Marketing Tools of the Trade: Public Speaking

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All writers love to write. However, when it comes to public speaking many writers run in the other direction and don’t look back. If you want to successfully market your book then you need to become comfortable with your public speaking skills. Marketing a book doesn’t involve only printed information about your book. Readers, fans, and the media will want to hear what you have to say as an author.

Public speaking promotes not only your book, but you as a person which is critical to your triumph. Readers like to know that you are an expert in your field or at the very least know what you are talking about. Readers wish to connect your words to a face they can trust. Public speaking is the marketing effort that establishes this relationship.

Public speaking is an art. Many people are not born with top notch public speaking skills. Therefore, it is imperative that you learn and practice public speaking skills before you promote and market your book. Public speaking involves interacting with others so you must jump out of your chair and leave your writing project at home.

Spending time interacting with others is not enough. It is possible to improve your public speaking comfort level if you attend social events and talk to people at public places such as book stores. However, it is vital that you know the elements of effective public speaking. You can learn these public speaking skills through organizations such as Toastmasters International, www.toastmasters.org.

What is Toastmasters International? Toastmasters International is an organization that teaches public speaking skills and allows you to practice these skills with a local Toastmasters group. They also provide excellent links to online and print information regarding public speaking. You can search their website to find a local club. Many workplaces have a Toastmasters group that meets one to two times per month. These clubs give you a great chance to focus on your public speaking skills.

Improving your public speaking skills can give you the confidence to read at your book signing and ace any interviews about your book. You can communicate the purpose and importance of your book more successfully thus leading to higher sales.

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Create a Website to Market Your Book

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Marketing a book is a task that begins well before the publication of your book. Typical marketing methods include sending out press releases regarding your book, setting up book signings, and conducting radio and newspaper interviews. These methods are a great way to market a book, but you can also market a book through a website.

Creating your own author website to market a book is a beneficial marketing tool that is relatively low in cost. In recent years the Internet has gained popularity and author websites are popping up left and right. Online book retailers such as Amazon.com have become an accepted way to buy books. Therefore, you can market a book on your own website and through online retailers such as Amazon.com.

Many authors are gifted when it comes to writing their book, but don’t know the first thing about building an author website. Don’t worry if you do not know how to build a website. You can enlist the help of web designers or even build a simple website of your own to market your book.

Several website hosting providers offer easy to use programs that can help you create your author website in a matter of minutes. When you build your author website it is important to choose the right domain name. The domain name is your website address. Choosing your book’s title or your name are great ideas for marketing your book. Type these names into an Internet search engine to verify that they aren’t taken yet. If websites have already been created for these names, then you will have to modify the web address to market your book.

Your author website should contain basic information about your book including the title, ISBN #, and price. Include a synopsis and picture of the cover art. You can directly sell your book through your website or provide links to online retailers such as Amazon.com. Either way, make it simple for the website visitor to purchase your book.

You may also want to provide your picture and information about you as an author. Also list any events, such as book signings, that you are going to participate in. Provide an email address so readers can contact you. Some authors also enable a message board where website visitors can post messages. The extent of your website information is at your discretion.

The Internet is an inexpensive way to market a book. Take advantage of the technology and put your book information online today. Great resources for building your own website include www.godaddy.com and www.yahoo.com. These website hosting service companies provide inexpensive ways to build your website in a matter of minutes.

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A Press Release: A Valuable Marketing Tool

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Are you searching for ways to market your book? Do you want to spread the word about your book to several media outlets in a timely manner and at an affordable cost? Press releases are a great way to introduce and market a book. You can send a free press release to media outlets or sign up for paid press release distribution. Which ever manner you choose, a press release is an effective way to market a book.

What is a press release? A press release is a one to two page news release regarding your book. A press release helps in marketing a book because you are sending any newsworthy information about your book that would interest a wide audience. A press release you should include contact information and a concise description of the newsworthy event about your book.

