The Power of Social Media

Hello,

I never thought I would be so heavily involved in social media.  I have always valued my privacy and the thought of putting myself and business/book out into the world for all to see was definitely scary.  Scary or not....using social media for marketing and selling your book is vital.

While I am no social media pro yet, I have seen my efforts begin to "pay-off" both personally and for my book and business.  I began with  Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/PugStory, then Linkedin, this blog, and I recently joined Twitter; https://twitter.com/jfearheller.  Create profiles that will grab attention and be creative but honest. It requires a lot of work and some trial and error to keep your social media platforms updated, so make sure you have some fun while you are doing it.  If you are unsure about how some of these sites work consider reaching out to some local schools/colleges to find someone who can help you.

For example: On Twitter I began "following" and was then "followed" by some Pug and dog rescue groups who have ordered books from me and even invited me to their events....The Pug Rescue group invited us to sign and sell books at the Milwaukee Pug Festival later this month. Teaming up with the right people and groups will be essential as you share and sell your book.  I quickly learned that my book did not only appeal to parents buying it for their kids but for Pug and dog lovers too.

On Facebook I set up a personal page first.  I thought this would help me connect with people from my past and in my life now, and it did.  I began to re connect with people and let them know about Pug Story etc.  Seek out certain groups and or people that will reciprocate your efforts and help raise awareness about you and your book.

Linkedin is a great networking site.  I have worked with some wonderful people in all facets of my business with whom I connected. You can find just about anyone or anything you might need for your business on this platform and in return the right people can find you and learn more about your book.

Keep your posts, tweets etc. relevant and interesting.  Let people know who you are and what you are all about.  Make sure to use fun and appropriate pictures to illustrate and highlight you and your book.  Offer poignant tips and helpful information as you go so as not to simply promote yourself but truly offer your following something they might not have gotten anywhere else.

Social media can be a lucrative and wonderful sales vehicle if used properly.  The reach, exposure, and rapid sharing of information, for free I might add, far exceeds that of traditional marketing or advertising strategies.  There are webinars, seminars, literature etc. to help us understand how these platforms work and how we can make them work for us as self-published authors.  If you have a website, www.pugstory.com, make sure you link up all of your social media sites with it as one platform should funnel into the next ever so seamlessly.

Hopefully some of this was helpful but if you would like more detailed or specific information please contact me and let me know how I can help.

Dont forget to WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

JACI

Be back soon!

Hi All,

I am so very sorry I have not posted new information during the last few weeks.  I am pleased to say it is because Pug Story has been busier than ever at reading, events, and planning for upcoming events.

I so appreciate all of my viewers and promise to offer some helpful tips in my next entry on how to use social media as a cost effective and efficient way to reach your new market and get your book in the pipelines.

Coming soon so make sure to check back in the next few days and keep up the great work!

JACI

UPC and ISBN for your book

Hello,

Because this can be such a busy time for a newly self-published author I want to make sure the below details don't slip through the cracks as you begin talking to retailers.

• Obtain ISBN (International Standard Book Number)-- This is how retailers etc. can locate and verify your book. 
• Obtain UPC/bar code--this is how retailers can scan your product easily.
• List price of book

All 3 of these numbers must be combined on the sticker or embedded in the bottom right side of the back of the book or in the dust jacket, particularly for the big box stores.  Below are two great sites for information and obtaining the numbers you need.

http://www.isbnagency.com           Here is an example:
http://www.barcode-us.com

• Secure any appropriate trademarks and copyrights for your book and list them on one of the first interior pages.  Below are two great resources for learning about how to protect your IP (Intellectual Property)

http://www.copyright.gov/help/faq/faq-protect.html
http://www.uspto.gov/

If you have not embedded this info into the book you can still get a sticker from one of the above mentioned companies.  Next time I want to write about continuing to market your book and how to get it out there!  I will be starting another Kickstarter campaign soon to raise funds for book 2 in the Pug Story series, so I will be offering specific do's and don't about that process.  

