Monday's Helpful Hints - What didn't work - for me.

There are several things I did, as far as I know, (note the caveat here) had little effect on my marketing of my books. I also had a good friend who was a military analyst who agrees with my own results.

It doesn't seem that much benefit is gained from online advertising. It's way down on the list of things that work. I'm not certain about paid advertising in print medium because I've seldom had the money to be able to buy an expensive spread in a retail spot. So I'd have to say - for me at least - paid advertising was a waste of my money.

Also, today, many of the loops devoted to romances, which I write, are full of other authors promoting their books. So, for as much time as I spend on those loops, I doubt I gain much help in selling my own books.

Giving away books also doesn't do a lot either. I have to buy my print books and except for the few copies I get when the book is released in digital form, I must buy the digital book from my publisher if I want to continue to gift the ebook to others. Contests stir up some interest, but giving away a lot of books doesn't seem to aid in my actual sales numbers.

The three best things I do, is first word of mouth. It's been reported that your name has to register at least seven times, before people will begin to recognize you. So, if that premise is true, then you have to have someone talk about you at least seven times before you'll be remembered, they'll have to see your name in print at least seven times before they get it. So, word of mouth is the most important and seeing your name in print is next. That means blogging for others and well as at least one blog for you, tweeting and facebook, and the other forms of internet media.

The third thing I've found that helps is always carrying a bunch of bookmarks (mine are business cards and I'll explain why in a minute). I pass these out to anyone I see reading, in a restaurant, doctor's office, where ever. Of course, I will also pass them out to people I see reading from a digital device like a kindle. I usually ask what they are reading and if it's history, romance, or most forms of fiction, I'll pass out a card or two. I also keep my doctor's office supplied, hand them out at the hospital when I go for blood tests, at the beauty salon, and I add them to almost all of the mail that leaves the house.

Now, why do I use business cards as opposed to regular bookmarks? First, I can make them myself and print as many or as few as I want or print them as I need them. I can print both sides, and let face it, today not everyone uses a bookmark, but people do keep business cards. The stock available is excellent, not horrendously expensive and with the new printers, you can produce a reasonably good product. I put the latest cover of my book on one side and my back list and buy info on the reverse. I'm definitely looking into using a small QR code on my next card.  Don't know what that is? Look it up and you'll notice it's now frequently on all kinds of products.

Okay, I'm a little long again, but there is much to share. I'll wait until next Monday to get into the press kit. So, see you then.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Betrayed Bride available from Champagne Books
Lynbrook's Lady coming in August from Champagne Books

Monday's Helpful Hints - What you must do

Okay, there is only one thing you must do. Whether you are self-published, traditionally published, or indie pubslished, you must have a web presence. And, that is the trick. How you establish a web presence is up to you.

I would recommend a web page, be it through a blog, or a traditional web page, you need some way for people to see your name and your books.

I have a web page. If you are reading this, then you know I have a blog. I also blog for other people on their web sites or blogs. I tried to visit some of the reader loops that are on line as well, but not as much as I probably should.

So you have to decide how you are going to make yourself known on the web. And, yes, I know not everyone has a computer, but the number is decreasing dailey, and most readers do check the online book sites to see what books are available, if they are reviewed, or if there are any comments about those books.

So your marketing plan must include some information about how you are going to promote yourself on the web. It's also a good idea to decide, at least for yourself, how often you intend to visit your web page, blog, or the loops on which you want to promote your books.

Today social media is the big buzz. Your marketing plan needs to detail if you intend to promote on one or more of those sites. I'm talking about facebook, google +, pinterest, twitter, to name a few.

Then there is the paper market. Are you going to make bookmarks to pass out and where are you going to give them out? How much money are you going to spend? Paper products cost money, whether you make them yourself, or have them made for you. What you plan to use becomes part of the marketing plan.

Remember, a marketing plan is how you plan to sell your book and most publishers want some idea of just how you are going to go about it. Let's face it. Unless you are a seven day wonder, the next best thing to Nora Roberts, or Steven King, you are going to have to promote yourself.

Next Monday, I'll cover some of what I tried that didn't work for me and if I don't run out of space, what a press kit should look like and whether you need one or not.  See you then.

Allison
www.AllisonKnight.com
Heart-warming Romance with a Sensual Touch
Betrayed Bride available from Champagne Books
Lynbrook's Lady coming in August from Champagne Books