What Ive Learned From My Subscribers

As editor/publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, I am fortunate in having an eclectic group of subscribers who number in the thousands. The ezine is interactive and subscribers are encouraged to share their innovative marketing techniques.

Since starting the ezine in March 2003, I have learned a great deal about the do's and don'ts of book promotion. Some has been through my own experience as author of two local guidebooks, Catskill Alive (second edition) and Long Island Alive, both published in 2003 by Hunter Publishing. But most of what I know today comes from this creative group of authors, publicists, book reviewers, book coaches and editors.

First and foremost, subscribers agree, never hold a book signing without an accompanying presentation, contest or event. Simple lectures can be a bust ? To promote my guidebooks, I spoke at Barnes & Noble and Borders to large groups of people who asked questions and challenged my knowledge and then left without purchasing one book.

One subscriber gets around this by doing "teaser" programs, in which she speaks about material not included in her book about plants. She says these presentations are successful because people are enticed to buy her book for new information. Subscribers who have written about animals bring them along; healing therapists who authored a book in their field do healing sessions in the bookstore. The rest of us have to find something unusual to add pizzazz to our signings.

Targeting your audience is a must. A subscriber who wrote a humorous book about his running knew that having a book signing at Borders was not the way to go. He needed to find runners so every weekend for the first four months the book was out he'd travel to marathon races and do a humorous presentation to the runners the night before the race and sell books. He reports that "it worked great and the race directors enjoyed providing something new and different."

Another subscriber who wrote a travel narrative about a journey across America with her two children tailors her press releases, speaking engagements and promotional efforts to different niche markets. She feels her book has broad appeal so not only markets to mother's groups, women's groups and parenting publications but also to veteran's groups and the military since terrorism and patriotism are relevant to her message.

All authors pitch the media but how many of them are successful? One subscriber uses her "expert" status to interest the media. Her book deals with net crimes and she peruses the news online on a daily basis. When she finds an article that relates to a chapter in her book, she sends the reporter an e-mail stating why she liked the article and that she's available as a cybercrime expert for expert stories. Her e-mail ends with the press release for the book.

Some subscribers were experts before they became authors and use their expertise wisely. One doctor/author was invited to the 2004 Olympics in Athens and when a reporter surfaced, the doctor introduced him to the staff and then retreated. He didn't want to pursue the reporter as others had done. But in the end the article praised the doctor.

Above all, my subscribers have been my support system. After compiling the best of their strategies into a book and sending it off to a publisher who expressed interest, I was feeling blue. I didn't know if the publisher would in fact publish the book or when I could hear from them and expressed my angst in the newsletter. This drew a flood of suggestions on how to fill the time until the publisher calls: "wait a month before calling," "devote some time to your hobby," "write another book," "exercise," "get your marketing plan in order." One subscriber wrote that "a sense of being at loose ends is normal when you have completed a project that required a lot of energy and concentration. It's kind of an empty nest syndrome."

About The Author

Francine Silverman's Book Promotion Newsletter is published bi-weekly. http://www.bookpromotionnewsletter.com.

franalive@optonline.net

---

Work Less, Earn More As An Infoproduct Publisher

There's no doubt, publishing information products to sell online is... Read More

Why Self-Publish Your Book?

When I meet an author with a great book concept,... Read More

Are Your E-Mails Bouncing? Hard Bounces, Soft Bounces, and Everything in Between

Are you doing "the bounce"? No, it's not a new... Read More

An Overlooked Fr~e Advertising Opportunity

When you have an online business you need to utilize... Read More

Ezine Advertising Strategy Exposed-15 Tips to Boost Your Profits

In my opinion, Electronic Magazine (Ezine) advertising is the greatest,... Read More

How to turn your Newsletter into a Web Page...in 45 seconds!

Do you place back-issues of your Newsletter onyour website?There are... Read More

10 Tips On Offering A Free Ecourse

1. Make your ecourse short like 5 - 7 days.... Read More

Publishing Your Own Newsletter - Is It Worth Your Time?

Is publishing your own newsletter worth your time and effort?... Read More

PublishAmerica - Publishing Parasites

I have to admit to being readily impressed by company... Read More

Ezine Publishing Donts

When I teach ezine classes, I ask the students what... Read More

8 Killer Mistakes For Ezine Failure You Must Avoid

It is true that sometimes in life there is a... Read More

10 Critical Things To Do Before You Spend A Dime In Advertising

"Research?"Let's say it again?"Research"?Grrrrrrrr.The word "research" can make many eBusiness... Read More

5 Essential Online Tools for Writers and Publishers

Writing a newsletter or article can be very time consuming.First,... Read More

EZines: Get from Adequate to Fabulous

If my in-box is any indication, most of the business... Read More

Create Your Own Ezine Traffic Machine

How would you like to reach millions of people with... Read More

Producing Ezines for Growing Your Business

What an ezine is ? An ezine is an electronic... Read More

The Sticky Issue of E-zine Schedules

While many new e-zine publishers are anxious about developing good... Read More

How to Choose a Good Newsletter Name

Good newsletter names are usually 2-4 words. If shorter, they... Read More

Talking Pictures Are the Go!

A Tokyo day care company has begun marketing a "talking... Read More

Internet Marketing Strategy: 9 Pragmatic Ways Increase Your E-zines Subscription

It is possible to increase the subscription to your e-zine... Read More

Newsletter Names - Creative Ideas for Newsletter Titles

Your newsletter name has a big effect on your readership,... Read More

Ebook Rebranding - The New Ebook Marketing Power?

Well, it is definitely yes!In the early day of internet... Read More

Start Your Own Ezine Newsletter & Profit!

The information listed here is worth more than gold. if... Read More

7 Power Packed Tips To Increase Your Ezine Publishing Success

1. Use autoresponders to publish and promote your ezine.Autoresponders with... Read More

Some Things I Have Learned About the Exciting World of Ezines

1. Don't ever stop advertising for new subscribers.I know this... Read More

3 Things You Need to Do to Turn Net Information into Cash

Although we are in the information age, very few people... Read More

Who Is Your E-zine Really FROM?

One morning this past fall, I was going through my... Read More

Free Ezine Advertising That Works!

When I say free ezine advertising, I'm not talking about... Read More

Where And How To Get Information For Your Newsletter And Ezines

With the rapid expansion and diversion of commerce, manufacturers, career... Read More

Learn How to Choose a Great Topic for Your Newsletter

Since you're going to write your newsletter on a regular... Read More

What Every Ezine Owner Should Know About Unsold Ad Space

The deadline approaches and your ad STILL has not sold.... Read More

Your First Newsletter: 5 Sure-Fire Ways to Annoy People

I read a lot of newsletters. Some are great and... Read More

Newsletter Name Ideas - Creative Ideas to Choose A Good Name for Your Newsletter

When you want to choose a name for your newsletter,... Read More