Marketing Article Roundup

I haven’t had a lot of time to devote to this blog this week, so I’ve consulted my list of recent online articles to share with you.

Marketing Lessons from the World of Retail (by T. L. Higley on Christian Author Network blog). This one offers some specifics about Facebook.  Higley has other posts by the same title here and here.

Marketing Principles: Agent Rachelle Gardner features writer and marketing consultant Jim Rubart in a three-part series. Scroll to the bottom of the link to read the first article and work your way back to the top.

Lots of good information in all these posts. I’ll be back soon.

Should You Publish Your Own Book?

Have you developed a book proposal and had no luck selling it to a traditional publisher? Have you written a book but haven’t taken the time to prepare a proposal and market it? If you can answer “yes” to either question, you’ve probably thought about self-publishing.

There’s been a lot of discussion about self-publishing on the Internet lately because of recent announcements by royalty publishers that they are going into the self-publishing business. That must mean that self-publishing is the wave of the future. Or, it could mean that the royalty publishers are just looking for another way to enhance the bottom line.

If you are considering self-publishing, ask yourself these questions:

• Is your work really ready for publication? Even if you answer “yes,” you should submit your work for a professional critique. Most of us cannot really be objective about our own work. You may need to hire a “book doctor” to get your book into “saleable” shape.
• Are you ready and willing to sell your own books? The answer to this one must be “yes,” because nobody will sell them for you. Having a listing on Amazon or other sites is not going to yield enough sales to recoup your investment.
• Do you have a speaking ministry or other platform to help you sell your books? If not, perhaps you’re better off building a platform before you invest in your book.

If you know you’re ready to self-publish, choose a reputable company that is recommended by other writers. Do not look for bargain basement deals. Look instead for value and dependability. See the resource material I’ve listed below as you expand your research on self-publishing. If you don’t read anything else in the list below, read Jim Watkins’ article.

Recent Online Buzz about Self-Publishing:

Chip MacGregor’s Blog (Agent)

Rachelle Gardner (Agent) has two posts, “A Rant and a Q4U” and “My Final Comments on Self-publishing.”

Jim Watkins Article

Writer Beware Blogs!

Web Sites for Self-Publishing Companies

Some of these companies offer print on demand services, too.

ACW Press

Intermedia Publishing

Thomas Nelson

Winepress (POD division Pleasant Word)

Note: I have not had personal dealings with any of these companies, so please do not take their listing on this blog as a personal recommendation.

Accepting Your Role as Salesperson

“Writing is an art. Publishing is a business.” These words jumped out at me in a workshop given recently by Lawrence Wilson, pastor and former editorial director at Wesleyan Publishing House. This simple statement encapsulates the aspiring writer’s problem with getting published.

Writers see themselves as artists, resisting the idea of putting a dollar value on their writing. Perhaps you write because you are passionate about a particular subject or about writing itself. Once you begin the quest for publication, though, you have entered the realm of business. For any business to be successful, somebody must sell something to someone. In my experience, writers abhor the whole idea of “selling themselves.” You, the writer aspiring to publication, must sell your work to publishers who, in turn, sell their publications to the end user (reader).

Does the idea of selling your work conjure up images of door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesmen or network marketing gurus? You’re not alone. Intrusive and manipulative sales techniques have given sales a bad name for most people. I think that’s why some prefer to call it “marketing” rather than “selling.” The term “marketing” suggests that you put your work out for people to see in hopes that someone will see it, like it, and buy it—like at a flea market.

Flea market vendors don’t sell much unless they offer quality products that shoppers want. They must know the market, the customer demographics. They must also interact with the shoppers to convince them to buy the product (selling). As a writer, you submit your work to publishers, making sure that you have followed the guidelines. Your customer, the publisher, states the demographics and preferences of his customers (readers), along with the technical requirements of the documents they are willing to consider. Still, you may need to “sell” the editor on your work. Extra-mile features will entice the editor to buy your work instead of someone else’s with identical specifications. For example, including sidebars and pull-quotes will make your article more attractive. For book proposals, mention an established speaking ministry or other platform for selling your books.

