folks you meet. Strike up the casual conversation when they ask how you are. "I'm great! My book just released recently." Sure, they may look at you like you're a bit off, but if they ask more, there's the opportunity to say, "Would you like a free bookmark?"

I know an author who has magnets on her car advertising her books.

Your email signature line can include a small blurb about your site and books.

The thing I see happen with so many first time or new authors is that they think they can just write the book, have it published and sit back and relax. Wrong. Writing is the easy part. So is pubbing. The real work begins when the author hoofs it to get that book under a potential buyer's nose. It's marketing and sales, like any other business. And it's hard work.

Best wishes to you and many happy book sales!

Anastasia Rabiyah
Dark Fantasy & Erotic Romance
www.RabiyahBooks.com

[GERI'S BOOK REVIEWS]

Hi Ernie,
I have been Promoting my fellow Authors for over a year now. I can honestly say
that Everything we do can Help & show results, as long as we are persistent & Share ideas
with other authors. I have seen results for example in posting announcements on My Reviews
& Interviews. Publicity is a Great start & in due time, Good results can happen with Patience,
Motivation & Discipline. Promotions is a long, tough journey for All of us. But, if we share ideas
with hundreds of others in the same boat--Good Results can happen. It is Possible. The Key
is to Never give up & Publicity is the Golden word to making that journey a Pleasant one.
Thanx for posting Tips in my group "AUTHOR'S HELPING AUTHORS." If we take Advantage
of Promo Tips, it can't hurt. That's for sure!

[MJ Allaire]

Hi Ernie,

I'm also self-published and currently have 3 books "out there". I agree with everyone's comments here but especially those from Anastasia. Writing is the easy part. Now getting the books out to the readers, especially if you're self-published, is probably the biggest challenge that we authors never really thought about (I know I DEFINITELY didn't!!).

One thing I did when after I published Dragon's Blood is I took a physical book down to my local Borders store and said "I'm a new, YA Fantasy Author and I'd like to do a book signing". I showed her my book, she was intrigued, and agreed to buy 5 copies from me to start with. I did the book signing, which I later found out was good because once you do a book signing, if your books show they can sell, they may then STOCK your book! Once you have them in one store, you can then go to another Borders and say "my books are being carried by this other Borders [insert city] and I'd like to do a book signing". I did this over and over and pretty soon my book was physically in 10 Borders stores, physically on the shelf, in Connecticut!

Another thing I've learned is there are many other markets out there though, so I'm not just focusing on book stores. My books are YA Fantasy, so I'm gearing up for school visits, library visits, fantasy merchandise stores, local gift shops, etc. In Connecticut we have a group called Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association [aka CAPA] and this has been a WONDERFUL organization for me to join! Not only do we have authors, both traditionally published AND self-published, but we also have editors, publishers (authors who totally publish on their own, from A to Z), illustrators, and even people who haven't had anything published that are just there to learn.

Here in New England, once a year we have a HUGE fair called The Big E, where all of the New England states participate. Each state has a building that showcases specialties from each state (ie: in Vermont, they have a cheese booth that sells ALL KINDS of cheese, in New Hampshire they have a fudge booth [YUM, YUM], in Maine they have THE BEST baked potatoes around, Rhode Island has Clam Chowder and clam fritters, etc) .. well, this year was the 2nd year that CAPA had a bookstore in the Connecticut building, featuring books written solely by Connecticut Authors! The Big E is a 17-day event, and each of those 17 days we had guest authors who were there to talk to the crowd about their books, publishing, etc, and if they made a sale, they were there to sign the books, which is a great marketing tactic. This was GREAT exposure to all authors, not just because they were a part of Connecticut, but because The Big E has over 1 MILLION visitors during this 17-day period! I'm lucky enough to have books in a very popular genre... last year I sold 62 books (at that time I only had books 1 & 2, but released book 3 in April, 2008) total (even when the authors aren't there, their books stay in the book store for the duration of the Big E), but this year I really used some of the marketing techniques I've learned and I managed to sell 391 books! And although it was exhausting and very hard work to be up there all day during those days where I was one of the "featured authors", what an exhilarating experience it was .. and I would do it again in a HEARTBEAT!

Soooo, where am I going with this, you're probably asking?

First, if you have any kind of groups such as CAPA in your area, join them if you can. Meet other authors and network with them .. share what works for you and what doesn't. I've met some fabulous friends through CAPA.

(see next entry for continuing suggestions)

[MJ Allaire]

Second, look for any local events in your area where you can be a vendor. We have a local market here in New London where people sell crafts (necklaces, etc) and I do some of those events with my very good friend and fellow author, Tom Santos. Granted we don't always make lots of sales with our books, but we've learned to bring other things with us (I now also make jewelry) to add more flavor to the booth.

Third, determine who your market is. For me, it's young adults, so I'm very interested in any local events that are targeting children, as well as schools, libraries, etc. My local grocery store down the road also was willing to stock my books on a consignment basis ... and I'll be going there for a book signing the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Use the holidays to perhaps sell your books at a discounted multi-book rate? Or a special holiday rate?

