10 Things Your Friends Can Do To Help You Sell More Books!

10 Things Your Friends Can Do To Help You Sell More Books!

By: Penny Sansevieri

“Informative and practical article!”

 Peter Biadasz

Author/Speaker/Publisher

www.TotalPublishingAndMedia.com

Author of "Write Your First Book"

Successful authors are not loners. They get out and they talk about their book, they engage people, they market and they enlist the help of their team. In this case we're talking about your friends. Getting friends (and family) to help you market your book might be the best thing you can do for your book's success, but how you go about engaging their help is another matter entirely. Friends and family who haven't spent any time in the book industry might be at a loss for what to do and because of that, might end up doing nothing. I find that when I talk to folks they tell me they'd love to help but have no clue where to start. So take this list and pass it out to everyone you know, this should give them a good jump-off point and could certainly help boost your sales!

1) Do you have promotional pieces? T-shirts, postcards, bookmarks, hats, magnets? Send some to all of your friends and ask them to pass them out or leave them in places where your readers might shop.

2) Send friends and family an announcement e-mail and ask if they'll send it to ten (or more) people they know with their endorsement to buy the book or better yet, if they have a newsletter or mailing list, see if they'll announce your book to their newsletter readers!

3) Have them go into their local bookstore and talk to the manager about inviting you in for a local event or better yet, see if they'll stock your book.

4) Encourage everyone you know to buy a book.

5) Offer them a commission if they sell books on your behalf.

6) If you're in town see if they'll host a book signing at their home to introduce you to their network of friends.

7) Do they have businesses? See if they'll consider selling your book at their offices. (And remember to give them a percentage!)

8) Do they have any connections with local radio, TV or print? Ask them if they'll make a call for you to see about getting you on the air.

9) Tell your friends what you need. Make up a promotional "wish list" for example "I wish I could do an event at XYZ bookstore, or I wish I could get into XYZ magazine." You never know who they might know. Remember the six degrees of separation rule. Often friends want to help but they don't know what you need. Tell them.

10) Thank them for all of their efforts and keep them apprised of your success. Often we get so busy promoting our books that we forget to say thank you and since we hate to boast, we also forget to tell people all the wonderful things that have happened to us and our books. Tell them. They'll be happy for you and it might inspire them to do more!

Penny C. Sansevieri is the author of the novel The Cliffhanger. She is a book marketing and media relations specialist. Penny also coaches authors on a variety of topics related to books .  

This Blog Copyright 2011 Peter Biadasz

Make A Free 30 Second Video Commercial For Your Book

Thanks to Dr. Malcolm Conway, author of Raising Elite Athletes, for sharing with me, and now you, a great resource for making video commercials for your books. The resource can be found at animoto.com.

To see Dr. Conway’s commercial feel free to go to:   

http://tiny.cc/8914j

I made a quick commercial for Total Publishing And Media. Enjoy it at:

http://animoto.com/play/72LERbNLF673gBLUmig7lQ

And you can see a commercial for one of my books, Write Your First Book, at:

http://animoto.com/play/6ayVoMJ7NdEtvka7DMeWgA

This is a very easy to use flexible product. Make your commercials and post them on facebook, Twitter, YouTube, your website and anywhere else you can think of.

You have a great book which the world needs to know exists!

Happy Marketing!!!!!!

For additional book marketing tips visit

http://writeyourfirstbooktoday.blogspot.com/

Copyright 2011 Peter Biadasz

Your Book – The Perfect Graduation Gift

In the next few weeks children of all ages, from nursery school through college, will be graduating from one grade to another, one school to another, or into the workplace full time. Your book is perfect for a graduate in at least one age group.

Now is the time to let parents, grandparents, other relatives and friends know your book is the book which their child, teen or adult graduate must have to better enjoy the next level on which they are about to embark. You may also want to inform teachers, principals, guidance counselors as well as other school personnel about your book and how it would be a benefit to their students and graduates.

