Gary’s question is a common one. Most authors have no mailing list. We cover how to promote your book online in our FREE course for authors, but I think this message will add emphasis.
Just yesterday, I held a webinar with some of my readers.. all of them have been taught, reminded and begged to follow my number one rule for promoting online.
Never, ever, start a conversation with “I have no list”
You can buy advertising, hire a PR firm, and travel to all the bookstores on earth. If you have a big enough budget, you really don’t have to have a mailing list. But the funny thing is, most successful rich authors have a mailing list. Why not start with the most effective marketing and promotion device for authors ever invented?
I reminded the class to write my name and email address on a piece of paper. “There you go.. you have a small list”
Then we took a survey about authors mailing lists. Can you guess the responses?
50% of those on the call said that they have no mailing list.
AAARGH!
Now I know that you are not one of them.. but there is a good chance that others reading this post haven’t got the message. So please help me spread the word… Add a comment to this post and tell me you have an online mailing list. Be sure to include some information about how potential readers can see more on your book (after all, that’s why we are here).
Okay.. rant over. Here’s a couple of piratical suggestions for someone with a small list (even one address is a list):
1. Start building your mailing list. NOW!. If you don’t have the software set up to do this, you can get it in about 5 minutes at http://AutoAuthorRiches.com
2. Don’t do anything else until #1 is done. You cannot function as an author in this modern world using last century methods. Have I made that clear enough?
3. Offer something of value in return for people signing up for your list.
4. Use that offer (not “buy my book”) in your advertising. Ultimately, the value of the readers that have signed up for your mailing list will far exceed the value of book sales.
I know. your book is different. If enough people read it, it will change the world. Well, keep in mind that no one will read it unless they know about it. And this is the easiest way to build a fan club of people interested in your subject. Please.. just do this. Build your mailing list.
5. Sign up for our FREE List Building Site.. This is where you will get new subscribers, more exposure for your book, find our about many other ways to build your readership and network with other authors that are just like you
6. On your profile page on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn etc.. make sure you include your free offer. You can put the title of your book, but focus on getting readers attention. The best way to do this is to offer them free information on the subject they are interested in
7. Start a blog. Post about what you are doing, current events, your travels, your other work on the subject. Make sure there are prominent links to your free offer.
8. Post comments on relevant blogs. Don’t spam them with a note to buy your book. Rather, you should make a meaningful comment on the posts.. and mention how it relates to your blog, free offer, etc.
9. Make sure you have followed the advice in my Famous Authors Course (free if you click here)
10 You can buy advertising, issue press releases, submit articles to publications, joint venture, get interviewed on podcasts, blogs, radio and TV, speak before large crowds, hold book store signings or a 100 other promotional activities. But when you do.. I hope you will be looking for ways to increase the readership of your online mailing list.
11. Too much work? Then why not just give away your book. The other steps here are for authors that want to see an income from their work. If that doesn’t matter to you, the best way to get attention for your book is to arrange give it away. Many authors get started this way, submitting an entire book as a gift for our best seller book launches
Selling a book is hard work. Offering your book, and profitable add on products to people who are happy to hear from you is easy. To build a sustainable, profitable business as an author (and if you want income, you are in business) today requires an online presence and an mailing list.
I just watched a short video called “What is Bookwise”
Any author would want this.
It’s the quickest way I’ve seen to be in a real business.
Why would you want that? Tax savings, another channel to get the word out about your book, and an incredible network of authors and readers for your book.
And then there’s the global literacy project.
Watch the What is Bookwise video now and leave me a comment with your thoughts.
I spent this afternoon with Robert Cialdini (yes, the Influence guy).
Cialdini was speaking at the Fortune Small Business Conference and I went with my friend Donna Fox to record an interview with him.
I’ll post a link to that interview when it’s done.
He told us about some new information and I asked if I could share it. So you’ll be among the first to hear..
On the subject of Likability, Cialdini told us that all of the sales training that says that you need to get people to like you is wrong. You know, the “find out what their hobbies are.. what you have in common so you can bond” stuff.
He explained that this will often come off as a fake. And here is the reason why.
To really bond with a person, you should focus on liking them. Really, sincerely liking the people you meet and want to influence. Once you find a real reason to like them, it’s much easier for them to like you.
People buy from those they know, like and trust. The best way to be likable is to like people
I just received a question from Solly at AskWarren.com about finding people to help an author promote their book. I’d like to share my answer with you.
The first this to remember about partnerships is The Law of Reciprocity. Approach every relationship as an opportunity to add value, solve a problem or fulfill the desire of the other person and you’ll find that it’s much easier to get what you want.
The Law of Reciprocity says that if you give something to a person, they will automatically programed to want to return the favor.
Let’s apply this to promotional partnerships.
I can almost guarantee that the people you are looking for are not listing “help a new author sell books” on their list of goals for the year. Rather, the potential partner is looking for more content for their blog, radio show, newsletter or magazine, or and interesting guest to attract more viewers. If the potential partner is a mailing list owner, they will be looking for the above, plus new subscribers.
So before you ask for help. Learn what the partner wants.. get if for them.. be a resource.
In our Accelerated Book Marketing coaching group, we follow this process by showing authors how to establish a solid presence on the web, with tracking to know instantly when there is an opportunity. We have a whole section on attracting publicity by getting listed as a resource that potential partners will be looking for, even before we launch a campaign to become a best seller.
Here’s one tip from our section on Cross Promotion strategies that may help.
BE A GREAT CUSTOMER
When I’m working with a successful celebrity client, I ask them how they feel when someone approaches them in public. I want to know just what gets them motivated to help new authors (they almost always WANT to help but have limited time and resources).
