Elizabeth Funderbirk's Blog - Posts Tagged "promotions"

What have you done to Promote/Market yourself and your Project today. The skinny on marketing on a Budget As I see it.

I have gotten a wonderful response from my previous article/post regarding Promotions/Marketing in the world of Social media. ...However, please don't let your Grind stop there.

Me like many others go into this venture and have no idea of the funds it takes to get this sort of project off the ground. In the beginning of your Journey you funds will be used to put your book together EX: Editing, Typesetting, Printing, A book cover, and host of other services that you will need to make your presentation professional. More then likely your first venture out the gate will not turn a huge profit. The money you do see SHOULD be invested back into you. In order to pave the way for the future. Your ultimate goal should be to see longevity in your field/career. To build your brand. To spread the word. To make your name. In order to do so you can NOT only boxed yourself into the computer box. You must spread your wings and stretch your legs and get out in the world and let them know, You are here and you have what they need/want.

Once your project is out, in my case, my book is in publication. The funds are low. This is the beauty of Social Media. However, it does not stop there.
Here are some things I use from my trick bag... lol

I carry my book everywhere. Tucked in my arm. I do this because as a reader myself, if someone is carrying a book around and they seem approachable I will ask what are you reading? I find that MOST book lovers can't help themselves when they see someone toting their latest novel around. Right there at that moment you have a potential readers attention and all you did was carry you material around. Cost you nothing to run your errands and your own personal billboard. Have T-Shirts made. Wear it whenever you know you are going to be in high traffic areas. Wear it when you go to the Book Store, The nail salon, Barber Shop, The Mall, The Park, Anywhere. If you cant have multiple T-Shirts made. Have one and you Wear it until you can have more produces, then sell those as apart your Brand as well.

Get Creative. Make a simple but effective T-Shirt yourself. That simply states your product info and where to find it. This may be less cost then having to find a 3rd party to mass produce them. This way you can make them in different colors and have your friends wear them as well.
When I go to Walmart, Target, etc... I always have my business cards or book marks with me. I hand them out and let people know who I am. About my work, my website, where to find me and my book. I am local Author and have a book available on-line through all major book retailers. I also extend them a discount if they would like to purchase on the spot. (BTW, Never leave your house without your product) I have a bag that I never leave the house without. I carry 3-5 books everywhere I go. I also have extra in the trunk. It does not stop there though. I go to the book section and Ummm.... :-) I place my book marks and/or business cards in as many books as I can. :-)
Not just my genera. Which is Contemporary Fiction. In as many books as I can. Magazines as well. I want to at the very least get the purchaser to go to my website and read my synopsis. Maybe I will have piqued there interested enough where they go to Amazon. There they will find my reviews, and just maybe I will have made a sale.

Leave your business cards in establishments that will allow. Like the doctors office, Restaurants, etc.Pass out Fliers.... Since we are talking about budget friendly strategies, you can make you own. Some people will scoff at that. Saying that it will taint your image if you don't have it done by a professional. I don't know about that. I see it like this. I am responsible to get the word out about myself and my project and if I'm doing so on a budget I have to do it the best way I see fit. You can find a program on-line for Free. Take your time to make your flyer as professional as possible. Go to Fed-Ex, Kinko's, Or any other company that provides printing services and have it printed on Quality paper. Then get out and Pass it to whomever will stand still long enough to listen.

I learned this in one of my FaceBook Groups. You need to have an elevator speech ready! That is just 1- 3 lines that is selling yourself. Enough time it takes to ride the elevator from one floor to the next. Sometimes that is all the time you have to get someone to pay attention.

Attend Fairs and Other functions. These will cost you a pretty penny to be apart of. If you are unable to pay the cost. Don't extend yourself. Attend as a spectator. Make connections. Chat up what you have going on. Pass out your promo material. Self made or if you had it designed.

