This past year I held over 35 Cup of Comfort book signing events in churches, bookstores, and at work. What a learning experience.
In 2007 my author friends, Tara Rye and Audrey Hebbert joined me at Parables for a book signing. Then Audrey and I were invited to Barnes and Nobles. We sold 7 books in 2 hours and built a good relationship with the sales staff.
At the close of the signing the sales rep thanked us and said, “We’ll sell all of these before Mother’s Day. Easy sell.”
Didn’t she intend to order more books after Mother’s Day? Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers is designed to use all year.
I couldn't take a chance on no more promos. “I’m promoting Coffee Capers for the summer.” I opened the book to show the rep the layout design. “What about inviting people to learn about the mystery of being an author?” I kept talking, pitching ideas for future book signings.
“Call me, I like the idea,” the rep said. “Let’s talk.”
Lesson learned teach the rep how to market beyond the title, beyond the promo pitch, beyond that particular book.
It appears to me, when you write an article for a magazine or a SS handout, it leaves your desk and your job is done. When you write a story for an anthology, the author becomes a part of the marketing team. Develop a pitch. Think outside the "Comfort Cup" or is that, "Cup of Comfort?"
In 2007 my author friends, Tara Rye and Audrey Hebbert joined me at Parables for a book signing. Then Audrey and I were invited to Barnes and Nobles. We sold 7 books in 2 hours and built a good relationship with the sales staff.
At the close of the signing the sales rep thanked us and said, “We’ll sell all of these before Mother’s Day. Easy sell.”
Didn’t she intend to order more books after Mother’s Day? Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers is designed to use all year.
I couldn't take a chance on no more promos. “I’m promoting Coffee Capers for the summer.” I opened the book to show the rep the layout design. “What about inviting people to learn about the mystery of being an author?” I kept talking, pitching ideas for future book signings.
“Call me, I like the idea,” the rep said. “Let’s talk.”
Lesson learned teach the rep how to market beyond the title, beyond the promo pitch, beyond that particular book.
It appears to me, when you write an article for a magazine or a SS handout, it leaves your desk and your job is done. When you write a story for an anthology, the author becomes a part of the marketing team. Develop a pitch. Think outside the "Comfort Cup" or is that, "Cup of Comfort?"
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1 comment:
Those COC signing memories were good, and now we have COC Women of the Bible! And we can pitch our other books, too, while we're there.
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