Posted by Infnity Author Marketing BLOG on Thu, Feb 03, 2011 @ 06:00 PM
Author Name: Cynthia W. Post
Book title(s): Meet Carrie Flower, Carrie Flower Goes To Camp, Carrie Flower Goes To The Hospital, Carrie Flower's Book For Brighter Days
I have learned a lot in this life. I have learned that critical remarks get me nowhere other than feeling bad about myself.
I have learned that, no matter how bad my situation is, someone else has a situation tougher than mine.
I have learned that, when I make a supposition about someone or something, I should ask if I am correct, instead of making it immediately true in my mind.
I have learned that, when I share my experience with others, I gain more than I ever thought was possible.
We, as authors, have the gift of using our words to make an impact.
We can use the words to hurt others or we can use our words to inspire people to grow. Use your wonderful talent to spread the message of positivity.
Find another author's work that moves you and tell the author how they had an impact on you. Wouldn't you love for another author to give you positive feedback? This exercise will help you to grow, learn and become more of an expert in your field.
Posted by Infnity Author Marketing BLOG on Tue, Feb 01, 2011 @ 06:00 PM
Author Name: Jay Thomas Willis
Book Title(s): Implications For Effective Psychotherapy With African-Americans; As Soon as the Weather Breaks; The Cotton is High; Born to be Destroyed; Paranoid but not Stupid; Why Black Americans Behave as They Do; Hard Luck; When the Village Idiot Get Started; Educated Misunderstanding; The Devil in Angelica.
Marketing Subject: (20 words or less) Grass-Root’s Marketing Strategies
I started writing notes in Infinity’s Authors’ Marketing Blog on Monday, November 29, 2011, and ended on Tuesday, February 01, 2011. I decided to contribute to the blog to see if I could get some ideas that might help me to promote my own books. I had been slow to amass any worthwhile marketing efforts.
As a result of writing notes in this blog, I have recently written a compilation of my notes entitled, Notes on Practical-Grass-Root’s Marketing Strategies for Self-Published Authors. These notes were written expressly for the Author’s Marketing Blog. I have organized each note according to the publication date.
As I went along writing these notes I began to see that it was necessary to market and promote your book at every available opportunity. In everything you do you must be consistently marketing your book. It should be a relentless and tireless effort.
On many occasions I wanted to quit writing notes in the blog, but found the strength to keep writing. I kept feeling that there was not much more I could say, but always found something else to write about. I was only limited because of my own awareness. I at first considered the subject to be limited in scope.
My first impression was, how much can you say about marketing on a continuous basis. But it seems there is always something to say about marketing. More books have been written about how to market your book than any other single subject. The topic is endless. It is just a matter of finding affordable marketing approaches for your special needs.
In writing these notes I have tried to delineate some of the many different approaches to marketing your book. There are 36 notes, each one approximately 600 words. It is difficult to describe an approach or technique in 600 words, but what I describe is only to be applied with further reading and consulting. These notes are only for the purpose of stimulating your thinking and introducing you to the realm of further possibilities.
I wanted to give the reader some basic-inexpensive techniques that can be used to help the self-published author to market his book. We all know that some approaches used with mainstream publishers don’t work with self-published authors.
It is necessary for the self-published author to pick and choose what works best for him. What works depends on the author’s circumstances, mainly his economic situation. It depends on what your needs are and what you’re trying to accomplish. Writing these notes in the Authors’ Marketing Blog has given me many ideas for the promotion of my own books. Some of these ideas I have implemented, and have found them all useful.
I have come to realize, as one individual wrote as a commentary to one of my notes: “There are no silver bullet approaches.” I take that to mean no approach is a “cure-all” or “end-all.” I hope these notes will motivate self-published authors to get motivated and be proactive in marketing and promoting their books. And not sit back and wait on some divine intervention to sell their books. This book should be appearing at the publisher within the next several weeks.
Posted by Infnity Author Marketing BLOG on Mon, Jan 31, 2011 @ 06:00 PM
Author Name: Jay Thomas Willis
Book Title(s): Implications For Effective Psychotherapy With African-Americans; As Soon as the Weather Breaks; The Cotton is High; Born to be Destroyed; Paranoid but not Stupid; Why Black Americans Behave as They Do; Hard Luck; When the Village Idiot Get Started; Educated Misunderstanding; The Devil in Angelica.
Marketing Subject: End-Note on Marketing for Self-Published Authors
I’ve come to the end of what I have to offer in regard to marketing. I’m not giving up on having something valuable to contribute to the Authors’ Marketing Blog. As time goes along I hope to develop further ideas and thus able to make more of a contribution. I’d like to be an ongoing contributor to the blog; I simply won’t contribute practically every day as I have since the beginning of the blog.
