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.

Lois Stern Makes Getting More Exposure for Your Review Easier!

I am posting this to my treasured #SharingwithWriters followers because I suspect many haven't utilized my free #TheNewBookReview service and Lois W. Stern (one of those treasures!) offered to clarify the submission guidelines with this template.  So, if you have been thinking about extending the exposure of one of your favorite reviews, now is the time to do it. Thank you, Lois! (See more on how Lois shares with fellow writers at the bottom of this guest post!)

A FREE MARKETING TOOL FOR AUTHORS - TOO GOOD TO OVERLOOK!

by Lois W. Stern

Most of you already know Carolyn Howard-Johnson, who was an instructor at the renowned UCLA Extension Writers' Program for nearly a decade and is author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series.  She  has a blog where you can have reviews of your own books posted for FREE at:  https://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/. What great additional exposure for you and your books!

Once done, Carolyn will Tweet your review regularly for up to a year to her over thirty-six thousand Twitter followers.Your submission must be “copy and paste” ready, so I created a template to help you gather the needed information. I found that by completing this form first, the submission process was as easy as pie. I share it with you below. Just like Carolyn, I believe in “Authors Helping Authors.”

To see how one of my guest blogs looks, click on this link: 

https://thenewbookreview.blogspot.com/search?q=Tales2Inspire+%7EThe+topaz+collection

TEMPLATE FOR YOUR REVIEW SUBMISSION:

TITLE OF YOUR BOOK:

YOUR NAME (AUTHOR OF BOOK):

GENRE OR CATEGORY:

ISBN: 

YOUR BEST REVIEW

YOUR BRIEF BIO (MAX 150 WORDS) OR CREDIT

YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS (Let Carolyn know if you don't want her to publish this.)

YOUR FAVORITE LINKS (website, amazon, blog, etc.)

ADD THIS ASSURANCE TO SATISFY COPYRIGHT LAW: 

 __ Yes, I have received permission from the reviewer to reprint their review in its entirety. 

REVIEWER’S BYLINE (i.e. author of, Group leader of . . . )

MORE ABOUT THE REVIEWER (150 words or less) 

Note: If you wish to submit more than one review, each review must be sent in a separate email. 

E-MAIL YOUR REVIEW TO CAROLYN AT: HoJoNews@aol.com. 

INCLUDE YOUR TWITTER MONIKER if you would like Carolyn  to tag you with her tweets. Feel free to retweet to extend the exposure.  

PLACE YOUR COMPLETED SUBMISSION FORM  IN THE BODY OF THE E-MAIL 

WRITE “NEWBOOKREVIEW” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Send the cover of your book as a JPEG attachment and Carolyn will make every effort to get it posted.

MORE ABOUT THE TODAY'S GUEST BLOGGER

Lois W. Stern generously contributes to this blog on a regular basis and is the creator of Tales2Inspire, an "authors Helping Authors" project and contest. Learn more about her Tales2Inspire project at the tales2Inspire website: www.tales2inspire.com/contest.

Lois W. Stern's Tales2Inspire project was a kernel of an idea that she started in 2012 which has grown to 

proportions even she didn’t dare to envision. Her innate curiosity about potentially fascinating human interest stories was the spark that ignited this idea. But it was the confused state of traditional publishing that propelled her forward. Tales2Inspire delivers exactly what it promises as both an ‘Authors Helping Authors’ project and a contest. Winners get their stories published in print, e-book and some even in video formats, with their names, headshot photos, and mini-autobiographies included. Then she spreads the word about the winners and their stories on her blogs, social media and monthly newsletter. FREE to enter, this is a great competition for talented newbies and seasoned authors alike. Learn more:

Twitter: www.twitter.com/tales2inspire2

Facebook page: www.facebook.com/tales2inspire

Tales2Inspire trailer: https://youtu.be/FuDgXkYMHvo

Blog: www.tales2inspire/blog

Get a free sample of 6 inspiring stories written by winners of the Tales2Inspire contests:

      www.tales2inspire/gift. ;

Learn more about the Tales2Inspire contest at: www.tales2inspire/contest.

MORE ABOUT THE #SHARINGwithWRITERS BLOGGER

Howard-Johnson is the 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 award-winning second editions of The Frugal Book Promoter (where she talks more about choosing and the advantages of winning contests and how to use those honors)  and The Frugal Editor. Her latest is in the series is  How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. Learn more on her Amazon profile page, http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile. Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers is one of her booklets--perfect for inexpensive gift giving--and, another booklet, The Great First Impression Book Proposal helps writers who want to be traditionally published. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it will help them 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. In addition to this blog, she helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs at all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (http://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com )

A Little Lesson on Writing Bios from Dr. Bob Rich

I am always unsure about the level of communication I'm achieving when I talk about biographies--in my books or with my clients.  I often say "bio or credit line."  I mean, biography could mean anything from a full book to a twenty-five word pitch at the end of an Op-Ed piece in The New York Times!  Because bios (or credits) are so important to the marketing of a book, I include information on them in every one of my #HowToDoItFrugally Series of books.  Still, when I saw this from Author Dr. Bob Rich, I fell in love. He both stretches the idea of bios and limits them.  His input on bios as fact or fiction is something I doubt many writers have considered.  So, enjoy!