If you believe in the quality and value of your product, selling it is an honorable pursuit. You won’t sell to every customer, but you won’t get your work published unless you try.

Promotion/Networking: Twitter for Writers

Continuing the series on social media for writers, today I’ll share what I’ve learned about Twitter, the micro-blogging tool. If you are not familiar with Twitter, go to this article on Wikipedia now.

Instead of having friends as on Facebook, Twitter users have followers. I’ve used Twitter for several months now, following people mainly in the Christian publishing industry. Some of the same people are friends on Facebook. As of today, I am following 49 people, and 56 people are following me. Some say that you should follow everyone who follows you, but I don’t follow people unless it appears that their content will be of interest to me.

What I Like About Twitter

• Posts (tweet) are short and often provide links that I can access if I want to know more. It doesn’t take me long to scan the list and read the things I’m interested in.
• I can post announcements about new blog posts to help build my readership.
• I can follow people I want to know more about and ignore the ones that are following me in order to sell me something.
• The new Lists feature allows me to separate my preferred follows from the ones I’m just following as a courtesy.

What I Don’t Like About Twitter

• Some people resort to text message language in order to get a longer message in the 140 character limit. Besides having trouble interpreting some of it, I see this as cheating!
• Some people must just tweet all day long. There’s a limit to how much I want to hear from any one person, no matter how much they know about writing and publishing. If you have that much to say, use a blog.
• I’m following publishing professionals for information about writing and publishing, not about where they’re going, what they’re having for dinner (breakfast, lunch, snack), or what the weather is like where they live.

Twitter Marketing Effectiveness

Although there are things I don’t like about Twitter (and other social media, for that matter), I have to admit that they can be effective. I do see an increase in the traffic on my blogs for a day or so after I tweet about a post.

Recently, a family in Vermont needed funding for medical treatment for their special needs baby. The mother let friends know about the problem via Twitter. Someone set up a page on her Web site where people could make donations through Paypal. The message went out on Twitter, Facebook, and other social media. See the details in this article, “How Social Media Saved Jaeli.”

Other Articles About Twitter

Seven Twitter People Every Author Should Follow

Nine Ways to Promote Your Book Using Social Media

See my previous posts on Facebook here and on social media in general here.

Read my post on Twitter, Facebook, and Tweetdeck.

Promotion/Networking: Facebook for Writers

In my last post, I promised to share my experiences with social media. I have not experimented with all of the possible methods. I primarily use Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Follow the links in the previous sentence to see my home page for each site. I’ve found that I have more to say on each method than I originally thought, so I will limit this post to Facebook. Others will be covered in future posts.

My Facebook friends include long-time friends, family, and writers/editors/publishers. I joined because a writer’s conference I planned to attend had set up a Facebook group. At first, I thought I would limit Facebook friends to writers, editors, and publishers. However, I soon found out that I had many long-lost friends on Facebook, so I decided to include them. Since I joined Facebook to promote my writing, it stands to reason that I want everyone who knows me to know about my blogs. So, why leave anyone out just because they’re not involved in the publishing industry?

Promote your blog: I have several blogs, and I often post an announcement that there’s a new post on a blog. This nets me higher traffic on the blog for a day or so after I post. I’m not getting many e-mail subscribers for my blogs from Facebook as I had hoped. It’s possible that I may be getting subscribers by RSS feed, which I cannot track. But, the increase in traffic, even if temporary, is worth the effort.

Promote your published work: Many published authors use Facebook to keep readers informed by setting up a group. Check out Rita Gerlach’s group for her recent novel, Surrender the Wind. I’m not sure whether you’ll get to see comments of fans unless you log in, but try the link anyway. For fiction writers, building a fan base like this is a must. You want your fans to be ready and willing to buy your next book when it comes out.

Non-fiction writers can post announcements about articles published in print or provide links to work published online. In addition, a non-fiction write can use a topic-based or cause-based group to build contacts. As group owner, you can post updates on your topic or cause, thereby keeping your expertise in that topic in front of your readers. See United Methodist Committee on Relief and Power of Prayer.

