#ThereIsOneInEveryCrowd

Yes, there is one in every crowd. I recently wrote about using current events to promote books, and not just for financial gain. Many authors have valuable information to share with the public, so when a news-worthy event occurs, and is you have useful, relevant information, let the media know about it. You will be doing a service to others and as a bonus your book will gain exposure as well. You did write the book to be of help and to write a book that people will read. Right?


So, one person replied that she would not stoop so low as to use a tragic event to promote her book. As usual, some people just miss the point. Here is what I replied to her: 


"What you are doing is helping people to cope with the tragedy if you have the skills - and if your book is appropriate. If you wrote a book on dealing with disasters, or on how such disasters occur, your expertise is valuable. Isn't that why you wrote the book? To inform people? How will you help if you don't let people know that the book is available?"


Point made.


Denise


www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#NovelsCanTeach

When experts have information to impart, they automatically think of publishing in nonfiction format. There is a great market for nonfiction, certainly, but, but....if you possess creative writing skills, don't discount the value of educating in a story.


I just finished reading LEFT neglected by Lisa Genova, a PHD in neuroscience from Harvard University. Who would have guessed that such an academic person could be such a good writer of fiction? The story captivated me and educated me at the same time - perhaps with even greater impact than a nonfiction book would have done.


Would I have picked up a factual book about Left Neglect? Not likely. The handicap does not affect me personally so the subject is not on my list of things that I need to research and learn more about. Now that I do know about Left Neglect, though, I am more observant about people who struggle to walk. Not that I would approach such people, but I can keep an eye on them from a distance in case they need assistance. You never know. Lisa Genova likely reached a much greater audience than she would have done with a nonfiction book.


So, if you are writing about an issue that the general public will benefit from, and you are good at creative writing, think about telling us in a story. You will touch us in our hearts and we will be more aware of the topic. We may learn even more by having our emotions touched than by having our intellect challenged.


Fiction books on important topics also have increased commercial value. Something to think about....


Denise




www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#TargetAppropriateTVandRadioShows

When you publish a book, it is important to get media attention for the book. If people no one knows about the book no one will buy it. It's that simple. People look for books that have been reviewed or that have been recommended by someone they know. Haven't you shopped in a book store and found that your eye is attracted to books that you have heard about? 

So, when you are planning to contact media about your book, how do you decide on which TV shows to target or which radio shows to contact? 

Websites are great resources. On a show's website, you might find its media kit or other pages that give you information such as audience size, demographics and topics that they have discussed. You can get a snapshot of whether their information is appropriate for your subject matter. 

Once you have a clear picture of what the show is about, you can tailor your news release and your media kit  to create show ideas that the producer and the host are looking for.

A good strategy for getting the producer's attention is to prepare a segment sheet that demonstrates what you will do and/or talk about on a specific show (we can send a sample segment sheet to clients of our Ultimate Book Marketing Kit which you can find at www.inktreemarketing.com). Producers are very busy. They want a good idea in advance of what you can do to keep the audience enthralled. There is nothing worse for a TV or a radio show than a featured guest who struggles to keep the audience interested. The host of the show should not have to drag information out of you. You have to be the one in control of the interview.

Before you get to the segment sheet, though, you will have had to send out a very enticing news release. The producer, once interested in what you have to offer, will request a media kit and a sample of your book.

So, when the producer's curiosity is piqued, you can introduce the segment sheet idea. Alternately, if you have problems even connecting with the producer, you can send a segment sheet that they just can't resist. It has worked in the past - I have done it successfully. The producer was so intrigued by my segment sheet that I was immediately booked onto the show.

If you can make the producer's life easier and if you can keep the audience hooked, you are in!

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

www.publishacookbook.com 

#SelfPublishersContactMediaDuringTragedies-YourNewsReleaseCanHelp

We are all in shock over the recent shootings in Toronto, Ontario and in Aurora, Colorado. There are disturbed people in our societies who seem to think that they need to act out violently in public when they are unhappy in their own lives. Innocent victims are caught in their cross-fire.  The public is searching for understanding and for help in avoiding such situations.


There are many writers and publishers who have a greater understanding of the causes of such tragic situations. They have studied people with disturbed minds, or they have researched the prevention of dangerous events. They have knowledge that can help the bewildered and terrified public.


As a self publisher, you are afforded an opportunity to fill a need. The media is scrambling to write stories that go beyond sensationalism and are of some actual benefit to our society. Let the media know who you, the experts, are and how you can shed some light on tragic situations.


Send out news releases that give the media something important to write about. Not only will you draw attention to yourself, you can do some real good. People are reeling in shock. Let us all know how to wrap our heads around the tragic situations that bombard us on a daily basis.


Denise


www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#SellingYourBooksToForeignMarkets

Today I had a question from a client, asking about selling her books in other countries. I highly support that initiative. The more languages your book appears in, all the better. Your message, or your solutions to problems, or your ideas are valid in any country. All that is required is an accurate translation.


When I first saw my book published in Polish, it was a surreal experience. The book looked familiar, yet it didn't, but it was exciting! 


Having your book published in other countries gives you great credibility, especially with the media. They don't want to miss out on a good thing: it is easier to get reviews on your home turf if your book has also sold in foreign languages.


