Cyn

You're an author! Announce it to the world!

 

Leave your card at restaurants, in those little luncheon jars (put your card here for a free drawing), everywhere you go, give one out.

 

This is really a great opportunity if you travel outside your community to spread the word about you and Aspen Mountain.

 

When people ask what you do, tell them you are an author, then hand them your card. Be friendly. Smile! According to a marketing book I read, well over 80% of customers don't return because of indifference on the part of the company (you).

 

If you have an eBook reader, a palm pilot, a pda...load books onto them...show people what eBooks are. Be ready to counter their arguments. Believe it or not, our best market is those that are 25-45 because they embrace new technology. Many just don't realize they can put books on these devices. If you don't have one, seriously consider such an investment. Why? Its hard to sell other people on the value of eBooks if you don't value it yourself.

 

You can get eBookwise readers on Amazon. I got mine for a little over $100, and its worth the investment. When people tell me they like the "feel" of a "real" book, I hand them my reader. It "feels" like a real book. Then when I show them the bookshelf and tell them I can easily carry 25 books around, can read without a light (the eBook reader has a lovely backlight), and that the battery life is incredible...I've done my job. I've made them aware, and gotten them interested in me as an author.

 

Couple that with the information I sent last night about selling better than three quarters of the print books that are available and you have another compelling argument for eBooks.

 

EBooks are the wave of the future. How do I know? Go to Fictionwise and see the "famous" authors whose books are available. NY print contracts are now asking for electronic rights (and still only paying 8-10%).

 

Your business card is a marketing opportunity for you. Use it generously. Think of your card as a mini-brochure-a small investment that holds the potential of a great return.

 

All selling of books, whether E or print, rely on the author and how they present themselves in real life to real people. I recently watched my friend, Lizzie T. Leaf in action at a book signing for her print book. She didn't sit behind a table, she was in front of it, approaching people with a smile, asking if they enjoyed romances and if they'd heard of hers. It was a beautiful thing to behold because Lizzie took a genuine interest in the people coming to the store. Lizzie later told me that at book signings a lot of managers are happy if the author sells 4-6 copies. They consider that a success...Lizzie more than doubled that and was asked to return.

 

That's how we have to be. If you don't want to say you write "erotica" you can say, I write historicals, mysteries, paranormal romance...and if you feel the need once they're interested add on ... they're hot. You'd be surprised at how many people say "that's okay"...amazing really.

 

Some of you write without the heat. That makes it all the much easier for you, imho. But even if you can't go into detail about your work, you can hand them your card ... try it, you may like it...and it will go on your pda. :)