Experiment With Marketing Efforts

Are you experimenting with the marketing of your writing? If your writing isn't getting published or your books aren't selling, are you changing or trying new venues? If not, why not? The definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over—yet expecting different results.

Not everything you try with marketing your books will work, but you have to continue trying. Sometimes it takes a while for a book to catch on and sell into the market. It's the same with your online marketing efforts or your work with magazines, you have to experiment and see what takes hold. All too often writers will try something and have meager results, then instantly discount or eliminate a particular area of the market or a book pitch or proposal.

For example, my biography of Billy Graham came out about a year and a half ago—yet I'm still doing radio interviews, promoting it on social media and at events. This Saturday will be the first Colorado Book Festival at the downtown Denver Public Library. Morgan James is one of the co-sponsors of the event and I have been encouraging our local authors to come and promote their books. A number of them are coming. I've created new bookmarks promoting my Billy Graham biography that I will be giving out. In addition, I'm working on some new promotions for early November (around Mr. Graham's birthday on November 7^th  when he turns 98).

As an author, you have to keep promoting and telling people about your book—even long after it releases. You have the greatest passion for your own book and that has to translate into your on-going marketing plans for the book.  If your book has been out and it is not selling, then you need to be looking for new markets or doing more to be telling people about the book. Some books take several years before they catch on in the market. It is one of the realities of publishing and you have my encouragement not to give up on this process of marketing your books.

Last week, I told you about interviewing Rick Frishman, publisher at Morgan James, and one of the leading publicity relations experts. Rick is also the creator of Author 101 University and the 29^th  such event will be held next month in Los Angeles, California (October 20–22). If you act right away, the conference price has been reduced to $197 AND you can bring a friend for FREE. If you use my coupon code TERRYGUEST then you can get an additional $50 off the registration. But to get these discounts, you have to register right away.

For the last several years, I've been interviewing Rick Frishman before Author 101 University. As an experiment, this year I'm interviewing him a second time on Wednesday, September 7th. Rick will be doing more in-depth teaching during the 45–minute session but you can still ask him a question (follow this link). I've also worked with Rick to create a second brand new Ebook, Mistakes: The Top Twenty. Everyone who registers for this event will be able to immediately download this resource. Also if you can't make the event, it will be recorded and everyone who registers will get the replay.

Will we have more people listening on Wednesday night? Will we get more people signed up for Author 101 University from this second effort? Will we help more people learn about how to promote their books and succeed in the publishing world? At this writing, I don't have answers to these questions but I'm certain about this: we will not know if we don't try it.

As an acquisitions editor, I speak with a lot of authors and potential authors. Everyone is looking for the magic bullet to sell their books with the least possible effort.  Yes you have to write an incredible book for the right target market then be telling your target market about the benefits for the reader from your book. There is no single path to creating a bestseller. If there were such a path, then every book would be a bestseller—and that's not the reality of the market place.

What experiments are you making with marketing your book? If you are needing more ideas in this area, one of the best steps I can recommend is planning to attend Author 101 University next month. When you attend, meet as many people as you can (exchange business cards) and then take action on the new ideas you gain from the experience.

In September, once again, I was selected among the top 100 marketers on Twitter. I remained at #56 on this distinguished list. As an author, I'm not just writing and talking about marketing and promotion. Every day I continue to actively work at telling new people about my work (and encourage you to do the same—stressing the benefits in this process).

Tweetable:

Are you experimenting with different marketing efforts? Get new ideas here. (ClickToTweet)

Are You Learning from Experienced Pros?

It always bothers me when I look at the writing credentials of someone and learn they have written one or two books or just started writing. Yet now they are writing how-to information for others to learn from them. I appreciate their eagerness to tell others what they have learned from their experiences yet to me, they don't have the experience to merit their teaching.

When I attend a conference or read a how-to book or read a magazine article, I want to learn from the experienced professionals or people who have been in the trenches for years with depth of experience to pour into their instruction. When I listen to these pros, I hang on their words, take notes and learn from their expertise. I want to give you such an opportunity this week to learn from an experienced publishing professional.

From my experience,the online information is often conflicting. Here's some possible questions: What is the most effective way to promote your new book? Or your new novel? How do you find a good literary agent—especially as an unpublished author? One of the best ways to get answers to these questions--and others--is from an experienced person. Keep reading because I'm going to give you such an opportunity.

