My guest-blogger today is Marcia James, an author of “hot, humorous romances”. Her debut comic romantic suspense, AT HER COMMAND, was released in trade paperback and e-book last year from Cerridwen Press. In June 2009, she’ll have a short story in TAILS OF LOVE, a Berkley charity anthology, with nine other authors. After a career in marketing and advertising, she enjoys PR almost as much as “researching” and writing love scenes. Marcia offers her 150+ file of author promotion information to any author who requests it. Just email her through the “Contact Me” page on her Website.
When I was offered the chance to guest-blog on Shelley’s blog, she said I could talk about my favorite topic: author promotion. I love hearing opinions and suggestions from readers and authors about their favorite types of PR. Shelley will draw a name from those who comment on this blog to receive a free download of my e-book, AT HER COMMAND. So comment often! ;-D
Here are my questions to you: Readers, what types of promotional items—bookmarks, excerpt booklets, autographed book plates, trinkets?—do you like to receive from authors? Authors, what are your favorite or most effective promotional efforts—blogs, chats, paid ads, booksignings, workshop presentations? Readers and authors, which PR things do your dislike? For example, I’m not a fan of public speaking, although I make myself present PR workshops to get my name out there.
I also write PR articles, and the following is one from my Web site’s Articles page that presents an overview of author promotion. I hope you enjoy it! And thanks to Shelley for this opportunity! – Marcia ;-)
PR ISN’T A 4-LETTER WORD
By Marcia James
Self-promotion isn’t for sissies. It can be expensive and time-consuming. There are many factors beyond budget and time constraints that play into an author’s decision concerning which PR options to try, including technological savvy (e.g., creating your own Web site), personality (e.g., too shy for public speaking and power-schmoozing), and whether the publisher is also providing promotional support. In addition, you need to decide if you’re going to target existing romance readers and/or try to “convert” new ones. Here are several options to consider, starting with the most traditional types of author promotion.
Readers can be found on message boards and email lists. And there are many Web sites that offer access to romance readers for a price. You can also purchase a list of readers groups from Pat Rouse and mail them your promotional items. Or you can buy an ad in RT BOOKreviews. But don’t overlook budget-saving options. For example, there are sites (e.g., Coffee Time Romance) that offer some free services, such as an online calendar for authors to post their booksignings. And many publishers have an email loop for their authors to chat up readers, as well as post book blurbs and excerpts.
You can reach readers by cross-promoting with other authors. The simplest way is reciprocal links—authors posting each other’s URL links on their own sites. Another is guest-blogging, which is an easy, free way to introduce yourself to another author’s readers. There are also authors who interview other writers for articles, blogs, etc. For example, each month I interview a different author with “James” in his/her name for my “James Gang” Web site page.
Creativity is part of a writer’s “toolbox”, and many are putting it to good use by inventing interesting ways to cross-promote. One such Cerridwen author is Paige Cuccaro, who has a popular Writer’s Cave page on her Web site. She posts photos of other authors’ offices along with their URLs. Readers visit Paige’s site to see their favorite authors’ offices, then stay to explore the other authors’ photos and sites.
In addition to meeting readers and other writers, an author can forge relationships with booksellers and librarians through readings and booksignings. Consider joining with several other authors to booksign at a store or do a panel discussion at a library. If you’re too shy to speak in front of groups, you might consider presenting an online workshop. And there are print and electronic publications that are always looking for articles from authors.
Targeting niche markets is a great way to reach interested romance readers and tempt those who normally avoid romance novels. Look at the different elements in your book to see which groups might be interested in it. For example, if your hero drives a vintage car, there are groups of vintage car enthusiasts who might buy your book. If your heroine is a veterinarian, you can send a press release to the veterinarians’ professional association. Library reference books, such as The Encyclopedia of Associations, offer the contact information on thousands of groups.
You can also reach readers through your local media. Questions to consider when developing a press release include, Who is your audience? What is your angle? Also, it’s important to use a cover letter to put the press release in context and suggest the next step to your media contact (e.g., an interview, coverage of an event or simply your availability as a subject matter expert). If you decide to send a folder-style press kit, consider including a cover letter, a business card, an author bio, a press release, the book’s cover flat, a book excerpt, book reviews and copies of any previous media coverage. The press kit and its components should reflect your author brand (e.g., darker colors for a suspense author vs. brighter colors for a comedic author). And you should share your press kit with your editor and agent, so they’ll know how you’re promoting yourself.