Most authors tell me that someone approaching them that has read their books, subscribed to their newsletters or purchase a product will get a warm reception. A heartfelt testimonial is even better.
Imagine walking up to the most famous author in your books category saying “I read your book. You helped me….” and then the most important phrase.. “What can I do to help you spread your message further?”
Now, you may not be able to meet in person. Fortunately, the Internet will allow you to do this online.
1. Make a list of the authors you would like to partner with
2. Subscribe to their newsletter.
3. Watch for announcements of new books.
4. Order the book.
5. See who they partner with.. repeat the process with each.
As you start looking for partners in the network of authors that help promote other authors, you will discover dozens that are actively using cross promotions. Make sure you subscribe to their mailing lists, look at their free offers (that’s how they market) and look for clues about their passions and desires.
You really can get anything you want by helping other people get what they want.
The fastest way to network this way is through our ZeroCostPromotions.com network. You can join free and most promotions a free too. Make sure you are on the list to get advanced notice of the biggest new cross promotion book launches at http://zerocostpromotions.com/
I was just chatting with JP Maroney about book marketing strategies and learned about his new project.
Take a look.
The JP Maroney Blog » (Brain Trust Pt 2) “Brain Trust Gone Wild…”
I was recently interviewed by Gary Bremermann of PowerUpEnglish.com. He has a podcast intended for non-Native English speakers and interviews top experts and authors on business topics. I’ve refered several of my clients to him to expand their audience.Take a look at what he does. You may be an appropriate guest. And you will want to look at how he has built a following in his target market (he’s an expatriate American recruter in Japan)… now much better known as an expert in his field from this simple idea.Book Marketing Strategist Warren Whitlock Interviewed by PowerUpEnglish.com
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For a few moments when I woke up this morning I forgot where I was.
You have come to expect the best book marketing and promotion advice from me.
I take that seriously and wind up in some odd places to stay on top of the latest trends, test new techniques, and report them to you here.
Yesterday, I set up a deal that will allow any author to sell more books, increase online recognition and create a new income stream. (and there is ZERO up front costs).
More on that very soon…
Creating a lot of “buzz” for you and your book is easy once you learn the step by step approach we’ve been using. We are just finishing up the details of a practical system that ANY author can use.
and.. It will GUARANTEE your success.
To test this program, I am looking for a few volunteers.
Just submit your comment to my ONE QUESTION SURVEY at:
http://askwarren.com/
I want to make sure we are addressing every question and challenge you have in marketing and promoting your book online.
I’m expecting hundreds of responses.
I promise to get to all of them in the order received. You will want to take a moment now to get in early..
http://askwarren.com/
When you share with me, I’ll see that you get a personal reply, plus an early bird look at the secret new program.
I committed to see you succeed at selling more books and getting the online recognition you deserve.
I look forward to your response.
PS. I’m going to keep track of the answers from the survey site, so I’d prefer you click through to respond.
But comments here will be viewed.. always welcome, and links to what you are doing encouraged.
I just got off the phone with my friend Tinu.
We talked about getting you more readers for your book and website.
Tinu is a web traffic guru who has been reaching lots of new blog readers to
her blog from Facebook.
Are you having F.U.N. yet?
F.U.N. is Tinu’s formula for making REAL CONNECTIONS from Facebook traffic.
Here’s a FREE download to get you started.
http://BestSellerAuthors.com/fun
You will want read it now and I strongly recommend you get her
inexpensive report.
Spend a few minutes setting up what will be a very important part of your
future marketing.
Warren
— How are you using Facebook? —
Post a comment about how you use FB and social media to promote your book and business. (be sure to include a link so we can see what you are promoting)
Seems they know everything about everyone.. and now they will share it with everyone.
The safe assumption is that anything you post, email, chat or say will be stored somewhere.
I think it’s a good thing.. what about you?
Google to Envelope All Knowledge on November 5th, 2007
They say it makes all the difference.
A good subject line will get your readers
to open the email, something the majority
of us don’t do on any mailing list email.
(funny, since the real good stuff is often
way down at the PS)
Take the email this morning.
I had 3 killer ideas for a subject line..
ended up putting one of them in the body of
the email.
The SMART thing to do would have been to
choose one.
The SMARTER thing to do would be to TEST
BOTH.. but I was in a hurry.
So I tried to MERGE the two and came up
with the mess you saw.
And likely deleted without reading.
Too bad.
It was a great book for any author or
entrepreneur who wants more income with
less work.
So after getting some good COACHING, I
decided to fess up and send this note to
you.
Another great COPY principle.. the truth is
usually the best option.
If you haven’t seen the dumb subject,
you’ll probably find it in your TRASH
unopened.
Or just go take a look here:
http://coachingBestSeller.com
Read about the book Brian Tracy said was
the best on the subject.
I’m using it to train my staff and author
coaching clients.
Really.. a gem.
And the usual DOZENS of BONUSES when you
buy today.. including two that I know are
going to make you thousands of dollars.
Just get the book.. look through the
bonuses, and look for the info or JV
partner that will take you to the next
level in our BONUS GIFT package.
Thanks for sticking with me while I re-
learn these basic principles.
Enjoy the book.
http://coachingBestSeller.com
Warren
PS. Oh.. yeah.. I used one more copywriting
principle on you..
Way up at the top. I talked about how the
best stuff is buried in the body of the
copy.
Won’t make you read bad stuff.. but since
you got this far.. I think it helped.
Lesson here is.. save something great for
the PS.. and hint at it to keep the reader
engaged.
Now.. go get the book, the fabulous
bonuses.. and be more successfull.
Add a comment totell me how you
liked my message today. And don’t
forget to link to something good you
want to promote.
Did you learn something?
Did I?
http://coachingBestSeller.com
