And Here Is Where I Need Your Marketing Expertise
{Note: THANK YOU! I appreciate all of your input..I’m taking every single suggestion to heart! :)}
Most of you know that I’ve finished writing my book, ‘Married to the Ministry: Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me’. Who knows if that will still be the name of it when it is released next year, but for now it stands. Writing this thing has been the most terrifying, exciting, and wonderfully fulfilling thing God has ever asked me to do – short of actually being married to Luke and mothering his four delightful children that is. I hope that part is a given.
Anyway, as mind-numbing as writing the book has been, the most uncomfortable part is before me: preparing the product packet in which I am asked to give my ideas about marketing and promotion. Y’all. I have no idea? It is such a foreign idea to me that I should figure out ways I can self-promote. Just the thoughts of it makes me shudder. However, I’ve also learned that not taking the opportunity to brag on what was no doubt a God-ordained opportunity robs Him of the credit He is due in the process. As conflicted as I remain about this part of publishing, I know it is necessary and I want to be found faithful in all aspects of it.
So here is where I need your help with ideas on how to GOD-promote this book that I pray with all my heart will be a great encouragement tool to ministry wives and lay people alike.
So tell me, how would you go about letting people know about this book? What are some of the things that cause a book to jump off the shelf at you? What types of media attract you to a new title? Ads? Radio Interviews? Blog Tours? Word of mouth? Are you more likely to purchase a book from an author you’ve heard speak at a conference?
And for my fellow authors out there… If you can give a sister some pointers on things that worked for you I would be ever so grateful. :)
I don’t know that words will ever be sufficient to thank you all for the encouragement you’ve given me during this whole journey. I do not exaggerate when I say I couldn’t have done it without you.
Much love and many blessings,
I can see where this would be hard. I know that I love to purchase a book at a conference where the author is speaking. And I have also enjoyed hearing a reading at a book store from the author.
Blessings to you as you go forward on the marketing.
I have definitely been sparked to buy a good book when I’ve heard the author on the radio. I think the blog tours would be a great idea too. And just so you know, I would LOVE to host you on my blog for a day! You can guest post any old time. :)
From reading your blog it’s evident that God has truly blessed you with the ability to speak and minister to others. I’m thinking some sort of speaking engagement would be a good thing. Not only would you be able to promote your book, but it would give people the chance to get to know the author.
Also, as you know I’m always looking for guest bloggers and you are more than welcome to post on my blog to promote your book.
I will be praying for you as you embark on your marketing endeavors.
Absolutely do the blog tours. I work in a Christian bookstore and new products jump out at me from several magazines we read, like Christian Retailer and the Church Bookstore Magazine. Some print ads in those two trade magazines would be very influential. A good many of our customers come in requesting products they heard about on the radio.
Good luck!
Hi Lisa! Well, first of all, I am going to buy numerous copies of your book to read and give away :)
I have bought other books after seeing them recommended or reviewed on my favourite blogs (like yours, rocks in my dryer, penseive) or at on-line magazines.
I am a contributor for Inspired Bliss at Blissfully Domestic so I’d be happy to do a review or submit yours for a review there. Also, supplying copies for bloggers to give away is a great way to get your book in front of people and then having them available at major christian retailers means they can go get their own if they dont win one.
And of course, if you had them available when you spoke then that would be great too.
Hope that helps! I’ll be praying for you!
Donna
Is the magazine Just Between Us still being done? If I remember right, it was for minister’s wives and women in ministry. Maybe you could get them to do a mini interview? Or purchase an ad?
I think blog tours are great and I’ve bought books because of people’s recommendations on blogs. So excited for you!
If more than one friend suggests I read a book, I do! Word of mouth is pretty effective for me. I also read a lot of blogs, so hearing about it in blogs would be neat too. If I’ve never heard of a book before, I can still be drawn to it in the bookstore if the cover art is right. Good luck!
Being the avid reader and purchaser let me add my two cents.
Lisa, definately do the blog tour and put a shout out to ALL corners of you pals in bloggy world to post a blog, hang a button, do give aways, and any other signage – it has been this sort of ground-grass roots campaign that really helped promote ‘The Shack’.
Speaking-signing engagements…yes, take your show on the road to some key areas and again make your schedule available to all those who already know you so they can help cross promote.
Radio especially don’t forget those on XM and Sirius, lots of folks tune into programs on both.
