Book Beat Babes

Book Beat Babes

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Marketing by Margot Justes

The magic of the ‘www’ has huge potential marketability, but it needs to be harnessed.

I write about travel, art, mayhem and romance, mostly romance. Many people are interested in travel, art and many read romance novels. How do I reach them?

I’m in the process of doing just that. I’ll be the first to admit I’m lousy at promotion, but have learned a bit.  I’ve read Joe Konrath’s blogs, and that man is supreme in marketing and sales.  He is a master, and because of his blogs I’m getting there....slowly.  

Another author that knows how to market is Kallypso Masters, she’s indie and a USA Today bestseller. The one thing both Joe and Kallypso have in common, is their willingness to help other authors. I have a new editor because of Kallypso Masters.

Blog tours are popular, posting on Twitter and FB, and all the other social media outlets is also recommended. Learning how to use the social media is crucial. Simply by reading Morgan Mandel’s blog on how to use Twitter, I’ve made some headway.

Starting a newsletter is also recommended, but you have to build up the subscribers, and don’t want to inundate them with too many posts. Word of mouth seems to be the magic bullet, but again, it has to start somewhere and spread. I have read that a contest with offers of a couple of free books works well too.

Most of the sales are on line for the majority of the midlist authors, it is safe to say that books should be priced accordingly; that means reasonably. Give the readers a chance to take a peek at your work.  I priced A Hotel in Paris at $1.99, and my new releases, A Hotel in Bath and Blood Art at $2.99. Less than a cup of coffee at Starbucks.  That’s my magic number.

I have advertised with Affaire de Coeur, and for Blood Art, I have a World Lit Promo scheduled for November 21st and 22nd.  I work with Melissa at www.AuthorRx.com
She is slowly helping me build my name recognition.  

This recognition process is slow and tortuous, patience is required. It’s like sending query letters and waiting an eternity for a response.  We’ll see what results I get in the next couple of weeks, but in the meantime it’s a learning experience.

Cheers,
Margot  Justes
A Hotel in Paris
A Hotel in Bath
Hot Crimes Cool Chicks
www.mjustes.com

 

5 comments:

  1. Marketing really is tricky. I know I've tried blog tours, but seem to reach other authors rather than straight readers with those. Plus, I have yet to figure out a sure-fire formula for gauging the success (as related to sales) of a tour for each book.

    I think you have the right idea of targeting people whose interests would match with the topics/themes of your books. Hmn? Maybe I'll have to search some rodeo sites for marketing ideas for my new book.

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  2. The marketing part of the business is tough, as if the rest wasn't. I agree with you, blog tours reach other authors, and take quite a bit of time.

    I'm sure there are plenty of rodeo sites, it would be fun to do a book signing at one. Maybe county fairs are a possibility too.

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  3. I'll have to check on Kallypso Masters. I'm unfamiliar with her work.

    Morgan Mandel

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  4. Margot: you are doing great! I would rather write than promote! And that's not good in this day. Good luck with your world lit promo.

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