This week on Wednesday, August 31st, I'm interviewing Rick Frishman who is in his 40th  year in publishing. For many years, Rick ran one of the largest public relations firms in the United States—Planned Television Arts in New York City (now called Media Connect). Rick has a huge list of bestselling authors that he has worked with and helped them propel their books into the marketplace. For over ten years, Rick has been the publisher at Morgan James Publishing. He knows this publishing industry inside and out.

Here's your opportunity: I've convinced Rick Frishman to go on the hotseat for my questions during a LIVE 45-minute telewebcast on Wednesday, August 31st!

* * * Here's My Small Request * * *

Rather than have the “content” come out of Rick's head (or my head) for the August 31, 2016 telewebcast at 6 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST, I decided to let you ask Rick a question.

Sound fair?

So, if you could ask Rick Frishman ANY question you wanted about attending a writers conference like Author 101 University, what would your question be?

Here's your chance to ask Rick directly and get registered for our call on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 (starts promptly according to www.Time.gov).

Click the link below:

http://writersconf101.com

 * * Get Rick Frishman's FREE Ebook * *

You will receive a FREE copy of Rick Frishman's new ebook, Tips: The Top Twenty for Authors excerpted from his book, Author 101 that Rick wrote with Robyn Freedman Spizman. It's FREE if you ask a question and register for this telewebcast.

Click the link below:

http://writersconf101.com

After your question gets submitted, you'll find out how to get phone access and webcast access to Rick and myself for our LIVE telewebcast, August 31, 2016. If your schedule doesn't allow you to attend this LIVE event, I encourage you to go ahead and register—and ask your question. The event will be
recorded and everyone who registers for the event will receive the replay recording.

Of the many people I know in publishing, Rick is one of the most experienced. I hope you will bring on your hard questions about various aspects of the publishing business. I will be reading these questions and then asking Rick on Wednesday. I hope to speak to you soon on the call.

Here's one final detail about our call on Wednesday: During the call you will learn more about Author 101 University which has been a huge influence in my own writing life. The next Author 101 University will be in Los Angeles October 20, 21 and 22nd. Until Labor Day, the price for the conference has been reduced to only $197 AND bring a friend for FREE. Here's how to get an even better deal on this spectacular event:  use my coupon code TERRYGUEST then it will save another $50. Hope to see you at Author 101 in October—and to be speaking with you on the LIVE teleseminar on Wednesday with Rick Frishman.

Tweetable:

Are you Learning from Experienced Pros? Tap into this valuable resource. (ClickToTweet)

Ask Your Hard Publishing Questions

There is often confusion on the world of publishing. At times you get conflicting information. Is it better to self-publish or to do the work to go with a traditional publisher? Do you need a literary agent? How do you find a good one? 

Sometimes you read about agents who do nothing or are crooks (yes they are out there). You read some websites and that information conflicts with what you hear from published authors or in writing books. Where do you get an experienced answer to your hard publishing questions?

When I face these types of questions, I turn to an expert. Yet how do you even reach an expert and especially if you don't know many people in publishing?

Tuesday, March 1st, I'm interviewing Rick Frishman who is in his 39^th  year in publishing. For many years, Rick ran one of the largest public relations firms in the United States—Planned Television Arts in New York City (now called Media Connect). For almost ten years, Rick has been the publisher at Morgan James Publishing. He has guided many authors to become bestsellers and knows this industry inside and out.
Here's your opportunity: I've convinced Rick Frishman to go on the hotseat for my questions during a LIVE 70-minute telewebcast on Tuesday, March 1st!

* * * Here's My Small Request * * *

Rather than have the "content" come out of Rick's head (or my head) for the March 1, 2016 telewebcast at 6 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST, I decided to let you ask Rick a question. 

Sound fair?

So, if you could ask Rick Frishman ANY question you wanted about attending a writers conference  like Author 101 University, what would your question be?

Here's your chance to ask Rick directly and get registered for our call on Tuesday, March 1, 2016 (starts promptly according to www.Time.gov). 

Click the link below:

http://writersconf101.com

 * * Get Rick Frishman's FREE Special Report * *

You will receive a FREE copy of Rick Frishman's special report, Creating An Award Winning Proposal that
Rick wrote with Robyn Freedman Spizman. It's FREE  if you ask a question and register for this telewebcast. Click the link below:
http://writersconf101.com

After your question gets submitted, you'll find out how to get phone access and webcast access to Rick and myself for our LIVE telewebcast, March 1, 2016. If your schedule doesn't allow you to attend this LIVE event, I encourage you to go ahead and register—and ask your question. The event will be recorded and everyone who registers for the event will receive the replay recording.

