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Wordsowers Monthly Meeting
Marketing Q & A with Patricia Durgin
April 22nd 7:00-8:00 pm (Central Time)

Please join us for a special question and answer session with Marketers on a Mission‘s Patricia Durgin. Patricia specializes in marketing Jesus’ way, messaging, and building a loyal following through service.

Amazon sold its first book back in 1995. That was the year Patricia Durgin began studying online marketing. Since then, she’s invested thousands of dollars to learn from leaders in the field, and countless hours adapting those principles for Christian writers and speakers.

Online marketing is a confusing tangle of technology and messaging. Patricia helps Christian communicators cut a straight path, so they can escape the maze and fulfill their calling, which is to reach more people for Christ.

Patricia delivered 505 60-minute programs as the host of Marketers On A Mission, a program for Christian writers and speakers, until Christ placed it on indefinite hiatus. She continues to serve
1) as the Admin of the private Facebook group Marketers On A Mission ENGAGE;
2) as a faculty member at many Christian writers and speakers conferences across the country;
3) through The Encourager, a weekly devotion, and;
4) via private coaching sessions.

Patricia and her husband live near Atlanta. Their two daughters are children’s pastors and their two sons-in-law are youth pastors. Their four grandchildren are a delight, and their two pups, Lucy and Linus, rule the roost at home.

Please join our private FB group if you would like to be a part of this informative meeting.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/261653995038722/

For the health and safety of our Wordsowers family we’ll continue meeting on Zoom.

Author Miranda Sherman

Author and speaker Miranda Sherman says, “Writing a book is all fun and games but what you do after is key. Learn what’s important in marketing yourself and your book after it’s in print. Miranda Sherman is the author of two books, “The Mighty Fork; Healing Your Mind and Body with Food” (now in its 2nd edition) and “The Mighty Fork Student Workbook.”

Miranda is a popular speaker, teaches classes on an ongoing basis to audiences young and old, blogs, manages her website, and is constantly looking for new ways to get her message out that food can heal you. She’s currently working on her 3rd book about the importance of traditions.

photo credit: Free Digital Photos //Stuart Miles
photo credit: Free Digital Photos //Stuart Miles

When deciding which social media to use, ask yourself, “Who and where is my audience?”
If your audience is 20 something, don’t hang out at an AARP forum. Determine what kinds of things your audience enjoys and be a part of it.
What is your purpose? Each Social Media platform (Twitter, Facebook, blog, Google+) has its strengths and purposes. Do a bit of research and see which fits with your needs.
Where are you already? Don’t get caught up in doing it all. Not everything will be a fit. Are you already online? Start where you are. Build it up. Keep adding as you discover those places that are a fit for your message and your audience.
What do you enjoy? If you get a profile on Twitter, but hate it, you aren’t as likely to use it. Its better to have no profile there than an unused one. Your fans will want to see you active. Give a new spot a try, but don’t bang your head against the wall if its not working for you.
Remember from last week: your platform must be sustainable. It must work with your life if you’re going to maintain it.
Do you have a platform or marketing question you would like answered?
~ ~ ~
Writing Prompt:
The following paragraph is wordy! And pretty boring (serves the purpose of this exercise). Two challenges:
1) Tighten up the word count. Right now its at 60.
2) Give it some zing. Some interest.
Have fun! Leave a comment and let us know your new word count for challenge #1.
They went down to the store where there was a guy working that had sold them a broken toaster. They needed a toaster so bad because they didn’t have an oven, so they needed to get their money back. Then they would go and get one at a different store where their neighbor told them a sale was going on.
Resource Suggestion: JeffGoines
 “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison

Only 2 people showed up at my book signing. At the craft fair, only a handful stopped by my table. At my first book signing at a store I sold 7 books.

