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Monday, November 1, 2010

Are You Marketing Just Your Book or Yourself Too? by GAP Author Donna McDine



Since signing my first book contract with Guardian Angel Publishing, February 2008, I have read time and time again that the marketing of your book begins well before publication. Profound statement and right on the mark. Don’t miss another important aspect. You need to pair your book marketing with marketing YOU the author. Do not become a wall flower and only peel yourself from the wall when you want to position and sell your book.

Active membership in a writing community is essential, both online and in-person. Start out slow and don’t give in to joining too many groups. Being an active participant in one or two communities is much better than joining five plus and the members hardly or never hear from you. Start out by introducing yourself and then respond to fellow members posts constructively. Never attack or bash. Remember what mom always said, “Treat others how you want to be treated.” With respect, correct?

When a fellow member seeks advice on a particular topic and you have experience to offer, share what worked for you and what didn’t. The conversation ease is set from the get-go when fellow members sense you are not here just for your book, but to partake in an exchange of information. A trust naturally develops over time as you converse, cheer members successes, and encouraging even louder when a rejection is received. Relationships forged in this manner are usually a win-win outcome for all involved. Over time you will begin to wonder how you made through it the publishing roller coaster ride without them.

Go ahead put yourself out there and connect with fellow writers. You were brave enough to submit your manuscript to the publishing Gods so this should be a snap. Most of all have fun and make new friends.

Donna McDine is an award-winning children's author, Honorable Mention in the 77th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition and two Honorable Mentions in the 78th Annual Writer’s Digest Writing Competition. Donna’s stories and features have been published in many print and online publications, and her first book, The Golden Pathway, will be published through Guardian Angel Publishing. Ms. McDine is a member of the SCBWI, Musing Our Children, and The National Writing for Children Center. Learn more about Donna at http://www.donnamcdine.com/ if you sign the guestbook, you’ll receive a FREE e-Book Write What Inspires You: Author Interviews, and http://www.donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/ and http://www.thegoldenpathway.blogspot.com/.

18 comments:

Donna McDine said...

Hi Cheryl:

I'm delighted to be here today and I look forward to checking in throughout the day to interact with visitors.

Best wishes,
Donna
Children’s Author
Write What Inspires You Blog
The Golden Pathway Story book Blog
Donna M. McDine’s Website
Don't have time to write and post your media releases? Contact: Dynamic Media Release Services

Suzanne Lieurance said...

Hey, Donna,

Great tips. I also always recommend that authors get their own domain names (suzannelieurance.com is mine, for example) immediately and use them for their author sites. Most people who look for your book online will google your name to see if you have a website. And they EXPECT to see a website if you're a serious author.

Happy writing!

J.Q. Rose said...

A writer can pick up so much information when interacting with writers groups. It's fun to get together and share info, giggle, and share cyber chocolate!!

Janet Ann Collins said...

Groups like that don't only help with marketing. Writers are communicators but writing is a solitary business so it helps us in many ways to have contact with each other. Thanks for the good advice, Donna.

T. Forehand said...

Great tips and so much to learn for the new writer. Thanks for sharing.

Terri
http://terri-forehand.blogspot.com
http://familiesmatter2us.blogspot.com

Karen Cioffi said...

Donna, what great points. It's always wise to try and be helpful along with benefiting from your groups, and other social media. From personal experience I've seen amazing things happen from paying it forward.

max said...

Good Post, Donna

In addition to promotion of my published books, I write articles about boys and reading, struggling readers, reluctant readers, mentoring, and related subjects. My blog, Books for Boys http://booksandboys.blogspot.com , carries some of these same themes. The blog targets parents, teachers and other adults.

In addition, I speak in schools, to audiences of the age group I'm writing for; readers 8 - 13.

It's important to reach out in many forms, in order to attract more readers to your books.

Books For Boys Blog

Donna McDine said...

Hello one and all:

Thank you for stopping by and sharing your insights.

Suzanne, a website with your name is essential.

Max, yes article writing is very important too. It certaily builds one platform.

Yum, cyber chocolate without the calories!!

Best wishes,
Donna

Magic Carpet of 16x Books said...

Lots of excellent advice and extra information, Donna. Thank you.

Books for Kids-Manuscript Critiques
http://www.margotfinke.com

Nicole weaver said...

Hi Donna,

What great tips! Thanks for sharing.
Nicole Weaver
http://nicole-weaver.com

Mary Stebbins Taitt said...

Love those tips! :-D :-D

Thanks

Kit said...

great stuff Donna,
Thanks
Kit Grady

Unknown said...

Thanks for your words of wisdom, Donna. You practice what you preach. You're always helpful.

I pay it forward with a free monthly newsletter that demonstrates my expertise to teachers who use lots of books in the classroom.

I, too enjoy the fellowship. I would love to see you guys someday!

Cynthia Reeg said...

Well said, Donna!
Thanks.

Donna McDine said...

Margo, Nicole, Mary, Kitt, Kathy, and Cynthia:

Thanks for stopping by and for your support. Our cyberspace connections make it all worth the while.

Kathy, great newsletter!

Best wishes,
Donna

Beth Reinke said...

You mentioned that most writers have fun and make new friends while marketing. I'm honored to count you, Donna, among the new friends I have made this way. :o) Great tips.

NancyCL said...

Great advice, Donna!

Connie Arnold said...

Thanks for sharing the great advice, Donna! It's great to connect with others online, share with and support each other. I'm glad to have met you that way even before meeting you in person!


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LAST PAGE IN THE DIARY
LEARNING YOUR ANIMAL ABCs WITH PROFESSOR HOOT
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NOTHING STOPS NOAH
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PRESTON, THE NOT-SO-PERFECT PIG
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