GREAT BOOKS

Oh, shoot, I missed a day. Well, onward from this point.

So, I've been reading a good book and it occurred to me that I should discuss what makes a good book. There are so many factors, but as Oprah says, if the first sentence on the first page of the first chapter doesn't grab your attention, choose another book. So, excellent writing is a huge criteria. But what is excellent writing? I really don't know how to describe it but a well written book "speaks" to me. I feel drawn in and engrossed, immediately, and I want to continue reading. Good writing is definitely a skill - which can be learned. It takes practice, practice, practice and then more practice. You have to re-write everything until the words just sing and the reader is enthralled by the song.

I have to run, so more on this subject next time.

Denise

TARGET MARKET

Today is just a non-book day for me. Some days are like that - nothing really constructive to say other than be sure that you are clearly targeting your market. Who specifically is your audience? Who will actually buy your book, and that's different from who needs it. I know that everyone needs my healthy lifestyle cookbook, but who will actually buy it? - only people who are willing to make some simple changes in their lives. Not everyone is willing.

Cheers,

Denise

MORE MEDIA TIPS

Wow, three days in a row. Don't expect weekends, though. :-)

More about media appearances today. There are some do's and dont's about media appearances that you should take seriously. Your goal is to make a positive, lasting impression so you must look and sound professional, knowledgeable and relaxed. A sense of humor is good.

To sound great during an interview, you must have all of your information on the tip of your tongue and you must be able to "spit it out" very easily. Interviews usually last only three to five minutes, so your "sound bites" have to be clear and concise.

Appearances do count as well. Do people judge a book by its cover? Absolutely. You are the sales force for your book, so look good. Hair and makeup (if appropriate) and clothing are important. You don't have to look like a movie star, but wear casual dressy at least. Avoid prints, loud colors and white - the cameras do not like them.

Be prepared. If you are being interviewed for television, watch the show in advance. If you are being interviewed on radio, listen to the show (you can do that on-line). If you are being interviewed in print, read the publication ahead of time. You must know the audience for each interview, and you should be familiar with the philosophy of the interviewer.

Those are just some quick words of advcie from someone who has been there.

Denise

MEDIA TIPS

I know, I know - two days in a row of blogging. It's amazing. However, I just need to say a bit about publicity.

If you're Canadian, and even if you're American, the media is buzzing about a certain person named Ann who is speaking at Canadian universities, promoting her anti-racist books. The students in Ottawa protested so much that she had to cancel her engagement, but, because of the protest, international media is all over the issue thus proving that there is no such thing as bad press. The speaker will be in Calgary today, followed by international papparazzi. Wow. She will definitely sell books now.

So, if you want to get media attention, create some controversy. Think about the content in your book and if you can give the media something to talk about, send out news releases that make people take sides. Tie into current events and issues. The media loves it!!!

Denise

COMMUNICATING YOUR MESSAGE

Wow, time flies by when you're having fun. I just can't get at this sitting down to blog on a regular basis because there are already so many commitments in life. Do you find that? Computers and internet are so great in so many ways, but they also consume much of one's life. I don't know if that's good or bad...

Anyway, what I want to talk about is goals. So many authors ask me for advice on marketing their books but upon questioning them, I find that they do not know how to quickly communicate what their book is about nor what it will do for the reader.

When you are marketing your book, people will ask you all of the time what your book is about and you need to be able to give them a 25 word or less quick synopsis. When you are asked why you wrote the book, you need to respond with a 25 word or less story. If you don't convey the book's content and your story quickly and concisely, you have just lost your audience.

Here's what I suggest: write an essay that explains your motivation for writing the book. What was your inspiration? What will the reader gain by reading your book? Take as much time and paper as you need. Let your passion shine through.

Then, begin the editing process. Condense what you have written by half, then by half and so on until you have several 25 word or less sound bites that define the book, that tell your story and that clearly communicate how the book will improve the reader's life.

Let me know how you do.

Denise

SPECIAL SALES FOR BOOKS

I wonder how many publishers know that markets for books extend into the corporate world? Is there a better place to sell books? Not that I can think of. Who else buys books in the thousands of copies? No one.

Special Sales is an area that publishers must pursue if they want to be successful in their business. My book sold over 250,000 copies, most of which were sold to corporations. Let me tell you, it's much easier to sign a contract for thousands of copies than it is to plug away at sales of one or two or even hundreds of copies.

Give it some thought.

Denise

CELEBRITY FOREWORD OR ENDORSEMENT

Here is one of my pet peeves - people who receive our newsletter but don't actually READ it before they send questions about the information we have provided. Note to self: it seems that authors cannot necessarily read. OK. Now I got that off my chest, I feel better. :-) By the way, you can sign up for our newsletter at www.inktreemarketing.com.

Now, here is a legitimate question: how do I approach a celebrity to write a Foreword or an Endorsement for my book? My personal opinion and personal experience is this: call them. They are just people and usually they are very nice, helpful people. Sometimes you have to approach a celebrity through a publicist, an agent or an assistant and that is just fine. Put on some charm and tell them what you want, but be sure to present them with the benefits of being in your book. All celebrities, no matter how famous, need constant attention from the public or they risk being forgotten. If you can promise them that they will be part of your media campaign, you have one foot in the door.

At some point, you have to put your request into writing. Make your request friendly and flattering but don't be ridiculous about it.

That's all there is to it. They will say either yes or no.

Cheers,

Denise

SELLING TO CORPORATIONS

It's a beautiful, sunny day - a great day to feel positive about the future. It's easy to become overwhelmed by life's challenges, but just put your sunglasses on and keep plugging.

So, people often ask me how to contact corporations. Well, the internet is a fabulous tool. Just google them, find a phone number and call. Ask for the Director of Marketing and make your pitch. You do need to have a pitch prepared in advance so that you can convince the first person who answers the phone that you can help them to increase their sales or to improve their goodwill, etc.

It's as easy as that. They'll either say yes or no. If they say no, it's on to the next one and just consider it their loss. If they say yes, yeah!!

Denise

Vacation Time is Over

Isn't it amazing how quickly a vacation whizzes past? I guess that's what makes us appreciate holidays so much - they are a delightful morsel of time that we can savor again and again in our memories.

Getting back to work and routine is also nice. Creativity is as crucial to mental well-being as rest and recreation time are to physical wellness.

So, that being said, what can I say that will inspire your creativity? Perhaps we can draw on the recent Winter Olympics in Vancouver. They were fabulous, by the way!! We can all learn from the dedication and perseverance of the athletes. Broken bones don't deter them. Why are we detered by times of frustration? We all need to learn to pick ourselves up, give our heads a shake and get to work with a smile on our faces. Life is one big challenge, so just get on with pursuing your goals.

If writing a book is your dream, pursue the dream. Don't give up. Step away from the computer for a few moments, go to the window, take a deep breath, have a stretch and be grateful that you are where you are. Life is good.

Now, take that positive thought and let your own thoughts flow.

Denise