Here’s a great comment on the futility of book store signings
Plug Your Book: The 4-hour book tour (are bookstore signings for chumps?)
I agree with Steve’s reasoning, but do know of some authors who have broken the mold and had success with bookstore appearances.
If you are going for ROI, it’s a waste of time. I only recommend signings where there is little or no travel cost, a related promotion, or just for the sheer fun of doing it once.
One author we worked with had a tight niche in the fishing market. He flew to speciality bookstores near his favorite fishing spots, sold hundreds of books at a specialty store during a fishing contest weekend appearance and wrote off the trip.
Still… as Steve says. It’s a horrible plan for making money.
Every author, and every book should have a MySpace page.
It’s so easy to create a space on this ultra high traffic site… and have a way to engage new readers and build your community.
Here’s a new report that focuses on how to use MySpace to market books or businesses
If you’ve been following my blogs for long, you’ve likely seen this before.. my supposed obsession with Harry Potter.
It all started one Summer night in 2005 when I was hating Harry Potter because our book promotions always fell short of beating him.. even for a day. But I started noticing how hard Scholastic works at selling more and more Potter books, and decided that there might be something to learn from these guys.
So I attended a Harry Potter Launch Party and ended up writing a series of articles on what I learned on my Marketing Secrets of Harry Potter Blog
Tonight, I’m writing from a Borders book store. The party and the promotion is much bigger.. there seems to be not end to Potter
Today I’ve been networking with some of my heavily connected friends… trying to stay more connected myself
Good to do this once in a while. No agenda, just a phone call or email to see how I can help.
As usual, the results were immediate. A couple of new clients. and more news that LinkedIn Networking is adding new connections automatically for me (over 3 million now).
And then this..
It’s been a year since I met Robert Butwin and really got serious about using my network to help others.
For the past few days, Robert, myself and a lot of friends gathered here in Las Vegas for Carl Galleti’s Internet Marketing SuperConference… I was so busy meeting with people, connecting new friends with old, introducing local friends to visitors from out of town.. I hardly notice until it was over that I had $47,000.00 in new accounts.
The photo is me with Lou (more photos to follow)
Don’t be a “taker”.. use your network to help others get what they want and need. When you help others get what they want, you’ll get what you need.
Network More… join me at APsense (it’s free and focused on business)
–> Be sure to connect me as a friend there to.
Warren Whitlock
Book Marketing Strategist
PS. Are you Linked In?
I’m just trying to help..
http://AskWarren.com
I call this the billion dollar marketing
plan.
1. Ask your people what they want.
2. Get it for them.
Authors have told me what they want. I’ve
delivered the goods and made them (and
me) money.
Now you can ask me any question, and let
me know how I can help you.
Zero cost.. go now to:
–> http://AskWarren.com
Here are a few more things that will get
you even more quick results:
— Zero Cost Credibility Site —
Establish yourself as an expert in your
field with a listing on SelfGrowth.com
–> http://RichAuthors.com/betheexpert
This site gets 750,000 visitors a month,
looking for help.. use the private link
above for a form to be listed and
increase your web reputation.
— Build Your Own Fan Club —
There are millions of people out there
looking for your expertise. You can
follow the billion dollar marketing plan
once you find a group that is interested.
Here’s how to find and build your list:
–> http://ZeroCostPromotions.com
— Sing A Song of Success —
Wednesday night, I’m holding a
teleseminar with composer Paul Hoffman.
He’s going to show us how music affects
your SUCCESS
At 6pm Pacific, dial in to 712-432-3000
and use this code to hear the call 401048
Call in a few minutes early and say
hello. Should be a fun.. and we will
all learn something.
— Are you in my SWARM? —
We’ve been talking about the power of a
swarm.. a group of people moving in the
same general direction.
You know.. the BUZZ you get when you
knock over a beehive.
We don’t know where it will end up.. but
there will be plenty of ACTION.
Our latest project is a new social
networking site for business. Zero cost
to join, and I’m getting new friends
automatically.
Watch this video and consider how easy it
would be to build your own swarm (list)
–> http://www.apsense.com/flash/author
Join my group there and watch for some
interesting new gifts I’m going to post
only on that site.
Not as big as MySpace (yet) but everyone
here is an working to build their
business.
Speaking of MySpace.. are you a friend?
–> http://MySpace.com/bookmarketing
And my big swarm is the 3 million connects
at LinkedIn, the premier business network.
