Author: WALTER M. BRASCH

Walter, how do you promote your book(s)?

With the major and minor publishers now focused more than ever upon "bottom line profits," and realizing they can make money only if they don’t have to spend money on us mid-list authors, it’s up to us to promote our books. Every one of my books has a 40-60 page promo/marketing plan. This includes a wide range of possibilities. However, the best promotion I find is contacts through my own mail list and hope they keep spreading the word to their friends and acquaintances. I also hammer newspapers (whose reviewers often turn up their arrogant noses at us low-life authors who don’t reach NYTimes lists and, thus, toss us into the trash bin). Thus, I deal with real reporters and editors for feature and news articles; I’m more successful with this. I also do a lot of radio interviews. I contact people (sometimes 2-3 times before they call back). I find some publications (RTIR, e.g.) more effective than others in making radio producers aware of my stuff. It’s not unusual for me to do a couple of phone interviews a day when book is in promo-stage. I don’t do TV. I just have a better body for radio. TV would boost sales, but TV has deteriorated to a point that many interviewers are unprepared, that they want "hot topics" and "hot celebrities," especially the ones who have a fan club, publicist, and posse—but are published solely because of that, not because they can write. I send out a lot of postcards. I use VistaPrint and other low-cost companies since cost is minimal. (Fortunately, I am also strong at graphic design, so I save money in that area.) In all of my bills, I send a bookmark or postcard. After all, these companies send us a lot of junk mail, I see no reason why I can’t return that favor. (I especially like the self-stamped envelopes credit card companies and others send to get us to fall for one of their offerings; it’s a win situation for me—I send info, they pay for the postage.). I do a LOT of public speaking, and make sure the audience has something to take with them—postcards, magnets, bookmarks, etc. I often do bookstore signings, but these are never as lucrative as they should be in sales. BUT, the key is to meet people, find out what they’re thinking, talk about them—and your book. They MAY remember later. ALSO, a key to a good bookstore signing is to make sure you talk with the clerks. If you can hype them on the book, they may later recommend it to a customer.

Thanks, Walter. I especially like your idea of putting your promos in with your bill payments. I'll remember that one for sure.

Kaye

PROMOTION SUGGESTIONS by Kaye Trout

Here are a few suggestions to help promote your POD books:

1. ADD A LINK ON YOUR BOOK'S WEBSITE TO MY WEBSITE -- Kaye Trout's Book Reviews (http://kayetrout.blogspot.com) so that readers can find my review of your book and other POD books.

2. GIVE ME YOUR BOOK'S WEBSITE ADDRESS (URL).
I'll include the link in my book review which will link our websites together for greater exposure.

3. SUPPORT OTHER POD AUTHORS BY BUYING POD BOOKS.
If we support each other as POD authors, recognition and acceptance of POD books will certainly grow in time. If you're not sure about which books to buy, please go to my link "Kaye Trout's In Search of Excellence POD Book List."

4. ADD A "SIGNATURE" TO YOUR EMAILS.
When you create a "signature" for your emails, it will show up automatically at the bottom of every email you write. You can list your books and the address where they can be found, i.e, (http://victoriarosebooks.blogspot.com) . I can only give guidance for Outlook Express because that is what I have.

When in Outlook Express, click on TOOLS which is located at the top left, click on OPTIONS, then click on SIGNATURE. Create the signature, click APPLY and then OK. Start to create a new letter and see if you like how your signature looks at the bottom of the page. If you want to change it, just repeat the above and then make your changes.

5. CREATE A FREE WEBSITE (blog) FOR YOUR BOOK.
You can get a free blog at http://www.blogger.com and they are easy to set up. I don't know what blog stands for but it's a free website which you don't have to pay anyone to create or maintain for you. So, it worth the little time and effort to check it out. There are three steps involved: Create Your Account, Name Your Blog (Blog Title and Blog Address - URL), and Choose Your Template.

I invite you to visit my books' website: The Blog Title is Books by Victoria Rose and the Blog Address is: http://victoriarosebooks.blogspot.com. If you have any questions, I will be happy to help if I can.

Kaye 5/26/2006

THERE IS A CRACK IN EVERYTHING...THAT'S HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN by Helena Gunther

ENHANCE YOUR BOOK'S AMAZON WEBSITE

You may have noticed that some books have beneath the photo a section titled "Editorial Reviews" which includes Book Description, From the Publisher, From the Author, From the Back Cover, and About the Author.

If you are not already familiar with how to include this enhancement to your book's Amazon website, please follow these directions:

Click on: "Publisher: learn how customers can search inside your book."

Click on: "Enhancing your Book's Detail Page by Adding Persuasive Content."