Whichever PR options you choose, promote your author brand as well as your books. There are a number of good resources on branding, including articles on author Jenn Stark’s Web site. And it’s never too early to create your brand or to develop your Web site, on paper at least. If you go to the national RWA’s Web site page on member sites, you can check out what others have done and note what you like and don’t like about their sites. When it’s time for you to create (or pay a Web designer to create) a Web site, you’ll have noted your preferences on color, graphics, visuals, etc.
Given the thousands of promotional options out there, try to find some that you enjoy. Life is too short to dread PR. Happy promoting!
Note from Shelley: If you have any questions about promo just ask in the comments section. Marcia really is a whiz at promo so take advantage and ask lots of questions!
Related posts:
July 16th, 2008 at 11:05 am · Link
Kissa — as someone who writes pretty risque books, I’ve been on the receiving end of some snubs and worse because of the content of my first book. So I wouldn’t want you to get hassled by someone who picked up an erotic romance of yours expecting to get a Debbie Macomber-like sweet read. I personally like both types of books, but not everyone does.
I was asked to contribute a short story to a 2009 anthology which will raise money for a no-kill animal shelter. Lori Foster, the driving force behind these charity anthologies (the current one is THE POWER OF LOVE and the money goes to a battered women’s shelter) told me the stories have to be PG-rated. She knew my author brand was for R-rated books. I enjoyed writing the short story about a Chinese Crested stray who reunites a pair of ex-lovers. There’s one kiss at the end of the story and no sex.
Berkley chose my idea for the title of the upcoming anthology: TAILS OF LOVE.
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 11:22 am · Link
I like that title. I like both genres also. I can see where readers could get confused. I’ve set up a back-up pen name just in case. Might just use that one.
So glad to have been exposed to your writing, and advice, through this blog!
Kissa
July 16th, 2008 at 11:35 am · Link
Marcia, if it’s okay, I would like to ask a specific question about promoting my book, Touch Of Fire. It is a futuristic fantasy set on a post-apocalyptic Earth. There is a group of people who have “evolved” into Elementals, mages who can wield one of the four Elements: earth, water, air and fire.
So how do I promo a book about a society that no longer remembers where they came from? Do I work the Elemental angle? In their society, the Elementals are considered witches, but that would be a misnomer in our society. Do I use the post-apocalyptic aspect?
My lead character can summon fire and read auras. I’m thinking my audience would be people who enjoy the metaphysical and the supernatural. Is that where I should be focusing? Thanks for any help!
PS As a staunch animal rights advocate, I will be the first to buy any book that will raise money for no-kill shelters. Good on you, Marcia.
July 16th, 2008 at 11:41 am · Link
Thanks, Kissa! Happy promoting!
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 11:55 am · Link
Hi, Maria! I think you have good instincts about your target audience. You might want to see if there is something like an organization of metaphysical retailers, for example, and see if you can advertise through their customer newsletters. There are also conventions for almost everything, so you could probably have a booth at a metaphysical convention — or just do some power schmoozing-type networking at one.
I have to admit that I don’t know a lot about your target audience, but I know that some authors do VERY well going to s/f and fantasy conventions to promote their books. Many of those conventions would love it if you wore a costume you designed to represent a heroine of yours. And the annual Romantic Times convention in the U.S. is also a great venue for costumes.
I have friends who write paranormals, and they have temporary tattoos made up of symbols, etc from their books. You can do press release tie-ins to supernatural holidays. (Google supernatural holidays and metaphysical holidays to find more than Halloween!) You can start a blog about supernatural/metaphysical events and things — have guest-bloggers from those realms.
Ellora’s Cave has an imprint called The Lotus Circle that is about everything from tarot cards to crystals. You could get some of their authors to do cross- and co-promotion with you.
You could run contests that have prizes from the four elements. Personally I like promoting the elements angle over anything like witches that lots of authors have already done.
These are all off the top of my head, but I think you have VERY interesting aspects of your book to use as hooks. I hope that’s helpful!
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 12:00 pm · Link
I’d love to have your tips on promotion. I blog, use twitter, am on eons, and myspace as well as crimespace but I know I could use all of this more effectively.
Christine
Http://www.globalwrite.wordpress.com
July 16th, 2008 at 12:07 pm · Link
Christine — I am in awe of anyone who can do all of those things regularly. I am learning how to do MySpace by being part of a joint Ohio Romance Authors MySpace page (http://www.myspace.com/romanceauthors).
