Blogger: Mary Keeley
I’ve been involved in a number of conversations with clients this week. Inevitably, we ended up brainstorming specific marketing ideas. In each conversation there was a sweet spot between author and agent when two heads working together produced some ideas and a plan that was tailor made for the client and her book. Today, let’s put our heads together and bounce ideas off each other, which you can plan to use in promoting your book.
What we came up with were personalized ideas that won’t require a lot of time or expense but that can have big impact. The 
thoughtful little things that your readers will remember. This is what I want to focus our brainstorming on today. But before we begin, here are several factors that will enable you to avoid missed opportunities to implement your great ideas.
Brainstorm ideas early in your manuscript writing. In a few weeks one of my clients is taking a research trip to visit the location that first inspired her story. As she was telling me her plans and what she hoped to accomplish, it occurred to me that she should purchase a supply of little trinkets that would represent something significant in her novel. She hadn’t thought of that but seized upon the idea and ran with it. Had we not had our brainstorming conversation, she would have missed the opportunity.
Two heads really are better than one. Another client has been so busy with life and running her organization that she hadn’t checked in with me on all she’s been doing. When she finally filled me in this week, she was overwhelmed trying to keep up. She hadn’t had time to plan for promotions. I gave her some ideas for prizes and her website, which would be quick and easy to employ to personalize her marketing efforts. These ideas were very different than those the first client and I brainstormed; they were specific to her book.
Think of your readers. Brainstorm a list of ideas until your head hurts. Eliminate those that are practically unworkable or too expensive. Next, look at your list from your readers’ perspective. Which of those ideas will make a memorable connection between your reader and you and your book? Once when I worked at Tyndale House Publishers, I helped out with Karen Kinsbury’s book signing at the annual International Christian Retail Show (ICRS). Dozens and dozens of attendees waited in line to get their book autographed. Nothing unique about that. But the little extra she added with the WOW punch were the disposable Polaroid cameras she brought with her. Each person who waited in line had their picture taken with Karen while she focused her attention on them in a short conversation. For the expense of a few instant disposable cameras and a little extra time, she cemented relationships with those readers and created a memory they could take with them.
Now I’m giving you the opportunity for that sweet spot where we can brainstorm personalized ideas for your book. Seize the opportunity! Let’s see how many marketing ideas we can think of for each other’s specific books. It’s inspiring to see how ideas build and shape when multiple minds work together.
TWEETABLES:
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Good post. Reality of success is the extra touches and ideas we deploy and these ideas and touches comes when we rap our minds around our projects.
Exactly.
A sense of place is one of the most important things a reader can experience, and now it’s something we can offer.
Using dedicated website pages we can show readers the scenery and objects which frame our stories…and using Pinterest we can attract readers who are interested in our locales.
This is what I’m working on for the book I’m shopping, ‘Emerald Isle’. There’s been a consistently strong interest in all things Irish, and I hope that will be a wave the book can ride.
One marketing device that some authors have used with I think may not be a great idea – posting pictures or names of actors that they think would best represent their main characters. For me, at least, that’s best left to the imagination. Let the characters develop a face and voice inside the readers’ minds.
An analogy comes to mind – the representation of the aliens in Spielberg’s ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’. While they were off-screen, or shown by shadows, they were hauntingly mysterious. When they appeared as somewhat clumsy child-sized Little Gray People, the viewers’ imagination was robbed.
Andrew, great idea to show Irish scenes to connect readers to the location of your story. And I so agree with you that the characters’ images should be left to the reader’s imagination. It what personalizes the story for them.
Let’s brainstorm additional promotional ideas specific to Andrew’s story. I’ll start us off. How about a supply of post card size bookmarks. One one side a (royalty free) image or preferably a photograph you’ve taken of a specific place in your novel. On the other side a personal note from you to the reader, signed, and your website, blog, social media information. These bookmarks could have multiple uses.
I love idea, Mary. I often use postcards as bookmarks, and have for years.
