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Thursday, January 10, 2013

SHARON LEDWITH'S GREAT ADVICE FOR WRITERS

Six Sales Points for AuthorsThere are a lot of authors out there today competing for readers’ attention—readers that you’ve worked so hard to obtain. Some do a very good job, make a lot of money, and stick around. They build satisfying publishing careers that last for decades. Other authors try to wing it and burn out. What’s the difference between a successful author and a wannabe author who just dawdles on the borders of success? Owning a great website? Having a damn good marketing plan? Creating a social media plan for each book release? Good luck? Whatever the answer, often the key to a successful career in the publishing field can be attributed to one or all of these time-tested sales points:

If it doesn’t work, fix it. Let’s face it—some sales strategies work better than others. The trick is to reassess what you’ve been doing. If you’re not producing the sales you’d like to see for a certain book, then chances are you need to correct and fine-tune your methods. For some authors this may mean retooling their blurb or tagline or change the cover. For others, it could be giving their website or blog a fresh new look.
Listen and learn. A number of things factor into book sales. One of the most important is your target audience—who you are writing for. Ask yourself, how are you fulfilling your readers’ needs? What must you do to continually hook their attention? For starters, you have to be willing to walk that extra mile by getting to know and understand your readers. You do this through social networks (Facebook, Twitter), workshops, book signings, school and library visits, book clubs, and online communities such as Goodreads or LibraryThing.
Show enthusiasm. Enthusiasm builds bridges. Panic tears them down. One thing an author has going for them is their unique voice. You use it in your books, so use it to sell them. Readers know when an author resonates with them. Be invested enough in yourself, as an author, to give your readers a fantastic story they’ll never want to end. Then write another one.
Sell yourself, on yourself. The power of positive thinking works wonders. Motivation builders such as podcasts, CDs or self-help books can help reinforce the super salesperson in you. Be specific with your goals and rewards, such as if you send out ten review requests in a day, book a pedicure or lunch with a friend. Write notes reminding yourself that you are a ‘Bestselling Author’ and ‘You can do it’, then leave them around your desk. After all, seeing is believing.
Create a sales plan to suit each book. Every book you write is one of a kind. Sales tactics for one book may not work for the second book. That’s when you get creative and take chances. Giveaways are always a fan favorite. Experiment with each book until you get a sales formula that works for you. Sometimes a fresh pair of eyes helps, so if you can afford it, hire a publicist or a marketing consultant. The bigger the investment, the bigger the payoff.
You give, you receive. "What goes around, comes around" is a hard adage for a lot of authors to relate to, but it is nevertheless a vitally important point. And it’s a no-brainer. I tend to share a lot of useful information that could help my author peeps with their sales or marketing strategies. This comes naturally to me. Pass along opportunity when you can. It’s a wise investment—one that any author will never regret making.


Sharon is one of my fellow writers from Musa. She writes time travel for the YA market, and I have to say I've never met a more market savvy writer.

Her debut release is The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis

When 13-year-old Amanda Sault and her annoying classmates are caught in a food fight at school, they're given a choice: suspension or yard duty. The decision is a no-brainer. Their two-week crash course in landscaping leads to the discovery of a weathered stone arch in the overgrown back yard. The arch isn't a forgotten lawn ornament but an ancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis.
Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers--legendary time travelers sworn to keep history safe from the evil Belial--Amanda and her classmates are sent on an adventure of a lifetime. Can they find the young Robin Hood and his merry band of teens? If they don't, then history itself may be turned upside down.

http://musapublishing.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=277
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/Last-Timekeepers-Arch-Atlantis-ebook/dp/B0084AKSP0/ref=la_B0084DUHJO_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337709376&sr=1-1

Have a look on my Facebook page for the bookcover of The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis: www.facebook.com/VonnieJHughes


19 comments:

  1. Hey, Vonnie, who you calling market savvy? Honestly, I've learned so much just being around all you awesome authors. Thank you for hosting me today on your blog! Now, it's time to promote this puppy! Cheers!

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  2. Wonderful advice, Sharon! Vonnie's right, you are savvy. Love your book and am looking forward to a sequel.:)

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    1. Wow, being called savvy from someone sassy is a shot in the arm, Sloane! Thanks! In edits for the second book now!

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  3. Good advice. Thank you for sharing. And that looks like a fun read.

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  4. Thank you for sharing the great advice, Sharon.

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  5. Sound advice. Thank you for telling us.
    Patti

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  6. Cheers, Lizzie and Patti! Thank you for your savvy support! Wink.

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  7. You are such an encourager and a well of wonderful information! Thanks so much for everything, Sharon!!!

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  8. Thanks for sharing some good advice. I'm always on the lookout for marketing tips.

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  9. Thanks for stopping by and supporting me, Arley, Nancy, and Coleen! I hope any of that advice helps boost your book sales! Cheers, gals!

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  10. Excellent advice, thanks so much. I have my debut book coming out in February so this is wonderful information.

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  11. Thanks Sharon - I've learnt a lot from your sharings!

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  12. Great advice, Sharon, and you definitely walk the walk.

    Great to hear you're in edits for book 2 ---WOOHOO!

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  13. Great advice Sharon - thank you!

    Adina
    xx

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    1. Great advice. I tend to put myself last, but I'v been trying to get up and move more. I do your idea with the laundry. Put in a load and your lifting. When it stops you lift some more, plus your bending. It gets me away from the computer for a minute or two. I also hang out clothes.

      I mowed the lawn this past week and it took me three days, because the weeds were so tall. *sigh* But at least I was moving and burning up calories.

      Janice~

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