Overcoming a Writer’s Biggest Fear–Marketing and Promotion

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By DiAnn Mills

Mills positiveWe writers embrace words, brainstorming sessions, hours to write, and constructive criticism, but there is one critical aspect of the writer’s life that shakes us to our core.

Marketing and Promotion
The nightmare of our career.
We think we have the notion.
But can’t move past the fear.

Okay, I’m not a poet–I write suspense. But I’m sure you understand where I’m going with this blog. We writers must market and promote our stories and our brand. No running or hiding. It’s necessary if we are to be successful in placing our novels into the hearts and hands of readers.

The above is the why. So let’s crawl out of our cave mode and discuss ways to approach the scary monster called marketing and promotion. I think you’ll find it can be easy and even enjoyable.

Number one on the list is to create an outstanding book, the kind of suspense novel that marches through the graveyard of those who’ve failed to promote with determination and the sword of skill.

Number two is to have an active presence on a highly-read blog (yours or a group site), Facebook, and Twitter. We writers deepen our brands through social media to leave a positive image that oozes with professionalism.
Mills organized
Those are the basics. Now this next section of information makes novel promotion simple. I’m a firm believer in organization, and when I write a novel, spreadsheets keep me rooted in reality.

After we sign a contract with a publisher or decide when a novel will be published, the work hovers over us. A writer gets ahead of the marketing and promotion stress by developing a Timeline Task. This is an indicator of what needs to accomplished approximately a year before a book is released. Some writers are traditionally published and others are independent, but this will give you an idea how you can create your own personal Timeline Task spreadsheet.

12 months out: Contact online and print publications to arrange for ad and banner placement. Make sure they are in place for the month of the book release.
Recruit your Street Team
Reach out to prominent authors in your genre for possible endorsements. This allows the endorsor to schedule reading the novel.
Write blogs that connect to the novel. Stockpile them– you will be glad later.

9 months out: Order bookmarks and postcards.
Arrange guest blogs and calendar when they will appear. Remember, these have already been written.
Arrange production of book trailer.
Arrange production of author interview video.
Announce to Street Team and brainstorm promo ideas.

6 months out: Contact TV and radio stations for interviews.
Create contest ideas with giveaways.
Goodreads: update bio, headshot, ask-the-author section, add new release to books, link to blog posts, update page, be active!
Design secret Pinterest Boards.
Use postcards to notify libraries of new book.

3 months out: Mail ARCS
Keep Dream Team posted.
Confirm all blog spots, ads, banners etc.
Seek events to speak and sign.
Check that all online platforms and retail stores have have updated bio and photo.
Arrange launch party or signing for big day.

6 weeks out: Mail author copies or e-copies of book to Street Team.
Mail author copies or e-copies of book to reviewers.
Encourage pre-orders
Post book trailer and author interviews.

Book release: E-mail blast
Blogs appear
Constant presence on social media platforms.
Thank those who have helped make the release a success.
Small tokens of thanks sent.
Contests announced.

Follow up: Keep the momentum going by sharing deleted scenes, research, character insight, and behind the scenes action.
Party time!

All of the above is fairly easy. But we don’t have time to fashion all those social media posts at a moment’s notice. Here is where a Proactive Marketing and Promotion spreadsheet is used. By using this aid during the proposal and writing phase, a writer keeps her sanity and confidence intact.

At the completion of each scene, fill in a row that contains columns for the following:
Scene #
Blog Ideas
Contest Ideas
Facebook Post
Giveaways
Hashtags
Pinterest Board Ideas
Speaking Topics
Tweetables
Video Ideas
Other/Misc

I recommend keeping track of the various blog sites, the contact person, e-mail address, word length, website, date contacted, date due, date e-mailed, date when the blog appears, and a comment section. The latter is helpful if a giveaway is offered or particular specs needed for the post.

Marketing and promotion organization begins when the idea for a fabulous book enters our minds. As we imagine plot, characters, setting, research, and dialogue, we also envision how our book will reach readers.

If you’d like a copy of my marketing and promotion spreadsheet, e-mail me: diann@diannmills.com for your copy.

What is your favorite method of enticing readers?

DiAnn Mills 2016 headshotDiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

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