The bookmark might carry a code that would allow download of additional materials from the website – such as Kindle-friendly short pieces like –
* deleted scenes
* expanded scenes
* author’s commentary
* historical background (in this case, the Troubles)
I get a lot of help in my writing from watching directors’ commentaries on DVDs, as regards pacing, plot and character development, and some of the same mechanisms might work with a book.
Now you’re cookin’ Andrew!
You need an Irish sibling to visit you and hack out a few ideas…
Heard that one might be showing up here soon…
Batten down the hatches, old boy.
Great idea Jennifer! I have a similar one planned for my books. I’m going to create a little “coffee table” book for each international book locale & include pictures & info I gathered while in that place. 🙂
Sorry my above comment was supposed to go below to Jennifer’s post. 🙂
Great ideas Andrew!
Cool, Morgan!! One of those hardcover ones? Hmmm, that might be easier than scrapbooking!! Maybe I’ll do both!
Andrew, can you leave a link for your Emerald Isle Pinterest board? I would love to take a look at it.
It’s just been started, but there is a little bit there. More will be coming – a lot more – in the next few weeks.
http://www.pinterest.com/budekschmeisser/emerald-isle-where-the-story-happens/
Andrew . . . I like where you’re coming from. (We seem like minded)
Care to connect off-line?
Donnelson1@mac.com
Andrew . . . I like where you’re coming from. (We seem like minded)
Care to connect off-line?
Donnelson1@mac.com
Mary, I love this. I think sometimes it’s hard to get outside the story in my mind to see what might appeal to readers. You’ve got me thinking. I’m going to have to think through marketing ideas for a story that’s more relational than “locational.” I’m looking forward to reading others’ comments today.
I know someone who’d be very happy to brainstorm with you. In 2 weeks and one day.
😀
All right. I’ll add that to our “to-do” list. 🙂
Maybe you can approach relational ideas through postcards or bookmarks that describe personality types, and how they relate to your characters and story?
Also – would references to the five ‘Love Languages’ be relevant?
Andrew, thanks for those ideas. I’m cataloging them now. 🙂
Mary, it sounds like you’ve had a productive week! I love the Polaroid camera idea. It gives the reader a picture to take home with them, rather than the trouble of mailing it out later. I think (I hope) I have a unique marketing angle in that my book is based loosely upon my own father, a paraplegic for over 56 years. I’m looking forward to the conversation here today. It can be wonderful when brains bounce around together!
Meghan, you have an interesting hook. Without giving away the ship, could you feed us a little more information about your story’s theme, location, main character, and such that may prompt ideas?
At its heart, it’s the story of the paralytic from Mark 2 but set in Indianapolis, an area known for its advances in health care, particularly Indiana University Health. Forgiveness plays an important part in the story, not just for the paralytic and his life-long struggles in a world before accessibility laws but also for his wife and daughter.
Sounds like you need ideas and symbols that express compassion and hope, but that don’t appear superficial. Tools that will remind your readers of the positives in terms wisdom and growth that can result from major struggles. Perhaps photos of the hospital(s) in Indianapolis that played a positive role in the story? Cards that provide insight and wisdom to the characters? Readers will appreciate reminders of the redemption in your story.
Thank you, Mary. You’ve given me a lot with which to continue brainstorming.
Good afternoon, Mary.
I came up with another one…what about a photo album or mini-scrapbook of the research trip itself? Places I went, people I spoke with, thoughts along the way about my characters and the real history involved in the story. Oh! And there’s a very special gift shop near where I’m going that has Navajo pottery made by local artisans. I might have room in the launch day gift basket for a wee pot…
Great examples of personalized ideas, Jennifer. The beautiful Navajo pot will draw a lot of entries for your gift basket. Would you offer the mini-scrapbook as a prize too? Another idea is to have a scrapbook available at your book signings. People can thumb through it and read your personal notes as they wait in line for your book.