Fourth, don't be afraid to talk to the public. When I'm at a book signing, I have bookmarks (that I had made through onlineprinthouse.com) handy in my hands, and as I see young adults walking by I'll hand them a bookmark and say "have you read my books about dragons?", or to an adult I'll say "Do you have a young adult reader in your household?" Amazingly, alot of THE ADULTS say that THEY are the YA readers!!

Fifth, I believe an internet presence is MANDATORY in this technological day and age! If you don't have a website, you should. If you don't know how to make one or can't afford it, www.authorsden.com is a free site that won't be YOUR website, but you can use it that way until you can make your own. When you have something major happen, send out a press release (www.pr.com is a free site). I send out a press release with each of my books when they go live, and I also just sent one out about how well my sales were at the Big E. If you think it's newsworthy, send out a press release! I have a MySpace account which I first got to keep an eye on my teenage daughter, but now along with that, I totally use it to send out messages & blogs about my books. Many of my friends on there are libraries, other authors, reviewers (Hi Geri!!!), etc. One of my friends on there is a man in a band who is married with 5 children. Their 5th child was born with major medical issues, so I offered to send them a set of my books for the other children to read. Who knows, maybe that will turn into some positive PR someday as well as helping to take the kids' minds off of the medical issues the whole family is dealing with ...

Sixth, contact your local newspapers to see if they'd be willing to do a story on you.

My list can go on and on.

I'm not perfect at marketing my books, but I've been doing it now for three years. I work a full time job, I'm divorced and am raising 2 of my 3 teenage children (the oldest joined the Navy last year) on my own, I play volleyball when I can, I market my books with almost EVERY opportunity I come across, and sometimes I even get to see my boyfriend :) .. but during that time, I've sold over 2,500 copies. I have a burning drive and determination to make a difference in this world to readers of all ages .. and I'm bound and determined to succeed! I may not be the next J.K. Rowling, but that's ok, because the world already has one of those.

I'm just happy to be MJ Allaire.

:)

Good luck my friend, and if I can offer any more (long and drawn out) suggestions, please don't hesitate to contact me!

MJ Allaire
www.mjallaire.com
www.myspace.com/mjallaire

[Author Ernie Johnson]

Hi MJ,

I;ve been self published since 2001, and I've been through the marketing gamut ever since. Now that I'm traditionally published, it doesn't get any easier.

Would you like to join my AUTHOR'S WEBSITE LINK EXCHANGE? All you have to do is is put a link to my website, on yours, and I'll do the same.

The theory is (hopefully) to get more traffic to our websites, and the end result would be more sales You can see my author website link exchange by going to http://www.ernierjohnson.net and clicking WEB LINK EXCH

I hope to see you there, Ernie

[GERI'S BOOK REVIEWS]

Wow Mo,
I give you so much credit for Sticking with it. When I was asked during an Interview
for "Madison Who's Who" in NY What in your opinion is the key to Success: I replied:
"Determination, Motivation & Persistence" is the Golden Key! Regardless of the Economy,
Our other jobs & responsibilities, our Family responsibilities etc. If we Give-up, how can we Succeed?
When J.K. Rowling was first rejected by a Publisher, where would she be NOW if she gave-up &
threw that manuscript in the garbage! When you have a Dream! Follow it, through ALL the storms!
Remember...it doesn't rain forever, eventually...the Sun does come out! Fight for what you believe in,
reach for the stars, and NEVER give-up!
Geri

[MJ Allaire]

Hi Geri,

I love the last line in your comment above, "Fight for what you believe in, reach for the stars, and NEVER give up!" Man how that rings in both my head AND my heart! I started out as an author thinking all I would have to was write and the books would market themselves... and I've learned so much over the past few years, the main lesson being your books will NOT market themselves (unless you're JK or Stephen King, etc) and if you want to make a difference, YOU have to get out there and work it, baby! I'm not about to give up on what I'm doing ... 1) because I DO believe in myself and my books and 2) I LOVE it! Sure sometimes it's stressful (who am I kidding, it's more than just "sometimes"!!!).. trying to juggle the "real" job, the kids, being a single parent with the other parent living in another country, the housework, the yardwork, writing, marketing, AND just WHEN am I supposed to find the time for a social life? LOL... luckily my boyfriend of the past 3 years understands. He's been through most of my blood, sweat and tears and sees how hard I'm working at making this work .. and better yet, he believes in me.

So, like Geri says, never give up! That's the main lesson to being an author... never give up and believe in yourself. If YOU believe in YOU, others will follow!

Hugs and happy holidays all!

MJ Allaire
www.mjallaire.com
[e-mail]

[MJ Allaire]

Hi C.H.,

Just keep doing what you love and believe me, there ARE NO easy answers! I feel like I have a HUGE clue now about what I'm doing compared to when I first started, but when you measure that against all there is to know, I really don't know alot. But I'm determined and I'm plugging away and as I find out more info, I'll pass it on to other authors. When I first started, I had no idea where to look or who to turn to, but as you begin networking and meeting other authors, it does get easier.

Good luck and if I can offer any other advice, please let me know.

Hugs, MJ
http://bookmarket.ning.com/profile/MJAllaire