Something you can do that is Free to set up is a Website. If you have a PC or even if you don't. You can set up a Website to Display yourself as an business, Your work, and your future projects. If you don't have your own PC. You can utilize the ones at Libraries and Community Centers. It may be daunting but if you are not fully invested and focused who else will be? Sometimes you have to take baby steps before you can "leap tall buildings in a single bound". It's OK to work with what you have at your disposal while you lay out future plans. Everyone has a different starting point. It's important to work within your means in order to be able to continue on your path.

One of the Best ways I Promote/Market on a budget is through my readers , friends, and family.

Word of mouth is true indeed a powerful tool. Because I know people in several states I utilize them in my marketing plan. I ask that they go to Major Book Stores in their state/town and request my book for purchase. Once they read it, I ask them to tell their friends and family to do the same. I even have them go to the extent of asking why my book is not available on the selves. This has to be continuous. This tactic has worked in my favor and has made my book not only available on-line through Major Book retailers. I am also on the self of a Barnes and Noble in major city.
Money talks! If you can get consumers to create a demand for you, then the retailers will listen.

I send Promo material to Friends and Family in different states. I have them to pass my info around. At the book stores, Salons, etc. Nothing that will take them outside of there normal lives and make it work for them. I just ask that they keep my material in mind on their everyday dealings. This way I can reach a base of people in a State that I may not have had exposure in otherwise.
Readers that enjoy your work will talk you up to other readers, they know will also enjoy the read.

Reach out to these satisfied readers and ask that they post reviews to different sites. Also ask if its OK if you mail them Book Marks/Business Cards to distribute to friends and co-workers. The beauty in this, is that they can speak about your product/Book through the eyes of a reader just passing along a Good Read. Not as a sales person looking to gain a profit. It adds credibility to what you have put out.

Cross promote with others in your field. It's great to set up connection with other like minded people and have them promote you to their audience and vice versa. It works as a win win for all parties involved. I myself will be utilizing this in the near future.
There are many avenues in order to Promote/Market yourself and your project on a budget you just have to get creative and think outside the box. Most importantly do what you feel is best. There will always be nay sayers. However, YOU are responsible to make it happen. Only you!

For more information on Me, Author/Writer/Blogger Elizabeth Funderbirk. Please visit my Website "Literary Liz Writes" http://LiteraryLiz.com also My Literary Journal where you will find this Article/Post and many others "Trials, Tribualtions, and Torn" http://writingtorn.blogspot.com.

ALSO Google "Publishing A Body of Work" and "What Happens After You Have Finished Writing Your Manuscript" to see MORE Articles/Post by ~Elizabeth Funderbirk

Lots of Love LiteraryLiz....

Three Things I Have Learned Since Becoming A Published Author....

There are so many things that come to mind when I contemplate the knowledge I have gained since beginning my literary journey. Most of the articles I write in my Literary Journal “Trials, Tribulations, and Torn” are about my path to get on the shelves. Now, that I have rightfully obtained the moniker “Published Author” I now know the hard work it really takes to sustain in this industry. There are many things I can share on this topic and actually, I could write a book about it J but this particular article I will focus on three things I’ve learned.

The first thing that I have learned for sure is that marketing your book is a must. Some people get so caught up in social media they forget to shut down their PC’s and hit the pavement.
I was one of these people. Don’t get consumed in the social networking machine. It is definitely an invaluable tool and has made it so much easier to reach the masses; however, don’t under estimate the power of the original hustle and get out and meet and greet the public. These are the folks who will remember you took the time to sign and autograph your book that they’ve purchased. It will also exemplify that you are hungry enough to be out and about to spread the word on your work. In turn, these people will continue to spread the word too. Word of mouth is the BEST advertisement you will ever get and the most cost effective.

Marketing and promoting yourself, your work, and your brand, can and will get costly. So it is a MUST to use creative strategies when you begin to hear echoes in your wallet. You can’t put your business on hold when you hit road blocks. Think outside the box to keep your progression going. If you are not being seen or driving traffic your way then you will have sacrificed for nothing.