Priming the pump: In commenting on other people’s posts, I’ve had interesting Facebook conversations on topics that I’d never have a chance to discuss in person. Just yesterday, a friend posted a comment about an experience she had. I commented on it and received updates throughout the day. By the end of the day, I had an idea for a new article based on the topic that was discussed.

I welcome comments about your experiences marketing yourself and your work on Facebook. Next post: Twitter

Promotion/Networking: Social Media

Most aspiring authors know they need to build their network of writers, editors, and publishers. They know that they need to understand the publishing industry so that they can be positioned to sell their book or articles. In my previous post on networking, I discussed what networking is and how word of mouth marketing builds your network. See that post here.

Social media are a great way to build your contact list. Although there are several options, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn seem to be the most popular with writers. The first two can be used to network with publishing industry folks as well as friends and family. LinkedIn is more for networking with other professionals. There’s a great article on the Writers’ Digest site entitled “A Writer’s Guide to Social Networking” that covers these three social media. Take a look at this article this week, and I’ll write about my own experiences with them in my next post.

Meanwhile, for those of you who have not tried social media, follow the links below to how-to information on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin:

Ehow/Facebook or Butterscotch.com/Facebook

Butterscotch.com/Twitter

Butterscotch.com/LinkedIn

Marketing Article Roundup

T. L. Higley has an interesting article entitled “Marketing Lessons from the World of Retail” on ChristianAuthorNetwork.com blog this week. Read it here.

Author Tech Tips blog featured a good one by Rob Eagar, founder of WildFire Marketing. His article is “Marketing Mistakes Top Level Authors Make.”

Literary agent, Chip MacGregor has a great article about marketing and fiction. I also found his article on “Blogging as Marketing” interesting. Read it here.

Next post will be about social networking (blogging, Facebook, Twitter).

Guest Post: Contests as Marketing Tools

Guest blogger today is Marylane Wade Koch. She’s a writer, editor, speaker, coach, and adjunct professor (University of Memphis nursing school). This article first appeared in Tracy Crump’s The Write Life, a newsletter for writers available here.

And the winner is . . .

In my twenties, I dreamed of winning the Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes. Now each year I virtual-tour the HGTV dream house online, submit my entry, and envision myself as the owner. However, I only considered entering writing contests after I read an article in The Writer profiling authors who catapulted their careers to publishing success with their wins.

Contests provide opportunities for writers in any genre. Awards may include gift cards, subscriptions, books, computers, and software, as well as cash and the opportunity to see your work in print. Winning a writing contest could land you an agent or a publishing contract. Agents and publishers view reputable contests as a way to find the best writers without wasting staff time and resources. At the least, this new credential will add prestige to your writing resume, useful when submitting a query letter or book proposal.

To ensure your entry gets the highest consideration, try these strategies:

• Select a contest specific for your genre.
• Examine all information available, including the reputation of the sponsoring company and the names of the judges. If in doubt about a contest, check with Predators and Editors at http://anotherealm.com/prededitors/pubctst.htm or Writer Beware at http://www.sfwa.org/Beware/contests.html. Both offer excellent information on contest scams.
• Make sure the prizes match the investment of the entry fee. Look for reasonable low-cost fees.
• Read the rules for submission carefully. Noncompliance could disqualify your entry.
• Start with a strong opening that holds the judge’s attention and close with a memorable ending.
• Write the draft ahead of the due date to give your entry time to chill. Read your work out loud and revise it carefully. Ask a trusted person to proofread for correct grammar and punctuation. Send only your best work and submit well before the deadline.

Although I have not won any major contests yet, last year I received a year’s subscription to a favorite magazine, and this spring I secured the money to paint our house, both with 200 word essays. Remember: writing and submitting can make you a winner.

Resources on writing contests:

Poets & Writers magazine (contests and grants)

http://www.pw.org/content/writing_contests_0

The Writer Magazine

http://www.writermag.com/wrt/community/events/contests.asp

Writers Digest Magazine

http://www.writersdigest.com/competitions

Sally Stuart’s Christian Writers’ Market Guide lists contests

http://www.stuartmarket.com/index.html

Writers-editors: Contests

http://www.writers-editors.com/Writers/Contests/contests.htm

Hope Clark’s Funds for Writers Contest Listings

http://www.fundsforwriters.com/contests.htm

Hope Clark’s No Fee Contest ebook

http://www.fundsforwriters.com/ebooks.htm

© 2009 Marylane Wade Koch, used by permission.

