     Nancy Mehl | Monday, May 13, 2002 - 09:29 am 
I'm throwing in a few tips this week:
Number 1:
Carry your book with you wherever you go. I've sold many books this way. I know it will cost you something to get them. You might save money ordering them through Amazon - with the free delivery deal they have now.
One author I know carries her book into every meeting she attends. Every lunch appointment. If you're having lunch with someone who has already purchased your book - take it anyway! A signed copy of a book makes a great gift! One hint - if you carry them in your car - put them inside something that will protect them. They can start to look a little ragged after awhile if you don't.
Also - if you're an Amazon Associate - you will earn money every time someone orders through your site. It's easy to sign up. Just go to Amazon and click on the Associates link. Kitty and I are associates. Let us know if you have any questions.
Number 2:
Bring your experience to anyone who might be interested. You are a published author now -- half of America would like to be published authors. Ask at your local library to see if they would like a free talk on "What I Have Learned About Being an Author." Offer your talk to clubs (check your local newspaper listings...there are many clubs who invite speakers.)The actual content of your book is less of a draw than the fact that you HAVE one. And it never hurts to mention the book, the plot, and show it off while you talk. But focus your talk on your experience with becoming a published author -- what do you know now that you wish you had known? That information is valuable to others and will get you an audience -- when you have an audience, you have sales. I'm going to start approaching retirement communities. They're always looking for speakers. I want to talk to people about putting together a journal about their families. Something to pass down to future generations. If they want it in book form - they can go POD. If they want to know how to get it printed at their local printers - I can tell them how to do that also. AND - take copies of your book. Some of these people have retired with a great deal of money - and a great deal of time. They'll buy your book. When you set up your talk - make sure to tell them that either they will have to pay you an honorarium - or let you bring your books to sell. Honorariums can be amywhere from $25.00 to $100.00. Believe me, they're used to paying it. You might start out doing it for free - if you can bring your books. When you get to be a requested speaker - you can charge $100.00 - or $25.00 and ask to bring your books. A popular Christian author told me that she began charging this when she began to receive many requests for speaking engagements.
Number 3:
Use the PA postcards! Kitty and I talked this morning and decided to use them to send to bookstores. NO COST! They look nice and have your cover. Put a couple of review blurbs on the "card" and let the bookstores know where they can order. EX: Ingrams and Baker and Taylor. You will have to write PA and ask them if you are listed with these distributors. I'm on Ingrams - but wrote this morning to ask PA to list me with B & T.
Lots to do!!!!
Get to work!!!
Nancy |
| laurelj | Monday, May 13, 2002 - 09:48 am
Great advice, Nancy.
I'm doing the second one unofficially now but had not really considered one and three.
I'm not a very good salesperson. sigh.
LaurelJ |
| sheila | Monday, May 13, 2002 - 12:35 pm
Thanks Nancy
I would never have thought of using the postcards in that manner. I think I'll give it a whirl after the children go to bed tonight!
Nice marketing tip!
Sheila Schmidt |
| Tyrone Godfrey | Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 01:28 am
Good lookin' out nancy. I wasn't up on the postcard thing, but I'm glad you
brought that up. I'll have to look into that further. I like your marketing
tips. It reassures me that i'm not dead in the water after all. Thanks, and
may "THE FORCE BE WITH YOU." |
| Nancy Mehl | Tuesday, May 14, 2002 - 07:51 am
Thanks, Tyrone.
I need all of the "force" I can get!!! LOL!
Nancy |
| Jennifer Lynn | Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 04:23 pm
Just an update...I received my cards from Vista Print, and I wanted to let you all know that they are beautiful. And very professional too.
The ones I got were the free ones, and the little grey URL on the back really isn't noticeable because there's no reason to turn the card over. All the info is on the front.
As I said before, I wont' ALWAYS order from them because of the exchange rate, but I likely will order more of these in the future for something different. I really like them.
Jenn |
