Valerie Allen Shares Her Serendipitous Marketing Ideas

Serendipitous Marketing

Today's Guest Blogger Is

Valerie Allen

Today's guest blogger hard at work
at an Authors for Authors Writers Conference

If you are an author, you are also in the retail business. Most writers do not view marketing as their super power. Many consider marketing and sales, the bane of their writing life. Perhaps, but it is a necessary evil that comes with the territory.

If you break out in a rash at the thought of speaking to others about your writing, understand you must tell to sell. Keep in mind, advertising is paid for, promotion is prayed for. I often tell writers to have their “marketing brain in networking mode” at all times and the most unexpected things can happen.

Here is a recent experience I had that makes my point. I am a writer, a psychologist, a college instructor, an event planner for authors and book events, and Director of Authors for Authors (AuthorsForAuthors.com). I am a very busy person (as most of us are!)

I came across a lady, Patty Wolf, who was retired and was offering her services as a “personal assistant.” Her list of tasks included data entry, mail outs, phone registrations, etc. Wow! This woman seemed like a dream come true to help with my never-ending “to do” list. I contacted her and we met at my office to discuss what I needed and things where she felt she could be of help.

In the course of getting to know one another, it turned out that Patty Wolf and her husband, Jeff, own and publish, “The Pet Gazette.” This is a FREE newspaper, with an online edition. They focus on saving animals and encourage people to adopt pets from shelters. What a great mission!

My marketing brain kicked into gear. How could I help Patty and Jeff get more online attention for their cause and help my authors with their books? We did some brainstorming and came up with a “Pets and Books” section to their online edition. If it went well, she offered to showcase our authors in the print edition. How did this work out? Very well, I'd say. Go to PetGazette-Pets.com and see for yourself. Let me know what you think. (VAllenWriter@gmail.com)

Did I know this would be the outcome of finding a 'personal assistant' for my business in the world of mental health services? Absolutely not! However, by keeping my writer brain going strong, and always seeking promotional opportunities, this serendipitous marketing seemed to come out of nowhere. No, not really; I don't think so. This was not just the “Luck of the Irish.” My belief is the harder I work, the luckier I get! This is what happens when writers realize they are in the retail business. They need to find opportunities everywhere they look. They must tell to sell.

MORE ABOUT TODAY'S GUEST BLOGGER

Valerie Allen writes, fiction, nonfiction, short story anthologies, and children's books. You can email her at VAllenWriter@gmail.com. Her work can be found at Amazon.com/author/valerieallen. Learn more about Valerie Allen at ValerieAllenWriter.com. Find information at AuthorsForAuthors.com and join the Facebook group, Authors For Authors.

MORE ABOUT CAROLYN AND HER SHARING WITH WRITERS BLOG

 Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the multi award-winning author of fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry. She is also a marketing consultant, editor, and author of the multi award-winning #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books for writers including the multi award-winning The Frugal Book Promoter (https://bit.ly/FrugalBookPromoIII), now offered in its third edition by Modern History Press (https://modernhistorypress.com). 

Carolyn is also the author of" How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically." She has two booklets in the #HowToDoItFrugally Series, both in their second editions from Modern History Press. "Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers" (https://bit.ly/LastMinuteEditsII) and "The Great First Impression Book Proposal" (https://bit.ly/BookProposalsII) are career boosters in mini doses and both make ideal thank you gifts for authors. The one on writing book proposals is also available as an Audio Book. "The Frugal Editor" (https://bit.ly/FrugalEditor), recently released in its third edition, is the winningest book in the series. 

 Carolyn also has three frugal books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it help them understand what is needed to convince retailers to host their workshops, presentations, and signings. It is "A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques" (https://bit.ly/RetailersGuide). In addition to this blog, Carolyn helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at https://TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (https://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com). Learn more and follow for news on her new releases direct from Amazon at https://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile.