Now, that 'Where Can We Have The Party?' has been out about a year, I've had a few marketing experiences, and all of them were completely different from the other.
The first place I had a book reading at, I sold two books. You heard right. Two whole books! Why? Because marketing is work, a challenge, and the bottom line is that nobody knows you exist as an author. Also, you're going to make mistakes, and plenty of them along the way.
I did publicize it over Facebook and Hootsuite before that reading. I didn't have a sell sheet made up. That was a HUGE mistake! What I did have made up was a clumsily worded marketing sheet instead. I should've done my homework and written it up correctly and professionally. Lesson #1 learned. Always be professional in everything. Even in the wording of your sell sheet.
For my second book reading, I publicized my appearance. I really publicized it good! But, I went to my appearance unprepared. I didn't realize that sometimes everyone and there uncle, cousins, and neighbors come out. They did for that one and I didn't have enough books. Not only that, but I almost didn't have enough money to make change with. Let me digress for a minute.
Everything I've ever read in my Facebook groups (or anywhere else) said that most of the time no-one shows up for book readings. That's not so for all of them! I learned a hard, embarrassing lesson #2 at this reading. Take a page from the Boy Scouts: BE PREPARED. You never know how many are going to be there.
My third reading was a little better with fewer sells. Of course, I publicized, but not as many showed up. I was prepared. So was my illustrator (she likes to join in on the appearances. We even had hand-puppets and had a ball! There wasn't a lesson learned here, since I was prepared completely.
Last Saturday was my latest reading. I sold a whopping one book. I was prepared. Since my illustrator and I were in a book store, we didn't have to deal with money which was fine by me. I brought swag for the kids: a coloring page, party hats, and bookmarks. Emily and I were at Bradley's Book Outlet for 1 1/2 hours, and like I said we had a whopping, earth shattering one whole sale. Lesson #3 learned: Never count on alot of kids and their parents to show up. They just might do that as they did when I learned lesson #2.
Where will I be next? I have as much idea on this as you, but keep an eye on MY APPEARANCES page!
Right now, I'm trying to get more reviews for 'Where Can We Have The Party?' by writing to more book bloggers. Would you like to review it? I'm willing to be interviewed (text or video) or do a guest post for you. Just contact me at sasha1119 AT yahoo DOT com.
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