7 Marketing Tips for Authors

Top 7 Marketing Tips for Authors  

© 2012 H. M. Schuldt

Marketing Tips for Authors

TIP#1 of 7: THE FISHERMAN QUERY 

Have you mastered the basic query letter? If so, do you follow the “Fisherman Query”?

Casting the Fishing Line –Spelling errors in your first paragraph is like a fisherman who throws the entire fishing pole into the water. Oops. Your first paragraph needs to be interesting enough for your reader to continue reading. You won’t know if you get a bite until you can get the fishing pole to work.

Stink Bait - In the second paragraph, convince the fish why your story is interesting.

Feel the Tug – Make sure your fish has something significant to chew on in the third paragraph. Story details, story length, and promotion abilities give a nice flavor.

Marvel at Your Big Catch – Confirm your qualifications in the fourth and final paragraph.

EXTRA TIPS: You might be fishing on the wrong side of the lake. You might just need a new fishing pole. You might even need to get some new bait. Maybe you just need to sink a line somewhere new.


TIP #2 of 7: MAGAZINE FIREWORKS
Have you pitched your dynamite book to a magazine yet? 

You might be more comfortable starting with small fireworks. After sending your sparklers to the local trade magazines, you might be ready to send your dynamite to national magazines hungry for free. 

EXTRA TIPS: In magazine publishing, the FOB means front of the book. Yes, the magazine is referred to as a book. Make sure your dynamite is the right size for the FOB, typically magazine editors will love 50 to 400 words.

TIP #3 of 7:  THE MARTIAN PULSE

Do you know if you are selling to Martians?

When I finish reading a really good story, I often think about what type of person would like to read it. You might know a lot about Pluto, but the people on Venus might not be interested in Pluto stories. The next time you hear about Martians who want to hear a story about the Grand Canyon, think twice before you turn start writing about gas on Jupiter.

EXTRA TIPS: While you might be knowledgeable about gas on Jupiter, you might find a bigger audience of readers who like stories about the Grand Canyon. Maybe add your Jupiter knowledge in the canyon.  

TIP #4 of 7:  THE MOUNTAIN TOP PITCH

The bottom line is that one editor, publisher, or literary agent might be interested in your story, while another one isn’t. Don’t give up telling your story in a pitch. When you go to sell your story, it’s not a time to play hide and seek. Are your pitches stuffed away in a cave where no one will see them? Does your pitch look like hieroglyphs? Have you tried memorizing your story summary? Have you tried out your summary on the people around you? Are you a “drive by” pitcher, shouting your story out the window, but not sticking around to see who responds? I met one author who wrote such a vague summary because they were afraid they might give away the story. It’s one thing to hide your pitch from the wolves, but it’s another thing entirely when the author has to be clear in order to sell the story.

EXTRA TIPS: A pitch is a summary of your story, the type of summary that sells your story. Try writing a 25 word pitch and a 200 word summary of your story, and ask yourself, would you buy it? Try it out on the people around you. 

TIP #5 of 7:  GET ON THE BULL HORN

Have you been able to toot your own horn? Find a way to balance clarity and confidence. To some people, you might sound like you’re bragging. Go tell others about your accomplishments. Have you prepared something to say? Are you ready? Have you practiced? Think about what you are saying to others and what kind of an impression you are making. Do you wait for others to introduce you, or can you introduce yourself? If you were your own best fan, what would you want to hear yourself say? Imagine that the power button is on, and the bull horn has been handed to you. What is it that you are going to say in order to tell someone about your book? Stop complaining. Stop making excuses. Get on the bull horn and know your purpose.

EXTRA TIPS: Just like a shooter will go out and practice shooting at targets, make use of your time. Go practice telling others about your book before you miss the opportunity. Are you ready for the bull horn to come by your way? Go stand in front of a mirror and practice, or make a recording of your own pitch. Does it sound interesting to you?

TIP #6 of 7: MEDIA AIRLINE 

So, you are already on Twitter, Facebook, Linked In, Amazon, and possibly several other social media networks. Then why isn’t your hot book selling? Most likely, you are taxiing around on the ground in your airplane when you really want to be flying. Find out how to get in the loop more effectively. It could be that while you are taxiing around, your tire fell into a pothole. Stay away from trouble, dead ends, and ditches. Are you waiting for someone else to fly your plane? Don’t. No one else is flying your plane. Did you get carried away trying to find the pot at the end of the rainbow? Get back on track by overseeing the process of interviews and presenting yourself as a professional. Get exposure, yes, but stay away from bad publicity firms that will take $2,000 to $10,000 a month from you without giving you any results. 

EXTRA TIPS: Make the steps necessary to promote your book. Stop shouting, “Buy my book!” Stop shouting, “Give me a five star rating!” Ask but do not demand. Compelling ideas will stir interest. Keep an eye on your ratings. People don’t want to work with curmudgeons.

TIP #7 of 7: AN EFFECTIVE AUTHOR WEBSITE

So I don’t have the best author website. Well, I am not a website designer! 

EXTRA TIPS: Know your audience.