The drawbacks to selling your books in other countries are this: how can you possibly do publicity, organize distribution and find target market buyers in another country in an unfamiliar language? There is no way. You just cannot. Therein lies the value of a foreign rights agent - a person who specializes in selling intellectual rights in other countries and in other languages. 


There are times when hiring an expert is just smart, especially in areas where you do not have the expertise or the resources to manage on your own. You will save yourself much money, time and grief by working with an agent who is more knowledgeable and are more efficient than you are.


The best news is that when hiring a foreign rights agent there are very few costs to you. You pay only a small representation fee. After that, if your book is attractive to foreign publishers, you just collect money. Is there a better deal? I don't think so. You may not make large sums of money from each transaction, but how much would you have profited if you did not sell your foreign rights? Here is the formula for what you would have made: 100% of 0 = 0.


So, nothing ventured, nothing gained.


Denise


www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#LondonBookFair

OK, the Calgary Stampede is over for another year. Whew! The Stampede is such a busy but fun time that we are all exhausted when it's over - much like Christmas. We can't wait for it to arrive but we are relieved when it's done. Now we anticipate next year.


The same goes for annual international book fairs, such as Frankfurt and London. 


The London Book Fair is already accepting applications for April 15 - 17, 2013, so if you are interested in selling your book rights in the U.K., Europe or in the rest of the world, now is a good time to look for a foreign rights agent. 


We have a foreign rights agent who specializes in the Frankfurt Book Fair, which is the largest in the world. In Frankfurt you definitely need agent representation.


However, think about London. It might be worth a try.


Denise


www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com 

#NoTimeToBlog

Have you ever been so busy that you don't have time to think? Welcome to my world for the ten days of The Calgary Stampede, the world's greatest outdoor show. During Stampede, Calgarians are so busy having fun that we just don't get much work done.


We all just go into fun mode and take a break from daily routine and chores. It's such a great thing to do. Escape mentally from responsibilities for a while and recharge your batteries. Pretend that problems exist, just for a while.


It's great. Try it.


Talk to you next week.


Denise


www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com

#ThinkOfTheMoodOfYourReader

Wow! I just received a fabulous gift. My friend loaned me eight books that she has finished reading and that she recommends highly. Best of all, they are not just "chick" books or hot romances with no substance.


It is so exciting to have a little private library in hand. Now I have the pleasurable task of sifting through the pile to find my next great read. It's better than being given a stack of movies. Books are so portable, so in the summer months I can take a book to the park, to the pool, to the lake, to the back yard and so on.


I now look forward to losing myself in a story, in a comfy warm location, and allow the sounds of the world to just fade into the background. It's the best feeling in the world.


So when you are writing your book, think long and hard about who will read the book. What kind of person will read your book? Where will that person hang out to read the book? What mood will your book generate? 


All those questions help you to target the potential buyers of your book. You need to KNOW them so that you can find buyers for your book. Without a good understanding of your potential buyers you won't be able to launch an effective publicity campaign nor will you find companies, websites, blogs, charities, catalogs or any other places to sell your hard work.


And - selling is your goal.


Denise


www.inktreemarketing.com
www.publishacookbook.com 

#WantToWriteaBookButDon'tKnowHowToStart?

Walk into a room full of people and ask how many people would like to write a book. You will be amazed at how many hands pop up. So many people have creative thoughts to share but feel stuck.

It is hard to know how to get the creative juices flowing and maybe even harder to get the words from paper into print format. 

To make things easy, go to Oprah's link below. There is no better time than summer to take the big step from dream to completed project.

http://www.oprah.com/spirit/4-Reasons-Youre-Not-Writing-the-Book-Youre-Meant-to-Write

Denise

www.inktreemarketing.com

www.publishacookbook.com

#ReadingIsExcitingBooksAreForLife

My little granddaughter, newly graduated from Kindergarten, read the bedtime story to me during her last sleepover. Yeah Dr. Seuss. His books are so very kid-friendly. Anyway, I digress, my granddaughter lit up like a Christmas tree when I told her parents that she read the book, almost without assistance. She felt so proud of her achievement and so she should.


Reading is such an accomplishment! I remember when I learned that my daughter (mother of said grandchild), read bedtime stories at the age of three to her little friend on a sleepover. I didn't even know that she could read. My son did the same thing. He was self-taught. However, they were read to from the day they arrived home from the hospital. Books were a huge part of their lives, as were frequent trips to the library where they were allowed to choose any books that appealed to them.


Learning to read opens up a whole new world of freedom for children. They can entertain themselves and they can learn new things on their own. From there the sky is the limit. We are so privileged that all of our children have the same opportunity to attend school and to learn to read. We give them a gift that no one can take away from them.


When my children were very young, I made it clear to them that school was their sole responsibility, not the responsibility of their parents. Education, as they were told very firmly. was their key to the world. If homework was not done, if they did poorly on exams, the buck stopped with them. It paid off. They did exceptionally well in school and both did very well at university.


Books and reading are the greatest gifts that we can give to someone else. They are priceless in so many ways. 


Write your book with passion. Give books to others. Knowledge is the most valuable asset that we have.


Denise


www.inktreemarketing.com  
www.publishacookbook.com