It’s easy to wonder if it was worth my time. Did it really make a dent in my marketing?
At the first event I mentioned I shared chocolates and chit chat. I gave away free homemade beaded bookmarks. I shared about my writing journey and answered questions. We laughed and created some memories. I connected with my readers.
I arrived early and met the author who had an event prior to mine. She bought my book and I bought hers. We traded contact information for a possible future guest blog post.
One of my other guests took a stack of bookmarks to place in her church library. She also planned to check with them about carrying my book. She took my contact info because she is part of a group that occasionally needs speakers.
The third guest was a friend and fellow writer. She had already read my book, but bought another one for someone else and talked to me about my donating a copy of my book for a worthy cause.   
Before the event started, I passed out invitations to around 100 people. I invited everyone I knew through my social media. The bookstore had it up on their FB page as well as a listing in the local book news spot of our Sunday paper.
My 2 new friends signed up for my newsletter. One was already signed up.
Even with only 2 guests, was my event a success? You bet. Here are 5 questions I use to determine if an event was worth my time.
·         Did I connect with my readers? Was I generous and kind to them?        Did we have fun and make memories?
·         Have more people heard about me and my book through this                event and the advertising for it?
·         Did I sell anything? Even if it’s only one person who likes my                  book, they can make a big difference sharing with their friends.
·         Did my email list grow?
·         Did my contact information make it into more hands?
It’s important in the process of building our platform,that we don’t forget the face to face moments.
Have you had a successful author event?

How did you determine if your event was worth your time? 
Angela D. Meyer, author of Where Hope Starts, lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of more than 23 years. She homeschools their daughter and recently graduated their son, who is now a Marine. She loves God and her family. She enjoys good stories and connecting with friends. Someday she wants to ride in a hot air balloon and vacation by the sea. 
Connect with Angela on her website or on Facebook. Sign up for her newsletter here. 
You’ve worked hard to build your online presence. You also have to step outside and meet your future readers face to face. Enter author events. These range from speaking engagements to craft fairs, library events and everything in between. Be creative. Go where your readers are.

At your event, you need to set up a display that gives your readers an opportunity to meet you, buy your book, and sends them home with something in hand that will tell them how to connect with you afterwards even if they don’t buy your book. You also want to use this event to build your contact list.

Your display should convey something about you and your book(s). If your writing is humorous or playful, let your display have that same feel. If it’s a Victorian or fantasy setting, your display should have that feel. It should be professional and well organized in its appearance. Make it something they will remember.

I didn’t know what to expect at my first event and took too much stuff. Afterwards, I decided I needed to carry everything I needed by myself in one trip. After the second event, I decided I didn’t want to reinvent the wheel every time I needed to pull together supplies for an event.

I created my event-in-a-box. One plastic tub filled with everything I’ll need except my books, banner and poster. These are too big to fit. The week before my event, I double check my supplies for anything I need to buy then load up my large bag and my box on wheels and I’m good to go.

Here are 10 things you need to take with you to your author event:

Table coverings. I have had large spaces and small spaces to cover, so I have more than one table cloth to choose from. I like to have a more elegant look and my table covering reflects that.

Decorations. A poster of my book with a stand to sit it in.  I like to add my Willow Tree figurine of husband and wife standing together. (these are things I have displayed in my home so although I could add these to the box, I don’t). The poster stand I use is a display stand for a plate or some other decoration. Add touches that give people an idea about who your are and what your writing is about.

Informational posters and stands. I have an informational poster that nicely displays the cost of my book. I also have one with information about my newsletter. I slide these into a plastic display stand. They look so much better if you type them on your computer instead of handwriting them. You may have different posters you use for different events. If you make a new one, keep it, you may use it again. I keep these in a folder so they won’t bend.
Sign up forms and clip board. Events are a great place to have people sign up for your newsletter. Maybe you’re having a giveaway and need entry forms. This helps to build your contact list so have something to offer in exchange for their information.
Pens. Be prepared for people to walk off with these – bring plenty of extras.
Contact information and marketing material. People like to take something with them. Have plenty of bookmarks and business cards. I have been to book events where other authors have NO contact info. Don’t even think about going to an event without some way of letting people know how to contact you/follow you.
Your book(s) and pens to sign. It’s hard to tell with books how many you will need. Be prepared with a few more than you think you will need and a way for people to order one if you run out. Don’t put too many up on your table at once. It will make it look cluttered. If you have a special color pen you like to sign with – I use purple-have more than one on hand.
Giveaway. I like to give a nice handmade bookmark to everyone who buys a book. If it is a small event, I will give one to everyone who comes. I also have chocolates to offer my future readers when they stop by my table. After using a glass dish several times, I have landed on using a basket to put mine in.Readers will remember your generosity and helpfulness. Is there something small you can give to your readers?

