We CAN! promote our books

Marketing that Makes Sense

This is Suzie Eller, discussing marketing that makes sense. Perhaps you are dazzled, or maybe even frazzled, by the array of ideas you have picked up about marketing at the We CAN! blog.

While marketing plays an important part, you have to balance marketing with other aspects--like writing!

But Suzie, haven't you read all the cool ideas?

Yes, I have. I love to read about Sharon's swag ideas. It makes me want to run to Hobby Lobby and grab the materials I need to make these nifty gizmos. I can see how they would make fun gifts, and leave a great impression.

When I hear Allison Bottke share her ideas about branding, I listen and then take a real look at whether I've been smart in that all-important process.

Magazines and marketing

This is Suzie Eller and two weeks ago we discussed the power of marketing and writing articles in magazines. I shared that one magazine can potentially reach hundreds of thousands of readers.

But let's consider this. It's not only readers who are checking out magazines. Just today I received a call from Family Life Network's radio station. They read my article, Getting Over It", in Today's Christian Woman. I will be interviewing with host, Cecil Van Houten, tomorrow, along with Camerin Courtney, Editor of TCW. Family Life Network is a network of Christian radio stations with over 50 outlets in NY and PA and worldwide online.

When I asked if any had questions about connecting with magazine markets, there was little response. Let's try this again, and next Wednesday if there are questions on this topic, I'll take it deeper. If not, we'll move on to another subject.

Have a wonderful day,

T. Suzanne Eller (Suzie)

Marketing Through Magazines

Last Wednesday I shared how writing magazine articles can be a perfect fit for marketing the message of your book. I explained that one mid-market magazine might reach 100,000 readers and up.

Let's see how this works. I signed a contract for The Woman I Am Becoming (Harvest House) five months ago. The manuscript is due January 7. It will be released in July, 07.

Magazine lead times can range from three months to eighteen months. Let's say, that the average major publication has a lead-time of nine months. If I want the articles to appear at the time of my book's release, two months ago was a perfect time to begin sending queries out to various publications.

Writing for Magazines

I have taught at a few writers' conferences, and am always surprised at this question: Now that you are an author, why would you still write for magazines?

The answer to that is simple. The average number of books sold (among all genres and both ABA and CBA) is reported to be 500 copies.

Yes, I said it. Five hundred copies.

And yet my article in this month's Today's Christian Woman (Getting Over It - How I Learned to Let Go of My Family's Painful Past) will reach over 100,000 subscribers. Multiply that by the additional readers (family, doctor's office, hospital waiting room) and it can easily reach five times that number.

What is Your Vision?

My post will be short and sweet this morning as I'm braving a cold, wet, and windy Oklahoma day to travel to a local high school. Each month I am an invited guest in four different school systems. It's part of a community effort called the 2010 Challenge, linking strong Women of Vision with freshmen girls. Our goal is to be mentors--friends--and leaders to show girls that it is possible to dream, to grow, to connect with others in service, and to be a part of the vision of your community.

It's not a Christian-based program, but it's definitely been a God thing for me. Want to know more?

Your library is your friend, are you a friend to the library?

I was speaking in Wal Mart during Literacy Week three years ago. The librarian from my community stopped by my table. "Suzie, I see you have a new book out for teens! Why didn't you tell me?"

Good question.

The librarians in my community have championed my books. They order several copies and promote them, and encourage me. I've held one book launch and plan to share others. The library staff is eager to help promote and attend these events. As a writer, they have become my friend. But am I their friend?

The God Factor

It's been a busy day. I'm preparing for a conference in Lansing, MI this weekend. I have a book deadline looming. I have four articles due next Monday. This blog due today.

I also had a 4 p.m. radio interview with a Seattle station. I glanced at the luggage half-packed, the manuscript half-finished, the articles incomplete, and at the clock. The producer would call in 30 minutes.

I sat it aside and got alone with God. No matter what I had on my plate, I couldn't do anything else until I had my moment with my precious Heavenly Father. Shortly after that, the phone rang and it was the producer. The show was on. Within a short time I was grateful for that time with God because of a woman named Kelly. . .

Tuning into your TOPIC

What's on the minds of people right now? What upcoming holidays are just around the corner? Are there new issues hitting the front page? What are people talking about?

There are two types of issues: (1) perennial issues that are always relevant, and (2) issues launched by new events and or breaking news.

The question to ask is: Does my book address any of these issues? Our goal is to recognize opportunities through current and perennial events to share hope, practical help, and inspiration.

Cold Calling Produces Hot Connections

I taught a six-week course in my church called "The Mom I Want to Be". A crowd of women showed up that first Sunday. They were a diverse group of beautiful women. Several came from a local rehabilitation clinic; some knew Christ, others were seeking answers. There were women from my church. There were women who came from the community. There was all ages, races, and economic backgrounds represented.

But they all had one thing in common. They were women with painful pasts who wanted to give their children something greater. As the six weeks passed, I connected with all of these women, but I rejoiced over those from the local rehab facility. I watched the light go on when they realized the power of letting go, the steps to help them mend relationships, the power of perspective, and how to adopt healthy parenting methods to help their children feel safe and whole.

That next Tuesday I began my marketing day -- (see Ready, Set a day for marketing, Go!).

READY, SET a marketing day, GO!

Look at your calendar. What does it say? Is your writing day planned? Have you marked down the times for your dental appointment, when to pick up the kids, or jotted a note that you need dental floss? What about marketing? Where does it fit in your calendar?

My book The Mom I Want to Be - Rising Above Your Past to Give Your Kids a Great Future, just released a few weeks ago. My next book, Making It Real - Whose Faith is It Anyway (for teens) will hit the shelves in January, 2007. A third will arrive next summer. I also have two other books published in 2002 and 2004 that are selling.

Marketing is a little like juggling. It begins before a book is released (toss up a ball!). It continues during the "hot window" of opportunity. Then you write another book (whoosh, there goes another). You keep each ball in the air while you market, do radio interviews, write articles, and WRITE.

How does that work? Take out your calendar, grab a pen, and let's explore this further. . .