Ohhh, great idea on the scrapbook at the book signings!
And yes, the pot and the mini-scrapbook would go in the prize pack as well.
I’ll probably pick up a few pairs of earrings,some bracelets and other bling.
No rugs though!
And speaking of baskets…the Navajo make beautiful baskets! I think the prize pack just got bigger…
Love the idea for a scrapbook at book signings.
Navajo jewelry and baskets…very special and personalized prizes or even special little gifts for your influencers.
Oh, I love the idea of the scrapbook at signings or speaking engagements or wherever. What about digital, available to view on your website?
Actually, wouldn’t a small rug – a wall hanging, really – be a good addition to the prize basket?
There is also a gentleman by the name of Lander Sam who reproduces rock carvings. They’re quite beautiful.
How about information on donating firewood to Navajo elders?
It would be a nice hook to give readers a sense of involvement, and of mission.
Good idea. Personalized and with added purpose.
I know the power of brainstorming together. I have a small group of writers that I brainstorm story and marketing ideas with. It’s so amazing what we can come up with together. Even if an idea doesn’t work, it can spur the thought for an idea that will.
“Even if an idea doesn’t work, it can spur the thought for an idea that will.” Yes! Thanks for sharing about your successful brainstorm times with your group of writers. It’s what I’d like to see happen in our blog group today.
Lindsay, I’m already looking forward to doing this again at our next retreat! 🙂 There’s nothing better than brainstorming with like-minded writers!
I absolutely love brainstorming for marketing. Since my book locales are international I want to include a postcard for the book from that locale to send to readers.
I also have a travel writing blog that allows readers to share their travel stories (pensonaworldmap.com) & therefore add their “pen” to the blog’s world map. I also plan to host giveaways with items from the country the book is about & I will dress in attire from the book’s historical era. Fun discussion today, Mary! Thanks!
Morgan, you just gave me a giggle.
Some of my characters are IRA men, and perhaps I should appear at signings in a ski mask…
…or not.
BRILLIANT plan, really. NO ONE would say a word. Unless you’re at Whistler, then go for it.
Lol. 🙂 well you would definitely get some attention!
What a great idea, Morgan!
Thanks Jeanne!! 🙂 Everybody has had some great ideas today!
My novel is set in 19th century Key West. An island surrounded by coral reefs that regularly snagged and sunk ships. The “wreckers” were in the business of saving lives and salvaging goods.
I focus a great deal on the natural world, and on family secrets hidden in the house my protagonist inherits. On a recent research trip I was able to walk the halls of the house I use in my story, and wander through the cemetery to nail down some character names. There’s a dollhouse, a conch shell, and a saltwater cistern that play large roles in moving the plot forward.
I’ve already made contact with the Key West Maritime Historical Society, the library historian, and a naturalist at the botanical garden. One thing I would love to tap into is the plethora of tourists that disembark daily from the cruise ships. I value your ideas here.
Thanks Mary for calling us to participate.
Jenni, now is the time to contact the area tourist bureaus to let them know you grew up there and have written a novel set in that locale. These services usually are happy to promote a locally born author. Ask if they would give tourists your postcards (with your social media contact information!) like those I suggested to Andrew.
More ideas anyone?
Contacting the tourist bureau is a great idea. They would obviously have their finger on the pulse of visitors. I didn’t grow up in Key West, but I’m in the revision process for that novel and have visited the area twice. Wouldn’t mind visiting again soon. 🙂 The Overseas Highway from Miami to Key West is stunning.
I’m a California native, and my WIP is set in the SF bay area where I live, so I’ve already started the process of connecting with local museums and small businesses.
Great idea for the tourists, Jenni. Perhaps the gift shops at the historical society and the botanical gardens could stock your book or at least have a stack of postcards on the counter with your book cover, etc. printed. Hmm, you might just have to make another trip to Key West to solidify some of those arrangements. 🙂 It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the display from the Atosha or known the prices of their goods, but perhaps a giveaway could include a token of some sort (coins?) from the shipwreck. Jennifer’s scrapbook idea would also be wonderful for your story.
