Vengeance is Now Media Campaign

If you're and author, you should realize that writing is only half the job. The other half is the true business end, which involves promoting and marketing the book. In my writers' group Writers Who Mean Business, I teach writers the "business" of writing not just the writing. While some writers' groups focus on craft, I focus on making the book do more than gather dust on the bookshelf. As a publisher, I feel that is my job.

We are right in the middle of promoting the new book Vengeance is Now and my book California Girl Chronicles, Brea's Big Break. I want to break apart the media campaign so if you work in this business you might get some ideas. Please note: An effective promotional and marketing campaign should run at least six months to a year.

Media and Book Reviewers -- this is the most popular promotional methodology. You promote the book to the mainstream book reviewers, which these days it's mostly bloggers. (When doesn't the Internet rule the world?) Reviewers request it and review it. It involves pitching and follow-up. You can do radio and TV appearances, but again with a fiction book it's about increased visibility and exposure. I've never seen an author do a TV appearance that produced a dramatic increase in sales except for one non-fiction cookbook that had a prime national TV spot.

Literary Festivals and Events -- make your brand ever-present by attending festivals and events. You will have a chance to be a featured author and speak and expose your book right to consumers. You can also buy booth space and table displays. Please keep in mind, book sales may not make up for the basic costs. The idea here is advertising, increased visibility and exposure to your prospective audience.

Website, Blog and media kit -- you should have an author page, blog to keep updates going and appearances list, and media kit. These marketing pieces are an absolute must-have. You will be using them to promote your book.

Bookstores and Book Signings -- until you are a "name" book signings are pretty useless. Most people only show up for a name. However, authors can stop in at the local bookstores and ask for the book buyer. Give sample copies of the book to the book buyer to entice future orders.

Speaking Gigs and Back of the Room Sales -- create a speaker's sheet, develop a presentation, and give speak on your topic right to prospective consumers. A great presentation always translates into spectacular back-of-the-room sales.

Advertising -- mix up your media with advertising in your niche market. You will want to place ads in niche media that attracts the right audience. Ads are only effective if they run multiple times. You should intend to run an ad at least (minimally) 3x to 6x or more.

If you would like to hire our cracker-jack team of marketing and PR professionals to promote your book, please send an email to info@3LPublishing.com or call 916-300-8012.