If you are interested in using Podcasting, Videocasting, Facebook, MySpace to market your book; go to google.com and enter whatever method you wish to use. In addition, there must be many other approaches to marketing your book that haven’t crossed my mind. Some of the approaches mentioned are too involved to be explained in a brief 600 word blog, and it’s not worth it to give a superficial explanation. Others have already explained much better than I can how to utilize these approaches. Some have done thorough research and explain how to use these approaches in great detail.
I won’t try to tell people how to use such approaches when I have never used them myself; I could only give an academic perspective on how to use them. In fact, some of them come in over budget for me; I try to stick with inexpensive approaches. It also takes more space than what I have to develop an appropriate blog-note. On google.com some of the approaches are explained with great precision and detail. My main concern in my blog-notes was to discuss marketing approaches that were basic and easy to use; this has been my priority.
Writing this blog has helped me tremendously to think more seriously and to consider my options more carefully in regard to marketing my own books. At least at this point I know what approaches are appropriate and what is not appropriate for utilizing to market my books. When I first began to write these blogs I hadn’t given careful thought to what approaches might be useful for marketing my books. Even if I don’t take advantage of the variety of approaches mentioned in the blog, at least I am aware of what they are. It has been a pleasure making a major contribution to this blog.
I’m not trying to say that ideas in general for marketing your books have been exhausted in my Authors’ Marketing Notes. It’s just that I have exhausted my ideas for how to market your books. As I come across new ideas I’ll share them with everyone through the Author’s Marketing Blog. When I first started writing in this blog, I knew at some point it would have to end, since my knowledge of marketing is limited. I’m rather surprised that I was able to contribute for as long as I did. I don’t want to carry on as if I have an infinite knowledge about marketing. That’s why I decided to encapsulate what I know, and contribute what I can as I feel comfortable.
Posted by Infnity Author Marketing BLOG on Fri, Jan 28, 2011 @ 06:00 PM
Author Name: Cynthia W. Post
Book title(s): Meet Carrie Flower, Carrie Flower Goes To Camp, Carrie Flower Goes To The Hospital, Carrie Flower's Book For Brighter Days
Marketing Subject: A year of success
Do you feel like the weather - All frozen up with fear and don't know when your next book will be sold?
Do you sit there with the blanket on you hoping for warmer weather?
Get out and volunteer!
Read your book or books to someone who needs a companion.
No matter what age you address in your books - there are people that age who need a friend.
Some ideas: Go to your local library, Hospice patients, Nursery schools, Day Care for children or adults, Cancer patients.
Share your warmth and you will be a warmer person!
Who knows - you might inspire somebody to buy your book
Posted by Infnity Author Marketing BLOG on Mon, Jan 24, 2011 @ 06:00 PM
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by Cynthia W. Post
I have been reflecting on my life and realize there is a drastic change in my life about every 3 years.
I get an unsettling feeling deep inside of me as I start to examine my life and I realize something is about to change. Each experience brings a new opportunities of growth and learning. I am grateful for all the people and places I have been. I call them my teachers. While my life evolves into the next chapter I am fortunate enough to remain friends with so many. I could not stay in contact with everyone but I consider them a important part of my learning
Here are the highlights: I got married and started having children. That was a 12 years process. 3 years to date, get married, and have my first baby a girl, Kirby, 3 years later a baby boy, Guthrie Jr, and another girl 3 years later, Claire. It was only 3 years later divorce (I was on the fast track!). I stayed home until my youngest went to school which was 3 years later and the I re-entered the work force as a temporary for a local hospital. It took about 3 years for me to secure a management position for an MRI center, 3 years later I took a position to help launch a marketing campaign for a new imaging center, Valley MRI and Diagnostic Center. After I completed the three year commitment I accepted a position as a marketing and public relations director for Wyoming Valley Cancer Center. I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years later and left to care for myself and my family. I also, used the time helped care for another family that was special to me. Additionally my mother was failing with COPD (chronic, obstructive, pulmonary, disease) and needed extra care that I provided.
The past 3 years. I did a lot of self exploration on my own and through classes. Because of this I was able to write my 3 children's book series. I'm feeling unsettled and a change forthcoming.
The energy around me is strong, very excitable, and oh so scary too.
I am ready! I am prepared! and I have faith that I am exactly where I am suppose to be.
I am understanding my life purpose.
You can create from the life you were given, write it, talk about it, and be authenite.
