Tips for Marketing Books

In today's publishing world, whether or not an author self-publishes, promoting and marketing usually falls to the author. It is a crucial part of the process and cannot be ignored if the author wants to sell many books. Of course, a social media presence is almost required, and publishers usually do require it. However, this social media presence shouldn't just be book ads. Authors need to establish themselves as serious, professional writers who are knowledgable about the area in which they write. They need to be friendly and present themselves well. 

Besides the usual publicity markets with websites, newsletters, social media, and giveaways or sales, look for other creative ways to get the word out about your books. Here are some ideas I've used:

• Do radio interviews. I have done three in the four years I've been publishing, and I find them easy and most helpful.

• Guest blog or allow bloggers to feature you. These have been one of the best ways I've found to increase sales.

• Contact newspapers. Many are eager to feature local authors, especially if they have a weekly arts and entertainment section.

• I write an article for a magazine in exchange for an ad in their magazine. This has gotten me a lot of name recognition and even some direct sales. You might also look for other creative ways to promote and market.

• If you go to conferences or events that allow for book sales, be sure to take yours and participate. This will broaden your fan base.

• Be available for speaking engagements, whether it's for book clubs, civic organizations, churches, conferences, schools, etc. I've always found these to be very beneficial.

• If you have themed books, even in fiction (for example, the Civil War or the Appalachian Mountains) look for festivals or events dealing with that where you could set up a booth and sell your books. 

• And have fun with the marketing. It can be about meeting people, making new friends, and establishing connections. In the meantime, you'll notice your sales are growing too.

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Two Connected Events

On July 29th in 1588 and 1603, two connected events took place that affected English and American history. In 1588, the Spanish Armada was sighted off the coast of England. This didn't come as a huge surprise, because it had been rumored and feared for years. In fact, when John White arrived back in England to get supplies and return to the Roanoke colonists in Virginia (or what is now North Carolina), Queen Elizabeth wouldn't let him leave. She needed every available ship to protect the English coast against the Spanish threat.

After the larger Spanish ships were defeated by the lighter British ships in a storm, White managed to return to Roanoke in 1590 to find the colonists missing, including his daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughter. His granddaughter, Virginia Dare, was the first English child born in the New World. The word "Croatoan" had been carved on a post. This was the name of a nearby island (likely Hatteras) and an Indian group in the area. No sign was found of them on the island.

Three years later, in 1603, another expedition tried to find information about this lost colony. They landed in the Chesapeake Bay but ran into trouble with the Indians there. Bartholomew Gilbert, a relative of the ship's captain, was killed on July 29th. Four years later, the first permanent English colony would be established here at Jamestown. However, people have been looking for clues to what happened to the Lost Colony ever since.

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Willing to Be Used

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert (Acts 8:26).

Stoning of Stephen

Philip lived during the time of severe Christian persecution that came after Stephen was martyred. Conditions had gotten so bad in Jerusalem that many Christians left the city. Philip went to Samaria, but he hadn’t gone into hiding. He still preached of Jesus, and his ministry was going strong. When the angel appeared to Philip and told him to go to Gaza, he didn’t hesitate. He went. Philip didn’t feel he had to understand what God wanted. He just had to obey. He dropped whatever he was doing, whatever plans he had for his ministry, and went to do God’s bidding. What some might have seen as an interruption, Philip saw as an opportunity. He had no idea what awaited. He was just following God one step at a time.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candance queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship (Acts 8:27).

What he found was a slow-moving chariot meandering up the road with an African man reading inside. Apparently, this Ethiopian official had become fascinated with the Jewish religion and had taken a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to learn more. He was a God-fearing Gentile, but he hadn't fully converted because he didn’t understand. The eunuch was reading in the book of Isaiah about the prophecy of the Messiah. Philip seizes the opportunity and asks him if he understands what he is reading. He indicated he didn’t and invited Philip into his chariot where the disciple began explaining about Jesus and shared the gospel, which the Ethiopian eagerly accepted.

