I was just at the 21st Century Book Marketing Event featuring Jack Canfield and Marci Shimoff and a TON of people who were talking about how to market your book. Wow! Marci Shimoff has sold 13 million by herself and no TELLING how much Jack Canfield has sold.
It was amazing. Publicists were talking about what it takes to get on Oprah and the Today show, Larry King and all that. One thing that I didn't know that they do is make their clients get Media Coaching before they go on the shows. How to talk about your book in 4 minutes so you say exactly the right thing, get all of the important points of the book in, AND make it sound interesting!! lol!
The most interesting books can seem droll in the telling by the wrong method, that's for sure.
They said that you should start promoting your book 6 MONTHS before it's scheduled to be released!! Did you know that? I didn't even think of it.
Marci said some very interesting things. Have you read her book, "Happy for No Reason?" Very good book if you find yourself getting a little dis-enchanted with it all.
And, on the marketing end of things, she said that she took EVERY engagement! She talked to every radio show, every TV show, gave interviews with all sizes of newspapers - EVERYTHING when she was promoting her book. So no Prima Donnas, you. :)
Go figure that a person who sits alone in a room with a computer to write a great masterpiece now has to come out and be the Great Communicator too! Talk about split personalities!
A lot has changed in the last 10 years too. Book tours aren't really a big thing anymore. Social Media/Social Marketing has really taken over as far as being he chosen medium.
And let me say something about bloggers. Don't underestimate what a good bloggers review can do for your book. Many times the blogosphere will out sell TV and radio!
My mother always taught me to be nice to everyone and that the secretary, though she's not the "big wig" you're trying to get to, she's the one who gets to TALK with your big wig target EVERY day...so don't kiss up but don't be impolite to anyone. You never know who that "nobody" might be.
So those are some of the highlights from the weekend. It was so specifically meant for writers. If you get a chance to go there next year, you should. It will inspire you to write more, too. I thought I only wanted to write ONE book. Now I have an idea for two. Pretty cool.
So that's what I wanted to say about the 21st Century Book Marketing Event. It was well worth the money. If you have the opportunity to go to next years event, do go. They are all wonderful people.
If you need some marketing help in the meantime, you can knock on my Twitter window @LaurenBlaine . Maybe I can help.
Also, I found this great system that even the most reclusive recluses might find useful. All of the big guys like Frank Kern, Mike Koenigs and Mike Filesame use this thing to promote online and it's really cheap. Check it ot if you like at: http://u.nu/9x8j3 I think it's kind of exciting but hey, I'm a marketer...who writes. Go figure.
Good luck with EVERYTHING you're working on. Let's get DANGEROUS!