The social networking sites seem to be especially good for paranormal promotion, since there is a younger crowd on a lot of those sites and that’s a sub-genre popular with young as well as older readers. Although if you ever hear anyone say “I can’t read vampire romances”, chances are the person is over 35.
Happy promoting!
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 12:10 pm · Link
Just a quick clarification on my PR file. It is a Microsoft WORD file, not a pdf, because I drop things into it daily. It is a 150+ page file, not a 150 PR Tips file. I’ve gotten requests for it, and I wanted to make sure people knew what they were getting. I don’t have it on my Web site since I update it daily. And being a WORD file, it can be customized to fit your needs.
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 12:28 pm · Link
Marcia, you rock, woman!
Great ideas! You’ve given me some terrific jumping off points.
Thank you!
July 16th, 2008 at 12:31 pm · Link
Thanks, Maria! I appreciate your stoppig by. Happy promoting!
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 12:32 pm · Link
Hi Marcia! The info you shared here was great! I would definitely send authors that are just starting with promo stuff to read this.
To answer your question for readers, I love getting signed bookmarks, book plates, and cover flats. I find that bookmarks are the best because they end up starting conversations when I remove them from my books.
July 16th, 2008 at 12:46 pm · Link
Great Blog, Marcia! :)
July 16th, 2008 at 12:47 pm · Link
Hi, Dani! Thanks for your input! I think bookmarks will always be very popular. Plus, bookstores prefer them over postcards because they can fit in their acrylic holders of the store counters.
I offer signed bookplates through my Web site. With the cost of mailing things these days, I ask that readers send a self-addressed stamped envelope, then I mail back the bookplate.
I also sign the postcards I use for PR. It makes them more personal and collectible.
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 12:47 pm · Link
Thanks, Michelle, for stopping by!
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 1:02 pm · Link
I offer signed bookplates through my Web site. With the cost of mailing things these days, I ask that readers send a self-addressed stamped envelope, then I mail back the bookplate.
Hmm, that causes problems for people outside the US, then you have to get into the whole International Coupon thing which I understand are hard to get in US post offices, or so my crit partner tells me.
And thanks, Deborah, for the info about the Yahoo loops and whether they result in sales. It’ll help me coordinate my time in the near future.
July 16th, 2008 at 1:25 pm · Link
Leah — I haven’t had anyone outside the U.S. request bookplates, but I’ve had quite a number of people from outside the U.S. win my keychains and my contests. The latest is from Finland. But I just have to deal with mailing things directly and not trying to use the International Coupon thing. That does cause a problem.
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 1:46 pm · Link
As a writer of ebooks at present, I seldom feel bookmarks work for me as a promoting tool. But I love the idea of the temporary tats!
And thanks for explaining the branding. Really helped!
July 16th, 2008 at 1:54 pm · Link
Hi Marcia, enjoyed the excerpt for your story. As for promo items, my favorites are pens, sticky notes, ebook downloads and gift certificates, ( bookstores, Bath & Body, Lush, & Sephora).
July 16th, 2008 at 2:02 pm · Link
Jeanne — I like postcards for e-book promotion because you can fit a longer book blurb on the back of them. I use them for the goody bags at writer and reader conferences. Of course, there are email loops and such that can reach e-book readers, so you wouldn’t have to have printed materials, if you didn’t want them.
By the way, Pat Rouse sells a list of book clubs that you can send PR materials to, but again, it can be costly. When the charity anthology comes out next year, the authors (nine other authors and me) might go in together to do postcards and a mailing to the Pat Rouse list (which costs $75, I believe, before the cost of the postcards and the postage). I think a big effort like this is a good time to co-promote with other authors.
I have Pat Rouse’s contact info in my PR file.
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 2:04 pm · Link
Cathy — thanks for your input. ;-) I like getting pens and things like notepads and sticky notes, too. Basically I love all sorts of author PR goodies.
Thanks for your kind words about my story!
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 2:39 pm · Link
A quick thanks to those who visited my Web site and entered my contest!
If you indicated you would like to join my email announcement loop (a great way to learn about future contests!), you should be getting an invite to join at any moment.
I’ll keep checking back to make sure I haven’t missed any emails. Thanks so much for making this guest-blog/PR discussion a whirlwind day!
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 2:57 pm · Link
Great Blog.
