Like many authors, marketing isn’t my strongest asset and it doesn’t appear on my things-I-like-to-do list. Therefore, when I heard the term, "marketing coach," I couldn’t help but wonder exactly what such a person could do for me. Fortunately my guest today, Cherish D’Angelo (a.k.a. Cheryl Kaye Tardif), has stepped in to answer that burning question. Without further ado, I’ll turn you over to Cherish.
Thank you so much, Jane, for having me as a guest on your blog during my Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour, which launches my debut romantic suspense Lancelot's Lady. As Cherish D'Angelo, I write steamy romances. As Cheryl Kaye Tardif, I write sizzling suspense and YA, and I'm a book marketing coach. Today, I'd like to share how a marketing coach can help writers.Whether you're a published author or unpublished, it's important to establish your brand as soon as possible. Many writers wait far too long to get a decent website and blog built. The sooner you start, the more your name will be everywhere online when you really need it to be, which is at book launch time. The more your name is out there in cyberspace, the more people will come across it. The more they come across it, the more they remember you. Makes sense, right? Then why doesn't every writer have a proper website with a custom domain and a professional look?
As a book marketing coach, it's my job to first of all assess my clients' websites and blogs. I need to learn about you and see how others will perceive you. Outside of the works you create, your website and blog are your two best assets in this business. After all, this is where readers will find out about you. Unfortunately, you could be sabotaging your efforts with a few missteps in your site and blog design. That's where I come in.
I analyze the structure of your website and make recommendations on design elements and navigation, two very important elements to having a well-developed website. I often help authors select and register their domain names and find affordable, easy hosting and web creation. Next, I do an internet identity analysis. This tells me how easy it is to find you online, which should be one click away on any search bar. If you aren't at least 5 pages deep on a search engine, we've got work to do.
Along with the basics as described above, I teach my clients how to make the best use of their time on social networks like Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and more. I show you how to effectively market your books to their "friends", without being a pushy salesperson. Other services I provide may include instruction on agent query writing and submission techniques and tips, self-publishing or traditional publishing, getting reviews and review blurbs, how to hold a successful event like a book signing or reading, how to organize a virtual book/blog tour, how to get your books on bookstore shelves, how to get major sponsors and more.
Working with other writers is very rewarding for me. I made a point early on in my career to give back when I could. For a few years, I coached other authors for free, but now that my time is more limited, and since I've spent time and money learning these techniques, I charge a fee. After all, my time is valuable. Time is money, especially to a writer who could be working on a future bestseller. As a coach, my ultimate goal is to give my clients more confidence, so they can work efficiently and see greater success. With confidence, you can do anything.
~Cheryl Kaye Tardif, aka Cherish D'Angelo, aka "Shameless Promoter"
Lancelot's Lady ~ A Bahamas holiday from dying billionaire JT Lance, a man with a dark secret, leads palliative nurse Rhianna McLeod to Jonathan, a man with his own troubled past, and Rhianna finds herself drawn to the handsome recluse, while unbeknownst to her, someone with a horrific plan is hunting her down.Lancelot's Lady is available in ebook edition at KoboBooks, Amazon's Kindle Store, Smashwords and other ebook retailers. Help me celebrate by picking up a copy today and "Cherish the romance..."
You can learn more about Lancelot's Lady and Cherish D'Angelo (aka Cheryl Kaye Tardif) at http://www.cherishdangelo.com and http://www.cherylktardif.blogspot.com. Follow Cherish from September 27 to October 10 on her Cherish the Romance Virtual Book Tour and win prizes.
Authors: What is your number one weakness in marketing your books? Readers: What kind of marketing grabs your attention? How do you discover new authors?
Leave a comment here, with email address, to be entered into the prize draws. You're guaranteed to receive at least 1 free ebook just for doing so. Plus you'll be entered to win a Kobo ereader. Winners will be announced after October 10th.
Thank you, Cherish. A book marketing coach sounds like the perfect solution for someone like me. I am certainly going to consider taking this step before my next book is released. Good luck with your tour.
And thank all of you for dropping by today. Be sure to leave your comment or question for Cherish (Cheryl) along with your email address in order to be entered in the contest. I hope to see you again next Monday.
Tags: Cherish D’Angelo, Cheryl Tardif, book marketing coach, virtual book tour,
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22 comments:
Thanks, both of you, for posting this. Great and useful article!
Great post. I learned some things and will tuck them in my brain for the future.
This is all really good to know. Thanks.
Thanks for the advice. It seems that today, the internet is the very first place an audience will look for your name, so that web presence is critical.
I've never heard of a marketing coach. I like the idea of someone teaching me how to better manage my social networking time, particularly in determining what works and what doesn't. It's just crazy how much time a person can spend among the many websites, message boards, groups, etc.
Asking me to pick my "number one" marketing weakness gives me a chuckle. I'll just say marketing in general in my major weakness!
Great tips! Good luck to you on your new release as well. Thanks Jane for hosting Cherish.
Establishing a brand really is important--publishers like to know that there's a platform ready when your book comes out. Good tips.
Good tips! I don't have a website, just a blog. And marketing in the real world is not my thing.
Thank you all for the great comments. I'm so glad my article has given you ideas. That's one thing I'm never short of--ideas. lol
Feel free to drop by my book marketing coach site. You'll find more tips/ideas there.
Thank you to my awesome host, Jane! I'll pop by here throughout the day. :-)
Cherish
Thank you, Cherish (Cheryl). It was a pleasure to host you. Thanks to all who stopped by and an extra thank you to those who took the time to leave a comment.
I can see where waiting until your book comes out to start the blog and web page would just be way too much at one time. Having it before hand would definitely help create buzz for the book's launch.
Mason
Thoughts in Progress
There are still many authors I talk to who have no idea what the internet can do or even how to help their website become more aesthetically pleasing and user friendly. Yay for book coaches!
jmfictionscribe@yahoo.com.au
Thank YOU, Jane. And I agree. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and commented.
Mason, you're right. An author should have everything set in place before launching their book. Not having a website and blog up beforehand would be like bringing home a brand new baby and not having a crib or diapers. :-)
Jaime, thank you. I really enjoy helping other authors. For some, certain kinds of marketing seem natural, but for others they don't see it until someone shows them the way. Once they're confident, I give them a little push and off they go on their own. :-)
Cherish
I am late, I am late for a very important blog hop!!! I am a day behind, but still stalking!!! lol
sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com
This is good information to hear about and to consider. No book here yet, but hopefully in the future. I'm getting a pretty good search engine presence through my blog, but I still need to think about a website.
Lee
Tossing It Out
One of these years I'll figure out Twitter.
Hi Jane,
Thanks for having Cherish and her great post about what it takes to market.
Glad I was able to read your blog. Cheers~
I didn't know there was such a thing as a marketing coach. That's cool.
CD
Great posts. It sounds like Cherish knows what she's talking about.
Very good blog. Writing a book is hard work and lots of sacrifice. Many do not realize the battle is only half over. Now comes the promotional aspects.
Stephen Tremp
Most interesting! Thanks for the guest post, Jane. Loved this quote: Whether you're a published author or unpublished, it's important to establish your brand as soon as possible. I agree. There is only a small window of opportunity when a book is released to grab visibility ... so getting out there in advance is critical. Wonderful advice! --Daisy @ SunnyRoomStudio
Fab post. I totally agreee with what you've shared.
I'm not a book marketing coach, but as a designer and creative consultant I give my clients the same advice.
1) Establish a solid identity and brand
2)Get yourself out there and be seen/heard.
Pam S
pams00 @ aol.com
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