Utilize facebook, Linkedin and Twitter as well as other social media to post the benefits of reading your book. Make a YouTube video if you want. Send your press release to your local newspaper, radio and TV stations as well as your local bookstores. This may also be a great time to perform a special book signing event aimed towards graduates.

If you need books in your stock you can have them within two weeks. For your out of town inquiries remember this special phrase; “My book is available at your favorite online or local bookstore. If your local bookstore does not have it in stock, I am sure they will be happy to order it for you.”

 Always remember, your book is the perfect graduation present for someone this year, next year, and every year to follow.

Peter Biadasz, author of such book as Write Your First Book, 2^nd Edition (available at http://www.amazon.com/Write-Your-First-Book-Edition/dp/193782974X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403411149&sr=8-1&keywords=write%2C+peter+biadasz),  More Leads and Increase Your Sales And Lower Your Golf Score, is President of Total Publishing And Media. To discuss with Peter publishing or marketing your book idea, or to inquire about having Peter speak to your organization or meeting, feel free to contact him at Peter@TotalPublishingAndMedia.com

Copyright 2011 Peter Biadasz

Whose Birthday Is It Today?

Connect with your Facebook audience daily by sending birthday greetings. On the right side of your home page a listing will show you which of your friends is having a birthday today. Make it a part of your daily routine to write a birthday message on the wall of those listed. Just click on their name from the birthday list and write away. Not only will this ensure you contact every one of your fb friends on a yearly basis, it will give you the opportunity to “talk” with someone who you may not have had contact with in quite a while. They will appreciate the thought, and may also realize they want to read your book or share your book with another one of their friends.

                                                                                                                                            

Plus, if you have your book cover showing as your profile picture, everyone who goes to your friend’s wall will see your greeting as well as your book cover. This may spark some added interest in your book.

So I ask; Whose birthday is it today?

For additional book marketing/selling tips feel free to go to http://writeyourfirstbooktoday.blogspot.com/

Peter Biadasz, author of such book as Write Your First Book, 2^nd Edition (available at http://www.amazon.com/Write-Your-First-Book-Edition/dp/193782974X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403411149&sr=8-1&keywords=write%2C+peter+biadasz),  More Leads and Increase Your Sales And Lower Your Golf Score, is President of Total Publishing And Media. To discuss with Peter publishing or marketing your book idea, or to inquire about having Peter speak to your organization or meeting, feel free to contact him at Peter@TotalPublishingAndMedia.com

Copyright 2011 Peter Biadasz

Don’t Want To Market Yourself? Let a Professional Market For you!

So far http://writeyourfirstbooktoday.blogspot.com/ has discussed marketing strategies for you and your book which you can implement for little or no cost. To perform these marketing activities takes time and commitment. In the process many authors experience a learning curve on how to effectively market their book. They know people need to buy their book, it is just a matter of letting their target audience know of its existence.

Today I ask the question; Do you want a professional publicist to market you and your book? If so, here is a marketing option to consider. 

MINI-NATIONAL CAMPAIGN

• 300-word book review on Amazon.com, BN.com
• Review submitted to 1,500 websites
• Review submitted to 5,000 media contacts: newspapers, magazines, radio, TV
• New Press release for 5 consecutive weeks targeting 5,000 media contacts
• All materials subject to your approval
• 6-week campaign will create significant exposure for your book
• $999

Studies show it takes 18 – 36 months on average for a book to start to gain traction. Why not let a marketing professional assist you in your journey of success?

If you would like to further discuss these options to better inform your audience the benefits of buying your book feel free to contact me at Peter@TotalPublishingAndMedia.com or call at

918-624-9300.

