How to Pick Promotional Products to Spread Your Message
We’ve all seen it—a child’s recent art work held up by a refrigerator magnet reminding you of a particular company’s contact information.
Look on your desk or in your purse. How many pens do you have with a business name and phone number imprinted on them? Millions of people just like you may not know where these products came from or how they got them, but they use them all the time.
Promotional products can range from printed paper materials like scratch pads, bookmarks, to plush toy animals or tools. They’re a great way to influence people to remember you.
As an author, you can remind people of your book through bookmarks, business cards, or any number of creative creations. There are many ways to spread the message, service, or product you offer.
Authors are particularly very creative with promotional products to match their books. Though bookmarks or postcards provide great introductions, you can expand your reach with additional creative products that showcase your book.
As an example, we have an author who wrote a book on finances. She offers a calculator and piggy bank to help parents teach their children financial responsibility.
Another author has a children’s book and commissioned one of the characters to be made into a plush toy.
Three things you need to put promotional products into your readers’ hands:
1. Brainstorm
Make a list of ideas of things that might relate to your book. With over 750,000 products to put your name or book title on, there will be just the perfect item for you. Choose fun, interesting, or practical products that support your message.
2. Demographics
Narrow down the list of the people you want to reach. Are they home makers, church goers, college students, or business professionals? Consider where they will be when they need your product the most and might pick it up when that time comes.
3. Consultation
Use a great company with a good reputation that can offer you many different choices and help you find the right product for your book. There are many companies to choose from online and off, but a pen or a mug may not be the right product for you. Talking with an expert can help you come up with creative ideas that will draw attention to your book and keep you in the forefront of your audiences minds.
After years of helping authors creatively market their books, WinePress Publishing established Notation Printing & Marketing Group . Since 2007, Notation has helped authors, small businesses, and organizations build strong marketing campaigns and brands. Their marketing experts love to brainstrom ideas for promotional products and programs that generate results.
Tweet This!Canadian Author Gives 5 Effective Marketing Strategies
Writers often hear from their publicists and marketing representatives how to launch their book on its campaign trail, but today let’s hear from Els Van Hierden, author of Ransomed.
Realizing the first few months after a book is published is critical for promotions, Els adopted what she calls the “Book of Acts” principle: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the outer ends of the world as her campaign trail. She works diligently to promote her message, and now shares her effective marketing tips:
1. Begin with a Media Campaign in your Community
“Most local newspapers, radio and television stations are happy to give an interview. Also, contact your local book stores. Even secular stores are open to carrying Christian books, but your first contact should be your Christian bookstore. Offer to do a book signing, and make the book a popular option for them to carry.”
2. Branch Out Using the Same Technique
“‘Employ’ your friends as book sellers and offer them a percentage of the sale to reach their circle of influence. Connect with organizations that might be interested in your topic.
I offered my book to various organizations as a fund raiser. Because my book deals with adoption, abortion and healing from post-abortion syndrome, I was also able to market it through various pro-life organizations and adoption agencies. And, because I donate a certain amount to charitable organizations, many people are excited to help with this project.”
3. Advertise Your Book
“An effective way to promote your book is through online advertising through blogs and Facebook. Thanks to WinePress, my book has been featured on many blogs and featured in book give-aways. This has connected me with people all across the United States.”
4. Ask, “How does my book add value?”
“The number one thing we need to ask ourselves is, ‘How can my book add value to the others?’ If it’s all about us and our book, our success will be limited. Only when we begin to offer up our product as a tool to be used by others, will we find success.”
5. Attend a Conference
“I found the ICRS 2010 to be a great inspiration. Connecting with other authors and so many people in the industry was great. I came home with renewed vigor to continue the process. Remember not to push yourself on people, but allow the Lord to arrange meetings.”
About Els:
Els and her husband Edward adopted their fifth child from Russia in 2006. She has combined her passion for writing and her heart for suffering children to produce this compelling novel, based on her personal experience in Russia.
About Ransomed:
Russia, 2003. An infertile couple seeks adoption, a grieving American businessman pours his life into homeless teens, and a wounded orphanage director is haunted by her past. Can they bring hope to the orphans, and find healing for themselves?
Related article:
‘Ransomed’ Novel Receives Favorable Review
Tweet This!8 Essential Tips for Free Word-of-Mouth Advertising through Social Media
By Adam Cothes
It’s been said there is no better advertising than word-of-mouth. So how do you encourage word-of-mouth advertising so people know about your book and tell others?
Start with the most immediate group of people who know and like you. They include friends, family, co-workers, and community groups and church.
From there consider turning your sights to social networking. Social Media websites such as Facebook and the Christian social networking site, Xianz, allow authors a great chance to expand their network of friends and associates quickly and easily.
