Author, to secure a speaking gig, talk about anything BUT your book! Here's an explanation with a list of ideas:)

 Creative Friend,

One of the best ways to make money onyour book is to sell it in person. The best way to sell a book in person is toNOT talk about your book! How do I know? I learned from the Knox County Librarymany years ago. I asked the library manager if I could do a book signing. Shekindly agreed and coached me on how to have good attendance.

She said, “Don’t talk about the book.”

What?

She said, “Talk about something thatwill interest anyone who may come.”

We discussed my experience, and sheloved that I taught myself how to publish books. She said, “Let’s call theprogram ‘Adventures in Self-Publishing.’”

My first book, the one I wanted tosell at the library event, is about domestic infant adoption.

I followed the librarian's advice,wrote up a short, engaging talk about the process of publishing today, and ourcollaborative marketing efforts (her email list and flyers and my social mediaposts and my social media posts) got me a decent turnout of around 20 people. Ithink I sold about 10 copies of the book, which was GREAT! The audience lovedthe topic and asks LOTS of questions, which made my work much easier and theirexperience better.

I challenge you to brainstorm ideasfor topics that are NOT about your book. To demonstrate, I set a timer for 10minutes and opened up my website to look at the Bookstore. There, I scanned myclients’ book covers and jotted down as many ideas as I could for topics theycan use for podcasts, guest blogs, speaking gigs, and freelance articles. Here's my list.

RANDOM, BRAINSTORMRESULTS - POTENTIAL SPEAKING/WRITING TOPICS

How to Change a Law

Traditional vs.Modern-Day Adoption

Finding Christ Latein Life

How to Cope When aLoved One is in Addiction

Foster Parenting 101

Writing inRetirement

How to Write AboutYour Life

Cross-Country Moves:What I Learned

What Happens When aCity-Slicker Moves to a Ranch

Answering God’s Callto Share Your Story

Tips for Parents andTeachers

What Parents Need toKnow About Education Today

Surviving andThriving Post-Divorce

How to Get BusinessUsing Facebook

Book MarketingBasics

How to Write a BookWhen You Work Full-Time

Fantasy WritingBasics

What I Learned WhileWriting my First Book

How to IncorporateChristian Values Into Characters and Stories

The Most CreativeAge? 80+!

Cathartic Artistry –Writing to Heal and Help Others

Lesson from theGreatest Writers

How to Hear God

Ways to Pray and Why

The Gifts ofGratitude Journaling

Brainstorming Basics

How to Be Funny onPaper

What I Learned as aFoodie Lawyer

 

Whew! I didn’t evenmake it to the children’s books section. 

I challenge you to think beyond your book and actually BOOK some opportunities. Get it? Ha! I hope you find this helpful! Reachout to me any time if you need assistance. I love to brainstorm with othercreative people.

Happy thinking outside the book!

Xoxoxo

Jody