The Power of Author-Networking
I am still a virgin in this in a sense, and learn more day by day, but as they say, we learn from our mistakes. Learning how to keep in contact with customers, and recording information about new customers; while not a new thing, can be difficult when all you want to do is write. And especially when self-publishing, it can take you beyond the customers of your family and friends. Also read my blog on "What I Learned at The Bronx Bookfair", for industry insight on how authors can sell their books.
The Power of People
People are our customers. I used to work for a woman that knew this power. She owned a non-profit agency, and she managed to amass a vast array of names, numbers, addresses, and organizational information. I learned a lot from her; things I am still practicing, and things I will share.
She realized that a meeting with anyone was a meeting with a potential client. People are everywhere, and marketing materials are expensive, time-consuming, and quickly outdated. When we were at a coffee shop, or on our way to an event, there were always people she would connect with in some manner, and regale what she was doing, and managed to get their information for future use. This is a great practice. It creates a database of names that can be used for a constant steam of information to be given.
I have realized that this is very important, because not only can you have an audience to tell about your book, you also have a network of word-of-mouth to spread the word about your book.
The Methods of Contact
Placing yourself in the midst of readers, writers, publishers, etc. is very important. It is a good idea not only to have your information - it is equally important you have a way of gathering someone’s information. Post notes, Index Cards, The Back of your Business Card...All are good places to exchange other people's information that you have a connection with.
The key is the connection: Are they a reader? Can they illustrate a book cover? Do they have a family member that published a book? Would they like a free copy of your book - just to give you feedback? These are ways of getting the word of your book out without a lot of expense. It is also a way to get your future book-buyers information too.
You have to be careful where you look for new "buyers". In the summer in many cities, there are Book Fairs, Festivals, Concerts, Carnivals, and Specialty Events (Leather, Fashion, Technology, Health...etc.), and normally they all have booths where books are being sold. They have someone there that may be of help in getting you a booth, or assisting you in publishing or displaying your work. Even if you don't plan to use their talents now, you never know when you might. This is the key - you never really know when a name will be valuable. Just try to gather it - while of course exchanging yours.
Recording the Information:
This is a tough thing to follow. But recording, and documenting names and information can be a chore (it was my job when working for this non-profit client). It takes time to not only record information, but to respond to it in a certain time. I found it difficult after my book signings, to get back to the list of names I gathered of those that attended. If you can set up your email to automatically send out emails to a list of names, this is good. Using Facebook and creating a separate page for those interested in your book or books for that matter is great - because you can then search using the email address for people who have also have a Facebook page. Setting up a Twitter account is okay - but I find that if you are not holding many events, or attending them, then there is not much use in having this added chore.
Gathering and keeping a list is something that is not easy, because eventually you have to find a reason to contact these people besides just telling them you are "Working on character development...” That is why sometimes it is best to keep a blog, and add the email address to this. But have something interesting to relay to them.
Besides Facebook, there are numerous other online groups that are out there - from Linked IN, Meetup, to Yahoo/Google Groups, and many have a section for Writer Discussions. I have been told that it is best to contribute to these by Asking a Question - or Offering an Answer; but don't spend time reading much of what is there. The reason this is a good idea is that many of the answers go out to that list's mailing list, and your name will become known there. Spending time reading what others actually say is much too time consuming (but by all means, if it is something that educates, read-on).
Contacting Your List:
Lastly - as I have learned - keep your contact interesting. Search the internet for the latest in book publishing, e-books, book promotion, interactive book ideas, marketing - not just of your book or genre, but of other books that are more popular, or trends that you notice happening (such as the Vampire trend in movies, or Mystery Novels being filmed on Cable).
Having an event, or informing people of events that are happening across the country can be a good idea too, because it lets book readers know where to go and be around people that have the same interest as they. In this world of technology it is easier to gather information and share it...and that's what it's about...sharing.
