Novel Marketing

In this episode we are going to talk about how to stay out of jail … when it comes to your taxes …   I am excited to introduce our guest.   So, we brought in a CPA who has coached authors, celebrities and small businesses for over thirty years. He is the guy that […]

Show Notes: She is involved in her own marketing. She’s transparent, which builds familiarity and trust She uses every channel — differently She says “no” when her brand is devalued Her product is inspirational and unexpected She makes smart partnerships She’s a master at maintaining magic and mystery in her brand Links: Original article 60 […]

Show Notes: * She is involved in her own marketing. * She’s transparent, which builds familiarity and trust * She uses every channel — differently * She says “no” when her brand is devalued * Her product is inspirational and unexpected * She makes smart partnerships * She’s a master at maintaining magic and mystery in her brand Links: * Original article * 60 Minutes piece * Taylor Swift Gift Giving Video Sponsor: * Ultimate Crowdfunding Course for Authors

As you know, we talk a lot about how effective author newsletter are. Of all the online marketing tools I feel that email is the most powerful. Most social networks are just an extension of email. People go to Facebook when they get an email about a new photo or comment. It is the world’s […]

As you know, we talk a lot about how effective author newsletter are. Of all the online marketing tools I feel that email is the most powerful. Most social networks are just an extension of email. People go to Facebook when they get an email about a new photo or comment. It is the world’s biggest social network and the most effective social network at making sales. Today we’re answering a question from Gary Hansen author of Kneeling with Giants. Before we get to his question I wanted to point out something about Gary. His book Kneeling with Giants is a non fiction book about learning how to pray from the heroes of the faith. Why would Gary listen to a podcast about marketing fiction? This underlines a key point about focusing. Just because you focus on a niche, does not mean that people outside that niche won’t also want to read your book or listen to your podcast. There are a lot of people out there who go to Red Lobster to eat steak. Focusing on seafood does not mean they only get seafood lovers and our focusing on fiction does not mean we only get novelists listening to the show. So for those of you trying to decide if you niche is too narrow, it isn’t and for those of you who write non fiction or who run businesses and who listen to the show, we want to say you are welcome here.

  Today we’re going to talk about how to market yourself to yourself. Yo dog I heard you like marketing. But in all seriousness he person who is the toughest to sell to … you. Most of us have a voice in our heads that is incredibly critical of everything we do.  Talking Points: Isn’t […]

  Today we’re going to talk about how to market yourself to yourself. Yo dog I heard you like marketing. But in all seriousness he person who is the toughest to sell to … you. Most of us have a voice in our heads that is incredibly critical of everything we do.  Talking Points: Isn’t that true? The person we’re hardest on is ourselves. We beat ourselves up more than other people do. We’re more willing to quit on ourselves than others are. Intro * You are not alone. * James talks about rejection * It’s reality—I know a lot of authors and only know one who was never rejected … * Room at the top * Maybe you’re thinking of quitting right now * After my first novel was rejected … biggest dream … Darci … * Why people quit * Stop believing in themselves * Not enough encouragement * Get worn out * It’s not important enough * Why you need Simon Cowell * Magic show Simon Cowell * The question of craft * James story of rejection/decision- Allen Arnold * Time to decide once and for all * Are you called to write? Really? Or do you just want to play a bit? Either is okay * Specific ways to market to yourself * Write yourself a letter from the future (https://www.futureme.org/) * Read inspiring autobiographies * Watch Biography on TV * Ask to hear stories from other writers * Do something creative with your rejections * Face the pain- Steve Laube/Chip MacGregor   Links: * War of Art * FutureMe.org   Sponsor This edition of the Novel Marketing podcast has been brought to you by My Book Table, a must have plugin for your WordPress website that will help you sell more books and make you money as an affiliate on sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Go to my book table dot com.

Robin is the best-selling and award winning novelist of seventy books. Seventy! As you can imagine, she doesn’t hurt for publishers wanting to partner with her. She started in the general market and wrote for publishers such as Leisure Books, HarperPaperbacks, Avon Books, and Silhouette. In 1997, she felt a call to write stories infused […]

Robin is the best-selling and award winning novelist of seventy books. Seventy! As you can imagine, she doesn’t hurt for publishers wanting to partner with her. She started in the general market and wrote for publishers such as Leisure Books, HarperPaperbacks, Avon Books, and Silhouette. In 1997, she felt a call to write stories infused with her deep faith in God and has since written for Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, Revell, Steeple Hill, Tyndale House, Multnomah, and WaterBrook. This past September, Robin received the lifetime achievement award from the American Christian Fiction Writers association. Robin, so great to have you here! Show Notes: What is a book scavenger hunt? Is there an ideal number of authors to have on the hunt? What kind of hard numbers can you tell us about? Now the hunt that just ran in October, you coordinated the whole thing. If someone is going to head up a project like this should they run, or dive in with both feet? Does it matter if the authors are all in different genres or does that actually help? Can you estimate how much time the participating authors have to commit to the hunt? Tell us about your latest release, Robin.   Links: * RobinLeeHatcher.com * RaffleCopter.com * MyBookTable