Dr. Bob Rich's Take on Writing a Bio That Inspires

The Bio

As a writer, you may be asked to provide 'a bio'. It goes on the back of the paperback or the dust jacket of the hardcover, and is part of your e-book. It is needed when you win in a writing competition. Your book may be reviewed, or you may review someone else's. Publish an article, essay, poem or story in a magazine or newspaper, and they will want a bio.

More prosaically, you should have one on your website, or when joining an email list.

A bio is short. Usually 50 to 200 words are specified. The shorter a piece of writing, the harder it is, so producing a bio is often a form of torture.

What is a bio anyway?

It is a prose snippet designed to induce people to read your writing. You are not in court, required to state the Truth, All the Truth and Nothing But the Truth. You are writing something with the theme 'Me!' in order to get people to read your books, stories, essays, poems, whatever.

Above all, a bio is A SAMPLE OF YOUR WRITING. Therefore, it should not consist of stodge.

Joanie Smith lives with her husband, Bill, son, Jason, and daughter, Cindy. She has a Dalmatian named Spot. Joanie has written a romantic suspense that every reader so far has loved, and she would love to have it published.

If a publisher of romantic suspense happened to stumble across this, would she instantly dash off an email to Joanie, demanding to see the manuscript? Not on the basis of this sample of Joanie's writing.

All right, let's try again.

Joanie Smith often has to deal with evil kidnappers, torturers of children, drug-crazed psychopaths. She helps young women to rescue the poor victims against all the odds. These girls start as naïve and apparently with few resources, but Joanie coaches them, and helps them to find tough, attractive allies who inevitably fall in love with them.

Well... this is what she does when she is inside her computer. The rest of her life is none of your business.

Isn't that more fun? Or how about:

Joanie Smith has always wanted to write. She remembers, as an ovum hidden within her Mom, watching this crowd of pointy things coming at her. She chose the one that most looked like a pen, and gave him all her love. But, typical male, he didn't hold any ink.

That's why Joanie prefers to write on a computer.

She is a full time writer, making up stories while helping her husband to run their business, and while he helps her, reluctantly, to run their household. She is the author of twenty-seven romantic suspense novels, though twenty-six have not been recorded yet. The one completed book is eagerly waiting for a discerning publisher. Being only twenty-two, Joanie is happy to wait for this, as much as six months, before she pickets the Publishing Industry.

Should a bio be true? I don't see why. Read this:

Bob Rich is from a different galaxy. He looks like a huge maggot with six suction-capped feet, a great gaping mouth with cilia around it, and no eyes or ears. He doesn't need those because he reads electromagnetic patterns like those thoughts generate.

Not wanting to shock humans, he hides within a Terran body, and travels through Earth's history. Currently he is studying the most bizarre period of all time: the early 21st Century.

One excursion took him 1500 years into the future. His report from there is in the award-winning book Sleeper, Awake.

Another trip was to 700 BC, where he met the Ehvelen, his favorite humans. Their stories are at http://bobswriting.com/series.html reported within an adventure series.

Bob's most dangerous expedition was to the years surrounding the Second World War, in Hungary. This resulted in the multiple-award-winning Anikó: The stranger who loved me. 

Another series of Bob's time travels is recorded in Ascending Spiral.

Recently, he visited the mid-18th Century, where he met a wonderful Aboriginal girl. Her story is Guardian Angel.

Look him up at http://bobswriting.com, but only if you have the time to enjoy a few hours of reading.

Note that this bio is exactly 200 words long.

This bio is true in the same way that Joanie's second and third bios are true. But is it good writing? Does it make you want to read more? I hope so.

MORE ABOUT THE GUEST BLOGGER

Bio from Dr. Rich: Dr Bob Rich is a professional grandfather. Because he wants his millions of grandchildren to survive, and have a world worth surviving in, he is a passionate environmental and humanitarian campaigner. Unfortunately, he has no sense of humor whatever, as you will see at his blog Bobbing Aroundhttps://bobrich18.wordpress.com

A little extra from me because one of the beauties of blogs is we don't waste paper when when we include a little more! 

Dr Bob Rich's website is http://bobswriting.com. Be has an eclectic newsletter called

Bobbing Around http://wp.me/P3Xihq-1. He tells you about what he considers his best book at http://bobswriting.com/guardian.html.  And his two favorite mottoes are: 

Commit random acts of kindness and Live simply so you may simply live.  

MORE ABOUT THE BLOGGER



Howard-Johnson is the 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 award-winning second editions of The Frugal Book Promoter (where she talks more about choosing and the advantages of winning contests and how to use those honors)  and The Frugal Editor. Her latest is in the series is  How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically. Learn more on her Amazon profile page, http://bit.ly/CarolynsAmznProfile. Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers is one of her booklets--perfect for inexpensive gift giving--and, another booklet, The Great First Impression Book Proposal helps writers who want to be traditionally published. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including one she encourages authors to read because it will help them 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. In addition to this blog, she helps writers extend the exposure of their favorite reviews at TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com. She also blogs at all things editing--grammar, formatting and more--at The Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor (http://TheFrugalEditor.blogspot.com )