Novel Marketing

In this episode we are going to talk about discipline … we’re already through first quarter and are rapidly moving toward the finish of the first half of the year … and there’s an ever so slight possibility that some of your goals and resolutions for 2017 have slipped into the abyss of business and […]

In this episode we are going to talk about discipline … we’re already through first quarter and are rapidly moving toward the finish of the first half of the year … and there’s an ever so slight possibility that some of your goals and resolutions for 2017 have slipped into the abyss of business and distractions … so we thought it timely to talk about how to become more focused on the things you truly want to accomplish during the remainder of 2017. Use the Seinfeld Calendar method Take one day off in seven Study time management and time discipline Experiment with a media fast. Start with once a week Get to bed earlier Get enough sleep Practice discipline when your face starts to itch Find an accountability partner Make NOT meeting your goals PAINFUL Put MyBookProgress on your website and update it every day, go to mybookprogress.com  

  Intro Paragraph: Expensive, but the REACH is unparalleled. 1967 the cost was $42,000 for a 30. Today 5 million   Spending that kind of money means you have to create a great ad   Talking Points: Seahawks   One of the biggest TV shows in the world   If you have the money, it combats the fragmentation of media like nothing else   It’s LIVE TV, that even millennials will watch Humor sells- Doritos Going for the heart sells- Ram Trucks Farmer spot. Mean Joe Green and coke a million years ago. Getting the audience involved sells- Doritos again! Users What sells and doesn’t sell Spots that don’t feature the product: Greatest Super Bowl ads of all time. Christian Science Monitor http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2013/0130/Five-greatest-Super-Bowl-ads-of-all-time-video/Cat-Herders-EDS-2000 GEICO Old Spice- Your Man Could Smell Like … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owGykVbfgUE When thinking about your newsletters, blog posts, FB, Twitter, etc., you’re not spending 5 million dollars, but there is a cost, so spend your creative dollars wisely. Sponsor: The Five Year Plan to Becoming a Bestselling Author

  Intro Paragraph: Expensive, but the REACH is unparalleled. 1967 the cost was $42,000 for a 30. Today 5 million   Spending that kind of money means you have to create a great ad   Talking Points: Seahawks   One of the biggest TV shows in the world   If you have the money, it […]

Do you have “the dream”? If you love writing fiction, you don’t need to tell me “the dream” is to get published and hit the bestseller list. I know that’s it; I get it. I’ve been there. The dream hit me at 11 years old and it refused to leave. My mom gave my sister and me The Chronicles of Narnia for Christmas. I devoured the books. When I finished, I knew I wanted to someday try to do for others, what C.S. Lewis had done for me. How old were you when the dream came alive? How long have you struggled to make the dream come true? Me? Years. Many, many years. The Dream Came True I’d love to tell you I hit the bestseller list without much work, and with a minimal investment of time. But it’s not the truth. It took a significant amount of work and a significant amount of time. But now I know exactly how to do it. So I can teach you. And save you a ton of headaches, false starts, frustration, and TIME. It’s one of the reasons for creating this course. To shorten (significantly) the amount of time you have to put in before hitting the bestseller list.   It Gets Even Better It’s not just me. My friend Thomas Umstattd Jr and I have joined forces. Thomas (one of the brightest men I know) has worked with hundreds of bestselling authors and learned precisely what they did, and what they would have done differently if they were starting out today. We’ve combined everything we’ve learned about becoming a bestselling author, and with that info, created a guide  we guarantee will make you hit the bestseller list.     Find out more, here. The cost? If you’re okay with having one less cup of coffee a year for the next five years, you’ve paid for the course. Yes, we’re asking you have one less visit to Starbucks, each year in exchange for becoming a bestselling author. We think that’s a good trade. We hope you do as well. Go here now to sign up. To you and your dream, may it come true to a great degree than you ever imagined. PS Is our course easy? No. Will it work? Guaranteed or your money back. Looking forward to seeing you there.  

Sign up for the 5-Year Plan to Become a Bestselling Author Show Notes: (James) In this episode, we are going to talk about something different than we usually do. The vast majority of the time we talk about what you need to do with your marketing to heighten your chances to become a bestselling author. […]