Rick is one of the most experienced people in publishing that I know. I hope you will bring on your hard questions about various aspects of the publishing business. I will be reading these questions and then asking Rick on Tuesday. I hope to speak to you soon on the call.

Tweetable:
Here's a place to ask your hard publishing questions. (Click to tweet)

Propel Your Writing Forward This Fall

Monday is Labor Day and the official end to summer.  Do you want to move your writing to a new level of excellence and achievement? I want to give you five ways to propel your writing forward.

Attend A Writer's Conference

Thousands of submissions sit on the desk of editors and agents across the country. Which ones get moved forward and attention? Publishing is like any other business—and I've mentioned this before—it is connected to who you know as much as what you know. Yes, your writing has to be excellent and compelling but you can cut years off the process of getting published, if you know the right person. I did not exaggerate with that word years in the last sentence.

How do you find that right person to publish your material? It's almost impossible to do it just sitting at your computer. You need to get to a writers' conference and meet the right people. I understand your possible reluctance. Many writers are introvert and not eager to speak with people. You will need to step out of your comfort zone and make the effort to meet others. You can prepare by making some business cards with your photo, phone number, email and website. Then bring those cards to a conference.

Last week I booked my airline ticket and reserved my hotel room for Author 101 University next month in Los Angeles. This event is held twice a year and it is different from your typical writer's conference. The focus is entirely on different ways to market and sell your book. The faculty comes with diverse skills to help you in any area of writing. You will have many opportunties to talk with each of them—including me but you have to take action: register for the conference, reserve your hotel room and make plans to attend. To give you incentive, use this coupon code when you register and save $100: TERRY plus you can bring a friend for free. Now that is a bargain for every writer.

To learn more about Author 101 University, catch this free interview I did last month with Morgan James Publisher and founder of Author 101  Rick Frishman. The interview is now on replay and you will have instant access to the recording. Plus you can get the free Ebook, The Top Twenty Author Mistakes (and learn a great deal from reading this resource).

There are many great conferences. From my years in this business, I encourage you to make plans to attend  Author 101 University which is an excellent choice.

Join A Critique Group

If you have never been in a critique group or don't know how to find one, read this article. The necessity to write something for each meeting will move your writing forward and the feedback from others (outside of your family) will help you have more confidence in your writing and improve your writing skill. You can meet online or in person. I believe in person is much more profitable and better but I've heard of writers using either method effectively. The key is to take action and form a group or join a group already in progress.

Find An Accountability Partner

Who knows about your writing and cares about it that is in your immediate circle of friends or family? Can you speak with this person and ask them to hold you accountable for your writing and moving forward? It is a simple conversation but can be significant to gain someone else who knows about what you want to accomplish and move forward with your writing.

Set A Consistent Writing Goal

I've interviewed more than 150 bestselling authors. One habit which is consistent with these authors is a consistent writing goal. You can have a daily or weekly amount of words that you are going to produce. Keep that goal on a little post-it or in front of you so you regularly tackle it and hit it. Make sure you set something realistic that you can actually accomplish.  You will be shocked at how this consistent effort of writing will move your writing goals forward.

Form A New Habit

Finally I encourage you to take a hard look at your writing life and what you want to achieve. Is there a new habit you can add to your life which will help you achieve that goal? For example, if you write romance books, then you need to be regularly reading that genre. If you want to write magazine articles, then you need to be reading magazines. Fit this new habit into your life and it will move your writing forward.

These five ideas are nothing new and maybe you've heard them before. The key is to take consistent action and not let another month pass before you are moving forward with your writing life. Let me know how it is going and be encouraged.

A Golden Opportunity--If You Take Action

It is an old saying, “To win the lottery, you have to buy a ticket.” It is impossible for you to win if you don't enter the drawing.  In life and the publishing world, it is the same sort of action. If you don't submit your proposal or manuscript to an agent or an editor, then it is hard for you to get a publishing contract and have your book published.

From my years in publishing, I've learned sometimes golden opportunities (if you seize them) can change your life. I'm about to offer you such an opportunity so please keep reading.

I have created a special event on Tuesday,  August 25th.  I know it is short notice. Have you heard of Rick Frishman, our publisher at Morgan James?

To refresh your memory, Rick Frishman is the founder of one of the largest PR firms in the U.S. Planned Television Arts (now called Media Connect). Also Rick is the host of the popular writers conference Author 101 University, which will be held October 22, 23 and 24th in Los Angeles. I will also be attending this remarkable event.

