Why Your Book Promotion Is Serious Business

Happy Friday, everyone! I hope you all got out to enjoy the mild temperature today. It was windy but all good, wasn’t it? I haven’t been writing so much this week because I’m focused on researching resources that will help me promote and garner reader interest and sales for Unleash Your Pearls, my empowerment book for women. But, don’t think I’m keeping what I’ve learned to myself; I don’t operate that way, unless ice cream is involved, doncha know 🙂

It’s interesting to note that according to The United Nation Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization or (UNESCO), there are currently 345,766 new book titles this year, a jump from the reported 328,259 titles in 2010. You might be asking yourself, what does this have to do with me? Well, everything, if you are a writer intent upon becoming a published author. Trust and believe when you transition from writer to author and now, business owner? You will want to know all stats pertaining to your book, including promotion and capacity for making sales amid the competitive onslaught of new authors in your genre.

I co-authored a relationship book, Essence of Romance, with a friend and colleague in 2015. We have been doing marketing and promotions for the book via different avenues, collectively and individually, depending upon where our strengths and weaknesses lie.  At intervals we do little comparison talk to share notes on how our collaboration is faring and also plan our next strategic move for the book’s exposure. Essence has a wealth of valuable information inside and reap increments of profit at times, but not nearly enough to cry “Eureka!”

The debate arises for all published authors on how and where topromote our books and possibly rack up enough sales to see us through to the next book or at least garner an honorable mention on that elusive bestsellers list.

Some of the obvious sites to promote your books includes social media… facebook, twitter, pinterest, good-reads and LinkedIn, where you can use your networking skills to ask for, and offer book reviews, blog tours and author interviews via writer/author interchange in a collaborative effort to promote your book.

Mark Coker, founder of Smash-words, wrote the 2015 Book Publishing Industry Predictions where he gave authors plenty of writing, book publishing and book promotion advice. This was the stand out gem for me, however, I feel that as a relatively new author,  and with an upcoming book to launch, my book promotion has to be serious business.

“Many authors spend too much time on marketing and social media when they should be spending more time writing. An author’s best marketing is a book that markets itself. If an author’s book isn’t sparking enthusiastic word of mouth without marketing, then no amount of marketing will make it a bestseller.” Mark Coker

There’s a wealth of book promotion advice by way of articles, bestselling author interviews, seminars, LinkedIn groups and publishing newsletters & periodicals. Here are four popular sites offering how to~ to promoting and marketing your book :

https://www.bublish.com/blog/

http://ariionkathleenbrindley.com/5books.shtml

http://www.yourwriterplatform.com/promote-and-market-your-book/

http://writetodone.com/10-ways-promote-your-book/

https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/33825-how-to-promote-your-book-on-amazon

PS~

There will be more talking points in an upcoming post on how to rock your book promotion, along with guest insights on why new authors might not feel the book purchasing love from colleagues/cohorts and other writers in their tribe. If you want to weigh in on this enlightening conversation, send your thoughts to clarawriter@att.net with “book purchasing love” in subject.

For more of Mark Coker book publishing insights, follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter/com/mark coker. If you haven’t heard Evelyn Cogdell’s interview on RARE Woman, go here: http://www.ubnradio.com/

Next week, Clara’s Writers Blog will be participating in Joel Christian Gill’s Graphic Novel Blog Tour for Black History Month. Come on back for this awesome honor!

Was this post helpful ?  When should you start promoting your book, before or after publication? Appreciate your comments.

Sharing News From The Writer’s Blog

Good morning, creatives! I hope everyone have a productive day today, along with a fantastic weekend!

I am excited to share my debut “Celebrity Dish” column appearing  in the March issue of Urban Images Magazine. You can read my in depth interview with actor Lyriq Bent about his leading role in The Book of Negroes here:  http://urbanimagemagazine.com/mag-library/

I’m also sharing a recent interview, my colleague, Evelyn Cogdell and I did to promote our book collaboration, Essence of Romance, a relationship guide for singles and couples. 

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dub-wyze-talk/2015/03/03/dub-wyze-talk-with-eve-cogdell-and-clara-freeman

Alas, my productivity cup needs a refill, so I’ll be taking the remainder of March off from the writer’s blog.

I’m so feeling the blog love and camaraderie from all of you… Know that I got ya!

Peace, blessings and always remember to treat yourself  special.

5 Benefits of Writer Collaborations

Happy Friday, writers and all creatives! I hope you all have a relaxing and stress free weekend. I’m looking forward to a bit of ‘me’ time to reflect upon personal and professional challenges of the last months. I’m also giving thanks for having achieved success in completion of Essence Of Romance, a relationship guide that I signed on to write as co-author with my friend and colleague, Evelyn Cogdell last summer.

I am so excited about the outcome of our book collaboration, that I decided to share five great benefits of doing this project with Evelyn, that will benefit, not only me, but some of you on your solo writing venture.

1. Deciding to accept the offer to work on Essence, actually freed me from the perils of procrastination that I was experiencing with my works in progress.  It’s oftentimes difficult to put those great scenarios in your head onto a blank page. My work was starting to feel forced, but working on the book with Evelyn helped to free my creative juices from captivity.

2. It was good working with another writer with a common goal. In this instance, we shared our personal experiences and expert wisdom’s from 4 decades of dating  and relationship issues that comes from ‘having been there and done that’. There’s discussion on how to recognize red flags…how to going from being bitter from lost relationship, to forming better, lasting, loving and equally yoked relationships.

3. Being a co-writer strengthened my writing technique through positive feedback and helpful critique. Writing with Evelyn also allowed us to recognize our individual strengths and weaknesses and allowed us to mesh our strong points to deliver a better client product.

4. Collaborating on the project was actually fun and I wasn’t intimidated by research and tedious fact checking. The articles in the book are based on fact and statistical data, along with personal stories and experiences that aids women and men by providing food for thought and pro-active steps to  a better relationship outcome.

5. Since Essence of Romance  became available for purchase in January, the author has been making book appearances at local libraries, churches and other offline outlets.  Recently we appeared to talk about the book as guests on the Judah Stallworth’s  blog-talk radio station.

This is what the host said about our book:  “eye had a blast with your book’s energy!  thankh you!” He invited us back on the show.

Here’s the link to our ESSENCE interview.  http://www.blogtalkradio.com/dub-wyze-talk/2015/03/03/dub-wyze-talk-with-eve-cogdell-and-clara-freeman

Collaborating with another writer frees you up to regains your writing mojo and also allows you to examine your weaknesses and strengths. It’s also introduces you to a whole new audience.

These are authors who recently co wrote and completed their books.

Evette Collins and Yvonne Randle , The Secret  To Creating Loving Relationships.

Michelle Duster and Trina Sotera, Shifts; An anthology of Women Growth through change.

Have you collaborated on a book? Feel free to share your experiences.

“Always treat yourself special.”