Click on: "Book Content Update Form"

Complete the form and submit.


Kaye - April 10, 2006

HOW TO FIND OTHER BOOK REVIEWERS

As reviews are significant in the promotion of your book, you might consider checking Amazon for more reviewers.

1. This is how you find them:

Find a review, next to the reviewer's name is "See all my reviews" (click), at the top of the page is the Reviewer's Rank number (click). In the left hand column you will see a list of the top reviewers. Click on a name and then "Profile" (upper left hand corner) to find an email address. Write an email asking if they'll consider reviewing your book.

2. The rating of Amazon Reviewers:

Each time a customer reads a review on the site, he/she gets to vote on whether or not he/she found the review helpful. The votes are tabulated and a reviewer's rating is based on how helpful customer's found their review. So, please consider this after you have read a review. Don't forget to vote.

Kaye

HOW DO YOU PROMOTE YOUR BOOK?

DOUG MURPHY - Author of The Griffon Trilogy - 4/17/2006

Methods that I have used so far have included book signing parties, postcards (hundreds of them), classified ads, pay per click ads and word of mouth. Strangely enough the postcards have been the strongest method so far for me after the first rush of interest from friends and relatives.

J. PETER YAKEL - Author of The Legend of Juggin Joe
As you can imagine, for self-published authors, promoting your writing is a big challenge. Obviously, there is no traditional publishing house backing you, and working to get your writing out to the public. And, because there are literally tens of thousands of books being published each year, it’s that much more difficult to be heard above the rest. That’s the hard part.But, where there’s a will, there’s a way. For me, it's cyberspace. The Internet is one of the greatest technology advances of the 20th century, and it works wonders getting writers out to the world. Take this interview with you, for example. Thanks to the web, this conversation is available to potentially millions of readers, and some of them may be interested enough in what I have to say, that they'll give my books a chance. So, while I lack a traditional publisher, I’m keying off of this new cyber tool to fuel my literary aspirations. That's awesome! Aside from the book listings and chapter previews on my Lulu Storefront, at www.lulu.com/yakel, I'm on Amazon.com. I’m also trying, for the first time, a small book cover advertisement on www.myshelf.com, which will be listed in April. In addition, I've found that other Internet sources, like Froogle, and a variety of free or low-cost press release and article websites, like EzineArticles and PRWeb, also help to circulate interest in my writing. I also post book flyers in coffee shops, and other public gathering places, to promote the local flavor of my writing, and I’m in a handful of brick-and-mortar book stores around Capitaland, NY. Of course, book reviews and author interviews like this one help to build interest as well. Truth be told, promotion is a constant struggle – it’s not my favorite thing – but it comes with the territory of being a "one-man show"…not that I wouldn’t entertain the notion of distributing Juggin Joe with a traditional publishing house, or consider a movie deal or some other media outlet for the book, but for now, I’m doing things this way, because it’s the road I’ve chosen to take with my writing pursuits.


KEN BOIRE - Author of Inherit the Tide
Here is the way it went. The novel started at the bottom of the Amazon.com sales list at the end of October, with somewhere between about 1.5 million – 5 million titles between it and the top. By mid-December, it slipped into the 26,266 spot – over 98% of the way up the list. It maintained the top 10 – 20% through December and now is in need of a boost since it has settled into the top 20 - 40% in late January. This mid-range ranking should be short lived as a distributor will be picking it up soon and there are orders waiting to be filled there.· I wrote a press release. A hometown newspaper featured the book by picking up on the release.· The largest newspaper in Alaska responded to a direct contact and featured the book as one of three in its Sunday magazine. [The novel is set in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.]· Spreading the news through professional trade circles resulted in a book announcement being sent out to several thousand contacts by way of a company newsletter.· A paid advertisement is being planned for the weekend issue of the Seattle Times. It will capitalize on the Valentine Day shopping patterns of the weekend edition’s 1 million readers.· A free copy to Northwest Writers resulted in a crackerjack review and a professional caliber web posting.· Twenty free copies were spread around to friends with active networks, and resulted in recommendations to dozens of others.· Twenty books were sent to newspapers with review sections. Sent mailers to about a few independent book stores in Washington and Alaska and got one very positive reaction from a large outlet.· The book has a website through the publisher, plus my own, and has been picked up by several other sites.· Sent e-mail flyers to all of my contacts.· No free books to family, friends, and neighbors – tell them to buy it.· The cover is a stand-out presentation by itself.

Major brick and mortar stores such as Borders and Barnes & Noble make no bones about ordering it for customers. The day after the book’s release, it was picked up by Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon.com, Powell's Books, 1BookStreet, Blackwell's, Al Books, Booksamillion Club, Studentbookworld.com, and others.


