Tips for Self Promotion, Sales, and Advertising discussion

I thought, as we're here to talk about ways of marketing a book, we could perhaps discuss the things we definitely shouldn't do if we want to leave a good impression and affect sales in a positive as opposed to negative way.

Personally, I think that one of the things which really puts readers (and probably other writers) off is selling all over people. It's good to join discussion groups and talk about our books at an appropriate time. It's not so good to leave posts about your book all over the place, in inappropriate places, without taking part in any other way. Sending out adverts for your book to complete strangers because they accepted a friend invitation is also very off-putting.

So, in the interest of helping new authors (I'm a veteran, I've been one for all of two months, lol) who are finding their feet and preventing them from tripping and landing on their backsides, what do you think authors shouldn't do when promoting their books?

What not to do?

Really, does it matter? I don't mind when people do the things you mentioned. I understand. It is like having a child. You think it is beautiful and want to share the beauty with the world.

regards,

Steve

Gina,
I have to agree with you. I have noticed certain people, they tend not to join the conversation. Rather then listening, talking, adding thought, it becomes hey my book did this, and this...
I am glad for other authors, I think it is great when anyone cracks open any book. If you want to share your book, cool, just respect others when doing it. Nice to see this post:)

KB

First off, unless you’re selling a book on marketing books, this group is not the place to pitch your book. Asking and answering questions about the business of selling books is the main theme. Soliciting or offering reviews is okay. Sharing success stories and guess what happened to me stuff is great. Fun stuff is good too. 

Book signing:
I think most people are tired of being bombarded with buy my (fill in the blank). I’ve seen some other authors who take a hard sell approach. They try drawing people in by talking to them as they pass by. I’ve found it best to stick with just a smile until they approach your table and pick up a book.

As for dealing with the rest of the world, I would like to hear what everyone has to offer.

David,
Hey now, some of us have a book that deals with marketing, but I am not trying to sell it lol. Not here anyway. I agree, sharing some uplifting results is ok, but it gets on my nerves when someone has a specific topic and then someone pops in just to promote their book. Hey start a new topic... Just my thoughts though:P

KB

This is a great discussion! I am not aggressive by nature, so self-marketing is something I am not good at. I agree with the comments about not using Goodreads solely to push your book. I joined Goodreads to meet authors and readers and discuss the things I love. I don't like it when in the middle of a thread about a specific situation somebody starts advertising their book with a standardized blurb. I don't mind if somebody whose book is on the topic of the discussion makes a comment referencing chapter whatever in her book. That is appropriate.

I lecture at bereavement conferences nationally. I will display a copy of my book, but I do not promote it from the podium. That is not my purpose at the conference.

Gina,

Good thread. You echo what Author Marketing Expert, Penny Sansevieri said on my radio show on Tuesday.

No one cares that Unknown-Author-X wrote a book (except that author's family and friends). What they might be interested in is what is in the book for them.

If people get the sense that they are being disrespected, their conversations interrupted, or their groups or profile pages are being treated as a free billboard, most of them eventually get irked.

Best wishes
Rowena Cherry

As to book signings...

My husband and I have a pretty good system in place that others may want to adopt. I've had book marks made up with the "text of the blurb" writen on the back - this is very important - my publisher gave us bookmarks with ours and other books on them which doesn't help you need pretty picture on front and blurb on back.

Then I stand outside the store and pass out bookmarks as people walk in - I generally tell them that my husband is in the store that day selling the book - I hardly ever get anyone who does not take a bookmark.

If you watch them....They usually walk just inside the store, turn the bookmark over and read. Sometimes while they are walking a bit. By the time they get to where my husband is they have finished reading and he asks them if he can answer any questions for them about the book.

Its been working very well.

--
Robin - Wife of author: Michael J. Sullivan
The Crown Conspiracy (Oct 2008)
Avempartha (April 2009)

Hi. Great discussion. It seems like everyone I know has a book to sell. I get really sick of the plastic smiles and elevator speeches. I like Robin's technique for book signings. We're going to start up with them again when I get the cast off my leg and can walk.

