WRITING WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday’s I like to share information I picked up on my path to publishing, marketing and preparing to publish again. Information that I wish someone would have shared with me, back then.
This week’s topic is Marketing Part 1
No matter where you are with your writing, even if you are just starting out, whether you are self, independently or traditionally published, marketing should be on your mind very early on in your process.
Back here I wrote about writing proposals.
https://doreenmcgettigan.com/?p=5141
An important part of your proposal is the Marketing Plan.
Marketing is the process for creating, communicating, selling and delivering your product (book) to customers and for managing customer (reader) relationships in ways that benefit. It requires co-ordination, planning and implementation.
Before starting your plan you will need to establish your goals, determine your target audience, research competition, ad costs, consider strategies, a time table and a budget.
Keep in mind when planning your timetable that most print publications (other than newspapers) require a long lead time for placing ads. Some magazines are laid out months in advance of their publication date. Internet banner ads can sometimes have a long lead time too. Radio and T.V. producers book guest well in advance. Most book stores schedule readings and book signing’s well ahead of time as well. Conferences book speakers and presenters months in advance.
Advertising is one component of marketing. It is the paid communication about your book through direct mail, print media, radio, television and the internet. An integral part of marketing, advertising is the process used to motivate buyers. Advertising can be expensive. It takes diligent research to come up with advertising outlets that reach your target audience and fit your budget.
When considering your marketing budget remember to include promotional materials like business cards, postcards, postage, bookmarkers and other promotional items, advertising, travel a launch party, web site, and professional organization memberships to name a few. If you are publishing with a traditional or an Indy publisher they may cover some of advertising cost, chances are the bulk of it will be up to you. Some authors self-publish and feel they can skip the advertising step. They say, “I cannot afford it.” To this I say publishing is a business. It is absolutely possible to sell books without advertising, most likely one at a time. One, well placed add can sell hundreds.
Public Relations (PR) is the professional action that presents you and your book to the public, stores, and the media including social media in the best possible light and managing the spread of the information about you and your book. These actions also include writing press releases, pitches to T.V. and radio producers, event management, creating and producing promotional materials.
And you thought writing the book was the hardest part didn’t you? Don’t get discouraged. Marketing is a bear, for sure but the key is a good, well researched, well implemented, realistic plan.
Start with a tag line. When someone ask you what your book is about you want a two- to- three sentence answer to roll off of your lips without sounding memorized. It is a good idea to have two or three taglines you can use. Practice saying it out loud until it sounds natural.
Next week I will write in more detail about PR.
- 5000 copies of a hardcover book in one week, depending on the month could land your book on the New York Times top 15 list/
- 250-500 is the average number of books sold by first time authors.
- Once again because it is one of my favorites, the average age of a best-selling author is 50.
- The number of books being published every year is exploding. On average 1,000,000 books are published in the United States each year. Hundreds of thousands of American language books are sold in other countries.
17 thoughts on “Writing Wednesday/ Marketing Part 1”
i can’t remember if you are compiling all this good advice into a book and if you are, I want to refer a friend to it!
Yes Carol I am hoping there is a book here…
Love your thoughts on this. There is so much to think of and I thank you for sharing your knowledge!
Thank you so much!
Another perfect message for me today Doreen. Marketing plans make or break all businesses…and this is a business, isn’t it? Looking forward to reading about PR next week!
Thank you Ruth and yes it is a business!
Always good advice! Going on my second book, I couldn’t agree with you more!
I have my second coming out early next year too! Have you found #2 tough to finish? I have been frazzled!
Great information! It’s easy to forget that what we write is our product, which requires marketing just like Band-Aids or chips. Saving this one to refer back to when I forget it’s up to me to market.
Absolutely! We are so passionate about our writing it can be difficult to switch hats when it comes time for business.
As a former publicist, I know the importance of marketing and appreciate all your tips here. I think they’re even more important now when publishers are making writers do their own marketing. You need many hats to be a writer these days!
You sure do!
After reading your posts and then these comments, I am such a newbie! When it comes time for me to write a book, you are going to be the person I turn to for advice, Doreen!
And I will be here for you!
most best selling authors are 50? I have missed another deadline
I was a little late too but better late !
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