Of course, press releases to any and all internet, print and radio networks.
Gotta a dentist appointment, but will keep rolling this around and post again if I think of any ‘new’ considerations.
Will it be out before the SBC convention in Louisville next June?
You would defiantly want to go there for the pastors wives shin-digs as well as have a table for sales, signing…
dentist..gotta go!
love ya
tammy
Hi Lisa, Yes, for me word of mouth is always best! It is more difficult for me to just pick up a book in a store without previous recommendation.
If you can squeeze speaking engagemets into your schedule that would be great too. Although I know with a family that can be tricky!
I am an Indi.recording artist and I know the best way for me to get my CD’s out is to get out and do the thing but it is hard work!
Looking forward to reading the book! Rose
Have you met my friend Mary? Well, you should because she’s releasing a book next year too! How cool is that??
Her webpage is http://www.maryrsnyder.com/. I’m going to send a little message about you and maybe y’all can help each other.
Trust me – you’d rather my do this than attempt to help in any other way!
Cathy
Lisa,
I agree with the blog tours, of which I promote Christian authors on my blog and I would be happy to do that for you. Also, make a button for your book that would be great advertisement. Something that keeps coming to my mind, SBC or your state convention, ours is the TBC….talk to them about promoting your book. Baptist and Reflector, etc…advertise there…The SBC always has a special lunch or time set aside for pastors wives and I think you would be great to speak to them in that setting. I would be happy to help you plan a mini-conference and be your worker this time. ;)
I will pray about with you!
Love,
Patty
I don’t know anything about marketing, but here’s my few ideas. Maybe you can get some other blogs to interview you about your new book…maybe you can set up a table at local Christian bookstores…you can ask women’s ministry leaders to do a spotlight on your book at her church…you can promote at women’s conferences…
A catchy title and front cover always draw me to books that I read. I know I shouldn’t judge a book by its’ cover, but I do when it comes to paperbacks. :)
Best wishes on your book!
Quick word about your title: I love it! I think it tells exactly what the book is about, and will attract every minister’s wife – not just preacher’s wives. Anyone who has served as a minister’s wife completly “gets” the title “Married to the Ministry”.
Maybe you could add a little line right under it that says something catchy to help further explain it.
(something like “Married to the Ministry – discovering the beauty, blessings, and boundaries in being a ministry wife.) I don’t know…I didn’t give it much thought, but maybe that will spark your creativity.
I have no doubt that the Lord will show you. He is the greatest Agent and Promoter any of us could have! If we will just always keep a check on our motives, He will be free to do the rest!
Blog Book Tours are great! You might contact Amy @litfuse about them. She sends me books to review a lot, and she works with some big names. (And she Twitters!)
My friend, Marcy does a lot of book signings around town and her book is now being carried by Focus on the Family…not quite sure how that came about, but I’ll ask.
I’m so excited for you and your book! Even though I’m so definitely NOT married to the ministry, I can’t wait to read it…just cause it’s yours!
xoxoxo
I agree…blog tours is the way to go now days. Offer the book to a few folks and have them do a review. Maybe give away and extra. It created “buzz” and promotes word of mouth. Let ministers wives organizations and forums know about it. Maybe have some type of crazy promotion on-line through your blog. Twitter about it (that’s how I found you) and maybe even set up a facebook account if you don’t already have one.
Lisa:
Laurie Notaro has some of the best bios I’ve ever read. Her bios alone made me wanna read her book.
If the first sentence of the book summary tells too much, I won’t wanna read. I like the first few sentences to present a question – a need – a problem. THEN tell me how the book is gonna answer it.
I also like textured covers to books. Not the slick waxy covers, but the grainy grippy kinds.
Ok. Wow. That’s all I got. And I don’t expect any of it to be of legitimate use to you! :)
ok – I came back for a comment :P.
So tell me, how would you go about letting people know about this book? Definitely word of mouth and do a bloggy tour! Giveaways also seem to work wonders!
What are some of the things that cause a book to jump off the shelf at you? The cover and the title and it being in a section of the store I will see it. I rarely know what I want when I walk into the bookstore, so if it’s more likely I’ll look at it if it’s featured.
What types of media attract you to a new title? Ads? Radio Interviews? Blog Tours? Word of mouth? Yup yup yup!!!