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him (Acts 8:30-31).

God honors our obedience and willingness and will open doors for us. When our hearts are prepared under His Lordship, He will give us the words to say when we need them. The Ethiopian accepted Christ in faith. Who knows how many people he led to the Lord when he got home or how they may have reached out to others? And it all started with one man’s obedience to go. God also sends opportunities our way. Many people around us have questions about life, the Bible, and a relationship with God. They need someone to explain. Trust in God’s Word to have the power and His Spirit to guide us. We shouldn't rely on ourselves.

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Give Your Best Book Away

Authors and sometimes publishers are good about promoting books by offering them for free. In fact, I have over 5,000 inspirational books I've gotten without cost in my 6,000-book kindle library - so many that I would never need another book. Yet, they just keep coming.

Too often, however, authors give away their low-selling, least popular books. If they run the promotion to gain new readers, this is the wrong way to go about it. They should be offering their best books to show readers what an accomplished author they are. Otherwise, a reader is likely to judge all their books based on the most poorly written one.

As an author, my books have occasionally been on sale at reduced prices, but I've yet to offer one for free. Sometimes, I wonder if we aren't shooting ourselves in the foot by making so many available without cost and inhibiting sales, rather than increasing them. However, as a reader, I take advantage of free offers. The smart authors will promote their best books by offering them free, knowing this is the way to gain fans.

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National Hammock Day

July 22nd is National Hammock Day in the U.S. The hammock likely originated early in Central America where it kept people up off the dirt floors and away from creatures and things that crawl in the night. It also kept them cooler in the tropical climate. It didn't make its way to Europe until explorers carried it there in the 1600s. There, it didn't take long for sailors to begin using them on ships for their comfort and maximizing space.

The day comes in mid-summer in my part of the world, and that's a good time to enjoy the breezes flowing around. I will never forget the time I spent in the Yucatan, Mexico, in rooms without air conditioning. I chose to sleep in the hammock provided by the hotel, instead of the bed which held my body heat longer. I've never enjoyed a hammock more.

After swinging their way to far-reaching places, hammocks can be found in a variety of locations and circumstances today. Whether in a backyard, campground, beside a cabin, or stuffed in a backpack or vehicle, they are still traveling around. Some folks still use them for nightly sleep, and daredevils have been known to hang them in some precarious situations, like over a canyon or out a skyscraper. Wherever you hang yours, enjoy National Hammock Day.

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Heartfelt Prayer

Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not (Jeremiah 33:3).

Our prayer time should be a time of intimate connection with God. It was never meant to be a dutiful time of rotely praying, perhaps even using nearly the same prayer or list to aid us day after day. Lists in themselves or repetitive prayers aren't wrong, but any prayers we make should be heart-felt. There needs to be a sense of communicating with the Almighty God of the Universe, the Father who loves us beyond our understanding. We can let His Spirit be our guide.

John Walker once said, "We spend more prayer energy trying to keep sick Christians out of heaven than trying to keep lost people out of hell." Think about it. Do you or your church family spend more time praying for the sick and wanting to keep them on earth longer than in praying for lost souls? Do we even pray for the lost anymore?

If we think our prayers are boring, how must God feel? But if we open our hearts, begin with a spirit of worship and awe, and establish a special connection where we feel his presence strongly, our prayers will be satisfying and even exciting. We will crave more of this one-on-one time with our Maker. This kind of praying will change us, and our faith will soar on the wings of  growing faith and joy.

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Check Google

Authors, you should google yourself occasionally, and readers, you should google your favorite author. It's amazing what you can find. I do this about two or three times a year, and just recently, I see that Walmart has picked up most of my books to carry, and they discount them slightly. I didn't know.

This happened because I choose a wider distribution for the books I publish, even though that option pays almost nothing in royalties when compared to buying from me, Amazon, or similar online sites. I figure it's a way to gain readers and fans I might not have otherwise. My publishers take care of all distribution on the ones they publish, but theirs are also on Walmart's list.