Sign up for the 5-Year Plan to Become a Bestselling Author Show Notes: (James) In this episode, we are going to talk about something different than we usually do. The vast majority of the time we talk about what you need to do with your marketing to heighten your chances to become a bestselling author. In this episode, we’re going to talk about the big picture. More than just marketing. We’re going to talk about a road map, a course we’ve developed that will not just help, but if you follow it, we absolutely guarantee will make you a bestselling author. We developed this course for two reasons: We’ve talked to hundreds and hundreds of writers over the past ten plus who have a deep desire to become bestselling novelists, but keep whacking their heads into the proverbial wall. While they often get solid information on blogs, or at conferences, or on websites and in book, there wasn’t a map, one place where they could be guided around all the pitfalls. So we wanted to give them that map, so they could speed up the time it takes to become a bestseller. (The average time for most bestselling novelists is ten years.) Second, Dan Foley, a long time listener the podcast, dropped us a note and said he realized he only had a vague idea of what specific steps he needed to take to become a bestselling novelist and asked if we could help. Thomas said there was nothing out there that gave a detailed five year plan so we should create course and here we are. Course name: The Five Year Plan to Becoming a Bestselling Author Thomas joked, “It’s our five year plan to becoming an overnight success.” But that’s exactly what it is. Format: * Year 1, Learn The Fundamentals of Writing * Year 2, The discipline of writing, how to become a disciplined writer. * How to write even on your bad days. * Year 3, How to become an excellent writer * Year 4 How to become an industry insider * Year 5 The Marketing piece which has become an absolutely critical piece Extras: * How to Pitch Your Novel Video * Conference strategies * Encouragement Who the course is for: * Authors who are discouraged and don’t know how to get unstuck * Authors who have indie published and have not seen significant sales * Authors who have struggled for years to break into traditional publishing and can’t seem to crack the code * People who are finally ready to follow the desire they’ve had forever to write * Authors tired of finding themselves at the wrong end of a dead end road * Authors willing to work hard, if only they knew exactly what needs to be worked on Who this course is NOT for: * Writer’s Looking for a shortcut Just some of the content of the course: * The essential, must-read craft books, how to use the Hollywood formula to create bestsellers, specific episodes of Novel Marketing bundled together, the best writing exercise we’ve found, how to pick your genre, motivation, where to find the best writing groups, how to approach writing conferences, a specific plan for what you should be writing, when you should be writing it, and when (and how) you should submit it. * Tips, encouragement, and the pitfalls to avoid, social media … how to become an industry insider, refining your craft till it’s too bright to look at … * The Novel Marketing Plan to Becoming a Bestselling Author is a step by step course that will guide you through each month of the year for the next five years. It will guide you in exactly what you need to study each quarter to publish your first bestselling novel.

Intro Paragraph: So don’t worry. This post isn’t going to be about the insanity we all just went through. Yeah, I know … whew. But the campaign season that just ended can teach us a salient point about our own copywriting. What works, what doesn’t. Talking Points: Trump didn’t win the election, Clinton lost it. A quick review for those who might not know a few pertinent facts. Trump received less votes than Romney did in ’12. Trump received less votes than McCain did in ’08. It wasn’t so much that voters turned out for Trump as they didn’t show up for Clinton. Why? A number of factors, yes, but I think her poor copy writing was part of it. Question: What was Obama’s campaign slogan in ’08? Hope.   What was Trump’s campaign slogan? Yep, “Make America great again.” Hillary’s Turn What was Clinton’s? (First Lady President?) I think a great many of you right now are saying, “Wow, I’m not sure …” It was, “I’m with her.” Wait, you’re saying, “I thought it was something else.” You’re right. She also went with, “Fighting for us.” Wait, you’re saying, “I thought it was something else.” You’re right again. She also went with, “Stronger together.” The Lessons For Us If you are one that likes slogans or taglines, pick one, then stick with it. Realize that if you change it, will take a while for it to sink in. Going from one to another to another will confuse people. People aren’t stupid, but they’re not studying your slogan. Make it simple for them. Make it something they can remember easily. People didn’t turn out for Clinton because a great many of them couldn’t quickly tell you what she stood for. Fighting? I’m with her? Stronger together? Uh … whatever. When people can’t say what your novels are about quickly and understand how it will benefit them, nothing will stir inside, and they’ll be much less likely to take action. Make your slogan about THEM! Do you want America to be GREAT again? I’m guessing 99 percent of you would say, “Why yes, Jim, I do.” Who is that slogan about? Us. You. Me. Our country. America being great again would directly benefit you, me, my wife, my kids … that stirs an emotion inside.”I’m With Her.”? Not so much. That’s all about Hillary. Makes me think of those campy t-shirts you see some couples wear. Not exactly stirring the passion inside me. How ’bout you? Hillary didn’t give a specific, tangible benefit. “Fighting For Us!” Uh, yeah, great … but fighting for what? “Stronger Together!” Stronger for what? What are you giving readers? Hope, like Obama gave voters? Making something great again like Trump told voters would happen? Are you giving them freedom? Laughter? Joy? Strength to face the storms of life? If you feel like, send us your slogan and on a future episode we might give you thoughts on it.   Sponsor: My Book Table     

Intro Paragraph: So don’t worry. This post isn’t going to be about the insanity we all just went through. Yeah, I know … whew. But the campaign season that just ended can teach us a salient point about our own copywriting. What works, what doesn’t. Talking Points: Trump didn’t win the election, Clinton lost it. […]