J. D. GUINNESS - Author of The Famous Fakes
I promote my book through word-of-mouth and by publishing articles about it via the "List mania" and "So you’d like to…" guides on Amazon.com. By linking my book with various similarly-themed, best-selling books, magazines, and DVDs, I’m getting noticed (And yes, I really am getting noticed. I recommend it. Also, it keeps your writing muscles in shape, which is always a good thing).


FELIX PALMER - Author of Fish Out of Water
I read the reviews displayed in Amazon websites, look for reviewers' comments on books similar to mine, read their background information, and then write them an email inviting them to have a look at my work. Most responses are friendly and encouraging. I do not let the occasional negative reply, or even the rare insult, discourage me.


BRUCE BRADLEY - Author of The Last Jaguar
Book signings, author readings, radio interviews--any way that I can. When "Hugh Glass" came out I did one book signing, which was overwhelmingly successful. After that I thought the book would take off on its own merit. After all, it received great reviews…I didn't realize that was just the starting point. You have to keep going out there until people get curious and start to buy…hopefully.


ALAN NEALE - Author of Bricks & Torture
‘Publicity’ – I like the definition from my Collins Pocket Dictionary – ‘process or information used to arouse public attention’ – the thought of trying to arouse the public is both faintly seedy and laughably unlikely. However, it catches the nub of the matter – attracting attention.

If you are like me (and you have my sympathy if you are), the only way to promote your book and reap some reward and return from its publication, is to be a one man/woman/person publicity machine. But if you are like me, you won’t have a clue. Actually, that’s not true, and as so ably put in the guidance provided elsewhere on this website, you will have given at least a little thought to who might possibly be interested in your scribblings that have now been miraculously turned into a crisp, shiny new book. Having said all of this, just as my own book (‘Bricks & Torture’, bargain at £10.99, stonking read, available in all good bookshops and AuthorsOnline) struggles to be classified, there may not be an obvious market, in which case the old adage of all publicity being good publicity comes to the fore – in other words, anything, anyone, anyhow, anytime, anyplace, anywhere (just don’t start singing the old Martini jingle – it wont help!).

First off – you have to do something. Sitting waiting for telepathic signals to wend through the ether and miraculously plant themselves into peoples brains, such that they uncontrollably log on to Authorsonline or Amazon, or burst into the nearest bookshop demanding to purchase 20 copies, is about as likely as George Bush joining Greenpeace. People will only know if you tell them – so, go tell them! Friends, family, work colleagues, distant relatives, strange acquaintances, postmen, dustmen, journalists, producers, editors, politicians, MP’s, Prime Minister, God, Bernie Ecclestone (oops, sorry, duplication there). And how do you tell them? By every means possible, but beware, this is not for shrinking violets (or timid theresas, wimpy wills, nervous nancys – you get my drift).

The phone can be a wonderfully investigative tool, but be prepared to be passed around more people than a ball amongst the England Rugby backs (on a good day). Phone your local television stations, radio stations, newspapers, freesheets, village journals, - in fact any form of media possible. Still further, get out there and knock on some doors, or rather talk charmingly but persuasively (in person) to local bookshop owners and managers, you will be surprised at the positive response you get, but do get your script and approach right beforehand. Entering with a menacing wide-eyed look and blurting excitedly about how they must stock your book, and if they don’t the curse of a thousand Prescotts will be put upon them, will probably prompt a push of the panic button and a banning order. My tack? First, ask if the manager is available, and make sure you do this on a weekday – you don’t want the shelf filler who may lack the intellect necessary to make sound judgements, and if you go on a Saturday, chances are all the staff will be of this persuasion. Next, ask if they sell local books (I admit, this is a little cunning, as they may well think you want to buy rather than sell). Almost certainly, the answer will be yes, at which point, you produce your deviously hidden copy of your book and suggest (firmly, but politely) that they may want to stock it. This has worked in all cases, including, to my surprise, two sizeable branches of Ottakars.

Okay, so this gets you some sales to the bookshops, but how will people know that they are available to purchase? You have to spread the word through the media, and in these cases persistence pays. There is a fine line between being an amiable pest and being a real pain, but do not be put off by apparent barriers, real or imaginary. I have found that a combination of e-mails and phone calls can be quite productive, but be careful of the tack that you take. Local papers should be more than willing to feature your book and your story, but you are likely to have to hound them a little as well as being imaginative with the copy that you give them to attract attention –‘I have published a book, please feature it’, probably will not get them reaching for the phone frantically to bag the main story ahead of their bitter local rivals.