Are you more likely to purchase a book from an author you’ve heard speak at a conference? Most definitely (Do you remember the bookstore section at the Siesta Fiesta?? There was hardly anything left at the end of the break on Saturday!)
Does this help?
It is word of mouth for me…including blogs. Sometimes I just also just browse the shelfs of my local christian book store. It is small, the shelfs are not overcrowded for that reason. But it also makes looking at all books easier. So I guess if it can get into small stores as well as the larger well known ones, that would be great.
Hey Lisa. The easiest marketing–“guarantee a sale” is book signings. And probably the most awkward. (Every insecurity you’ve ever had sets in–how do I look like I’m having a good time if the line is empty?)Your website is a remarkable tool. The old pyramid concept, “and she told two friends, and then SHE told two friends” works. You have a somewhat narrower market so I imagine speaking engagements at conferences are a good thing. The other (which may not be in your control) is, quite frankly, how widely distributed the book is. Of course, THEY want to know how hard you are going to work for this. Most of the venues in your control are just making yourself available. However you do it, connect your book to your target audience. You’ll be great. Just with your bloggy connections, I am sure you have a built in market. I have a marketing background and have written a book myself so I do relate to your fears. For most writers, this is not our forte. Wishing you all the best. It is an exciting time.
Oh My Gosh a BOOK TOUR! I’ll be your road manager and we’ll get some tricked out tour bus and two huge security guards and wear crazy black eyeliner and have paparazzi chase us…..
Ok, maybe not all of that.
But how AWESOME would that be?
As for marketing, that’s not my forte unless you call “chit chatting with friends and occasionally mentioning something that I like” marketing.
But when you do figure out that side of marketing the whole book deal, please let me know. Because I’m all about helping a siesta out. And I completely, totally, for real mean that I will help in any capacity.
However, if it involves a tour bus and black eyeliner, I’m gonna be a lot more stoked about it.
Just being honest, yo.
Hi Lisa, Matt here from http://www.ragingrev.com. Amazon.com has a service wherein authors can sell their own books… here is the URL for that:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/seller-account/mm-summary-page.html?ie=UTF8&ld=AZFooterSelfPublish&topic=200260520
you might find it usefull, amazon is a great place to sell items because the market is saturated with your product…im not sure how easy it is to do the self publishing thing though. Good luck.
Lisa:
I am not sure what draws me to a book. I would probably have to say the title and then the description of it. Just by your title I know I want to read your book. I know I am not much help, but I will be praying for you. Oh yea I love to hear the writer speak. If you did speak would you come to a rural town in the west?
Anyhow I am wondering if you and your blog friends could pray for this PW. Hubby is preaching on marriage, need I say more. Things are not bad (for those wondering we are happily married), just a little touch an go if you get my drift.
Anyway please pray. Kim B. in AZ
Lisa, if you decide on the book tour thing, I have been feeling a tug by the Spirit to host an event at our church for minister’s wives. Let me know….maybe we could get together and you could come to Southeast Texas to speak!!!
Absolutely a blog tour.
I tend to tune out radio ads, but a radio interview is different.
I personally think you need to come to Texas. Specifically central Texas. It’s a big state, and the central part would be a great place to promote it!
Conferences are great – I know the SBC has their Metro conferences for staff and I’m sure they have stuff for Pastor’s wives.
Seems like a blurb in The Baptist Standard (I guess that’s just Texas’ magazine – but whatever is the equivalent in the various states) would be good. An article, not just an ad.
And I’d find some way to get some exposure at the seminaries – maybe a booksigning at the seminar book store. That’s where all the new preacher’s wives will be!
I meant the seminary book store!
hey girl!
I REALLY think the title jumps out at me personally. Also, when you do get it I would send it to some people (that you know who I am talking about) and get them to mention it. ;) Also, Lois Evans (Tony Evans’ wife and Priscilla Shrirers sp mom)does a ton of ministers wives conferences. I would send that to her.
Then, I love how beth does not promote her books or herself she just continues to exalt Christ. I already know this is going to do well and that we can all get the word out to on the blog-a-sphere.
I would just exalt Christ and use part of your testimony in the bio of an earlier thing you wrote about your marriage and how God pulled you out of the pit and how you can still dress cute and have a sense of humor and let people know you aren’t perfect and be a ministers wife…LOL.
Just some thoughts.