Promotion/Networking: Online Writers’ Groups

Networking, getting to know editors and other writers, is not only a useful marketing tool, but it is also necessary for getting your work published. The more contacts you have, the more likely you will get a lead on a market that fits your work. In the online marketing class I recently held, one of the students lived in a northwestern state, far from any writers’ conference or writers’ groups. Her only option for networking is the Internet. So, what are her options?

CWFI: Christian Writers Fellowship International (CWFI) Yahoo group requires a subscription to Cross and Quill. With about 100 members, it is an active group. Members write fiction and nonfiction. Overt promotion is not allowed on the group, although members are encouraged to report publishing successes.

CWGI: You must fill out an application form for Christian Writers Group International (CWGI), also a Yahoo group. There is no fee, so this is a much larger group. The last time I checked there were about 800 members worldwide. Discussions are made more interesting by input from members in places like Australia and South Africa.

TWV1: the Writers’ View 1 is for “advanced and professional writers in the Christian market. Topics are advanced and explore the entire publishing process.” Owned by Mary DeMuth, this group requires a membership application and there are a number of panelists covering a wide variety of genres.

TWV2: The Writer’s View 2 is “for beginning/intermediate Christian writers serious about taking their writing to the next level.” Membership application required for this one, too. You must choose which TWV you want to participate in, because you are not allowed to participate in both. Mary also owns this group, but the list of panelists is different.

ACFW: The groups mentioned in this blog are ones that I have participated in or investigated for myself. If you are a fiction writer, check out American Christian Fiction Writers. Member benefits include forums that might be helpful to you.

These groups not only help you improve your writing, but they help you get to know people who can introduce you to others in the industry. I invite comments on this post from people who have participated in other writers’ groups.

More on networking online in the next post where we’ll talk about Twitter, Facebook, and Shoutlife.

What I Learned from Marketing Class

“Teaching is a great way to learn.” I don’t remember who told me that originally, but I’ve found it to be true. I’ve taught music, Bible studies, journaling workshops, and marketing courses. In every instance, I had to bone up on my subject matter in order to teach it effectively. Also, in most cases, I’ve learned as much from my students as they have learned from me.

My online marketing class (offered through The Christian PEN) that’s wrapping up now has been a great learning experience for all of us. We had 10 participants from all over the U. S. States represented are Washington, Idaho, California, Ohio, Virginia, Alabama, Colorado, Kansas, and Tennessee (my location).All students are aspiring freelance editors, many of them also freelance writers in the Christian publishing industry.

I’ve taught this class each year for four years now. This year’s class enlightened me on the following developments in marketing for Christian publishing.

Writers/editors know they need a Web site. In the first class, very few members had a Web site. Blogging was foreign to most people, and social networking was not yet a big thing. When we started this class, 80% of the class already had a Web site, and some of them also had blogs. Part of our course deals with promotion, and a Web site is recommended as a “must.” Those who didn’t have one at the start are well on their way to getting a site set up. Those who had one in the beginning have heard ideas about how to improve theirs. See my Wired to Write blog for how-information on Web sites and blogs.

They are intensely interested in how to present themselves online. Having accepted the necessity of being online, the students wanted to know what else they could do. Some of them cannot do much in-person networking to promote their business because of their location or family situation. Online networking is the next best thing. Twitter, Facebook, and Shoutlife are some of the most popular networking methods these days. There’s some information on electronic networking on my Wired blog, too. See it here.

Most are hesitant about “selling” themselves. All of my class members expressed hesitation or downright distaste about having to “sell” their services. All of the class members were women. I don’t know if that had anything to do with it or not, but I’ve observed that men don’t seem to be bothered by the idea of selling as much as women are. We spent some time discussing the fact that they have a product or service that has value for their customers. If they believe in their product, they should not have qualms about telling people about it and asking a fair price for it. I’ll develop an article for this blog on the subject of personal selling soon. In the meantime, take a look at the information on KnowThis.com.