Peter Biadasz, author of such book as Write Your First Book, 2^nd Edition (available at http://www.amazon.com/Write-Your-First-Book-Edition/dp/193782974X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403411149&sr=8-1&keywords=write%2C+peter+biadasz),  More Leads and Increase Your Sales And Lower Your Golf Score, is President of Total Publishing And Media. To discuss with Peter publishing or marketing your book idea, or to inquire about having Peter speak to your organization or meeting, feel free to contact him at Peter@TotalPublishingAndMedia.com

Copyright 2011 Peter Biadasz

Acquire Marketing Cash For Your Book By Obtaining Corporate Sponsors

When my first book “More Leads” was published I knew my marketing goals exceeded my marketing budget. As a result I designed a win/win corporate sponsorship program which ended up financing my immediate marketing goals for the book. The program, marketed with pictures of my book cover on all literature, looked like this:

“MORE LEADS” PROMOTIONAL TOUR SPONSORS 

Peter Biadasz will announce your company to many potential customers at seminars, book -signings, and other public and private appearances!!!

Benefits of sponsorship include:

• Peter announcing your company from the podium at tour appearances,
• Your company recognized on tour and event related promotional material,
• No competitive sponsors for your market areas,
• 30 minute complimentary network training session for each sponsoring company,
• Home page recognition and link to your website from my websites (I listed the website involved).

A free copy of the book was given to all sponsors.

Because “More Leads” discusses business networking I first contacted business owners in my network who were committed to networking to grow their business. The program was very successful and helped me accomplish many goals.

To create your corporate sponsorship program, partnership with companies for whom you share the same target market. This helps both of you to build your businesses by adding value, you and the content of your book, to the product/service offerings.

You are giving to your sponsor promotional consideration to an audience which knows and trusts you. Your sponsor in return is giving you added credibility, funding, promotion, products/services, and maybe even space on their website. Your sponsor has the benefit of reaching their audience through you.

Other benefits you may acquire through sponsorships include:

·       Exposure to your sponsors e-mail databases

·         Featured in print media with your sponsors

·         Additional press releases by sponsors

·         Invitations to speak at events/meetings

·         Arrangement of media appearances

·         Referrals to other corporate partners

·         Consultant opportunities

·         Anything else you and your sponsor agree too

Your sponsors are already selling to your customers, now is the time to partner with them. Begin by making a list of your target markets and where they spend their money and time. The list of who they spend their money and time with is now your list of potential sponsors.  

For 3 informative and brief videos on obtaining corporate sponsorships by Brendon Burchard feel free to go to:

http://www.lifesgoldenticket.com/cmd.php?af=685350

Begin to obtain your book’s corporate sponsors today, first local, then regional and finally national! Now is the time to take your book marketing efforts to the next level. Thanks to sponsors lack of resources is officially no longer an excuse to not market your book.

Peter Biadasz, author of such book as Write Your First Book, 2^nd Edition (available at http://www.amazon.com/Write-Your-First-Book-Edition/dp/193782974X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403411149&sr=8-1&keywords=write%2C+peter+biadasz),  More Leads and Increase Your Sales And Lower Your Golf Score, is President of Total Publishing And Media. To discuss with Peter publishing or marketing your book idea, or to inquire about having Peter speak to your organization or meeting, feel free to contact him at Peter@TotalPublishingAndMedia.com

Copyright 2011 Peter Biadasz

Your 2014 (Book) Marketing Plan – Design It TODAY, Sell More Books!

(Excerpt from "Write Your First Book" by Peter Biadasz – Available on Amazon.com)

http://www.amazon.com/Write-Your-First-Peter-Biadasz/dp/0881444243/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262270868&sr=1-1

Many of the authors I meet with want to have an immediate plan to conquer the world. Reality and experience dictate that one first creates a marketing plan for the local audience and then grows regionally and finally nationally. Any marketing plan for your book (or any product or service) should include the following elements:

1. Identifying your local target audience(s)

Factors to explore for each target audience include, to begin with: age group, gender, education, background, income level, geographic location, race, occupation, life circumstances, hobbies, reading habits, buying habits, entertainment habits, TV. and radio viewing/listening preferences, business/social organization membership, and website preferences. Any additional information obtained could also be useful.

2. Position your book for success

After you have identified and educated yourself on your target audience, learn about your competition and strategize how to beat them. Understand why your audience will buy your book instead of theirs.

3. Write a marketing campaign – local, regional national, international

Strategize on how you want you and your book to be branded for marketing purposes. I enjoy talking with authors about marketing ideas. When creative minds meet great things can occur.

