I was watching Mike and Molly reruns the other day and I bumped into a real life scenario that I could relate to in the episode, “Buy the Book.” It was a refreshing contrast to zombies, murder, and scientific thrillers. Molly gets the first copy of her published book and is thrilled as a new mother holding her newborn for the very first time. Creating something from scratch and watching it take its first breath puts us as close as we are ever going to get to our own creator. That’s why it has such an intense effect on us.
Once that moment of euphoria is over, reality sets in and we remember that we must sell books because you did receive a sizeable advance from the publisher in expectation of you doing so. Even though Molly is thrilled to see her book in print, now comes the difficult task of trying to market it. If you are a new author and want to get a practical picture of what happens when you start to market your book, I would recommend you look at this episode.
Molly tried a couple of methods to market her book, signings and radio interviews. She faced the challenge that so many authors face in doing book signings without establishing an author’s platform. Her guests consisted of family and friends and most of them didn’t have a clue about the “why” for her book or its benefits. Their hearts were in the right place but their actions spoke volumes about their true intent. They’d rather be home in front of the Boob Tube enjoying a beer or a glass of wine. The moral of the story is do your reconnaissance before you set up a book signing. Promote, promote, promote and study the success of other authors who have come before you for innovative ideas to get warm interested bodies at your signing.
Molly was also scheduled for multiple radio interviews. It was obvious that some of the radio hosts weren’t particularly interested in her book or promoting her. Sometimes quality does surpass quantity. She was so exhausted from the many interviews that Mike had to fill in for her so she could get some rest. Molly could have eased her distress by finding opportunities that better suit her book genre’ and subject matter. That’s the audience that will most likely buy her book and enjoy it. And we know if someone enjoys a book they just might share it with a friend.
First-time authors, I suggest you take a look at this episode (105) of Mike and Molly. I actually recorded it for future reference and will play it for first-time authors who are my clients when they start considering marketing. Which should happen before you start to write the book, at least during the writing process and definitely before you finish your manuscript.
Until we meet again,
Happy Writing!
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Sharon C. Jenkins is a Senior Publishing Consultant with Ellechor Media, editor and the Inspirational Principal for The Master Communicator’s Writing Services. The Master Communicator’s writing services provides business communication services to authors, small businesses and non-profits. For more information about Sharon or to read some of her inspirational blogs on business and authorship, go to http://www.mcwritingservices.com.