Zoe M. McCarthy's Blog, page 30
January 1, 2015
The Best Way to Prepare to Speak at Live Author Events
“Creating a personal catalog of stories associated with various emotions is a useful resource.” — Nancy Duarte If you’re an introvert like I am, you may dread people asking you questions at live author events. You may wonder what you could possibly say at these functions that would interest readers. You may not be […]
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December 25, 2014
Your Local Book Launch Party, Part 2: Example of a Successful Event
“A launch party gives an author the chance to be surrounded by her village as a book makes its debut.” —Holly Robinson Recently I posted Part 1 with a checklist of tasks to consider for a local book launch party. For an example, here’s mine with some tips. Local Book Launch Party for Calculated Risk […]
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December 18, 2014
Your Local Book Launch Party, Part 1: A Checklist of Tasks & Options
“Wear the old coat and buy the new book.” —Austin Phelps The purposes of a physical book launch party: Celebrate and thank others Get the word out about your book Sell books Here’s a checklist of items to consider for a local, non-bookstore party like I’ve done for Calculated Risk. Set a Budget. Consider: […]
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December 11, 2014
Tips to Ensure You Have a Happy Book Signing
“I always do book signings with the same blue pen. That way, if I add a personalised message to a book I’ve already signed, it’ll be in the same colour as my signature.” — John Grisham These tips are from research and from book signings I’ve done in small bookstores and at events. They’ll help […]
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December 4, 2014
Tips for Ordering and Using Book Promotional Materials Part 2
“A prospect needs to see or hear your marketing message at least seven times before they take action and buy from you.” —Marketing Adage Last week, I offered general tips for marketing materials and specific tips for business cards, bookmarks, and postcards. This week, I’ll make suggestions for posters, car magnets, banners, and book-related […]
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November 27, 2014
11 Tips for Ordering and Using Business Cards, Bookmarks, & Postcards
“Never forget that you only have one opportunity to make a first impression—with investors, with customers, with PR, and with marketing.”— Natalie Massenet I purchased business cards, bookmarks, postcards, posters, car magnets, a banner, and book-related giveaways. In Part 1, I share general tips for all these materials and specific tips for business cards, […]
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November 20, 2014
3 Ways a Holiday Can Enhance Your Story and Help Market Your Book
“I love Thanksgiving because it’s a holiday that is centered around food and family, two things that are of utmost importance to me.” — Marcus Samuelsson (Chef) Whether your story is humorous or suspenseful here are ways holidays can please readers and help in marketing your book. Way 1: Family Traditions Come up with a […]
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November 13, 2014
Delight Your Readers and Your Guests at Promotional Events with a Fun Activity
“Without promotion, something terrible happens…nothing!” —P. T. Barnum Many authors delight readers with recipes. Not a cook? How about a fun craft. Delight your readers and guests at your events with a book-related craft. Click to tweet. Why? The activity offers your craft-loving readers who visit your website’s “For Readers” page free directions for something they […]
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November 6, 2014
One Marketing Idea That’s Fun, Easy, and Effective
“Marketing is a contest for people’s attention.” — Seth Godin I’m promoting my upcoming novel, but this idea can work to market other products. A drawing for a gift basket of items related to your novel is easy and effective. Click to tweet. I made 5 baskets for planned events. Why it’s fun: Purchasing […]
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October 30, 2014
4 Tips in Using Your Personal Stories in Your Writing
“I write a lot from personal experience, but I also embellish a bit.” — Miranda Lambert Why is it important to include our personal stories in some way in our writing? Well, few can imagine catching a sailfish better than a person who actually landed one. When you don’t use your personal stories in […]
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