4. Your website

When designing your website remember two simple axioms:

1. Make it easy for them to buy, and
2. Make it easy for them to give you their e-mail address.

Number 1 is self-explanatory -  you want to sell books. Number 2 gives you a vehicle in which to market you, your book, and maybe future projects. It allows you to gather a following and communicate with them.

When you get your book idea is a good time to register a domain name for the book. Why wait for someone else to acquire it?

5. On-line marketing

Because nearly 8 out of 10 books are bought on-line, it is a good idea to develop a strong on-line marketing plan. This plan could include: your website, a blog, involvement with on-line social and business communities , posting articles on-line, and an e-mail campaign (non-spam only). Seek the assistance of internet experts to learn which method(s) will be most effective in reaching your target audience(s.)

6. Book Signings

A book signing is not about selling books, it is about marketing. Be amongst your public, create some buzz, and plant seeds for the future. If you are fortunate, you may sell 5-15 books in the process in a 2-3 hour period.

Most bookstores have a Community Relations Manager, or someone similar, who schedules authors for book signings. When you schedule an event be sure to ask who is buying the books and what they do to promote the author. You can then market to compliment their efforts. Be sure to contact the media as you are comfortable.

Contact everyone you know, even if they are not in your target audience and let them know about your book signing. All it takes is a person having a birthday, etc. to have a gift bought for them. Receiving an author autographed book puts a smile on the face of most people.

 You may find that someone will dismiss your work during a book signing. Never take this type of rejection personally. Not every book is for everyone.

7. Establish Yourself as an Expert

Hopefully, you already did this in your book. If not, go back and add to your book why you are the person people should turn too to receive the information they desire. Items to keep in mind are things such as your education, career and life experiences, or associations/organizations you belong too; anything that identifies you as an expert.

If, after you have taken inventory of your life you realize you may lack certain credentials, go get or earn them as appropriate. It is never too late to start!

8. Awards, Writing Contests, Etc.

There are many competitive venues for you to display your work. Seek them out as you want. As you win, you can market the victory. Publicity like this is always good.

9. Other Venues

When researching your target audience you will discover where they spend their money. If you learn they go to certain stores, make sure your books are there for them to purchase. Maybe they attend certain conferences, or belong to particular organizations. If they work together approach their employer for a special presentation in which your books are available for sale. It also may not hurt to know where you competitor places their books. You may learn much in the process.

10. Publicity Versus Advertising

There is a distinct difference between publicity and advertising.

Publicity is free, advertising costs money.

A balance between publicity and advertising is probably the desired course. Publicity can be obtained as you position your work as an asset to you target audience. The media will give you exposure as long as you are serving a purpose that is not only self-fulfilling. You can also gain publicity on the web via blogs, writing articles, and writing reviews for the works of others. Publicity can also be gained as you obtain sponsorships for companies or individuals in your target audience.

Advertising can take many forms. Be sure to spend your advertising dollars wisely. Measure the long and short-term results of each advertising effort. Also, understand that some advertising produces immediate sales, while other forms produce longer term branding effects.

Marketing Services Worth Paying For

Because the approach I take as a publisher is that I am an author first, Total Publishing offers a wide variety of marketing services. Sometimes, to achieve top results, it is better to leave certain aspects of marketing to the professionals. To learn more regarding services available to market your book feel free to go to www.TotalPublishingAndMedia.com

Develop a thorough marketing plan and you may find you are selling more and having fun.
Peter Biadasz, author of such book as Write Your First Book, 2^nd Edition (available at http://www.amazon.com/Write-Your-First-Book-Edition/dp/193782974X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1403411149&sr=8-1&keywords=write%2C+peter+biadasz),  More Leads and Increase Your Sales And Lower Your Golf Score, is President of Total Publishing And Media. To discuss with Peter publishing or marketing your book idea, or to inquire about having Peter speak to your organization or meeting, feel free to contact him at Peter@TotalPublishingAndMedia.com

Copyright 2011 Peter Biadasz