A Writer's ABCs to Marketing

Bold...remember the only true failure is in not trying.

Creative...Try and do something no one else has done, think of different places to market your work.

Discipline. Dedication. Determination. No explanation necessary!

Enthusiastic...if you're not excited about your books, no one else will be either. There is no room for shyness in this business. Not if you want to succeed.

Faithful...to yourself, your values and your integrity. Don't compromise to make a buck.

Gracious...If you get a good review or comment from a reader, make the time to respond in kind. Likewise, if you get a bad one, don't get defensive and trash the other person's reputation. Instead, thank them and try to see if you can use their comments to improve your writing.

Harvest.... Names and addresses of EVERYONE who buys your books. Email addresses are important too. If you're doing a group or bulk mailing bcc (blind carbon copy) all of the names/addresses after the first one so no one else can contact your customer, therefore protecting their privacy.

Individual...no two people in this whole vast world have matching fingerprints, not even identical twins! Create a marketing plan that's as individual as you are.

Join Free and low cost writer, promotion and marketing groups. Self-Published Authors, Book of the Day, Writer's Promo are just a few but there are hundreds of Internet groups through which you can market your work.

Knowledge...is power! Arm yourself with every bit if information you can when it comes to marketing. Make lists, write goals, read books, research opportunities. Check out publications like Book Promotions Newsletter.

Learn from other writers' mistakes and try to avoid making them. Lord knows you'll make plenty on your own.

Motivate others by what you've learned. Writing articles and essays is a surefire way to promote and market yourself while lending a hand-up to those following in your footsteps.

Newspapers are an ideal way to market yourself and your work! US Newspaper Links can be found @ usnewspaperlinks.com by state. Write a killer press release and send it to every newspaper in your state, the state where your book is set, and/or those in surrounding states where you might be setting up book signings. Also, be sure and post your press releases at prweb.com and free-press-release.com for extensive exposure.

Outstanding! Create a marketing plan that's as outstanding as your story.

Plan...your marketing strategies before acceptance and publication. Editors and agents today want to know your marketing ideas in detail so be prepared.

Query...don't be afraid to ask questions of others who've successfully self-promoted their work. Most authors are willing to share their information. Just remember to do the same.

Read...books like 101 Ways to Promote Your E-book for Free!, Beyond the Bookstore: 101 (Other) Places to Sell Your Book and Book Marketing Made Easy by Rusty Fischer and Promotion for Paupers by Karen Syed, Echelon Press.

Study marketing ideas other authors have implemented. Check out Carmen Leal's website Writerspeaker.com and sign up to receive her free newsletter filled with marketing tips. Book Coach Judy Cullins also has a website and newsletter filled with ideas as does John Kremer.

Tailor a marketing plan to fit your particular book and the needs of the readers. For instance, you've written a book about domestic violence; team up with local women shelters and other organizations to schedule book sales/signings/etc. Donating a portion of proceeds to these programs always helps them, makes you newsworthy, adds to your publicity and -in turn- increases sales.

Unique...Be unique in your marketing. Everyone has dreams and visions and different ideas of what success is. Don't be afraid to use yours to create/invent/implement ideas that others may not have tried.

Visualize.... your success! Visualization is a proven technique. See your book on the shelf, see yourself doing a book signing or speaking engagement.

Wise...Be wise in making decisions. True, you may be able to hire a publicist or buy different marketing packages from publishers and book sellers, but let wisdom be your guide.

eXtraordinary....create extraordinary marketing plans and build name recognition for yourself .

Yours....Remember this is your career...make it as Special and Unique as You are.

Zealous...Be zealous in marketing yourself...if you don't believe in yourself and your writing, no one else will either!