After you have posted in every and all social media sites, gone out and made yourself known amongst the consumers, and set up a website for all of them to reference … NOW what? Cross promote. Team up with someone in your shoes or shoes that you one day wish to fill and target one other supporters. This is a win, win situation for both parties. You know for sure that if they are making sales and doing well they have obtained a fan base. Readers are waiting on their next read while in the middle of their current book. You know that they have a need for what you have, you just need to gain their attention long enough to tell them. What better way to do so than to get someone they already support to pass along your info. It works both ways. This creates great networking connections and customers for all parties involved.

Don’t forget to ALWAYS give your supporters a deal. Not a hook up but a deal. We all love a deal and if you have people who have been on the fence about your book, a good SALE may just be what they need to take a chance on you, especially if you are new on the scene.

Remember there are always marketing options that will not leave you in financial straits.

The second thing I have learned is ALWAYS be professional. Your professionalism is your brand. Always keep that in mind when you are working and even when you are not. I mean are authors ever off the clock? Your office is not a conventional one. You are a public figure so to speak. Your demeanor in social settings, social media included, will propel your success OR send it diving.

Your conduct as a professional is imperative no matter the genre you write. Consumers want to spend, and support businesses that show longevity and give their clients respect. Becoming an author is starting a business essentially, especially if your goal is to continue writing as a career. Approach each encounter with a buyer, or potential buyer like they have stepped into your office and you need to impress them with not only your business savvy, but your product.

Conducting yourself in a professional manner on social media is MUST! It is so easy to get caught up in the fact that you are behind a screen. Your internet footprint is lasting and can be accessed by almost anyone. If you’re on your social media pages fussing back and forth or get caught up in senseless drama it is unbecoming as a professional and a turn off to potential readers/buyers. Don’t take the bait and allow someone to take you outside your character. The anonymity can make it so easy and although social media should not be your only form of marketing/promoting it IS a wonderful asset. Don’t get a reputation in the negative regarding your interaction or comments made in a public forum. The word of mouth can work both ways.

The third, and most important thing I’ve learned is to believe in your vision. When I started I knew what I wanted. I knew what I wanted my book cover to look like. I knew I wanted to work with a company as opposed to self-publishing. I knew the market I was targeting. I knew what I hoped to grow into as an author. Keep your vision. In this business you will gain a wealth of knowledge from those who have done it before you and their advice will be valuable and help you to get to another level. That does not mean that your game plan is all wrong. That means that you may have to grow your vision or shelf certain ideas until you can bring them to fruitation, but never let them go. Your vision is what brought you this far.

Opinions will come at you, which you need to modify this and do away with that. However, that may not be exactly what you envisioned. As the head of your new literary venture you must take control and make the final decision. It may not be the right one, but it will be yours and you will know that you took control. The mistakes is where the learning process begins. If anyone tells you they have the formula for success and it is 100% guaranteed they are fooling you and themselves. They too had growing pains. Some will reach out and express concern because they failed in the direction in which you chose to take. The thing is they cannot tell which path will bring you success. You have walked your path and only you know your circumstances. You can’t follow someone else’s blueprint to the letter because their start and their finish will be different than yours. Although they have obtained success doing exactly what they explained you should do, there is no way to know if that same advice will work in your favor. That is why you can’t look at the next person and wonder why this is not working for me? Or if you are successful you should not question why are they going about things that way? Believe in you and take it all in. Learn your business, research everything! Then research again to make informed choices.

Please base you business decisions on what you KNOW will work in your favor. Base them on what you KNOW you can accomplish on your means. By all means take advice and apply where you can. What you can’t, like I stated before get creative, and stay on the path to your vision.

Three Things I Have Learned Since Becoming A Published Author. By: Elizabeth Funderbirk for Urban Bookshelf.
This article along will many other will also be featured on the Author Literary Blog “Trials, Tribulations, and Torn” http://writingtorn.blogspot.com
For more information on Elizabeth “LiteraryLiz” Funderbirk please visit “Literary Liz Writes” http://LiteraryLiz.com