I hope you all will continue to send me your thoughts, feedback, and stories.  I am here to help you on your journey in any way I can because I know that YOU CAN DO IT!

Don't forget to WRITE,WRITE,WRITE!  

Like I tell my kids at readings etc. 

ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!

JACI

Promote your book readings

Hi there,

Here is an example of a marketing material I am using to promote an upcoming reading.  As I mentioned in my last post make sure to cross promote yourself and the store.  You can send out e-mail blasts, social media alerts, and pass them out in person.

Set up book readings and signings

Hello,

Let's talk a bit about how to begin marketing your book.  Hopefully by now you have made some sales to your close circle of friends, family, and local shops etc.  This will give you some great feedback and the confidence to start setting up readings and signings.  Bonus:  You can sell signed copies when you do readings (unless the place you're reading at sells them).

Remember, when you are reading to kids and trying to keep them engaged you have to be outgoing,  comical, animated and get them involved when possible.  There is nothing more boring then someone who just blandly reads the book.  You can be sure to see some restless audience members.

Create and distribute marketing materials cross-promoting your reading and book title with the place you will be doing the reading.  Create a win-win, meaning your presence and reading will give you and the store more exposure.  Start by searching for places you think would be a good fit do to your reading.  Just pick up the phone or go in person and talk to the decision maker about doing a reading or fun event there.  Let them know you will be marketing on their behalf and that you will provide a unique and fun experience.  

Send the info for reading via your social media platforms, print appropriately sized marketing materials and hand them out, ask local stores to keep them at register etc. Get the word out there.

Get creative with how you read your book to kids. Kids love to laugh and be engaged so try to bring them into the story if you can.  It can be as simple as asking them to make sounds during certain parts of the book, clap their hands, yell whooohoo...anything that makes them feel included.  I promise once you have done your first reading you will never want to stop!

Check back soon for tips on how to get media coverage for your book and how to build a great social media platform.

Don't for to WRITE, WRITE, WRITE

JACI

Your first book sales

Hello,

Let's say you secured the appropriate financing and your book has been printed.  First of all.....I want to congratulate you on this major accomplishment.  I know it has been no easy task to get this far.  So, take a minute and remember that you did it!  Now it is time to sell your book and start making money.

A few entries back I wrote about creating your layers of supporters, backers, family and friends.  It is time to convert those people into your first customers.  I was thrilled to be able to deliver signed books to my backers who in many cases ended up ordering additional copies to give as gifts.  I started getting emails from people all over the country who had received the book as a gift and wanted to let me know they loved it!  I received this picture and a thank you from a family that got the book as a gift from a dear friend and backer of mine.  He even took it to show and tell!

I asked several shops I frequent and store owners I know if they would kindly display my book with cards in front.  I started making sales in places you might never think you would sell your book.  I quickly learned that in those places it is more of an impulse buy than a planned one.  Nonetheless, they are still sales and you are getting your book out there.

Set up a few readings to kick off your sales and overall awareness of you and your book.  This will help generate excitement about buying your book.  If it is interesting and people like it they will definitely tell their friends about you!

While these early and direct sales will hopefully cause a spike in your sales, you should also expect that to plateau.  When this happens you need to have a very definitive plan in place to diversify your sales and distribution channels.  But I will get into that in more detail in my next entries.

Don't forget to WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

JACI
 

Pug Story website is live

Good Morning,

I hope all of you had a great turkey day!  I will be giving some tips an helpful info on marketing your book in my next entry.  Since I have started this blog some of you have contacted me to say that now you too will be writing and self-publishing your own book....YOU CAN DO IT!!!!

I am proud to share our new and updated website with you: www.pugstory.com where you can purchase a copy of "Chloey's BIG Move" and learn more about the series and other fun info.  I am so thankful to those of you who have contacted me and hope you like the site and love the book!

And don't forget to just WRITE, WRITE, WRITE!

JACI