Carrie Flower's theme song words are: "Carrie Flower can change the world"
Will it be that I, through Carrie Flower, can help change the world?
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Book Title: Carrie Flowers
ISBN: 0-7414-6463-2 ©2011
Price: $10.95
Book Size: 8" x 8" , 0 pages
Category/Subject: Children's
This children's 3 book series is about Carrie Flower, a sunflower girl, who shares real life discomforts. In Meet Carrie Flower she exercises and eats healthy; In Carrie Flower Goes to Camp she encounters diversity with flowers who look and smell different from her; and In Carrie Flower Goes to the Hospital she befriends a sick child in a hospital. Through the series Cynthia hopes to encourage us all to keep an open mind, body, and spirit.
Posted by Infnity Author Marketing BLOG on Mon, Jan 24, 2011 @ 06:00 PM
Author Name: Jay Thomas Willis
Book Title(s): Implications For Effective Psychotherapy With African-Americans; As Soon as the Weather Breaks; The Cotton is High; Born to be Destroyed; Paranoid but not Stupid; Why Black Americans Behave as They Do; Hard Luck; When the Village Idiot Get Started; Educated Misunderstanding; The Devil in Angelica.
Marketing Subject: Marketing Through Twitter
Some people still don’t believe Social Networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace can help to market their book. It seems these sites are good sources for doing just that. Twitter is a way for authors to connect with their audience, build a following, and make sales. The potential for reaching people is unlimited. You can even be selective about targeting your chosen market. I will in this blog consider Twitter as a marketing tool.
Both my sons, one is in college and the other is a Web site designer, cautioned me against trying to use Twitter to market my books. Also, my wife cautioned me about giving out personal information about myself. But without knowing much about these sights, wanted to form my own opinion about them.
I am seriously considering using Twitter to help market my books, after studying it as a source of marketing very carefully. I have heard some good things about it, and personally believe it to be a good marketing tool.
You can set up a profile and send tweets to people to get them to buy your book. The idea is to connect with people, and then get them to buy your book. Most people will feel better about the sale if they have a connection to you. You can send out tweets to all of your followers. The rule is don’t keep sending out the same tweets too often or it can be regarded as spam, in addition to annoying to people.
When considering signing on to Twitter, it would be good to set up a blog. You can do a link from your profile in Twitter to your blog. (1). Create a profile. This is where you give information about yourself. The tweet itself should be limited to 140 characters. Try to be original. You can either use your last name or the name of your book. You can add information about your book to your profile space, telling people what it’s about. You can also place a link from your profile to your Web site. (2). Once you sign on to the sight search for people who tweet in your area of interest, and strive to get them to follow you, and you follow them. These kinds of people might be interested in reading your book. You can always follow or un-follow someone. (3).Build trust by tweeting and get sales.
Don’t be too blatant about your intent to sell something, people log on for a social experience, but it’s OK to throw in a promotional link now and then. Concentrate on being someone interesting people want to read about and follow.
Follow others and get them to reciprocate. Start with friends, family, and relatives, and build a following. Your goal is to build followers that appreciate your work and want to pass it on.
Let followers know of your local and national activities. Build a following with very little effort. If you want to connect with others you must convince them to sign up with Twitter. You can drive people to Your Web site, and potentially sell copies of your book. You can build awareness of your book. Twitter has grown phenomenally, and has become potentially useful to those who wish to market their books. It’s the fastest growing Social Networking site on the Internet. It makes people feel connected and part of your life. By using Twitter you can grow a following for yourself and your book. It can at least help you to spread the word about your book. The only drawback is not using it well.
Posted by Infnity Author Marketing BLOG on Fri, Jan 21, 2011 @ 06:00 PM
Author Name: Cynthia W. Post
Book titles: Meet Carrie Flower: Carrie Flower Goes To Camp: Carrie Flower Goes To The Hospital: Carrie Flower's Book for Brighter Days
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Marketing Subject: A year of success
My first year in the world was brilliant. I met so many wonderful people
Here are some of my favorite memories over the past year.
We engaged Taluva marketing consultants and developed a strategy to launch Carrie Flower in Philadelphia, at The Please Touch Museum. Carrie Flower was introduced to the world on October 17, 2010. Our team donated 40 "Get Well Bouquets" to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia due to the tremendous success of the event.
Another great accomplishment during the year was publishing three Carrie Flower books with the valuable assistance of our publisher, Infinity Publishing. By the year's end our relationship with Infinity had developed into a beneficial partnership.
