Marketing 101 (short story) by Leanne Dyck

Once upon a time, I owned a craft supply store on the small remote island I still call home. I filled that store with...

quilt batting, thread in many colours and even a few bolts of fabric for quilters
knitting needles and yarn for knitters
paper, scissors and stickers for scrapbookers
an assortment of beads and  precious stones for jewellery makers
crayons, faster plaster, markers for children
and the list goes on and on...

I sat in the shadows with my knitting and waited for my customers to find me.

Island residents trickled in throughout the year but they were joined by tourists in the summer.

One day, he came in and walked up one aisle and down the other. I didn't recognize him and thought he must be a tourist.

"Wow, I'm really impressed by the diverse collection of merchandise." From his accent, I knew he was an American. "You've done very well." His smile wasn't out of pity or mockery. It was genuine. This stranger was proud of me. "If this was my store everyone within a 10 -- no -- 100-mile radius would know where to find me and what I had for sale."

What I thought at the time was, Americans are good at marketing.

What I do now is, pull that memory out each time I want to hide in the shadows. 

I don't think authors should say, "I have a book. Did you know that I have a book? Wow, my book is so good. Have you heard about my book?"

Hmm, nope.

Marketing is about making connections. 

I connect with readers by saying, "You like to read. Well, on my blog, I review books and share my writing."

I connect with writers by saying, "You want to build your author career. So do I. On my blog, I share what I'm learning about the publishing industry."

Thank you, Mr. American tourist, for coming into my store that day. You taught me to take pride in what I do. And you taught me to share it with those who can benefit from it.

*about the photos:  they were taken by me of my knitting but not in my store.

More...

How to get over your fear of self promotion 

Picture Books in Canada

Orca Book Publishers

Established in 1984, Orca Book Publishers is a Canadian-owned children's book publisher that publishes Canadian children book authors. 

Orca Book Publishers submission guidelines

Sharing my author journey

Sometimes magic happens...

The Best On-line Marketing Strategy by Leanne Dyck

(Photo by Byron Dyck on Vancouver Island)
Encourage readers to open the door to your writing

I've had the opportunity to sharpen my marketing skills both as a self-published author and as an author published by a small press. Here's some of what I've learned from these experiences...

When marketing your newly released book, do you show or tell?

Tell:  Tweet:  Buy my book

Tweet:  My book is available for 99 cents this weekend

Tweet:  My book is free for a month

Tweet:  Have you bought my book yet?

Why tell your potential readers to buy your book when you can show them why they should?

Show:  Blog:  Tips on how to write a book

Blog:  Interviewing my muse regarding our latest manuscript

Blog:  Virtual book launch party

Blog:  Podcast--chapters of my released book

Well-written posts shared as you live your author journey will build a supportive community -- a community of friends who can help you build a successful career.

More marketing advice.... 
Kimberley Grabas advises you to ask...
Why did you write it?
Who did you write it for?
Read her article:  2 Must-Dos to Make Your Book Marketing Infinitely Easier

And you may want to read Kristen Lamb's helpful article Be a Peep NOT a Pain--How to Use Twitter Effectively

Also read this helpful article Five Social Media Marketing Tips for Authors

Next Monday:  And then, writing transitions

Sharing my author journey...

Marketing Tips for authors by Leanne Dyck

As a knitwear designer, from 2002 to 2010, I sold my patterns to knitters who live in Canada, the U.S.A., the U.K., Australia and Israel.

As a self-published author, I sold my books to readers and bookstore owners. This experience has been invaluable. I call on it as I plan my marketing strategies. Someday, a publisher will accept my manuscripts. When that day comes, I will be ready. Thanks to this experience, I will be a key player in marketing my books.

Today I'd like to share some of what I've learnt.

Marketing can be used to achieve two goals:  selling a product or service and building a brand.

Experience has taught me that the best way to sell books is through direct sells.

-cold calls to bookstores

-book launch

-book readings

-other book-related events

As an author, my brand is my name.

Through my blog, I have the potential to reach a global community. For example, visitors to this blog come from Canada, the United States, Singapore, Germany, and France (the top five countries, all time--according to my blog's stats page)

When a potential reader types your name into a search engine what website is listed first?

Hopefully yours.

Type Leanne Dyck into a search engine. Stand back. What happens? 

Here are my top three marketing tips to help you build your brand.

Tip number one...

Visit popular blogs

Leave comments

If readers like your comment, they'll click on the link and follow you to your blog.

Tip number two...

Your author name should be the first thing readers see when they visit your blog (thank you, Kristen Lamb for sharing this tip). This will get your name in front of potential readers. The more popular your blog becomes the stronger your presence will be online.

Tip number three...

Include your blog address on your business card and add live links to them on your email signature. This will make it easier for others to find you online.

Other tips from other authors...

Pam Perry shares her 25 tested marketing tips for self-published authors

(Don't be fooled, traditional published authors can use this advice as well.)

The Book Designer wrote an article on Marketing Your Book

He advises authors to focus 'on how they will market the book before they write it.'

I did this when I wrote my first mystery. I wrote it, mainly, for a local readership. And it became a Mayne Island best seller.

Best of the Web Book Marketing Tips for the Week of Oct. 7, 2013 by Paula

Am I saying that you should do all of these marketing activities? 

No.

Pick a few that interest you. As Pam Perry recommends, choose the inexpensive ones first.

I'd also recommend that you choose the ones that fall within your comfort zone. If you're shy, why not enlist the help of an extrovert friend.