11 Using Book Reviews as a Self Promotion Tool

Hi All,
Happy Sunday. Today, I wanted to talk about book reviews and how you can use them in your marketing strategy as a self-promotional tool.  Now, writers are different than marketers, that's why it's my goal to teach you to be both.  True dedicated writers aren't about self promotion, they are about the craft (at heart) and they write for a variety of reasons.  I'm not saying good writing won't sell itself, don't get me wrong.  What I'm saying is most writers are uncomfortable wtih self-promotion.

True marketers are shameless when it comes to self promotion (trust me on this one). So, as writers and marketers we have to find a way to balance the two. 

So, let's take a review on

for example.  Since I'm using myself as the example here, I'm going to post a review of MOD's 2nd book: How to Use the Power of Your Brand.

The reviewer (Roxanne Bland who rated MOD 4 out of 5 stars) said the following:

Jennifer Fusco does a great job advising readers about the various ways to market yourself to the reading public without taking too much away from an author's writing time. She writes in an engaging style that to some might seem flippant, but it was obvious to me that she's deadly serious. Some of the suggestions she made were a little confusing to me, so I'll have to go back and re-read, which is why I'm giving it four stars. All in all, one of the most useful marketing publications I've read since I've begun exploring this subject to sell my soon-to-be published book.(http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12988834-market-or-die)


Not only did I respond to Ms. Bland's comments on goodreads, but my next step will be to thank her publically via Facebook and Twitter calling attention to the review and the reviewer.  Now, what we hope is that Ms. Bland will see my acknowlegement via social media and respond in kind.  This keeps the dialogue going, keep my book and its title in the forefront of the conversation and gives others the opportunity to join the discussion. 

So, once you get a review of your work, be sure to take it one step further and turn it into a self promotional tool.  I caution you to becareful of how you position your message.  Make sure you are giving true thanks and do not turn it into a "yay for me" message. Boastfulness is not attractive.

So guys, think you can do it? 

29 An Interview with debut author Casey Wyatt

Happy Thursday MOD'ers.
I have with us today the lovely Casey Wyatt.  Casey's book, Mystic Ink, launched yesterday from Soul Mate Publishing and as a debut author, I know you guys are very interested in what she's done to market her very first release.

So let's get right to it.

Welcome Casey!

1.) What steps did you take to market your very first release?

 I started marketing myself months beforehand. I created a web site, helped found Writing Secrets of 7 Scribes, and I also blog with the Soul Mate authors. Each week I post new content to my site and the Scribes, so I’m always around. When I have the time, I visit other sites and leave comments. I’ve created my Facebook fan page, and continue to build a Twitter following. I recently joined Goodreads and Book Town so I can connect with other readers. And, of course, I’ve scheduled guest spots on various blogs. I know there is more to do, but at some point, I have to write more books and that will always be my main focus.

2.) How much time do you spend on social media and what do you do to balance Tweeting and writing?

 I spend way too much time on Twitter!  Each day, I spent probably an hour total (from morning until evening) tweeting in short bursts. When it’s time for me to write my next book, I’ll turn off all the social media and concentrate on just writing. Generally, I can write an entire first draft in 4-6 weeks.  Outside of that time period, I devote more time to social networking.

3.) What is your advice for any new author with a new release?

 Don’t lose sight of the larger goal – writing. All those adages – “you’re only as good as your last book” and “you can’t sell a blank page” are all true. With that said, you do need to leave the writer cave and choose a social platform that connects you to your audience. People can’t read your book if they don’t know it exists. Not to mention – it’s fun connecting with others. All work and no play is a bummer. If you balance your time, I think there’s room to do both.

4.) How much, as a new author, do you rely on networking?

 As a newly published author, networking is super important. I’ve been a writer for a long time. I started way back in 1996. My first battle was to finish a novel (which I did in 2009 – don’t wait as long as I did). Eventually, it dawned on me that if I wanted to reach readers, I’d have to learn how to promote myself.  I joined a local writer’s group and then joined CTRWA. Even then, it took me until 2011 to actually admit to my friends, family, and co-workers that I had sold two novels (MYSTIC INK and THE UNDEAD SPACE INITIATIVE). From that point on, I expanded my horizons into social media and beyond. I still have a long way to go before I become a marketing guru, but I plan to write new books for many years to come. Leaves me lots of time to hone my skills!

Mystic Ink is available from www.soulmatepublishing.com, Amazon and Barnes &Noble

The Undead Space Initiative – coming in 2012 from Pink Petal Books.

 I’d love to hear from you!

 www.caseywatt.com

www.secretsof7scribes.wordpress.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caseywyattbooks.

Twitter: @CaseyWyatt1

8 What we can learn from TV Commericals

Happy Thursday MOD'ers,
It's only a week until MOD is ready to go, but to wet your appetite for the marketing books you love, I wanted to give you a sneak peek at what's instore for this edition of MOD.  In it, you will learn how to market your book using TV commercials.

I mean, don't you think it's time we stop beating our heads against the wall on this marketing stuff.  Advertisers have already proven what works/what doesn't to engage customers otherwise they wouldn't plop down the funds it takes to advertise on television....So, what can we learn from them....MOD (page 70) tells you.....

You and I can also learn a lot from television and learn how to better promote yourselves.  Go ahead, turn it on.  I’ll wait right here.  Now, watch TV for a minute or two and don’t go all flippy with the remote when the commercials come on…I need you to watch them.

We can learn (without doing hours of market research) how we can more easily promote ourselves when we watch television as a marketer.  Now, you’re going to hate me, because I might possibly ruin your TV experience from now on, once I teach you how to watch TV like a marketer.

Watch an hours’ worth of television commercials and pick out the commonalities. Some will give a call to action like tell us what you like about our product on Facebook.  Others will offer an online coupon.  A few more will make a donation to a charity if you purchase their goods or services.  Watch with the intent of writing down what the seller is asking you (the consumer) to do.  Analyze it.  See how you can incorporate these same tactics in your own marketing plan. Advertisers have already proven that what they are asking you to do (like us on Facebook, visit our website, etc) works.  They’ve already tested it. If it didn’t work, companies wouldn’t pay massive amounts of money to advertise on TV. Use their hard work and market research to your advantage. You’ll be glad you did.

I know a lot of MOD'ers have books coming out this year (congrats, btw). Hopefully you'll watch television with a more critical eye to glean what you can from the commericals and use it to your advantage. 

Look for more pratcical marketing advice when MOD #3 releases Jan 19th!