Maybe you're wondering if you need to go to a writers' conference. Rick is an expert at these conferences. Now is a great time to jump into the book market and learn from Rick.

Why am I telling you this? I'm telling you this because I've convinced Rick Frishman to go on the hotseat for my questions during a LIVE 70-minute telewebcast on Tuesday, August 25th!

Here's My Small Request 

Rather than have the "content" come out of Rick's head (or my head) for the August 25, 2015 telewebcast at 6 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST, I decided to let you ask Rick a question. 

Sound fair?

So, if you could ask Rick Frishman ANY question you wanted about attending a writers conference like Author 101 University, what would your question be?

Here's your chance to ask Rick directly and get registered for our call on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 (starts promptly according to www.Time.gov). Click the link below:

http://writersconf101.com

 Get Rick Frishman's FREE Special Report 

You will receive a FREE copy of Rick Frishman's special report, The Top Twenty Author Mistakes that Rick wrote with Robyn Freedman Spizman. 

It's FREE  if you ask a question and register for this Telewebcast.

Click the link below:

http://writersconf101.com

After your question gets submitted, you'll find out how to get phone access and webcast access to Rick and myself for our LIVE telewebcast, August 25, 2015.

Your Golden Opportunity During Our Call

Rick has agreed to give away several registrations for Author 101 University during our live call. Each of these tickets is worth almost $400. You can be one of the winners. 

1) You must register for the call. Even if you don't have a question, then mark "no question" Then

2) You must be listening to the LIVE call in order to be one of the winners. Just winning this registration could be a life-changing moment for your writing.

What are you waiting for? Use the link below:

http://writersconf101.com

Golden opportunities are rare. I hope you will take action and register for Tuesday's event. Hope to hear you on the call and speak with you soon.

When Opportunity Knocks, Do You Take Action?

Some people wonder how I've been published in many different magazines and written a number of books. Yes some of it boils down to having a basic writing talent. Some of it involves learning the craft of pitching and writing queries then building relationships with different editors and literary agents. Yet another factor is critical.

I do not believe that I'm the best storyteller or the best writer in the room. I continually work at being a better storyteller and writer. I do have a critical trait necessary to succeed in the publishing world: persistence and perseverance. If an editor or agent says to me, “That sounds like a good idea. Write that up and send it to me.” 

I slip away for a minute and write down the idea, then I create a plan when I get home to write the work and send it off to the editor or agent in a timely manner. If you wait months or years, the editor or agent may have forgotten the conversation. On the other hand, if you follow through, you will stand apart as one of the few people to do so.

Some writers get worried and scared about the competition and the massive volume of submissions in the marketplace for few spots. Yes the volume is certainly there—as I can validate from the volume of submissions I receive as an acquisitions editor. Yet there are ways to stand apart from the other submissions.

1. Craft an excellent article or proposal or manuscript

2. Seize the opportunity and if someone asks for it, submit your material.

When I became an editor, I was surprised at the few people who followed through on the opportunity and submitted their material. Now that submission has to be appropriate for the magazine or book publisher or literary agent. But if it is, then it will be read an considered—because the writer actually took action when the opportunity was there.

Let's pause for a second and consider your exchanges or interaction with editors or literary agents. Have you been encouraged to send your material? Have you followed through and taken action? If not, do it today and you will distinguish yourself from others at a particular event or conference.

I want to conclude with a new opportunity for you. Wednesday evening, March 11th (in a couple of days), I'm going to be interviewing Rick Frishman, the publisher at Morgan James and the driving force behind Author 101 University. For many years, Rick ran one of the largest public relations firms in the United States, Planned Television Arts (now called Media Connect). He is intimately familiar with the process of building buzz about an author and book in the marketplace. 

Author 101 University is not a Morgan James event. Rick brings in publishers, literary agents and many publishing professionals. It is held twice a year and I know from attending there are numerous people at this event that you will not be able to reach and speak with—unless you attend Author 101 University. The training is unique and excellent.

Here's your opportunity—if you take it: Wednesday I'm interviewing Rick and asking your questions around the topic, “Why attend a writer's conference?” During our LIVE event, Rick will be giving away several free registrations to Author 101 University next month in Los Angeles. To win one of these opportunities, you have to be on the LIVE call and be able to attend the event next month. I understand that winning a free registration, it will still involve some expense to attend the event. Go to www.writersconf101.com and register for the LIVE event.

