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Chat Session:
This is an excerpt of a "chat" session that was conducted by Shane Staxx with me for Inkspot. It was about promotion and I share it here with you.
• I think it's more important that I give you as much information as I can about "promotion." It used to be that every publisher would provide those services for you. Now, if you don't have a "platform"--which means, vehicles for your OWN promotion--it's very likely your work will not get sold if your material is midlist. Of course, if you have blockbuster material, that is another matter.
• To begin, I think every writer/author should have hardcopy promotional material. By this I mean, a business card, a brochure and a bookmark (and perferably, a matching design).
• You do not have to have them professionally created. I make my own, and turn the template into Kinko's for printing. (In fact, they keep a supply of my paper there at the shop.)
• I will describe my brochure <g>. It is tri-fold, with printing on ALL sides. The front has name, address and contact info.
Inside, is a brief opening paragraph, and then a list of all my books on the first panel.
The second panel lists my "experience" detailing previous projects like my magazine publication, PR work experience and my newspaper column. Then, I include "education/programs" info and here I put speaking experience and my teaching workshops.
In the third panel is info about me personally; family, origin, and anything exceptional.
On the flip side I have "testimonials"--blurbs from people whom I have worked with as to my professionalism. And, finally, the last panel has my affiliations with professional organizations.
This info gets included in every query letter, every proposal, and every promotional pitch.
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• I also suggest you join professional organizations --the dues are "tax deductible". Not only are they supportive, but they all have newsletters, which means, every time you have a "success story" or sale, they will print it. This month, I have an interview in the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) newsletter about my Internet work and web site.
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• Learn to write book jacket copy, press releases and other promo materials like "sell sheets". Oftentimes, you will be asked to describe your work. If you have "jacket-like text" prepared, you will appear efficient. When you have a new book coming out--go to a radio list and e-mail your press releases to the producer of the show you're interested in being on.
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• Get to know the newspaper folks in your region. I know all the key players and have no problem contacting them when I have an announcement.
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• Same for television. I can call Beth Ward, the producer of the show "Arkansas Today" and pitch her an idea. I've been on the show twice.
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• Think about writing a newspaper column. Look for some local or community paper. My column, "No Stone Unturned" has appeared in my community since 1990. I have a definite, weekly readership!
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• Write articles about your topic. Whenever you get them published, you can always put your "signature" at the end. And always make up a signature for your e-mail that will get sent with every note.
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• Attend meetings or conferences and network with others. Leave promo material with anyone you think can help you.
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• Do speaking engagements. I can do a library program here locally whenever I feel like it and soon I will be speaking to the local college creative writing class. Also, there are a lot of "rotary clubs" in my area and women's groups, who are always looking for speakers.
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• Donate your books to the library and offer to "sign them" in exchange for a local newspaper photo op.
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• Teach workshops. This month I am teaching "Behavioral Profiling" (sometimes called Criminal Profiling) for Romance Writers of America on-line and I have 61 students. That is 61 more readers of my work.
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• Apply to on-line writer's sites or ezines to be the subject of an interview. It worked here, didn't it?
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• Write thank-u's to everyone who has helped you get a little attention.
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• The obvious, but make sure your books are listed with all the on-line booksellers and the information is the best it can be.
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• Give away a little service. I am listed on Pitsco's "Ask An Expert" service. School children always write to me for info for their reports, other folks ask for criminal justice advice, and some future writers catch me every once in awhile with questions. It keeps me grounded and garners me new readers.
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• Fashion a web site for yourself and use it every chance you can. Also exchange links--I have a link on approximately one hundred-fifty different sites. They all give me additional "hits."
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• Spend a certain amount of time every month just working promotion.
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