New Author: Just Waiting for the Big Break!

It only takes one book, it only takes one "yes"...it only...

You've written a book, and it took every last ounce of determination. You are finished, you celebrate, and you look longingly at the manuscript which resides on your computer, or on a bookshelf wondering about you next step. Don't worry, we've all been there. Some of us for more years than we wish to share!

Writing a book can be a dream come true! Now it is time to let others read it (and not just your family). Get feedback from those you trust. Make a plan. And follow through.

If you are serious about getting your book published make a list and follow through:

1. Determine if you want to obtain a publisher or self publish
2. If you decide to obtain a royalty publisher, consider an agent
3. If you decide to self publish find a good, no I mean excellent editor

Self Publish duties:

• Editor
• Graphic Artist
• Interior book lay out
• Cover Art
  
• Printer
• Distribution
• Payment System
• Website/Blog
• Social Media
  

Royalty Author duties

• Agent
• Royalty Publisher
• Attorney
  
• Marketing Strategies
• Website/Blog
  
• Social Media
• Interviews
• Lectures
• Book Trailer
• Other publicity ventures
  

This of course is not an extensive list. But it does give you an idea of what is expected. Writing the book, while at the time may have seemed like very hard works, is the easy part! The process of getting the book into print can all seem overwhelming, which is why many opt to try for a royalty publisher.

Remember, even Shakespeare was an unpublished author at one time!

What is your story? If you are published what was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome? If you are an unpublished author, what is your greatest need...or fear?

Marketing Strategy 6: Relationships that Count-2

Part 2


The rule books have changed somewhat. Social networking has opened the doors for relationships to be created across the miles. I have hundreds of friends on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Plaxo that I don’t know, have never met, and will more than likely never meet in my lifetime. (Yes, go ahead and connect to me, I like making new “friends”). How do I know these people? Through relationship building. The written word is now King. If you can write, and write well, you can create relationships. Those relationships will open doors, and I mean big doors.

Learning what makes up a good relationship is the key in the real world as well as the virtual world. This year I published a lady that I “met” who has become a good friend of mine. Our first correspondence was sometime in 2008, and while we have never met face-to-face, we’ve exchanged hundreds of emails and at least several marathon phone calls.

She and I connected at the invitation of a mutual friend on Facebook. We got to know each other and when she presented me with her manuscript on teaching children to write fiction (and she is a published children’s novelist), I was interested in taking a look. I loved her work. With some additions and suggestions from me, which she quickly implemented, we had a new Media Angels product. Susan K. Marlow added another book to her ever growing list of accomplishments, "Reach for the Stars: A Young Fiction Author's Workbook." Sales have already surpassed expectations.

This took place through relationship building. Hers and mine. Relationships, the best kind, are mutually beneficial. People who look at things from the perspective of “what’s in it for me” tend to be labeled early on as takers. Those who are very helpful on the other hand can be taken advantage of as well. It is important to set some boundaries and work within your comfort range.

I recently joined a women’s business networking group in Ft. Myers. Now I was face-to-face. I couldn’t hide behind my words. It was me and them… a sea of them, many professional business women use to getting up in a group, introducing themselves and their business, and they had talent. It didn’t take me long to become acclimated. Why? Because I watched, and I learned from the pros.

We have a one-minute introduction about ourselves, our product or business, and what our needs are from the members in the room. I watched women who stated or stumbled over their intros, and others that asked several questions of the members, or spoke about making lives easier with product X-Y-Z.

If you remember my opening post, I claimed that I resorted to humor when I was in a nerve racking situation. This was no different. When it was my turn, I quipped I could barely say my name in one minute let alone tell about my business. The clock was ticking...was I prepared for this? No...but I was able to muddle my way through and the second time I was more knowledgeable about what to expect. This group is all about making relationships in order to refer each other's businesses and help with brainstorming sessions, meeting with speakers and an array of other worthwhile endeavors.

As an author you may wonder how this would help you. Word of mouth, especially women’s mouths, can be a very good thing, or not. If they like you or your product everyone will know. My husband was a member of a similar networking group but found that once work picked up he was unable to attend meetings. You need to use what works for you. In this situation, I can represent my business, as a consultant for aspiring authors but still give out business cards for my husband’s remodeling business. Relationship building is at the forefront of this endeavor.