How not to market a book? Well, I may have a technique for you. I'll find out in December when it happens. I signed up to do an Amazon Book Party on December 9th. Yes, I know. The Amazon bestseller thing is bogus, it only lasts for a day. (If you don't know that that is: It's where you entice (bribe) a lot of people to buy your book on a given day by offering downloadable gifts when they cough up their Amazon receipt number.)

I'll be able to tell you whether the party thing works or doesn't by December tenth.

I can tell you that organizing my Amazon party has been a wonderful opportunity to contact old friends and hit them up for prizes.

I'm getting incredible things: Publicist Penny Sansevieri is donating a gift. I've gotten offers of consultations and discounts from a book designer and a copy writer. I've got a woman attorney giving me part of her novel and an appendix about sexual harassment in the workplace and your rights. It goes on and on.

If you want an invitation, contact me through the author page on Goodreads, Sandy Nathan. I guess. I'm not too computer savvy. Here we go, here's a link to my web site: SandyNathan.com
There should be a contact on there somewhere.

I was talking to an old friend, Jamis MacNiven. Jamis and his wife, Margaret, own Buck's of Woodside. It's a zany and terribly hip restaurant in Woodside, CA, which is a horsey suburb in Silicon Valley. Go to the restaurant link and read. It's hysterical. The menu is hysterical. Jamis has written a book, Breakfast at Buck's, which is on Amazon. It's very funny.

He said he met Jeff Bezos at a conference somewhere and said to him, "I'm number 1,975,765."

Jeff said, "What does that mean?"

Jamis said,"Everything."

That was his book's ranking on Amazon. I laughed so hard and told him, "That's why I'm doing the party! I'm #1,576,007 and #435,788. I can't let them die in peace."

So––it does boil down to numbers, but that's not all. There's also friendship and fun!

So long, ya'll! I'll get back to you on Dec. 11th with a "It's a good or bad marketing technique" report.

Oh, yeah. I also have a real cowboy giving me the preface to his book and dog and horse training!

Sandy (I think I figured out how to add a link to my Goodreads page! Sandy Nathan

Robin, I am glad that works for you but it would be a little to hard sell for me. Personally, I don't like to be approached even with a free offer. I give out promotional stuff, but only to people who have approached me. It just feels like the right way. Sorry, but that's just me.

David, I tend to agree with you about the hard sell, although I do admire those who can get out there and sell their books.

This is a good thread for discussion and shows how different people react to the same situation.

I think it's all a matter of personality. Those who have it can sell anything. What would be helpful is advice for those 'retiring' types who don't have the cutting edge of a sales personality. For them groups on the Internet must be a boon.

Chad, I found that people are apprehensive about approaching writers too. And many are cautious about picking up the books.

It reminds me of when I was an antiques dealer. People were so afraid of being pounced by dealers that they'd try to examine the wares on offer from a distance. So many dealers are guilty of jumping all over a potential buyer the moment they see a spark of interest... when I am buying I hate being pounced on, and I stand way back so they can't get at me. Aggressive sales people make me run for the hills. I used to stay back on my stand at a fair, smile a lot, and give people room. It's courteous to greet people, but beyond that if they want something they'll ask.

I am the same as most of you when I am on the buying side-I don't want to have something forced on me, yet I would like the author to be approachable. I tend to say "Hello" or something inane about the weather when somebody approaches my table at an event/signing, but give them some space. I always thank them for stopping, or chatting, or taking a look as they leave. I actually had 1 woman come back hours later and buy a book and tell me I was the only author who smiled and said thank you, so she wanted to buy my book.

Nina, I hope that works for me too... I am a perpetual smiler :o)

Hi everyone,

This is great. I'm a brand-spanking-new author (okay, not so new), but my debut novel will be hitting the shelves in December (I hope), so I'm taking in all of this information. Thanks for sharing. I've been invited to an event at the end of this month, and I'm going to try and remember all the "not to do" pointers you all have given. Just, smile and wave. That shouldn't be too hard. LOL

Verdi