I encourage you to take action when you receive an opportunity. It gives you the best chance for achieving your publishing dreams.

An Unbelievable Price but You Must Act Quick

One of the life-changing events for me was Mega Book Marketing University in 2007, I wrote about it in this post. Now Mega Book Marketing University is called Author 101 University and held twice a year in Los Angeles. The next one will be April 9, 10 and 11th.

I’ll be on the stage in a panel with some of the world's leading marketing and publishing experts at Author 101 University in Los Angeles. This is a POWERFUL event – and SUPER AFFORDABLE –and you can bring an additional guest at NO cost). Just go to http://author101-university.com/ (And be sure to use the code TERRY when you check out.) If you register before March 1st, you can attend this conference at 50% off the normal conference rate—but you must take action this week.

At this event, writers learn how to become bestselling authors, highly paid speakers and coaches and respected authorities. AND you can meet & pitch literary agents and publishers. The entire conference is focused on different strategies to market and sell books.

-- Connect with literary agents who want to represent you

-- Get your new book published or your old book revitalized

-- Discover how to make your book a bestseller

-- Design the an impact-driven business that's right for you

-- Learn how to turn your online promotions into huge exposure (and sales)

-- Transform your message into a mega success business

-- Meet and network with amazing people

-- And so much more...

I hope to see you there. The last Author 101 University sold out weeks before the event so enroll now and BRING A FRIEND at NO cost. Go to Author 101 University and remember to use the coupon code TERRY when you check out and register before March 1st and you will get the conference at half off the normal price.

Always Learning

The world of book publishing is ever-changing. What was effective five years ago to reach readers is different today.  These changes aren't new.  I encourage you to locate and read former Simon and Schuster Editor-in-Chief Michael Korda’s Making the List, A Cultural History of the American Bestseller 1900-1999. Publishers, editors and agents are always trying to pick books and authors which will sell enough copies to make the bestseller list.         

"The bestseller list is full of surprises, too. Publishers have always bemoaned the fate of the dreaded “first novel," but the bestseller lists are full of first novels by unknown authors that sold hundreds of thousands of copies--even millions of copies--and made their author, and publisher, rich and famous; Margaret Mitchell's Gone With the Wind is the example that comes to everybody's mind," Korda writes (p. xiii) And a little later, "Editors cling to the advice that's always worked for them, when dealing with authors--'Concentrate on story, story, story!' 'Show, don't tell!'" (p. xxv) 

Now as an acquisitions editor, authors often want me to predict whether their book will be a bestseller. While I can recognize a well-written book, I learned years ago it is unwise to predict which books will bomb and which will become bestsellers.

As we tell our Morgan James authors, every bookstore buys books based on their perception of what the author is going to be doing to promote the book. We have a system established to regularly take the reports from our authors and feed it to the bookstores to keep our books selling in the stores. I recommend every author find out how to report their regular activity to their publisher.

My watershed moment as an author came at Mega Book Marketing University in 2007 (now called Author 101 University). I attended as a literary agent and listened carefully to each session. I had written over 55 books with traditional publishers yet I was doing almost nothing to promote my books. Yes I had a personal website but I had no teleseminars, a few entries in my blog and no twitter followers. I decided to change and take action. I became actively involved in the promotion of my books and building an audience of readers with a newsletter and regular communication. I would not delegate or outsource this activity to a designer or a webmaster but I did it myself. I've built a large digital footprint--and here's the good news: you can do it too.

Every author is surrounded with opportunity (even if you don't know it). The activities to build an audience don’t have to consume your life or prevent your writing--but you do need to take consistent action. I am constantly learning about publishing, bookselling and marketing. There is always more to learn and I will never figure it all out.

Here are nine principles as I've engaged the market (and expanded in Jumpstart Your Publishing Dreams):

1.   Always be prepared.

2.   Decide to be consistent.

3.   Decide to be generous and help others.

4.    Count the cost of new activities.

5.    Gain knowledge before you leap into an activity.

6.    Look for ways to automate.

7.     Be open to new tools.

8.      Don't neglect old fashion print tools.

9.      Create a clear goal for each new tool.

I wish I could say that I have it all figured out--but I don't. I'm still growing in my daily knowledge of this publishing business. I wouldn't have it any other way because I have chosen to follow my passion for the printed page every day. I know books change lives. Many years ago, reading a book changed my life.

What principles do you use to engage the marketplace?