By setting up an account, entering the things that interest you, and searching for “friends,” you can open up vast opportunities to share your message. Once your new friends get interested or excited about your book, they may just tell their friends as well.
Here are some tips to makings friends through social media:
1. Select Details
Give targeted details about yourself, your interests, and your book. However, be selective about the information you put on your social media profile in order to protect your identity and privacy.
2. Warm Photo
Use a professional photo that is warm and friendly.
3. People You Know
“Friend” people you know. Invite them to visit your fan page and ask them to leave a comment.
4. New People
Search for people with similar interests, and reach out to them. Ask them to be a friend.
5. Mix It Up
Post interesting information about your hobbies, as well as your book on your social media page. This lets people know you’re not only there to promote your book and builds trust.
6. Frequency
Review and update your social media outlets frequently. Make a goal to do so twice per week.
7. Interact
Don’t just look for others to post on your page, go to other pages and post comments. Be sure to ask and answer questions.
8. Events
Create events on Facebook, and invite friends and fans to attend.
As you make friends on social networking websites, remember that people take the term “friend” seriously. Nurture those relationships and think of them as more than a chance to market.
The more you can build trust and respect long-term, the better chance you have to impact lives and spread your message.
If you participate in a social media channel, share your best tip for successfully interacting with others via social media.
Adam Cothes is a Solutions Advisor for WinePress Publishing, as well as a publicist. His experience in the Christian publishing industry spans 10 years and ranges from managing a Christian bookstore, to project management, publicity, advertising, and marketing.
5 Great Investments Every Author Needs to Make
By Robyn Williams
“Can I afford that?”
When it comes to promoting your book, the better question is, “Can I afford not to do this?”
In other words, ask yourself if you can afford not to take advantage of certain promotional opportunities.
There are various ways to promote your message as well as spend your time and money. Say no to the ones that don’t reach your target audience or that aren’t a good fit for you, but invest in the others.
The more your book stays in front of readers’ eyes the better chance you have to reach them with your message. Most authors convey that they didn’t write their books just to make money. They truly desire to share the message that’s on their heart.
Here are 5 great investments to consider:
1. Launch a Publicity Campaign
This is one of the most effective ways to reach large audiences. Consider holding a book signing or appearing on TV and radio interviews. Be sure to work with a publicist since media outlets expect to be contacted by a third party on your behalf.
2. Attend a Conference
Watch for opportunities to participate in conferences or trade shows. These provide much-needed opportunities to network and connect with publishers, book buyers as well as other authors.
3. Develop a Web site
Having a Web site is no longer the wave of the future; it’s the here and now. And, blogging offers a great way to share your message, feature related articles or interviews and keep your writing skills sharp.
4. Invest in Advertising
Watch for advertising opportunities and grab hold of them quickly since spaces are generally limited. One author recently commented that she couldn’t afford to miss the chance to advertise in a magazine with a readership of over 400,000 readers!
5. Order Marketing Materials
Ordering quality book marks, business cards and post cards with your cover image and contact information allows you to be prepared for those unexpected encounters. And, these smaller items can make a big impact.
Remember to be patient and encouraged. What’s important to keep in mind with all of these investments is the large amount of exposure you’re gaining. And, sometimes, you really can’t afford not to take advantage of them.
Related Articles:
- Marketing Materials: Postcards, Bookmarks, and Covers
- How to promote your book at conventions and trade shows
- How to work with your publicist
- Author website: necessity, not a luxury item
As a member of WinePress’ Publicity department, Robyn Williams’ goal is to help authors promote their message and make media contacts. She loves getting to know authors, learning why they wrote their books, and helping them share their stories.
WinePress to Present Marketing Workshops at Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival
Josiah Williams
Jacob Walker
Josiah Williams and Jacob Walker will be representing WinePress Publishing and teaching several workshops at the Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival.
Held June 3-8, 2010 at the LifeWay Conference Center in Ridgecrest, NC, Gideon is a unique Christian experience where cutting-edge media arts are combined with a Christian film festival.
Here are the workshop descriptions:
Promotions in Motion
In this practical workshop you will learn the many tips and tricks on building promotional videos. Explore how to select the right software and equipment as well as capture great film, sound, and design. Discover how you can build quality multimedia from technical to polished production as a one man operation.
The M & M’s of Marketing
Learn how to successfully implement the fundamentals of successful marketing plans. Get past theory and into practical action. Discover new ideas, be reminded of solid practices and have fun doing it. (Instructor: Josiah Williams)
Jumpstart Your Marketing
Successful marketing is built around combining and integrating the right tools. Discover the many channels available and how to choose the right ones to market your film, book, business or project. (Instructor: Josiah Williams)
It’s About Connection
Connecting with your target audience is essential to marketing. Explore how to indentify your target market, craft the right message, and build relationships. (Instructor: Josiah Williams)
There’s still time to register for this amazing conference. Act now!
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