Marketing 101

After some hard work and dedication, you've finished a novel and managed to get it published.


From here on out it's up to the readers and your publishing house to get your book the fame it deserves, to drive up the sales. You, the writer, have done your duty, now you get to sit back and work on another and watch your baby climb the bestseller's list. You diligently check back to make certain your prize masterpiece is moving up the ranks as it should. What good parent doesn't?


Within weeks of your release, every one the dreams and plans you had come true. Your book is a top seller, people are clamoring for your next release, publishing houses are lined up to...


Yeah. Right.


You have your book published and now it's time for promotion.


It took months, even years, of labor to finish this novel. Months, even years, to get it published. You want to give it a proper send off into the world. You want everyone to know what you've accomplished.


We all know, or should, that promotion starts months ahead of the book's release.


You've taken those first important steps. You have a blog, a vlog, and a website. You're in the RWA, CWA, ACFW, (even the VFW)... too many writer's groups and book clubs to mention. You've connected with other writer's, enlisted influencers and reviewers, set up interviews and blog hops and library stops and contests where you plan to give away everything but the kitchen sink.


You've sent out press releases to your local paper, emailed your friends and family enough they cringe when they see an email from you. 


You've talked with book clubs about visiting with them. 


You've joined the Social Network on places like Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, Goodreads, and Pinterest to name a few. You have a brand, a trailer, a mailer.


You have done most everything you can think of to promote your book. And nothing is happening. There was a touch of a marketing whirlwind, a slight little tremor on the listings through the first month after your book's release, but that didn't translate into sales.


All your efforts seem as useful as a shiny new dime tossed in an invisible wishing well.


You barely made a dent in the market, but your energy and funds are waning, while your frustration mounts. Marketing and promotion are quickly becoming dirty words in your vocabulary.


You are matched up, Linked in and tapped out.


How do you get your book to the masses and keep your sanity in the process?


Over the next few days I will hosting the following authors and editors and publicists:

Dan Walsh

Nikki Arana

Tricia Goyer

Gail Delaney

Julie Lessman

Kristen Billerbeck

Jeff Gerke

Jennifer Hudson Taylor


To see how they market their books, what techniques they've found useful and what they've scrapped. Looking for new ideas and perhaps ways to streamline my own efforts. 


Would love for you to stop in and see what they have to say.