In fact, I'm amazed at how many outlets for my books Google gives. It's also been interesting to see how this has grown over the few years I've been publishing. A well-known author friend once told me that the key to marketing success is to write and publish as many good books as possible. I've found this to be true. I wonder where I'll find my books next.

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The Rosetta Stone

Egyptian hieroglyphics

The Rosetta Stone was found by a French captain in the Egyptian village of Rosetta on July 15, 1799. The stone tablet became the key to unlocking and translating Egyptian hieroglyphics. It's inscribed with a decree in three different languages: Egyptian hieroglyphic writing, Demotic scripts (another language of Egypt), and ancient Greek.

The Rosetta Stone

The stone found is a large piece of the original, which may have had ornate carving at the top in the style of other similar messages and likely resembled a symmetrical tablet shape. It is believed to have been carved during the Hellenistic Period (323 BC - 31 BC) and displayed at a temple, perhaps at nearby Sais. The stone itself is composed of granodiorite stele, and the multi-lingual carving made it the first such work to become translatable. It garnered much attention from the public as well as experts in the field.

British Museum

After sitting on display at the temple, it was moved from its original location at some point. Years later it became part of building construction at Fort Julien in the Nile delta area. It was here that Pierre-Francois Bouchard found it during Napoleon's campaign in Egypt. It later came into the hands of the English and today resides at the British Museum in London.

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There Are Many Ways to Be a Missionary

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world (Matthew 28:19-20).

The Great Commission tells us to take the gospel into all the world. Obviously, not all Christians are called to move to another country to become a foreign missionary, but there are many ways to fulfill the Great Commission. Of course, we can witness and make disciples by talking to and developing relationships with those in our neighborhoods, co-workers, and people we come in contact with. But we can also support domestic and foreign missions and never leave home. Here are some ways:
1. Be a sender. These people financially support missionaries.
2. Be an intercessor. Become a prayer warrior for specific missionaries, as well as missionaries in general.
3. Be a mobilizer. Work to get others involved in the work of missions.
4. Be an assistant. Help missionaries and/or their team in practical ways with backup support. Many times this can be done via computer or technology.
5. Be a welcomer. Welcome others to church, your home, or to the family of God. People long to feel a sense of belonging.
6. Be a trainer. Help equip others in some aspect of mission work.
7. Be a goer. God does call some to go and serve away from home. It may be in another community, county, state, province, or country. Always heed God's call.
8. Be an encourager. Missionaries can use all the encouragement they can get, but so can anyone in God's service. Send emails, calls, cards, letters, packages, etc. You'll be surprised by how encouraging others encourages you.

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Characters on the Cover...or Not

For years, the trend has been to have the main character(s) on the cover of a book. Designers believed this appealed to and drew in more readers. Research has definitely proven that covers are critical in getting potential readers to take a closer look. An attractive cover will cause readers to pick a book, while an unattractive one will result in them passing it by.

In the last couple of years, however, publishers have developed another perspective. They wonder if showing a character's face might impede the reader envisioning the person in a way they find attractive, and perhaps it is better to leave facial features to the reader's imagination. This resulted in heads being cut off or showing the back view of a character.

Now, there seems to be a new trend of not showing a character at all. I don't have a personal preference from these three options, as long as the cover is attractive. No matter which is used, I will envision my own look for the characters from the written descriptions. But I find the choices people make for covers interesting, and I like the design aspect of publishing.

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Dunvegan Castle

Sitting atop a rock summit about 50 feet above sea level and located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, Dunvegan Castle is an impressive sight. Just a mile away is the village of Dunvegan. Many believe the site was originally a Norse fort, but the castle took its place in the 13th century. The present structure was built in about ten stages over the centuries. It is has been continuously occupied by the same family for around 800 years.

The castle has long been the stronghold of Clan MacLeod and is still the seat of the clan chief. The promontory was walled in the 1200s, and a four-story tower house appeared in the 14th century. The Fairy Tower was added as a separate building sometime around 1500, but later construction connected it to the main structure.