Thanks for these ideas Meghan. I saw some of the artifacts from the Atocha at the Mel Fisher museum on my last visit.
A tiny conch shell would be a cool trinket to pass along to readers.
A local author, Joanna Brady, has written a novel about the area, and her book was prominently displayed in many of the gift shops I visited, so I know they’re open to giving exposure in that way .
As you know, Mary, I write historical novels set in my hometown in central Minnesota. My mom is the mayor and I’m the fourth generation to live here (my husband, as well). Already I have people asking me daily when my book is going to be published. 🙂 I set my story in a well-known historical mansion that is now a retreat center, so I already have a launch party location picked out! I know I won’t have a hard time marketing my story locally, but I need to expand my ideas for a much broader market. I really like some of the ideas already shared here. It won’t be hard to make a scrapbook of important places (I can just walk down the street and snap a few pictures!), or buy items that are unique to my hometown. I definitely like the idea of a postcard too. I’d love to hear some more!
Fashion.
I believe “Little House on the Prairie” was set in Minnesota, and still has a following. The ambiance – and especially the clothing – charmed viewers since the show appeared.
Let people know what your characters wear – and where, if they choose, they can find similar clothing.
Don’t think sod houses will come back in style, though. Unless they’re in Hobbiton…but tha’s another genre!
Gabrielle, could you compile some pictures of you and your childhood in different locations around the town? Displaying the way things were when you were young, and then compare that to the time period of your story?
Great idea, Jenni!
I’m in the writing stage, and already putting together ideas!
There’s a certain snack that my character indulges in that would be fun to offer if there is ever any in-person event for my book, like a signing. I can dream 🙂
I like the snack idea, Angela!
You could put the recipe on the back of your book’s bookmark or postcard or something so they can pick it up off the table when they grab the treat to try themselves. 🙂
To piggyback on the comments Andrew made above about Pinterest, I’d love for you all to visit my story boards. 🙂
http://www.pinterest.com/jabrummett/novel-soul-salvage/
http://www.pinterest.com/jabrummett/novel-ribbon-of-fog/
I love brainstorming..and asking “what if…” And “why not”. Angela…if you are working on a book why wait until a book signing to offer the snack? What if you started a blog about creative snack ideas..and started giving out the recipe with your website attatched..if you make it and have an awesome pic you can also put it on your website and then link to Pinterest. This helps to build readership and name recognition before your book comes out…and it is something you can get on other sites as well. The big part of marketing is taking product where the readers are….it sound like you might have something that will begin to catch people’s attention:). Who doesn.t love a great snack!
For the launch party of my Navy SEAL story, Bridging Two Hearts, we served MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and gave a prize to the best costume (either military or spa-worthy). My brother-in-law won: he came in his skin diving gear!
I remember that!! THAT was a very cool launch party.
My novel is a young adult historical romance set in the Alaska gold rush. I live in Alaska, and my website and such discuss Alaska past and present quite a bit.
My main character makes apple pies to sell, so I’ve made postcards with an old-fashioned recipe on them, and we’ll have apple pie at the launch party.
Other ideas welcome, thanks for the opportunity!
Great ideas, Lynn. Any trinkets having to so with the Alaska gold rush might be helpful to use as gifts for your influencers, along with a small gift card. Postcard bookmarks with an image from the gold rush days on one side and your photo and social media info on the other could be handed out at libraries and tourist bureaus. And any of the other ideas mentioned above, personalized for your story.
Thanks, Mary!
I am scheduled to speak at a new library opening next month and because my book is about an older generation (Secrets of the Old Ladies’ Club), I think I am going to show up dressed as an old lady, then slowly ‘undress’ until I am wearing my normal clothes, etc. I’m talking about a wig, glasses, cane, purse, and so forth.