Our book was completed and we created a doll, based on the book's main character, Carrie Flower. We combined three books and a doll together and refer to the package as "A Bouquet for Brighter Days". An Amish mom and daughter manufactured our first dolls. Currently we have secured the services of two crafts people from Northeastern PA, Jackey Triplet and Yvonne Hargraves. When one bouquet is purchased that generates the gift of an additional doll and a book to a child that is facing illness.
We didn't miss a beat when we hired Mamma Mac to create and sing a theme song for Carrie Flower. Special events were held at Ali's Wagon, Head House Books and our grand finale was held at Kevin's Bar and Restaurant.
I look forward to sprouting throughout the world and hope I can count on your continued help and support during the coming year.
Spreading warm sunshine rays to everyone.
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Posted by Infnity Author Marketing BLOG on Fri, Jan 21, 2011 @ 06:00 PM
Author Name: Jay Thomas Willis
Book Title(s): Implications For Effective Psychotherapy With African-Americans; As Soon as the Weather Breaks; The Cotton is High; Born to be Destroyed; Paranoid but not Stupid; Why Black Americans Behave as They Do; Hard Luck; When the Village Idiot Get Started; Educated Misunderstanding; The Devil in Angelica.
Marketing Subject: Marketing Your Book on TV
Marketing on TV is one of the best ways to market your book. People can see whose book they’re buying, and exactly what kind of person you are. If you speak the kings’ English, have a good appearance, and have something important to say, you may be one step ahead in the game. If there’s anything disconcerting about your personality, people will realize it, and be less likely to buy your book.
It’s hard to believe people are shallow enough to have more faith and confidence in someone who is attractive, nice hair, nice shape, good personality, and well modulated voice; but it’s a fact that these people will probably sell more books. When they have something to say it puts the icing on the cake. If you have problems modulating your voice, TV may not be the medium for you. If you realize you have some other negative qualities you shouldn’t consider TV.
I did one interview on a cable TV show a few years ago. At the time I had begun to have facial tics, resulting from Parkinson’s disease. The camera was placed right in my face, exposing the facial tic rather than focusing on other aspects of the situation and down playing the facial area. They seemed more interested in the facial tic than what I had to say. It really angered me when I saw the video. Naturally, such a show wasn’t going to sell many books.
Several times on cable interviews I felt I was confronting an adversary rather than doing an interview. If you get in an adversarial relationship with a host it will do more damage than good. Be sure you talk with the host before the show to lay out a game plan. Get a list of questions the host should ask during the interview.
Don’t let a host push you around simply because he’s giving you the opportunity to be interviewed. In some cases the host will try to make the interview into a sensational event, not considering how the interviewee comes out looking. His job, in some cases, is to create a media circus, and he will do that at yours or anyone else’s expense. Some of them are more interested in making themselves look good rather than promoting your book.
I refused an opportunity to go on national TV recently because of my increasing Parkinson symptoms. Presently, I am a little overweight, need some work on my teeth, have always tended to stutter—with a light tenor voice. I felt that I would turn more people off than I aroused interest in my books. Whenever you feel you are going to do more damage than good; it’s best to stay away from such situations. A man with a tenor voice will sometimes give people the wrong idea.
Interviews can be costly, but I have been on cable shows without any expense. I was later able to see those shows aired, though I was never satisfied. When I was offered the interview on national TV recently, I didn’t get an opportunity to ask questions about cost. They made me feel it would be at no cost to me. The interview was to take place in Florida, and I was probably going to end up paying for something. The host promised to get back to me but never did. If you get a chance for an interview, be sure they expose your best qualities to the camera. You don’t need anything to detract from the main point of the interview—your book.
Posted by Infnity Author Marketing BLOG on Thu, Jan 20, 2011 @ 06:00 PM
Author Name: Jay Thomas Willis
Book Title(s): Implications For Effective Psychotherapy With African-Americans; As Soon as the Weather Breaks; The Cotton is High; Born to be Destroyed; Paranoid but not Stupid; Why Black Americans Behave as They Do; Hard Luck; When the Village Idiot Get Started; Educated Misunderstanding; The Devil in Angelica.
Marketing Subject: Marketing Through Radio
Appearing on radio talk shows are an excellent way to market your book. It’s necessary to have an interesting book to talk about. One other necessity is that you be real and natural. Then you need a strong personality with high energy. It depends upon your situation as to how easy it is to get on these shows. Radio helps to train you for other media. It’s convenient: most are done over the telephone.
Radio will help you expand your message. You can showcase your expertise, wisdom, and experience on issues related to your book. It’s possible to quickly reach your target market. You can create an instant buzz for your book. Radio avoids the longer lead time you have for print media. You get the opportunity to engage in conversation that is meaningful, and gives you the edge on your competitors.