  Q Cadel Sterling says, “I found a local, self-published author, with a really cool sounding book premise, and I bought his e-book and told him I’d review it. It stinks. Just awful. Painful to read. So, what do I do now? Hide and pretend I never read it, or honestly review it honestly-knowing agents and publishers might read my review? Is blasting someone’s half-a-star book going to hurt or help my career? Is it better or worse for the other author to have people pay to read his book that is just so bad? Q- Can I be on your show? Our next question comes from Buy my NBA Video Game. His or her question, we’re not kidding is, “Don’t rush me.” Okay, we won’t. Thanks for playing. Q That let’s us move on to our pal Dave Smale who asks, “I’ve pitched my debut novel to multiple agents, but it’s been crickets. I’ve also written a novella. I’m wondering if I should self publish the novella, give it away free just to get my name & work out there while I try to get an agent? Is that good marketing, or am I thinking like an artist (or “arteest” as Thomas puts it)?” Thanks & keep up the great work! Q Carol Magai asks, I’m an emerging author. I have almost completed a novel and have written 20+ short stories, but I have not submitted them for publication. I understand it is important to have an author’s platform–a website/blog. My question, if you are as yet unpublished, what kinds of things should you upload to your website–a sample chapter from the book, sample short stories, all your short stories to show your range of style? Q Nadine Hocken says, “I have many books plotted out for both fiction and non-fiction, but haven’t completed any of them yet because I have questions about platform before I start writing. First, can authors write both fiction well? I see my fiction as a doorway to non-fiction beginner christian self-help books. Can that work? My fiction is speculative romantic fantasy – a.k.a. not very popular in the christian world Sponsor: My Book Progress Just in time for National Novel Writing Month. This free WordPress plugin lets you track your progress and hit your deadlines on your website. Power Close: You have been listening to James L Rubart and Thomas Umstattd Jr. on the Novel Marketing podcast, giving you novel ideas on how to promote yourself and your writing, offline, online, and everywhere in-between. Thanks for listening.

  Q Cadel Sterling says, “I found a local, self-published author, with a really cool sounding book premise, and I bought his e-book and told him I’d review it. It stinks. Just awful. Painful to read. So, what do I do now? Hide and pretend I never read it, or honestly review it honestly-knowing agents […]

Intro Paragraph: In case you haven’t noticed, using videos as part of marketing is exploding. USA Today, everywhere else as well. So how do we as authors get on this train and use it to engage readers more deeply? Talking Points: 1. Why Video? YouTube-the greatest running backs in the NFL They want to get to know you. Pictures can only go so far. It’s exploding: Periscope, Facebook Live, etc. It can open up worlds of creativity It’s now doable. Anyone with a SmartPhone can do it. 2. You Might Already Have the Skill Set Consulting with authors who have a dramatic background- Even if you don’t think you have the skills, you might if you’d only try You have already done it if you’ve ever engaged with readers 3. How to Get Started Simple. Start practicing Get a critique partner All you need is a Smart phone Get a remote mic http://www.imore.com/how-get-good-audio-while-shooting-video-your-iphone Mac apps PC apps Getting better equipment- iPads, etc. 4. Subject Matter Themes of your books Cool trivia from your novel(s) Questions from readers Your writing spot The location of your novels Behind the scenes/DVD extras Take your camera to your next conference/book event/etc. Video Tips Light Sound 5. How Long? Think blog posts … shorter is always better. Two minutes is probably max When in doubt, cut it out. Break it up into two videos Consider Live Interactive Videos 6. Misc Music or no music? Graphics? or no graphics? Links Setting up a YouTube channel Must be visually interesting Sponsor: My Book Progress Just in time for National Novel Writing Month. This free WordPress plugin lets you track your progress and hit your deadlines on your website. Power Close: You have been listening to James L Rubart and Thomas Umstattd Jr. on the Novel Marketing podcast, giving you novel ideas on how to promote yourself and your writing, offline, online, and everywhere in-between. Thanks for listening.

Intro Paragraph: In case you haven’t noticed, using videos as part of marketing is exploding. USA Today, everywhere else as well. So how do we as authors get on this train and use it to engage readers more deeply? Talking Points: 1. Why Video? YouTube-the greatest running backs in the NFL They want to get […]

1. Music 2. Focus on Yourself 3. Autoplay Video 4. Terrible Design 5. Book Covers to Nowhere 6. Motion 7. Flash 8. Slow 9. Splash Page 10. Request Private Information 11. Hard to Use 12. 404 Pages 13. Old Information

1. Music 2. Focus on Yourself 3. Autoplay Video 4. Terrible Design 5. Book Covers to Nowhere 6. Motion 7. Flash 8. Slow 9. Splash Page 10. Request Private Information 11. Hard to Use 12. 404 Pages 13. Old Information Subscribe