How to Develop Strategic Partnerships
When you develop your book marketing plan, you’ll want to:
- Brainstorm strategic relationships you can develop during the coming year
- Make the most of every opportunity for exposure
When brainstorming strategic partnerships, investigate ministries whose mission statements are similar to yours. Perhaps your book can become a resource for these ministries.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- What ministries would the Lord would want to connect you with?
- What organizations might use your book as a premium for their donors?
- What groups offer a “recommended reading list” to their members?
- What associations offer resources from their Web site?
- What denominations might want to buy a large quantity of your book to give away at a convention or conference?
Claude Hickman, author of Live Life on Purpose, moved from the print-on-demand arm of The WinePress Group (Pleasant Word) to the large print run division (WinePress Publishing). He made this move after showing his book to youth ministry organizations and suggesting they use it as a resource.
One denomination bought 4,000 copies to give to the youth attending an upcoming conference, while numerous smaller ministries bought 100, 200 or 300 copies for their ministry work.
Bulk Purchases
WinePress and Pleasant Word books were purchased in bulk by the Methodist Women’s Reading Group after they reviewed them and decided to list them on their Recommended Reading List for the upcoming year.
Another WinePress author was ready to publish 2,500 copies of his book and began talking to the missions organization for his denomination. They ended up paying for 3,000 copies to give away at a missions conference at a very low per copy price, but that extra 3,000 copies put his total print run over 5,000, which gave the author a much better “per book” price on his project.
Premiums
Some of our authors have had their books purchased in large quantity at a steep discount in order for ministries to offer them as a premium. In the “olden” days, the local savings and loan would give you a toaster if you opened up a savings account. That is a “premium.” Lots of ministries offer a book to constituents who donate.
How to Keep Your Book Collection in Tip-Top Shape
By Geoffrey Powell-Isom
Books have all sorts of interesting stuff in them, and if you treat them with TLC, they’ll last a lot longer. Here are some tips for caring for books:
UV
Dust, dirt, and grime
Temperature
5 Advantages to Working with a Christian Publisher
General market (secular) publishers have figured out that Christians have something to say, and they are doing their best to capture their fair share of the market.
If you’re weighing whether to pitch your project to a general market or Christian publisher, here are five important points to consider:
1. Christian publishers are more selective about what they publish.
2. Christian publishers hire Christian editors.
3. Christian publishers produce products with redemptive value that can be trusted by Christian bookstore buyers.
But Christian stores do not buy from secular distributors, as there is no filter in place to keep new age and other heresies out. That’s why Christian publishers are represented by Christian distributors, and they are the only ones Christian bookstores look to for product.
4. Christian publishers will promote you and your book in a way that glorifies God.
5. The goal of a Christian publisher is to glorify God.
It’s important to play for the same Coach…if you’re going to get your heart out there to reach people, make sure that the team who helps you cross the finish line has the same goals in mind as you.
Tweet This!Christian Book Expo This Week in Dallas
It’s almost here! If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, be sure you don’t miss Christian Book Expo March 20-22 in Dallas, Texas.
We’re really excited about sponsoring this event. We love the concept of readers meeting their favorite authors. It’s a chance to find out their hearts and purposes. If you love books–then this is the place to be.
The activities will include:
- More than 200 Christian authors, including 30 WinePress authors.
- Over 150 transfroming seminars led by authors including our own.
- Nightly inspirational events.
- Great program in the KidZone.
- Christian Book Awards
- The WinePress booth will be a hopping place the entire three days with author signings, presentations, give aways and great drawings.
If you live in the Dallas area or have friends or family there, be sure to let them know about this great event! Register online at www.christianbookexpo.com
Use the discount code of cbe5off for $5.00 off.
If you have been thinking about publishing a book or have family or friends who need to do so have them stop by the WinePress Booth #425 for information!
See you there!
Tweet This!13 Essential Components of a Book Table
When you speak at an event, you’ll want to set up an attractive display from which to sell your books. Here’s how:
- Find out how many people will be attending the event. At least three weeks in advance of your event, ask your publisher to drop-ship the appropriate amount of books to your event.
- Take inventory of the books you’re bringing/having shipped so you can accurately track sold and unsold stock. You’ll need to report book sales to the IRS.
- Bring a friend to man your table so you’re free to network.
- Locate your book table in an easily accessible spot that gets lots of traffic.
- Purchase book stands (you can find them at dollar stores or office supply stores) for your display copies.
- Bring your own table covering. While many events provide table coverings, they’re usually a basic white tablecloth. Make your table stand out by injecting color. Purchase an inexpensive tablecloth that coordinates with your book cover, or visit a fabric store and purchase fabric to make your own.
- Layer your book table. Rather than displaying your books in a flat row, bring a small box or two, cover them with your tablecloth or fabric, and arrange your display books on top of the box.
- Invest in a poster. Purchase a poster that features your book cover and display it on an easel next to your table. This adds another layer to your display.
- If you have a promotional video/book trailer or slideshow, bring a laptop or digi-player and run the video continuously. Be sure to ask the event organizer to place your table near an electrical outlet (and bring an extension cord).
- Bring giveaways. A jar of candies, pens with your book title and Web site engraved on them, magnets, bookmarks, postcards, mouse pads—any kind of promotional item that ties in with your book’s theme and will entice people to step up to your table.
- Give away information. Prospective book buyers love free tip sheets. Brainstorm three “top 10” lists based on your book’s content, create a one-sheet, print a bunch of copies, and invite browsers to take them.
- Distribute business cards. Bring plenty of business cards. Purchase a business card display rack for your book table, and distribute your cards by hand, as well.
- Collect e-mail addresses. Bring a container for collecting business cards or a sign-up sheet and encourage visitors to give you their e-mail address in exchange for being entered in a contest to win a copy of your book. Be sure to do the drawing in plenty of time for nonwinners to buy your book. When someone gives you their e-mail address, they are giving you permission to market to them.
Readers: Please share your own creative ideas for book tables.
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