Blogging is a business, an expression of life and an EVENT!

Posted by Pam on Sep 21, 2011 in Blogging | 2 comments

“Those that show up, go up.” Pam Perry

I work with authors all the time. They are some soulful folks – and filled with hope and faith. Wonderful authors, great testimonies.

Yet, when it comes to business – the business of selling books – they want a “magic pill” to instantly be a superstar.

I’ve been at this book marketing business for over 10 years. And let me tell you, it takes a few years to be an “overnight success.”

So many authors believe that once they write and publish their book and tell a few friends, the sales will start coming in. That doesn’t happen. Sorry. Do you even have a BLOG DAWG??????

They soon realize that it is a crowed market out there and they desperately throw together some marketing materials and do a few eBlasts, and still nothing.

They hear about social media marketing and try that – for a weeks or a couple of months. And still nothing. They call up some author friends and ask what should they do and the authors tell them to hire a publicist.

They then look online for a publicist, and approach a few of them with $250 to $500 in their hands – and get discouraged because they find out it takes a lot more. A whole lot more. (See this blog post on what a publicist cost)

Note, if the PR person is “cheap” – you get what you pay for. Enough said.

So what should a new author do?

BLOG. You create your voice. Quit writing in a cave. Get real live feedback. Communicate with ideas with people Think of this as your focus group or market research. See who connects with you – and if your stuff resonates with a particular group. (see video below and hear what Stacey and Leticia had to say about blogging!)
Get a mentor, a PR coach and go to conferences (like Blogalicious Weekend) to help you with your blog, define your target audience, grasp the big picture and avoid costly mistakes. Way before the book come out!!! At least 3 to 6 months before.
Have a marketing plan and get contacts and instructions from your PR coach to execute the plan. A written plan is your road map to success.
Have a budget or learn how to create partnerships or joint ventures to leverage your lack of funds. Bartering is good if you have a small budget. (But you need some money!)
Build a brand – online and offline. Be consistent in all your marketing materials including blog, presskit, postcards, biz cards, etc.
Have an email list of folks interested in your subject and understand your brand and you feed them with valuable information BEFORE your book is out. (Your blog will do this for you)

That’s a start. But I’d go with #1 first. Investing in education and getting information will change the game for you. Going to conferences like Blogalicious Weekend or various writers conferences will be eye-opening.

Blogalicious Weekend Coming Up in October: MyFoxDC.com

Don’t just meet me there, BEAT me there! Pam Perry is an award-winning, certified social media strategist and PR coach. She is the new President/CEO of Social Media PR Solutions, LLC. You can find her social media bread crumbs at http://about.me/pamperry