- by Cheri Cowell
A battle is raging in the book-pricing world over the strategy of offering books for free or nearly free (.99). Much hang wringing is happening as some declare this pricing strategy is devaluing books and authors. On the other hand, there are success stories, and authors who are making a lot of money and developing a strong fan base using these methods. So how do you know if this is a good strategy for you? Here are some things to consider:
- by Cheri Cowell
As the dog days of summer deepen, humidity builds, and it seems the summer is dragging on, one drawback of the profession we've chosen grows more intense. Loneliness is something we don't often talk about, but it is a reality that needs to be addressed so we can learn from each other and develop healthy ways to combat this tool the enemy uses against us.
- by Cheri Cowell
I do not have a book releasing this year, but will be attending ICRS. Why? There are good reasons for us to attend the International Christian Retail Show. Here are my top ten:
Continue reading "Attending ICRS As Author Without Signing" »
Springtime greetings from Florida. I just returned from teaching at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, and one of the first people I saw back home in Florida was my good friend, Cheri Cowell. Cheri is a prolific writer and speaker and also happens to be one of the first authors from whom I learned marketing tips. I'm delighted to share an updated interview with her today!
Cheri, how many books do you have published? 4 What are a few of your latest titles?
Living the Story: Reaching Outside the Church Walls, and Parables and Word Pictures of the New Testament in the Following God Bible study series from AMG.
You were last featured on the CAN blog in 2009. What are the chief lessons you’ve learned about the writing life since then?
We need to have a long-term view of things. A longer view helps me not get so stressed about the little things and allows me to enjoy the fruits of my labor along the way.
That's great advice not just for marketing, but for life in general. What are the chief lessons you’ve learned about promotion since your last CAN interview?
We can't be experts on everything. Find what you are good at and what you enjoy and do those things well. That implies we've tried everything, so we do need to know about everything, just maybe not as an expert.
- by Cheri Cowell
Whether your books are primarily sold through local bookstores or are sold online, learning how to leverage the Author services available at Amazon can boost your sales. Here is how:
Continue reading "Leverage Amazon More Fully As An Author" »
- by Cheri Cowell
One of the biggest challenges for authors is determining how best to stay connected to their readers. There are many options for us today and here are a few you might wish to explore.
First, consider those you meet in person. How will you capture their contact info? Business cards and bookmarks are great tools for marketing yourself, but consider offering monthly drawings which you can offer to place "their" business card in (or yours with their contact info on the back) so they can have a chance to win.
Next, where will you store their contact info once you have it? When I first began I used an Excel spreadsheet. But after my list grew I determined I needed a contact database that also allowed me to send newsletters. There are several: Mailchimp.com, Act.com, constantcontact.com, verticalresponse.com, and iContact.com
Your website and/or blog is another place where you meet fans and need to stay in touch. Ask your web designer to add a place for fans to sign up for your newsletter, tips sheets, or announcements about new books.
Social Media is a great way to stay connected to fans. There are many options here. The trick is to find one that fits you: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Linked-In. The tip here is to be regular and consistent in your posting.
Finally, stay connected to your readers by consistently putting out good content. Articles, blogs, new books are the glue that will keep your readers tuned in to see what you are writing next.
Cheri is an 'Award Winning Author' and her latest release Living the Story: Reaching Those Outside the Church Walls, can be found at her website www.CheriCowell.com
www.EABooksOnline.com where Cheri helps authors reach their publishing dreams.
Top Ten Holiday Tie-ins for Your Book's Marketing- by Cheri Cowell
As we move into the holiday season let's explore a few ideas authors can use to market their books, even if it is not holiday themed. Here are my top ten ideas:
1. Offer a coupon "if purchased by." Send via email or newsletter to all contacts.
2. Offer to "gift inscribe" your book if purchased by a certain date.
3. Create a gift bundle of your books or your book and those of author friends- "one for you and gifts for a friend"
4. Give gift ideas: "Remember your babysitter, that trustworthy neighbor, your nail tech or hairdresser, or the new widow with a book this Christmas"
5. Add a trinket: I found a cute cookie cutter that matched my book's theme and attached to book with a pretty ribbon. A picture of the "gift" in my marketing helped sell more books.
6. Hand out bookmarks with holiday recipe, tips, or a poem along with the image of your book and order info.
7. Arrange a booksigning with a few author friends at your local Christian bookstore. Make it a holiday event with cider and a kid's craft or a prayer corner for those who are stressed in the holiday hustle and bustle.
8. Write an article or blog post, which can be tied to your book's content or is simply a Christmas piece, because it is your signature link with "the author of..." that is your goal.