I think Linda has a great idea about going to the seminaries. I know SWBTS has an organization of student wives so the other ones might as well. I just graduated from there in May and might could give you a contact name if you don’t have one.
I am always reading a few books at a time, but I know that I don’t usually go to a bookstore and pick a book up without hearing about it first. They sell pretty much anything in christian book stores and that is the reason why I have to hear about that book before. So word of mouth works the best for me. Also conference would be great. I have a friend that makes cd’s and I know she sends a free copy of the cd to pastors (in your case would be different but I am just sharing what she does) and then ask them to sell it in their churches or announce it at least. MAybe you could do a web page or something with the title of the book where you could share samples of some of you main points so people can see what the books is about. Maybe do a contest where people can get free copies or other things if they post what was the part that was most of a blessing to them. I didn’t read the other post so I may be repeating what other have already said. MAke a buttom too, we could all help promoting your books in our blogs. :)
I agree with the blog tour, buttons, let US promote you. :) Word of mouth is probably one of the largest reasons I purchase a book!
Contact local church associations and ask if they have any events planned for ministers wives…if so, then maybe offer a copy or two for door prizes and who knows, it may open a door for you to go and speak to them, opening the door for you to sell the book and sign right there.
I’m so proud of you and what God is doing in and through you! Can’t wait to read the book and give it to my family members who are minister’s wives. :)
hugs,
steph.
Definitely the blog tour thing….and the button. It does get out there much quicker, I think. Another would be a women’s conference as the guest speaker.
Blessings on your in this endeavor!
Word of mouth is a big one as well as having some sort of contact with the author — whether at a conference or networking through blogs and online groups, etc. Book reviews in as many places as you can get them would be helpful, too.
I bet lots of prayer and asking God to multiply your efforts will be key, too. God bless!
This is such a hard one. I struggle with this same thing–not wanting to brag, but also wanting to help people and glorify God. I’m terrible at this–so definitely not the author to ask!
Somehow I hate saying, “BUY MY BOOK!” But I know I probably should…
Joanne
Blog tours sound like a great idea. When I hear an author speak, either on the radio, tv, or in person it increases the chances of me buying the book.
When is the book being released? In time for the SBC? Or if later than that, our state denomination has its annual convention in Oct, you could maybe make the state convention circuit.
Make a button that we girls can put on our blogs, that will get word out too.!
I’m so proud of you!!
Julie
Lisa:
Wow! You’ve received some great advice and ideas! In one word: Diversify. Use the many paths available to you.
If I understand you, the publisher will market the book but wants your input? If so, you’ve have some support.
No matter, we know that God never takes us down a path only to desert us. He always finishes what He begins. Our responsibility is to listen to Him and obey. Keep walking. He has your hand and “your back”. :)
i also meant to add, you might want to look into e-book publishing…that way you can sell a downloadable copy right here on the blog for quick purchase and reading.
matt @ ragingrev
Oh sister, I have not a fat clue. Blog tours? You best sign me up if you do this. Also, I am more inclined to buy a book if I’ve heard the author speak at an event.
I don’t know, I don’t know, but I know I love you! :)
Linds
P.S. I am so very proud of you, by the way!
I say do radio interviews. That way you can insure who gets the credit and also it won’t interfere as much with your schedule as traveling would.
Congrats!
I think you’ve had enough suggestions on how to market your book, but I’d like to address the discomfort.
Keep in mind why you wrote the book. It wasn’t to promote yourself. God has laid a message on your heart and this is the medium he allowed you to use it.
Certainly you didn’t write a book so that it wouldn’t sell. You’d love it to get into the hands of as many people as possible. And by saying possible, that means setting your priorities on how much you want this to take you away from your home.
There is one side of marketing that deals with generating product awareness. There is nothing wrong with making people know that there is a resource available to them for their spiritual growth. Interviews, blog tours, etc, are great ways to give people a taste of what you want to share.
It’s when marketing messages make it sound like the book is essential to spiritual growth is when marketing rears its ugly head. That is the only time you need to feel uncomfortable.
Don’t forget you-tube and God-tube.
They are great avenues of advertisements. You could come up with a catchy add or interview. Then send the link to your bloggy friends and we will post it and pass it on.
You know I will promote to our pw in my state and all across our fellowship.
you’re devoted marketing sistah~ LOL