Radio on the other hand has been a reasonably rich, and varied, vein, but in doing so I have had to develop the perseverance and tenacity only generally associated with canines and skeletal parts. Find out who is the most likely lucky recipient of your persistence (a phone call or 10 should do it), and then don’t let go. Granted, you will have to modify your behaviour to make sure you are not classified as a deranged stalker, but you do need to hang in there. Through a variety of the above, I have managed to get myself interviewed (live) on two BBC local stations and one local commercial station, together with a taped phone interview on another (bizarre experience, not unlike talking to yourself with someone else in the room – not that I have ever done that of course). The strange thing was the quality of milieu as between at least part of the dear old Beeb and the commercial station. One was in a dog-eared architecturally challenged building in a rather grimy home counties town, while the other was in a bright and breezy converted milking parlour on a country estate. Still further while bright and breezy gave me a decent cup of coffee in a clean mug, for the alternative, I sipped a weak tea in a chipped mug that looked as if it might have been last cleaned in the time of William the Conqueror. I’m sorry, but Luton has a lot to answer for!

But this is to be ungracious, as the presenters (sorry, they cannot be classified as DJ’s, particularly as one station had not one single D to J) all took the time and trouble to consider my plea, and showed sufficient (and genuine) interest in myself and the book that they very kindly invited me on to tell their assembled audiences all about me and my literary meanderings. For this, I am eternally grateful, for, if nothing else, in the space of just over two weeks I had not only Andy Warhols promised 15 minutes of fame, but second, third and fourth helpings of the stuff. And without exception, they showed consideration and apparent curiosity which restored my faith in mans ability to be human and for once, unobsessed with the growing cult of celebrities. Unfortunately, I am not sure that my performance lived up their expectation, as it is one thing to be entertaining by the written word, but quite another to do so verbally when you are so nervous that you can hear the quiver in your own voice. Still, I achieved what I set out to do, even if I may not have done as well as I would have wanted, and I can tick the box of life experiences that has seen me interviewed live in a proper radio studio. God Bless them, indeed so much so that I will name them – John Pilgrim at BBC Three Counties (laid-back, affable, been there, seen it, done it and on at least his fourth T-Shirt to prove it), Mims Lovelock at Hertbeat FM (sparkling, intelligent, welcoming and plugged the book like she was on commission) and Steve Scruton at BBC Essex (engaging, encouraging and so helpful he probably deserved a big hug – don’t worry, I didnt)

There is of course one other mass medium which is increasingly inescapable, the all seeing eye of television. Interestingly, those in radio have a rather jaundiced view of TV, believing it is fundamentally tainted by its fixation with image and style, and that radio is the purer means of providing information. To be honest, they may be right, but I am unashamedly after publicity, and if any television station or programme wants to publicise and promote my efforts, at this almost amoeba state of my literary career, I would be happy to take anything that’s offered – 30 seconds on a local, local, spot on the mid-morning weekday news slot when the only viewers will be residents of nursing homes, geriatric dogs and those with an unhealthy fascination with third rate makeover programmes, will be just fine by me. However, thus far I have failed, but have had the pleasure of dealing with a peculiar breed who seem to sit on what the television stations call their ‘Newsdesk’. They are disarmingly cheerful, charming and genial, and suck you into believing that they are genuinely enthused by your story, which has the effect of taking all the sting out of your planned firm but polite approach, and most worryingly convinces you that, like that very attractive leggy blonde that you vainly chatted-up at someones 18th birthday party more years ago than you care to remember, they will ring you – honest! Needless to say, the phone doesn’t ring, and you feel slightly foolish and guilty when you ring them back. Trouble is that in this case, you simply go through the same cycle again. At this precise moment in time. I haven’t given up, but neither have I got a slap around the face yet, either actually, or metaphorically.

Finally, be prepared to think laterally about how you can spread the word. For me, this has included running ads in some very local journals (dirt cheap), putting up posters on notice boards wherever you can find room, pressing your work colleagues to buy copies of the book (but stop short of threatening violence), handing out publicity leaflets, stuffing them under car windscreen wipers in car parks, having a stall at a local village fair (rubbing shoulders with the WI and the best Jam in Hertfordshire, but commercially the least productive), e-mailing the editorial sections of some of the large newspapers in the US (astoundingly, I have sold quite a few copies in The States, but whether one of them is to Steven Speilberg I am still waiting to find out), and even printing T-shirts bearing the front cover (even I was surprised at the number of quizzical looks I got).

Remember, people can only say ‘no’ (or occasionally ‘NO!), so be brave, be bold, be imaginative, because its more than likely that these are the traits that got you determined to write and publish in the first place.