I knew nothing about promotion when I started writing, but I started with the basics.
I joined chat groups, I blog and guest blog, I take advange of review sites that offer free or low cost advertising. I have a website, newsletter and blog. I have done some advertising in RT magazine.
Slowly, but surely, I’m getting my name out there.
Promo items like bookmarks and postcards are affordable and they do get your name out there.
I’m looking for ways to expand my promotion so I’ll be emailing for your PR File. :-)
July 16th, 2008 at 3:02 pm · Link
Hi, N.J.! It sounds like you are really doing a strong PR push! One thing I need to learn more about is the free advertising some of the author PR sites offer. I like anything that is free!
I think an important part of successful promotion and branding is having a backlist that readers can get. That’s something e-book authors have over print authors. We can still get royalties from e-books long after a print book would be out of print.
Happy promoting!
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 3:03 pm · Link
Marcia – wow! Thanks for all the great answers on promo.
I’ve found it makes a difference if you actually enjoy doing something. My hint for anyone starting out is to try quite a few things and keep up the ones you enjoy. You won’t always know if your promo results in sales, but if you enjoy doing the actual promo then it’s a good thing!
July 16th, 2008 at 3:12 pm · Link
Thanks, Shelley, for the opportunity to guest-blog!
I think of PR as a game. For example, with my press releases, I’m trying to get past the goalies (e.g., the newspaper reporters) to reach the audience. If I get a press release in the paper, for example, or get an interview, then I’ve scored.
If an author tries to enjoy PR, like you said, it makes it much less of a chore.
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 4:37 pm · Link
Marcia – I’m sure you’ll get some more questions. I’m soaking up the information. I’m sure everyone else is too. There’s a lot to read!
July 16th, 2008 at 5:07 pm · Link
Hmmm, having never received any promos I have no clue what I prefer. I do like when I write an author and get a real response back and not a form letter (I love you Shelley!). I would say I’d prefer a trinket or autograph, but the excerpt booklets would probably be more effective in view of generating sales. I think I’d go gaga if I ever got to meet one of my favorite authors in person at a book signing (Coming to the US anytime soon Shelley?) but since most of the ones I like live overseas or across the country I’ll just have to dream. I’d personally like to see promos with the cover models posing in loincloths for us to take a photo with (A tuxedo would work as well, but not as much fun.). But I don’t know how realistic that dream is, probably more likely to get to meet an author- LOL!
I do like your ideas of cross promotion Marcia in sending an email or press release to a group that’s associated/mentioned with the book. Great stuff and good guest blogging.
Have a wonderful day!
July 16th, 2008 at 6:50 pm · Link
I have Marcia’s file, and it’s amazing! Thanks for sharing so much Marcia!!
July 16th, 2008 at 6:52 pm · Link
Hi, Amy! Thanks for your post! Where do you live? There are romance authors in almost evey town in the U.S. You can go to the Romance Writers of America Web site and click on “About RWA” and then click on “Chapter Listings” to find an RWA chapter in your neck of the woods. Most chapters have Web sites with lists of their member authors, so you can locate nearby authors that way.
Have you ever been to a Romantic Times (RT) conference? Plenty of hunky guys in scanty outfits.
The next RT conference will be in Orlando, FL in April 2009, I believe.
Take care!
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 6:53 pm · Link
Thanks to Amy Ruttan, too! So many Amys on one blog!
Happy promoting!
– Marcia
July 16th, 2008 at 7:13 pm · Link
Thanks Shelley and Marcia. This has been the most interesting blog (and comments) I think I’ve ever read.
As a reader, I’ve received pens, magnets, bookmarks, cover flats, free reads, etc. My favorite items are free reads and bookmarks.
I have purchased many books because I read an excerpt on a blog or on someone’s website. So another favorite promo is the website or blog.
The last promo I like is word of mouth. I like to try new authors on the recommendation of other readers and my friends, those that like to read the same books I read.
July 17th, 2008 at 1:26 am · Link
Hi Marcia
Fabulous post! I think my favourite way of cross-promoting it to have authors guest blog with me. I’ve been doing this all during 2008 to celebrate a writing milestone and authors from all genres have guested, which brings in readers from all over.
Liz
July 17th, 2008 at 4:11 am · Link
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT:
My husband picked the winner for me.
Congratulations to Diana Castilleja who is the winner of Marcia’s download, At Her Command. You’re in for a real treat.
