In a post today ( in BBC News ), discusses the government of India’s strong interest in returning to the expansion levels of yesteryear. With a former growth rate of around nine percent annually, India’s latest growth rate has been around 6.5%+ recently. Actually, 6.5% looks great compared to many countries around the world for [...]
Write a book as an emotional connection…whether fiction or nonfiction. An author who “connects” with readers will sell books. In order to “connect” with readers, readers have to know an author exists through creative promotional techniques. These three comments seem obvious to an author writing a book, but it’s amazing how many an author will write a book without planning the “connection” with potential readers. Here are the first three creative promotional techniques an author can use to build a “platform”…and make promotion fun!
Endorsements and Testimonials
Influential talk is “buzz.” Ideally, an author has developed personal relationships with influential individuals available to pen short blurbs and kind words for a new book. An author can meet a future endorsement or testimonial (handled much the same) at a trade show, conference, personal visit… Following an introduction, an author should follow up the personal meeting with a note and stay in touch at least once every six months.
To start a relationship with a fellow author, pick up a book by that author and look for contact information. Call, e-mail or mail to this author and begin a mutually-beneficial relationship.
For Hollywood celebrities, look up the Screen Actors Guild in Los Angeles or New York City. Celebrities always have a manager or agent. As a creative promotional technique, mail a nice, low-key, handwritten (if your writing is easy to read) card to the agent/manager introducing yourself as an author and what your interest is for contacting their client. Stay in touch, whatever the response, every three weeks in a professional fashion and your request should eventually get a nod.
Members of the National Speakers Association are often experts in a variety of fields and stay current in a variety of industries. Search the association directory online for a professional speaker in the topic matching the author and get in touch. Speakers love promotion in a book and are often an author themselves.
You get the idea. As an author, decide what high-profile groups will help you sell books with their blurb and name. Now, go build relationships with creative promotional techniques.
Online Publicity/Publishing Resources
As an author, stay up-to-date by following publishing and media-related newsletters for creative promotional techniques. Here are four excellent resources that have been in business for years:
a) PartyLine – Partyline carries breaking news, media requests and PR opportunities.
b) SPAN – Small Publishers Association of North America’s website (and member resources) contain many author marketing tips.
c) The Publicity Hound, facilitated by Joan Stewart, features tips, techniques and tools for free (or real inexpensive) publicity for an author.
d) Publishers Marketplace is where the publishing industry follows book deals, information from book agents, editors and publishing news.
Write Free Articles for Recognized Magazines
As soon as an author finishes the rough draft for a book, he or she should immediately send professional query letters to appropriate editors of relevant national magazines explaining all the research you, an author, has completed. Suggest that the queried magazine would be interested in your current and researched information as an upcoming article. Essentially, query relevant magazines matching your topic during the manuscript phase to solicit an article assignment as a creative promotional technique. Editors at magazines work anywhere from three months to one year on article selection…look at Wooden Horse Pub for magazine inspiration.
Trade magazines (vertical industry magazines such as “Meetings and Conventions,” “World Trade 100,” etc.) usually pay little to nothing for articles, but definitely include a byline on the author (contact information). Consumer, flight, special interest (National Geographic, Entrepreneur) and professional magazines generally pay from $0.10 to $2.00 per word (plus payment for professional photography). Remuneration is not as important, as is an author promoting their expertise and building a platform through exposure. Author, get the word out!
Creative promotional techniques for an author are abundant….especially with the Internet. Relax, plug-in to promotional techniques that match your personality and book…then press GO!
Mike McCann
Mike-at-GlobalBusinessCafe.com
Tags: author, book author, how to write a book
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