By appearing on radio you can drive listeners to your Web site, where they can get further information about your book. You have to appeal to listeners and get them to be interested in you and your book. It’s necessary to provide an atmosphere where listeners will be receptive to information about your book. The intent is to share your views and insight with the listeners so they will be interested in buying your book.
Radio showcases your expertise, while creating a relationship between you and the listener. It brings you up close and personal with your listeners. It feels like one-on-one, but brings you into contact with tens of thousands of listeners. Radio helps you to engage the listener while creating a sense of them knowing who you are
The way to get on a talk show is to first send the producer a press release that tells about your book. Send it to the radio station that appeal to the population that covers your niche market. If the producer is interested he will contact you.
Once you get the interview: (1). If the host gives you a date for your interview, be waiting by the phone at the time of the interview; (2). Be careful not to take special liberties, conduct yourself with integrity. Don’t be out of control because you are comfortable at home; (3). Give the host a list of questions to ask, so that you won’t be caught off guard; (4). While engaged in the interview, stay on topic—don’t stray away from the topic of your book. Give as much information about yourself and your book without giving too much; (5). Let the listeners know where they can purchase your book, at the appropriate time. Be sure to give your Web site address, and the telephone number where you book can be ordered.
At one time it was easier to get on radio talk shows. Presently radio can potentially be one of the most expensive ways to market your book. I can remember being on radio for several hours in the 1980s, at no cost to myself, and being given free reign to say whatever I wanted. I spent the entire time talking about various aspects of my books. If a host finds you interesting, you might be able to get free publicity—even today. I have been on several local radio talk shows in the past several years for free. I have done thirty minute interviews on several radio stations in Chicago, once at a station in Cincinnati, and once in Philadelphia.
Photo by: wot nxt
Posted by Infnity Author Marketing BLOG on Wed, Jan 19, 2011 @ 06:00 PM
Author Name: Jay Thomas Willis
Book Title(s): Implications For Effective Psychotherapy With African-Americans; As Soon as the Weather Breaks; The Cotton is High; Born to be Destroyed; Paranoid but not Stupid; Why Black Americans Behave as They Do; Hard Luck; When the Village Idiot Get Started; Educated Misunderstanding; The Devil in Angelica.
Marketing Subject: Marketing Through Magazines
Magazines are like newspapers, there are a number of ways to market your book through using them. There’re only slight differences between marketing in newspapers and magazines. You can do book reviews, press releases, write articles, interviews, monthly columns, or place a paid-classified ad. Most people will use the classified ad to advertise in magazines. Doing interviews are similar to writing articles. Again, I will consider here the avenues I haven’t previously fully explored.
Magazines are different from newspapers in one regard, they direct your article or ad to a target audience. Magazines are designed to reach a particular segment of the population. If you write an article or advertise in particular magazines you can reach a target audience related to the subject of your book. There are magazines aimed at any particular audience you want to reach. The advantage in advertizing in magazines is you can target your audience more selectively, and write more specific ad copy, while appealing to the specific interest of the readers.
Paid ads or advertisements are even more expensive in magazines than newspapers. Most magazines look for advertizing; it is how they pay their bills. These magazines have a classified section for people to advertise in, which are usually less expensive. If you can afford their rates then it makes sense to use them as a source of advertisement for your book. If you don’t like their prices maybe you can contact them and negotiate on the price. Magazines are like newspapers and circulation is generally down. In some magazines you will find less expensive rates than in others.
Also, magazines are always on the lookout for monthly columnist. This is your opportunity to have an ongoing column about a subject related to your book. You will be able to share your expertise with their readership. At the end of your column you should always put your bio, a short blurb about your book, as well as a link to your Web site. You must write to the editor and introduce yourself, see if they can use your services.
Contribute an article to the magazine. If you can’t become a regular columnist, the magazine might be looking for a one-time article. If you get to write an article you will normally get a byline and a short bio. While sharing your knowledge with readers, it will introduce your expertise, and put your name in reader’s minds. Again, you must approach the editor with a query letter.
Magazines and newspapers offer similar ways to market and promote your book; there are few dissimilarities. Magazines are just one possible media source for utilizing to promote and market your book. Writing an article in a magazine can be the most inexpensive way to get publicity for your book. In writing a monthly column you may be able to make some money and promote your book at the same time. Again, you can advertise in regional and national magazines. It is felt that advertising regionally can have more of an advantage, since many books have a local slant. Magazines are better for reaching a target audience, but ads are generally most expensive in magazine than in newspapers.