I was interviewed by phone last night by a woman in Kansas, which was amazing to me since I live in Louisiana. She called to tell me that she read my book and was introducing it as the book of the month to her book club. When the night comes to review the book, she is going to serve refreshments that are either mentioned in the book (run drinks with little umbrellas), or represent my good ol’ Cajun state (shrimp).
She knows how to market! I think I can learn a lot from her.
Thanks for this post, Mary. It is a huge help to me. I self-published and have very little experience in the business side of publishing. I could use a good book called “Marketing for Dummies”!
I’m glad this is helpful to you, Nancy. What a fun idea you’ve come up with. A great ice breaker that may well get a buzz going about your book that leads to a nice bump in purchasers. Marketing has become a major part of an author’s responsibility, especially when self-publishing.
Great ideas…I love Karen Kingsbury’s idea to have a snapshot taken of her and her fan. Good stuff!
I found it hard to market my two books of women’s prayers ‘Dear God It’s me and It’s Urgent’ and ‘It’s Just You and me Lord’ in original ways in America because I live in the UK.I did the usual blog swops and interviews,but was stuck beyond that. However now they have been released in England in ‘English English’ I have three main ideas.
1. Visit bookshops. Obviously in a rel.small island it is easier to get around, but even so christian bookshops are not close together, and struggling with competition from Amazon. So I have joined an Authors. Booksellers and Publishers face book group. Wherever we go this autumn I check out where the local Christian bookshop is, call them beforehand to see if they’re stocking my title, and ask if I can call in and have a chat. I offer to take photos, learn some of the history of the shop and then blog about it – giving them some publicity as well as my books. See http;//marionstroud.blogspot.co.uk This week I was in the Cotswolds to attend a meeting, so took time to visit 3 very different bookstores and a Retreat Centre. Next week I’ll be in london and then looking after my grandchildren in the beatiful Chilterns. The w/end after going to Scotland for a friend’s retirement party. This will enable me to visit 3 shops in the Glasgow area, but not spend much more money than I would be doing anyway.
I realise that The US is an entirely different ball game, but perhaps this is an idea you could use in your State or when you go on trips. The booksellers certainly like it and of course it raises my profile and makes them more likely to stock my books.
2. Many of the prayers are based on my or others experiences. So I shall be preparing ‘stories behind the prayers’ for talks and interviews.
3. A Prayer Experience: This is still being developed, but the idea is that I will choose a prayer from each section of the 8 section book and set up a Prayer pathway around a large room. Each of the ‘Prayer stations’ will feature one prayer. So for instance a prayer for marriage will have a wedding dress, various items to do with marriage and either the prayer on a revolving loop with pictures attached or extracts from the prayer on the walls. There would be a place for people to sit and think and pray about their marriage, and to write down prayer requests for their own or other people’s marriage.
I’d love feed back from these ideas and any suggestions as to how that could translate to the USA. And one other thing. What kind of budget do people feel is realistic for their marketing efforts?
Marion, you could connect with your US followers on Facebook and your blog and offer to to do a meet & greet visit with their book clubs via Skype. Post that offer on your website as well. You could offer a gift of your two books to the first group–or first group in any state–that schedules a session with you.
Your suggestion that writers visit libraries wherever they travel is a great one. It can be done even before a writer is published. Personal connections make all the difference. Leave a business card (hopefully with your photo on it). Ask for contact information, and then send a follow-up email with a thumbnail of your book cover when the book is available to order. It’s a good time to offer to do a book signing as well.
I love your creative idea for a prayer experience. It’s perfectly suited to your books with meaningful benefits for your readers.
Brainstormin’ is my middle name.
Here is my Pinterest page. (3,600 pins & counting)
http://www.pinterest.com/yankeedoodle30/boards/
This is my substitute for a morning “Coffee Fix” .
I write photo captions, Mostly funny but some are serious and inspirational. I currently use Pinterest to to rev up my (brainstormin”) creativity.