Cash to give change and (if possible) a way to take credit card payment. I also like to keep receipts for myself for tax purposes.

Snacks and water. I always add these to my bag– especially if I’m going to be by myself and don’t have any idea what will be available. Also gum or mints: I don’t want to visit with new readers with stinky breath.

Not everything goes with me every time, but I’m ready if I need it.

When I load up, I use a fabric hobby tote to keep my small items- pens, candy, bookmarks, business cards, and such – organized inside my bag. I have a large bag if I need more than will fit in my box on wheels and it sits nicely on top. If you use a box on wheels, you need a liner of sorts to protect your things from whatever may splash up from the ground.
As you do your face to face marketing, have you discovered a tip or useful item to have at events?
Why start now?I don’t even have a book written.

Whether you self-publish or publish traditionally, you need an audience to read your book. That’s what building a platform is all about. For the most effective book launch, you want that audience built ahead of time.

When approaching publishers and agents, that is one key element they will look for.

For myself, involvement with social media was limited prior to my contract and the learning curve for building a platform took away from actual connection time with people as well as creative time to write my content.

How do I start without getting overwhelmed?
  • Keep it simple.Choose one social media venue at a time. Take time to learn the ins and outs before you add more.
  • Supply quality content, one blog post at a time. Don’t worry about offering the same amount of content as an established blogger. But keep your promises. If you promise to blog once a month or once a week, do so. People don’t like to follow links to dead ends. They want to discover what you do. Show them.
  • Focus on making connections. How would you connect face to face? Keep it real in your interactions. Be helpful, not just self-promotional. Visit other blogs and Facebook pages and comment. Join online writing groups and participate.
Think of everything you do online as a piece of the puzzle. You are building your reputation or brand as a writer. Your brand is what people come to expect from you. What you write about, how you write about it and what you do with it.
Action: Do you have a FB fan page? If not, start one (link back to previous FB article). This is a great place to learn how to interact with your audience. And if you’re not ready to start posting on a regular basis to a blog or feel overwhelmed at the thought, this is perfect. You can still share content – in bit size pieces.

Here are two previous posts about using Facebook to help you get started: Building a Platform Part 1  and  Building a Platform Part 2

“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king;
My tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.” Psalm 45:1

Do not expect the customer service rep to think OUTSIDE THE CUP.

When I received notice an anthology, “Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers,” with articles from Audrey and me, was ready to ship, I started calling bookstores and churches. I learned right away it’s easier if there are two smiling salesladies at the table to autograph.

My author friend Audrey and I arranged several book events together. Audrey brought the candies, “Hugs and Kisses.” We stood at a table right inside the door pedaling books and of course, free candies. I’m not sure if our smiles or the candies got more attention, but we did sell books and we built a good relationship with the sales staff.

At the close of the signing a customer service rep thanked us and said, “We’ll sell all of these before Mother’s Day. Easy sell.”

“But this book isn’t just for Mother’s Day,” I said. “This is a book for the year. I’m holding tea parties this summer and I’m promoting Coffee Capers. You know a time when you have a great book event, invite people to learn about the mystery of being an author—Audrey and I can share our story…” I kept talking and talked her into another book event later in the summer.

Lesson learned: Teach the customer service rep how to market beyond the title, beyond the promo pitch, beyond that particular book.

Still Lionhearted, Kat