Network Marketing for Authors #MondayBlogs

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Network Marketing for Authors #MondayBlogs

Recently I joined in at an online birthday/launch part for 10 Minute Novelist. This is a great Facebook community with an online presence that also spreads to Twitter with weekly Tweetchats. It’s all about helping authors write a book in 10 minutes a day. They have even released a book. You can find the group here and the book for sale on Amazon here.

With that being said at the online party we had the opportunity to ask question from Literary Agent Chip MacGregor. (Yes the kilt wearing Christian we all love on Facebook. That one.)

I wanted to get his feedback on how the best way and author could promote themselves in person. There are many ways an author can go about doing this from local networking, to libraries to conference where should someone start. So that’s what I asked. With the permission of all those involved I am sharing the conversation below.

Bri Clark: We only have so much time to market. Does it make more sense to promote ourselves locally or try for national attention?

Chip MacGregor My advice: Try to become a big deal locally. Invest your time and efforts to sell in your hometown, the local area, the nearby cities. On the radio, on TV, in the newspapers, at stores, at community gatherings, at conferences – all the stuff your online publicity isn’t reaching. If you can become a big deal locally, then you can try to become a big deal regionally – so reach out to the other cities, or the rest of the state, or the region of the country. There are plenty of authors who make a living writing regionally (think of all those Southern writers, or the New York people, or the writers in Texas & the Southwest). Start there, and it will pay off.

Chip MacGregor Another thought… if you don’t know stuff, educate yourself. Or think seriously about hiring someone who DOES know this stuff, to help you get it done.

Chip MacGregor I know several authors who have gone to their local university and simply hired a senior marketing student — the student needs something to put on a resume, their time is cheap (in comparison to more experienced marketing types), and they often have great enthusiasm and creative ideas. Worth considering as a low-cost option.

Katharine Grubb Yesterday I walked into the library that I took my kids to for 13 years with my new book in my hand. They threw a FIT OVER ME! They want to do at least two events and help me in any possible way. This feels really good and it’s easier to learn the ropes with friends than with strangers who see writers every day.

Chip MacGregor But I agree with you, Bri… the focus on authors to market is out of control. I could spend all my time just on marketing with the authors I represent. It’s crazy. Most authors didn’t get into this biz to work publicity — they got into it to WRITE.

Keisha Page I did an event at my local library, and it was a perfect way for me to get my feet wet doing public events with a crowd of people I was, at the very least familiar with.

As you can see it was a great conversation and we got some great tips. And just to give you the overview of what Chip said.

Focus your efforts to connect and promote locally. Everywhere you can’t reach online.

TV
Radio
Libraries
Conferences
Writing Groups
Book Stores
Newspapers
Networking Groups

Then once you’ve branded yourself effectively take that same strategy and reach out to other cities in your region and reapply. I hope this has given you some ideas and I’d love to hear any feedback you have.

Bri Clark Social Media Strategist/Publisher