One other note here, I quickly began telling my friends who were in business about this group, and soon an email from the group leader was sent out to all of the members. I was surprised to see my name signaled out as the person who had invited four new guests to the group, being I had joined only two weeks prior. I thought this was normal. Don't keep something good to yourself, share. This is how relationships work.

Relationships… making them is much harder than breaking them.

Next: My top ten list of making Great Working Relationships!

Marketing Strategy Number 1

In a Nutshell:

1. Relationships via online forums
2. Favorites: FaceBook, Twitter and LinkedIn
3. Value: connections and recommendations
4. Time: 15-30 minutes daily
5. Time saver: http://ping.fm/


Relationships. We have all heard it said, it is who you know not what you know. Well, I think it is a combination of the two. For the best results I believe it is what you know and who you know in that order. Recently I have received many invitations to speak publicly. How? You’ll see below. For an author public speaking normally translates into sales. What if you only have an idea for a book? What if you don't have a completed manuscript? What if you are just in the middle? What if you are nearing the end or your best seller? It doesn't matter! Start networking now.

No matter what your industry or aspirations relationships often make or break a deal. So, start making relationships using social networking. Everyone has their favorites; my top three are FaceBook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, in that order, although I have other accounts.

The first is to make your connections well, but this depends on what network you are using. Generally I don't connect to someone I don’t know, who does not have a bio or picture (for those who prefer icons such as Cat-in-the-hat, this doesn't pertain to you). Having said this, here are my unofficial rules:

Facebook: I usually approve connections if we have common friends, even if it is just one, or the obvious, I know you! I will connect with anyone in a similar industry or field. I will very rarely accept any “gifts” or join organizations unless I feel passionately about the topic. The same goes for events, I’m just too busy to check into each of these before I approve or say I’ll attend (virtually of course), even if I know the person.

Twitter: I will allow follows (yes, I check each request), if when I read some of the posts to the follower’s account I find it is not offensive (to me), and see they post regularly. It goes without saying that I read their bio and check out their website or blog if they have one. I will only follow those I'm truly interested in learning more about...unlike most people on Twitter, my "follow numbers" are usually larger than those I'm "following".

LinkedIn: try as the participants might...this system is really for those who know or want to know each other via this vehicle. There are groups springing up like "open networker" attempting to side-step LinkedIn’s rules. And, these work to some degree. I have a hard time in just adding numbers without forging relationships my main purpose for networking. In LinkedIn if you don't "know" the person you can only connect by specifying how you know them and in what capacity. There is a way around this, if you request and obtain an introduction via one of your connections.

By far, this website is my favorite in terms of professionalism, questions or surveys taken, and networking payoffs. The number one reason I like LinkedIn is the recommendation feature. If I am working with an aspiring authors as a consultant (or coach), and when they ask for my credentials, I can send them to LinkedIn. Here they can view my work history and my list of recommendations by fellow authors, publishers and editors.

The second mandate is to post regularly. I use a time-saver. Ping. This website allows you to set up all your social network organizations that you want to receive information at one time. You then send out (or “ping”) your remarks from one place. It automatically shortens a website address. It is the command center if you will of all of my posts.

The third and most important mandate, for my own sanity and the fact that God only deemed to give us a 24-hour day, I make it a rule (unofficial of course), to spend between 15-30 minutes on social networking per day. As you can see this doesn’t allow for many of the fun aspects of the social networking scene. This is like going to the cafeteria and eating lunch but not hanging out to talk for two hours afterward. Yes, I’m missing some of the fun associated with these ventures, and believe me when I can sneak a few minutes here and there I do post comments, but am running a business and as such I treat my network time as a to-do on my list.

All work and no play makes Jane dull…right? There has to be a balance and if you don’t “know” about me, check out my profile on Facebook. Okay, back to work. the next post will reflect the deals or leads I have made using each of the social networks listed above. Oh, and by the way, feel free to connect!

In the meantime if you are an aspiring author, take time to write, daily!

Until the next time…


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