Gale Laure/Evolution of a Sad Woman

So you want to be an author. You have a wonderful novel that you have written. Your heart and soul went into this work. It is unique. You have been told it is quite good. So what is next?

You have to sell your novel to the world! This is the hard part. Writing the book was the easy part.

When I wrote my novel, <i>Evolution of a Sad Woman</i>, I was on top of the world. I thought everyone would find out about my novel and want to read it. My publisher had it listed on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Buy.com, Tower, Target, Hastings and everywhere worldwide. So I was all set.

Wrong!

My novel was listed with all the other millions and millions of books. So it was just a little straw in a large pile of hay.

In the world today, an author must get attention for the book they have just written. You must draw attention to yourself. How do you do that?

My father who worked in sales his whole life once taught me a very valuable lesson. People buy from people they know. They must feel comfortable with you before they will buy from you. They must like you. It is no different for an author.

Readers must know you. Here are some tips to help you with your mission.

• People want to know about you. Get on every social media network you can. Join Twitter, Facebook, Authorsden, Goodreads, Shoutlife, myspace, YouTube and any other one you can find. Know that this will take time.
• Participate with the media networks listed above. Share little things about yourself. You do not have to get really personal if you do not wish. But they must get to know you.
• Tell them about your novel. Tell them about your writing experiences. It can actually be fun. You can make some wonderful, new friends.
• Plan a small book tour for yourself. Visit local bookstores first. Meet with the Book Manager. Tell them about your novel. Give them a copy to read. If they like your novel, they may be willing to host a book signing. Make sure to include a biography. Remember you must sell yourself first. Do remember they are busy people. Visit with them when it is convenient for them.
• Plan a virtual blog book tour. There are wonderful companies who can do this for you. You either can find a company or have your publisher find one for you. These companies can find the appropriate blogs for you book genre, set up the blog tour stops, help you decide what to write for the post and arrange stops at radio stations. Reviewers can also be arranged for you. You will have to write some, so be prepared.
• Always conduct yourself in a professional manner. Proofreading everything you write is a must. Look for errors.
• Always have business cards with information about your novel with you. You can give them out in restaurants, stores, waiting in offices or long lines. Do not just walk around handing them out. Strike up a conversation with someone. When – or if – the conversations get around to your novel, give them a card.
• Always smile. People love to be around people who smile. Make their day better with your smile.
• Have a launch party. My launch party was hosted in another town from my residence. A very nice art gallery was kind enough to host mine for me. Invite people and invite the media.
• Send out news releases to newspapers, magazines, radio and television personalities. Always include a biography. They must know you also. Sell yourself and you may sell some books.
• Organize your time every day. Plan how long you will spend marketing your book either on the Internet or in person.

Remember that you are selling yourself first. Once people – whether on the Internet or in the local bookstore – feel they know you and like you, they will want to buy your book.
Smile and keep it fun!

About the author

Gale Laure is known for her informal Southern style of writing. Books written by Gale Laure include her current debut, mystery,suspense, thriller romance, Evolution of a Sad Woman. It is selling as an e-book, Kindle and as a trade softcover paperback internationally.

For more information about Gale Laure visit www.galelaure.com (website), www.evolutionofasadwoman.com (blog) or the following: www.twitter.com/wwwgalelaurecom , www.facebook.com/Author.GaleLaure , www.authorsden.com/galelaure , www.goodreads.com/galelaureauthor , www.myspace.com/galelaure-author .

   
James Diehl/World War II Heroes of Southern Delaware

When it comes to promoting a new project, I like to use a lot of the new techniques available today, including Web-based press releases, blogging and online video. But I also use traditional methods like press releases, newspaper interviews, book signings and sending information out via “snail mail.” That’s particularly true for my latest project, World War II Heroes of Southern Delaware,” because the older segment of my target audience doesn’t necessarily use computers on a daily basis. As such, I felt it was necessary to reach out to them in specific ways.

I had good success with a simple postcard about the book that featured a discounted rate if orders were placed prior to its official release date. I sent these out to contacts in my local area who were already a part of my mailing list, as well as to people throughout the country who showed up on several Google searches I conducted. For this project, I searched for World War II groups, historians and veteran’s organizations – basically, any group I felt would be interested in a unique book about World War II.

In addition to the postcard, I also beefed up my Web site by creating a video trailer for my book. I worked with a very talented local videographer to develop the piece. Developing the video even morphed into a new project we’re working on together, a documentary about World War II from the perspective of men who were actually there. I posted my video on YouTube and on my Web site and sent out a press release about it. It really helped a lot in terms of exposing the project to a wider audience.

I’ve also taken greater advantage of the Internet by embarking on a six-week virtual book tour. This is a new concept to me, but one that I see a lot of potential in. I’m anxious to see what the long-term results are from this tour.

While utilizing all of these new elements, I’m also staying true to the time-tested methods of promotion. I’m a partner in a Delaware-based public relations and marketing company, and I know that traditional marketing methods can still produce good numbers if done correctly. Through content marketing, I’m working on establishing myself as a local and regional expert on World War II and am also making as many appearances in the area as possible. One day, I could be speaking to members of a historical society; the next, I could be holding a book signing at a community event. The more you get out there and talk about your book, the better off you’ll be.

That’s really what it all comes down to. You could write the greatest book in the world – if no one knows about it, it won’t matter one tiny bit. You have to get out there and speak about your project with passion and with zest.

Believe in yourself and in what you’ve been able to put together. After all, if you don’t, who will?

Thanks again for allowing me this time to talk about the many opportunities available in regards to book promotion. I wish you all the very best.

About the author

James Diehl is an award-winning journalist who has covered Sussex County, Delaware for various media outlets since 1998. Since 2007, he has owned and operated a freelance writing company based in Seaford, Delaware and is also a partner in a Lewes, Delaware-based public relations and marketing firm. He is the author of one other work of non-fiction – Remembering Sussex County, from Zwaanendael to King Chicken, published in 2009 by The History Press.

James can be found online at www.twitter.com/sussexwriter, at www.facebook.com/sussexwriter, at www.worldwar2heroes.blogspot.com or via www.ww2-heroes.com.