Inside, the castle is just as impressive as the outside. Artifacts from its history furnish the rooms, and touring these halls is truly a walk through history. Visitors can also take seal boat trips to Loch Dunvegan, a sea loch. For history lovers, a day at the castle is time well spent indeed. 

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Taking Prayer to Another Level

The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth (Psalm 145:18).

Prayer shouldn't be just a chore or a duty; it should be a joy. It's a chance to spend one-on-one time with God. What could be more satisfying or gratifying? It draws us closer to our Creator in an intimate, personal relationship that fills the empty spaces of our lives as nothing else can do.

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind (Matthew 22:37).

Can you recall a time when you finally got a chance to spend time alone with someone you loved? Can you remember how the time flew by as you talked and learned more about each other? How much more should this be true of our time with God? He should be the greatest love of our life. The Bible tells us we should love Him with all our hearts, our souls, and our minds.

Delight thyself also in the Lord...(Psalm 37:4a).

Set aside a special time in your day to spend some one-on-one time with your Lord. Open your heart, share yourself, and experience His presence. You should still pray impromptu prayers all through the day -- prayers of thanks and praise or of needs and requests. However, nothing can replace this scheduled meeting. I like what Daniel Henderson says in his book, Transforming Prayer. "One thing I know -- once you have tasted this kind of prayer experience, nothing else satisfies and everything else is seen in a new light." 

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Unfriend Me

Many of you may know that Amazon has gotten more aggressive to make sure no family or friends leave a review for an author's book. They even check who you're friends with on Facebook and other social media sites. I've had some of my own reviews not accepted because I was online friends with Pepper Basham, Tamara Lee, Marylu Tyndall, etc. I have also had some of the reviews for my books removed because fans had friended me, I accepted, and therefore Amazon would not accept their reviews of my books.

I can understand Amazon's intent, but as an author, I have nearly 3,000 friends on Facebook alone. I have never met most of them, and being friends on Facebook doesn't mean we are actual friends or even acquaintances. Having online friends is an entirely different matter, especially for 
public figures.

However, now, before I leave a book review, I check and unfriend the author if necessary. I am hoping my online friends will do the same. They can still keep up with me by liking my author's page, but it's better that we not be friends online. I need the reviews much more than I need another online friend. What a shame that it must be this way!

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Loch Ness

Loch Ness has long fascinated visitors and for more reasons than the strange creature who is reported to live in the lake. Located southwest of Inverness in the Scottish Highlands, it's been set in a picturesque location for ages. We took the backroads to get there, and the scenery was spectacular. The loch also boasts of several records, including the first person to swim its entire length. Brenda Sherratt accomplished this in 1966 in thirty-one hours and twenty-seven minutes.

Loch Ness is the second largest lake in Scotland in surface area, but it is the largest one in volume because of its depth. It contains more water than all the lakes of England and Wales combined. It originally contained nine species of fish, and two more have been introduced. It's also home to a Royal Navy Lifeboat Station manned by volunteers. 

The Loch Ness Monster, commonly known as "Nessie," is a cryptid, a large, unknown animal. Guides say that sonar has proven something is there but just not exactly what. Nessie first came to the world's notice in 1933, but photos from that first publicized sighting of Nessie were proven to be a hoax. Some of the other lakes in Scotland have similar stories of creatures. The earliest known sighting of such a monster came in the 6th century by an Irish monk, so most of them have been around through Medieval times.

On the day I visited Loch Ness, a damp, misty fog covered the area. This made it a typical day for Nessie sightings, but not such a good day for photography. Of course, I didn't see Nessie either. However, I did see the shack of the resident Nessie expert. He has made studying the lake and its "monster" his life's work. He sells souvenirs to tourist and takes donations to support his endeavor. He's nearly as interesting as the lake itself. A trip to Loch Ness is certainly worth the time. 

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