9. Facebook or Tweet "the twelve days leading to Christmas" something encouraging from your book, favorite quotes, or tips with a link to purchase. Make sure it is something useful and not just a sales pitch. This works best if your book's theme can be directly tied to this time of the year such as dealing with stress, financial tips, prayer, compassion, or children.
10. Giving is what Christmas is about so hold a drawing. For everyone who purchases a copy of your book, enter their name in a drawing for a gift basket of books or a basket themed to your book. The gift basket for my last Bible study was filled with gifts for the Bible student including a mug, bible marking pencils, a concordance/dictionary, and journal.
Do you have ideas that have worked for you. I'd love to hear from you...
Cheri is the author of Parables and Word Pictures Bible study from AMG Publishers www.CheriCowell.com
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Using Templates to Multiply Your Efforts- by Cheri Cowell
Last weekend I taught one of my favorite classes to a group of wonderful writers. It is a class on Using Templates for the Query. I want to take this concept further for today's blog and ask, what templates have you or could you create to make the repetitive tasks of marketing easier? Here are a few of my ideas:
Continue reading "Using Templates to Multiply Your Marketing Efforts" »
Musings From a Tired Marketer- Cheri Cowell
I sat down to write this month's post and realized I'm tired of marketing. Some of you may find it shocking that I'd admit to that in writing. On the other hand, some of you may find it refreshing, even burden-lightening. I hope it is the later. Don't worry, I'm not throwing in the towel, but there are a few things I've learned from being in this familiar place. As I share with you today, I'm reminding myself of truths that often are lost when we spend so much time and energy marketing.
The first truth is good marketing is about building relationships with readers and building relationships is hard work. It is tiring. It is difficult to put yourself out there day after day, but as writers who promote our messages, that is what we do.
The second truth is that as Christian authors we have a foe who is fiercely working against every effort we make. We can only stand strong so long against this prince of darkness before we grow weak and tired.
The third truth is the enemy of best is good and when it comes to marketing many of us are doing a lot of good, but we aren't doing our best. We hear from experts that we must do this and that so we juggle all these balls and inevitably we grow tired.
As I've said, I've been here before so over time I've fallen prey to these lies even though I know these truths. It is easy to do. The good news is when you and I recognize the symptoms we know it is time to apply the Great Physician's balm. What is it? The first step is to do what our Lord did frequently. He was promoting a new Kingdom and ran into the same obstacles we do. Scriptures tell us he "went away" to pray, to rest, and refuel. We need to get away from computers, cell phones, deadlines, and demands.
The final step is what I do when I'm away with my Lord. I fall on my knees and repent for the umpteenth time of placing myself, my ego, my abilities, my message, my, my my, me, me, me on the throne I've said belongs only to one King. Then I ask my Marketer in Chief to guide me, direct my efforts, open the doors He wants to open, to clear my deck of those things He doesn't want me doing, to help me be an effective instrument in His hands to reach the people He wants me to reach, even if it doesn't bring the numbers the industry tells me makes my efforts a success. Then I must sit and listen.
I'd love to hear what your Marketer in Chief tells you. Then next month, after my time "away" I'll have more to share and I won't be so tired anymore. www.CheriCowell.com
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Cheri Cowell here:
Lately I've been doing a lot of research. I'm writing a historical fiction novel set in the 1830's, a series of blog posts on a current controversial subject, and a series of articles on women of the Bible. Here are a few tips I've learned to keep myself organized, and few things I plan to do with that research to capitalize on the effort. If you are doing research these tips may save you time and increase your productivity.
First, for each project in which research will be involved I created a new file on my computer where I'd save my Work In Progress and within it I labeled another file "research." Then within that file I created several new folders for pictures, articles, and links. As I did my research I was able to quickly save the image, article, or link to the appropriate folder.
Before saving I always copy and paste the URL to the bottom of the document so I know where I clipped that info. There are programs you can use that do this for you such as Evernote's Web Clipper http://evernote.com/webclipper/
I also have a wonderful tool called the IRIS Pen that allows me to use the scanner pen on printed books to copy to my computer, which is great when doing library research. www.irislink.com/irispen
So, why would I do all of this recording if I am simply writing an article or chapter in my book. Wouldn't I just save it to my desktop and blow it away once the article or chapter is written? No. I want to use that material and time invested to create new material. For instance, in my novel I use the research but I am planning ahead to blog posts and articles on beauty treatments used in the 1800's, the cholera outbreak in NY, the building of the railroads in the northeast. In my research on the women of the Bible I'm writing the blog articles, but I am planning to use my research to create a book and a Bible study so what doesn't make it into my blog posts will be used.
Bottom line: create a plan to save and organize your research and then plan now for how you might repurpose that time and research in new and creative ways.
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We are a group of authors from the Christian Authors Network who are working hard at marketing and promoting our books.
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