You can write a press release yourself or call on the services of a book marketing professional. If you decide to craft your own press release then there are a few basics your press release should contain to effectively market your book. Your press release should begin with an attention grabbing headline. Specify that the press release is “FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE”. The main paragraph of the press release should give the basic information of who, what, when, where, why, and how. For example, if your press release is regarding a book signing even then you need to give details about the book signing such as the book store location, time, book title, author name, etc. The end of the press release should always contain the title, author, publisher, ISBN number and publication date of your book. Include your contact information as well. More detailed information about press release format can be found at your library, book store, or online.

Press releases are commonly sent to media outlets such as newspapers, radio and television stations. You can also distribute a press release on the Internet to market your book. The beauty of a press release is that is can launch your marketing into other activities such as book signings and radio interviews. A popular online resource for sending press releases online is www.prweb.com.

You can send more then one press release to market a book. For example, send a press release to announce your book and follow up with press release for any book related events. Book signings and reviews can be marketed through press releases. Make a press release part of your book marketing plan as a ticket to lucrative media interest and increased book sales.

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Market Your Book through Unique Book Signing Venues

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When you think of book signings do you automatically picture yourself in a book store? While book stores have been a common venue for book signings there are several other book signing outlets available.

A book store is valuable place for book signings because customers are looking for books. However, you may be an unknown author or writing about a new topic. In this case, you need to target your readers by going to places where these readers frequent. For example, let’s say you wrote a book about a niche topic in computer technology. Your reader base may be smaller leading to a disappointing book signing at a general book store. A better way to market your book through a book signing is to set up a signing at a technology store or technology trade show. You are more likely to run into readers that are interested in your book topic in these settings.

Book signings to market your book can also take place in libraries. Become friendly with your librarian and donate a copy of your book to the library. You may lose out on a sale, but make up for it with your exposure. Libraries often let authors give lectures, readings, and distribute promotional materials.

Marketing a book at a book signing in retail stores is also beneficial. For example, you could set up a book signing at a sporting goods store to promote your book on hiking. Another marketing option is to seek out adventure or hiking clubs in your area. You can attend their meetings and market your book. Establish a relationship with these stores and clubs as they often can refer and promote your book to their circle of contacts.

Have you written a cook book? You could market your book at a local restaurant and cooking demonstrations. You can submit excerpts of recipes from your book to local newspapers and on your website. These marketing efforts can lead to invitations to book signings and readings of your book. For example, if you wrote a book on gardening, you could give a lecture and book signing at your local garden club.

The key in finding unique book signing venues is to understand who your readers are, their interests, and the venues they frequent. Many authors find improved success by personalizing their marketing efforts in this manner.

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How to Create A Media Kit

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With hundreds of competing books being published every year, it is more critical then ever to find ways to market your book that will set you apart from the rest. If you are serious about marketing your book and have cash to spend on your marketing efforts then consider creating a media kit for you book. A media kit works wonders in enticing media outlets, such as newspapers and television stations, to interview you. These interviews generate interest in your book and can result in increased sales.

What should a media kit contain? A media kit acts a one-stop-shop for your book and promotion information. A media kit should contain a press release about your book. The press release may be a book announcement if you book has been recently published. Or the press release may contain newsworthy information about your book such as earning an award for your book.

It is critical that your media kit contain your bio, contact information, and publishing information about your book. Remember, you are not only marketing your book, but marketing yourself as an author as well. Insert business cards into your media kit that provide a handy way to keep in touch with you.

Your media kit should also contain a pitch letter. The pitch letter should describe to media outlets why they should interview you about your book. Include possible interview questions that the media can ask you during an interview. Media outlets also love it when you include surprising and fascinating points regarding your book. They want to know why your book stands out from your competitors.

Marketing efforts for you book tend to build upon each other. Therefore, include any articles, book reviews, or previous media attention in your media kit. Have you been interviewed before? If so, include who has interviewed you. Journalists like to know that you have generated interest in other media channels.

Enclose your media kit in a professional looking folder. Ensure that your press clips and book information has been printed on high quality ink and paper. Do not skimp on the presentation of your media kit. It is better to have a small media kit that is done impeccably then a large media kit of low quality.

Start creating your media kit today. A media kit is an organized way to market your book. You will look like a professional and the media will be excited to interview you about your book. An increase in media exposure is beneficial to overall sales. Plus, authors of competing books are likely to have a media kit ready to go.

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