–> http://LinkedIn.com/in/books
Let’s connect and profit.
Warren Whitlock
Marketing Results Coach
warren@MarketingResultsCoach.com
702-953-5843
PS. You really can do well with the
billion dollar marketing plan.
That’s why I’m happy to share what I can
with you.
Do tell me what your questions are at:
–> http://AskWarren.com
PPS. There’s a best seller campaign going
today for GOAL DIGGER. Pick up a copy at
–> http://GoalDigger.com
You’ve seen our promotions for Sugar Shock
This is one client who really went to the limit on a best seller blast campaign.
We pushed Connie Bennet’s book to Best Seller Status back in January, selling out all the books that Amazon.com, bn.com and Walmart.com had in stock.
But Connie hasn’t stopped there.. look at the note below to see how she’s expanded here reach. Then be sure to tune in to see our friend make the big time. (you might learn a thing or two about sugar too)
Connie wrote:
Make sure to watch CBS News Sunday Morning this Sunday. And let CBS and me know what you think of the segment!
Connie
NEW YORK–Connie Bennett, author of SUGAR SHOCK!, is one of several experts appearing this Sunday, June 17, 2007, on the national show, CBS News Sunday Morning, in an approximately 8-minute segment about sugar. It is the lead story, barring any breaking news. “This is heartening that a major national TV show such as CBS News Sunday Morning is delving into this extremely important subject and telling people the truth about sugar,” says Bennett, a former sugar addict, journalist and certified holistic health counselor. “Americans need to learn that they’re probably getting at least one-quarter to one-third of their calories from refined sugar and processed carbs,” adds Bennett. “And people should know that consuming so many nutrient-deprived foods and drinks could lead to a host of health-damaging problems, including depression, failing memory, fatigue, headaches, heart disease, cancer, hypoglycemia, type 2 diabetes and premature aging,” adds Bennett, whose book SUGAR SHOCK! has been endorsed by a number of renowned health experts, including frequent “Oprah” guest Dr. Mehmet Oz. Bestselling author Nicholas Perricone, M.D. wrote the foreword for SUGAR SHOCK!, and renowned cardiologist Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. is the book’s contributing author. The CBS News Sunday Morning segment about sugar is reported by the talented, Emmy Award-winning journalist Susan Spencer and produced by the thorough Jason Sacca.CBS News Sunday Morning begins at 9 am EST in the New York area and at other times in additional markets throughout the U.S. (See below for a URL to visit to learn where CBS News Sunday Morning can be watched in other parts of the country.)Other experts interviewed for the segment about sugar on CBS News Sunday Morning include:* Children’s obesity expert David Ludwig, M.D., Ph.D., author of Ending the Food Fight* Sugar historian Sidney W. Mintz, author of Sweetness and Power: The Place of Sugar in Modern History* Melanie Miller, vice president of public relations for the Sugar Association Tune in this Sunday, June 17, at 9 am EST to CBS News Sunday Morning to watch the sugar segment. Use the URL below to find out where and when it airs in your market. http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/04/17/sunday/main1502683.shtml
I’ve been a fan of Singapore for decades.. but I’d never had a chance to visit
Sure enough, this place has got a lot going for it.
I got here just in time to stop by and chat with Mark Joyner, in from New Zealand to take about his new best seller Simpleology.
Next, I speak to hundreds of entrepreneurial business people about marketing with books.
Come to Singapore.. it will change your outlook on the world.
In Revenue Magazine, I read about Freemium business.. a new word for a model where the content is free (or ad supporter) and then upgrades are sold.
Sounds a lot like the models we’ve been using with authors. Even though most of our promotions require purchase of a book.. they model we’re using would allow for a loss on the sale of the book to start a relationship with a client.
It can be a bit annoying to see lots of ads, and reminders to upgrade.. hardly feels free. However, these businesses are doing some of what I teach authors in using the law of reciprocity, that is.. you give before you get
The Free line is moving. Smart marketers are giving away more content to introduce consumers to higher priced content. Especially when the know the back end system is of high value.
What about you? Are you looking for ways to give more?
I’m working on a new promotion for a Brian J. Hazelgren, a business author who’s unknown online. (yes, there are still many doing well without the net)
You won’t find an online list, or sales page.. but you will want to check out his books. The latest (Brian’s 7th) is called “Tactical Entrepreneur: The Entrepreneurs Game Plan”
How You Can Profit
Join us in a Best Seller cross promoiton on May 29th. Just click on the this link.
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