For a long time Thomas has worked with and ragged on Marketing directors at publishing companies around the country. Well one of the decided to call his bluff and bring him on the team as the Marketing Director. We have negotiated special access for you our listeners to go behind the scenes in the life […]

For a long time Thomas has worked with and ragged on Marketing directors at publishing companies around the country. Well one of the decided to call his bluff and bring him on the team as the Marketing Director. We have negotiated special access for you our listeners to go behind the scenes in the life of a marketing director in a traditional publishing company. You will find out what works, what doesn’t work and most importantly, learn how the publishing industry really works. What is Enclave Publishing? * Formerly Marcher Lord Press * Christian Fantasy and Science Fiction * If you are 1 in a thousand there are 2.6 million people on the internet who share your passion. Why Thomas is excited about this job: * Strong Brand * Focused Brand * Passionate fans Challenges: * No previous marketing director. * Limited budget * Small * New Name What are you doing first? * Clean up the website. * Get MyBookTable fully operational. * GoodReads Giveaways. * Training Calls. * Editorial Calendar. * Email Campaign. MyBookTable This edition of the Novel Marketing podcast has been brought to you by My Book Table, which just passed 10,000 downloads a must have plugin for your WordPress website that will help you sell more books and make you money as an affiliate on sites like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Show Outline: Here’s the run-down on how I threw the FB Party: What is a Facebook party? How do You prepare? How did you promote? What prizes did you use? How to you run a Facebook party. (Jim) I had a core group of people (~30) on a launch team who committed to attending and […]

Show Outline: * Here’s the run-down on how I threw the FB Party: * What is a Facebook party? * How do You prepare? * How did you promote? * What prizes did you use? * How to you run a Facebook party. (Jim) * I had a core group of people (~30) on a launch team who committed to attending and invited others. When the event went live (about 2 weeks before the party) they spread the word very effectively and we ended up having 4,000 people invited. 316 attended. * I’d previously attended about four FB parties and took a lot of notes on what I liked, didn’t like, etc. I then pre-planned the party, down to what I would post at what time, what I’d be giving away, videos I’d be sharing, etc. I posted every 10 minutes. * Posts included 5 giveaways, three 2-minute long video interviews, Q&A for the audience, small scene clips from the book, a few blog posts, and then some fun random pictures of snacks or Pinterest inspiration. (I can give a much more detailed list of things to include in posts if you need it.) * I announced the FB party via blog, social media, and newsletter one week prior, one day prior, and then the day of. * On the day of the party, I had another person (hubby) come in to help with behind-the-scenes. He was in charge of taking down names and drawing winners for prizes. My job was to interact with the attendees and to post the main pictures and giveaways. * The party ran for two hours (though, in hindsight, I think it should have been longer. Maybe 3 or 4.) * Nadine where can we find out more about you? Resources: * Sample PDF of Nadine’s Campaign Links: * Nadine Brandes * A Time to Die

Book trailers are an interesting animal. Some people swear by them and claim they’re an extremely effective marketing tool, some say they’re a waste of time and money. Listener question from Elizabeth Jane Kitchens author of  The Beast’s Enchantress “What’s your opinion of book trailers? Are they worth the effort? Should they be like movie […]

Book trailers are an interesting animal. Some people swear by them and claim they’re an extremely effective marketing tool, some say they’re a waste of time and money. Listener question from Elizabeth Jane Kitchens author of  The Beast’s Enchantress “What’s your opinion of book trailers? Are they worth the effort? Should they be like movie trailers? Have the author introduce the book by connecting it to its theme (by talking about self-image or freedom, for instance)? Be like a slideshow of the book blurb with mood setting background photos and music? Or follow some other format?” Shownotes: Before we dive into the pros and cons … let’s talk about what a book trailer is. Pros * Could blow up * TV is powerful. Can carry the emotion of words, pictures, and music * movies are the most powerful way to communicate in today’s culture * People understand movie trailers, so make the leap easily to * More attention getting than just copy * Easier to share * Makes you look like a big deal * Makes your book stand out Cons * Your competition is movie trailers * Promoting one medium in another medium * A bad trailer is worse than no trailer * Do you really have time to learn the skills necessary? * Readers aren’t necessarily sold on them * Most people can’t tell you if they work or not * They don’t get a lot of views * ROI If You’ve Landed on the Pro side * Should they be like movie trailers? Have the author introduce the book by connecting it to its theme (by talking about self-image or freedom, for instance)? * Be like a slideshow of the book blurb with mood setting background photos and music? Or follow some other format? * Seven keys to an effective trailer * Short * Professional * Get in the vid … in movie trailers you see the actors … * Inexpensive * Know what you’re going to measure * Hire a script writer * Hire GOOD voice over talent * Resources * Do it yourself * Film students * Fiver or the like * You probably already have the connections * Pond5.com Links: * Sense & Sensibility and Sea Monsters Book Trailer * Voices.com * Pond5.com * AudioJungle * Craigslist Sponsor: * Ultimate Crowdfunding Course for Authors