Shy Authors Rarely Sell Books By Jennifer Manlowe

“I became famous when I was willing to stop being anonymous.” ~ Sophia Loren

If you’re like me, you don’t have the $15,000 minimum to hire a publicity agent who will do the work you find horrifying – promoting you and your book. You’ve nurtured this manuscript for at least a year and it’s probably been gestating for longer than the traditional nine-months.

When we stay with this metaphor of “birthing” your book, as if it were a baby, we wouldn’t hesitate sharing photos of our new born. But, when it comes to marketing our own work, many of us feel we’d be turning into that slick, sales guy that won’t get off our back when we just want to browse. What if there were another way to get out there?

Here are a few tips to consider if you’re a new author who feels sick to her stomach when she thinks about sharing her latest work.

• Like Sophia Loren, (another shy woman), be willing to give up anonymity. Though a lot of writers are not extroverts, unless you’re expecting to give away (not sell) your book to your friends and family, you’ve got to come out of your shell.

• Be willing to get in front of those “just right” buyers by interviewing them in sections of the bookstores where your book would be placed. In a very relaxed way, tell them you’re conducting research about your audience. Ask if they’d share their favorite authors in this genre, where they shop, what magazines they read, their website, blog, what radio/TV programs they love, etc.

• Create a website (my favorite website builder is www.citymax.com). Dedicate this site to selling your book and link it to your blog with aspects of your book’s message and philosophy.

• Start selling your ideas via products on your website. Keep it simple and book-related. You can do this through Ezines, newsletters, articles, booklets (often no more than 52 pages). People purchase my products from my website via www.PayPal.com. Some of my friends use www.CornerstoneCart.com.

• Find out the name of the book buyers in your favorite local independent or blockbuster bookstores. Ask them if they’d be willing to let you give a reading or have a place on their shelf. Keep on expanding your presence.

• Get visible in multiple arenas that are free to you: local radio, local access TV, local magazines, Chamber of Commerce as well as all relevant business venues in your locale.

• If your book has an inspirational or spiritual agenda, I’m sure your denomination or sites of spiritual affiliation would welcome a presentation, plus back-of-the-room book sales. This will help you share your message and, perhaps, get specific referrals for speaking publicly (for pay) as an author.

• Join relevant business networks and offer a free event — based on your book’s key points. Make them available at the back of the room for a discount. Be sure to have a evaluation form that will give you feedback about your presentation and, most important, further recommendations for future event offerings.

• Build your mailing list and get your book into the hands of those who will give you great testimonials; these can go on the back of your book AND the front of it.

• Use the right key words to reach audience in your electronic promotions; If there’s anything else you want to know about succeeding in your book publishing, marketing and promoting endeavors, please schedule a sample session with me by calling (206) 617-8832 and see my webpage: www.AuthorizeU.com

About the Author: Jennifer Manlowe (PhD, CPC), founder of Life Design Publishing, is an award-winning author, international speaker, educator, content editor and certified book publishing coach with over 20 years of experience helping people create and publish their book(s).

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The above essay by Jennifer Manlowe is “lifted” from her book Getting Into Print, which can be ordered here.

Be sure to schedule a 30-minute complimentary phone consultation to see how this kind of coaching works. Make an appointment via telephone: (206) 617-8832 or email: jlmanlowe@gmail.com.

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Boost Branding by Writing Simple Essays

“Ideas spread like populations, from one person to another.” ~ Malcolm Gladwell, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

“The traditional approaches to marketing and branding are now obsolete… we can no longer market directly to the masses. One hundred years of marketing thought are gone. Alternative approaches aren’t a novelty–they’re all we’ve got.” ~ Seth Godin, Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable

What if you could make marketing easy by publishing simple essays? Just by sharing what you’re learning from your customers in writing can be a way to begin the spreading of your good news. Because you’ve connected and recorded the needs of your clients, you will most definitely add value not only to them but to others who need and want your services.

HOW DO YOU DO IT IF YOU’VE NEVER PUBLISHED A THING?

1. Make a list of questions your clients or customers are asking you? Find out by asking them: “Right now, what are your urgent concerns, what do you think you need and, especially, what do you need from me and my offerings?”

2. Write a short paragraph or two in response to each question they’ve asked. Don’t forget to bring empathy regarding why it is so important to them.

3. Next, come up with a few simple tips or steps that you can offer them only after asking them, “What’s worked in the past?” Good news: You will be delving into your own expertise here and giving valuable, and most importantly, solicited advice. Your answers will reflect your thoughtful listening skills and will be easy to share because they’re something you really know about.

4. Write a couple sentences about each of your simple points/tips, (creating a skeleton), then use bullet points or numbers to make it easy for the reader. Now, add some flesh on this skeleton by offering a “case example” or brief story of how this tip has helped your past clients.

5. Next, write a short paragraph simply summarizing the benefits — one more time — and what will happen if your would-be client were to follow these points.

6. Finally, add a simple bio that offers up-to-date contact information and, possibly, a free sample session with you should they want to see what you two might create together. And, something I’ve learned the hard way, be sure not to give away the store! Remember, work to connect NOT to impress.

Here’s my example: Jennifer Manlowe, PhD, CPC, is the founder of Life Design Publishing and a certified publishing coach helping people step out to authorize their lives through writing. Her books can be found at: http://Authorizeu.com. Be sure to take advantage of Manlowe’s 30″ sample session to see how you might work together. Call 206.617-8832 to arrange this complimentary appointment.

Another bit of good news — you’re not spending a dime to share this kind of research. The next time someone says you need to spend money on advertising or a new logo or promotional items to “build your brand” remember this article. Then think about all the ways you can give your customers a good experience every time they have contact with you/your business. You’ll be building your brand not by telling but by showing your customers that you are listening to their concerns and really care about offering them true value in relation to who they are.