July 17th, 2008 at 4:37 am · Link
Hi, Janet! Thanks for your input! I think positive word-of-mouth is gold for authors, which is why so many of us will give away free books and downloads in contests. Many print authors try to give away back list books so the recipient will be eager to buy their new release, but also hope the readers will tell other readers. I know I love to chat about books when I get together with other book-loving friends.
– Marcia
July 17th, 2008 at 4:39 am · Link
Liz — Guest-blogging is a favorite of mine, too.
Especially when I get to talk about PR!
Thanks for stopping by!
– Marcia
July 17th, 2008 at 5:41 am · Link
Yay, Diana! I sent you a private email asking you which of the five e-book formats you’d like the download in. I think the pdf format is the most popular. As soon as I hear back from you about the format, I’ll email the book to you. I hope you love it!
Thanks again to eveyone for commenting and having such a great PR conversation!
– Marcia
July 17th, 2008 at 5:42 am · Link
I’ll keep an eye out for new posts in case anyone else has some PR questions or observations.
Have a great day!
– Marcia
July 17th, 2008 at 10:54 am · Link
Thank you Marcia! I was totally surprised to see I’d won.
I just never expect to. It was a bright spot for me this week, that’s for sure. :)
Have a great weekend!
July 17th, 2008 at 11:54 am · Link
Thanks, Diana! Just email me at Marcia@MarciaJames.net to let me know what format of the e-book you’d like, and I’ll send it right away!
– Marcia
July 18th, 2008 at 9:27 am · Link
Thank you very much for all of the wonderful insight and information here. I am still very new to marketing and promoting and it is so helpful when others are willing to share their treasure trove of information.
Thanks!
~Colleen
July 18th, 2008 at 9:32 am · Link
Hi, Colleen Love! What a wonderful name for a romance author! I appreciate your kind words. I am trying to get caught up with all of the requests I’ve received for my PR file. I think it is so smart and proactive of people to get the file and try to check out the PR options available, even if they haven’t yet received The Call. Authors have a lot of pressure these days to do their own promotion.
Have a great day!
– Marcia
July 18th, 2008 at 9:43 am · Link
I did request the file from you as well and look forward to seeing it.
This is sad to say, but, I have two books out and a third in edits and I am still just kind of standing still when it comes to promoting them.
The third book is the charm, right? It’s time for me to get busy!!
Hope you have a great day too!
~Colleen
July 18th, 2008 at 9:45 am · Link
Best wishes on promoting your books! I’ll be sending your PR file out today. I hope you find it helpful!
Take care and have a good weekend!
– Marcia
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:06 pm · Link
Wow… this is awesome. Thanks!
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:15 pm · Link
Hi, Sara! I got an email that I had another nice comment on my guest-blog. Thanks! It’s nice to know people are still stopping by to read the blog.
Happy promoting!
– Marcia
September 12th, 2008 at 4:48 am · Link
Hi Marcia
I’ve come to this Blog rather late – sorry. Your 150+ file sounds wonderful, I’d love a copy please. I’m a British writer contracted with a US publisher and was very naive about promotion, it was a whole new world to me and I stumbled along trying to do things myself until I realised how other people did things and how many people were willing to offer promo opportunities. I ‘m still looking for help and information though, there is just so much to learn.
Lyn (w/a
Hywela Lyn)
September 17th, 2008 at 8:13 am · Link
Hi, Lyn! I’ll go to your Web site and contact your through that to send you the PR file. If you have any friends who might like the file, please send them to http://www.MarciaJames.net and have them email me through the “Contact Me” page so I can attach the file to their email and send it back. Blogs don’t reveal a person’s email address, so I can’t send you the file through this blog.
Happy promoting!
– Marcia ;-)
September 17th, 2008 at 8:50 am · Link
Thanks so much Marcia, that’s really kind of you, and thanks to Shelley too, who also took the trouble to contact me. I’ll put links on my blog as soon as I get my breath back and surface from editing!
Lyn
September 17th, 2008 at 8:53 am · Link
Hi, Lyn! I tried to email you through your Web site, but I’m not sure it went through. If you would like to get the PR file, just email me at Marcia@MarciaJames.net and I’ll send you the file.
Good luck on your editing!
– Marcia ;-)
September 17th, 2008 at 9:18 am · Link
Hi Marcia – yes thanks it came through fine.
Thanks again.
Lyn