What's Your Biggest Challenge with Your Book?

[Bill Frank]

I'd be interested to learn what authors/publishers on this network think their biggest challenges are with their book. I wonder if there's any common, pervasive challenge we all face.

[Jean Purcell]

Steve, I am glad you favor getting out of the bookstore mode!
Would you like to share any ideas or advice about developing leads and how to use them effectively (ROI)? I suspect you have clearly defined your niche audiences.

[Steve Miller]

I'm teaching a seminar next weekend on marketing your books. I'll try to e-mail you my extended outline. I see you have an article as well. I'll look it over!

[Jean Purcell]

Steve, sorry I am only now thanking you for the outline. I am "home bound" for most part these days due to family member in home-hospice with my husband, daughter, and me. Thankful for Internet which helps me keep working, but I sometimes do have gaps of time. I'm going over your outline now. I know it can help others.
Jean

[DonaldPayne]

The biggest challenge for me is learning how to market my books and brand myself based on three books that have three different topics and were all written and published within a two year time span.

[Joel Friedlander]

Donald, the good thing is that your books are tightly focused within your niche. They will sell together and cross-promote each other. From the covers it looks like you've done a lovely job on the books. Do you sell mostly from your website?

[DonaldPayne]

First let me say thank you for the compliment. As for the question as to where my books are sold, the answer is anywhere Christian books are sold. I rarely sell books from my website but they are available. When you mention that the books are within my niche, are you referring to my coaching or the practical Christian living that I promote?

[Jean Purcell]

Hi, Donald

I wonder if the three books on three topics, unless in the same general genre, is a mixed bag. How do you spread your attention? Can they be connected in some way and sold together as a package?

[DonaldPayne]

Each book can stand-alone, however I have sold them as a set during seminars and social gatherings. The books are connected by the fact that they all deal with life issues, from a Christian perspective. I agree that the bag is somewhat mixed but as a Christian Living coach a mixed bag is what you have to deal with. I do however find myself leaning towards discussion in relations to debt awareness and overall money issues.

[Jean Purcell]

Dear Donald, it sounds as though you are on the right track. If you have social or business or faith gathering exposure to convince people that your input and resources are valuable and needed, then you have a good base, in my view. I am not able at this time to be in public often, due to situation of illness of one at home, but I think that the main challenge, in person or on Internet or in stores, is to convince others of the value of what you offer and are selling. ~Jean

[Jean Purcell]

Hi, Bill
My most difficult part, personally, is meeting booksellers and trying to "sell" them on ideas for book signings. It wears me out! I'd rather be vacuuming, for meeting those who hold the keys and can open doors is stressful for me. They are often skeptical about unknown writers or publishers.
I am also a publisher and I deal with a lot of writers through a newsletter and other venues. I have not yet "cracked" my own marketing code, but continue to work hard at it. The attached book cover is our 2007 book. I publish select, nonfiction titles as president of Opine Publishing. I look for a marketing plan, fully developed and showing knowledge, with every book proposal I agree to read. The first marketing step is to the editor, in a well-written query.

[Joel Friedlander]

Terrific cover, Jean, very effective. I would think that the quality of your products ought to give you a leg up with booksellers. The name of the game in retail is self-interest. If you can demonstrate your ability to bring people into the store, you should be able to get the stores to open up to you. Good luck!

[Jean Purcell]

Dear Joel,
I appreciate your expertise and this venue for sharing ideas and questions. Thanks for the feedback! It means a lot! Glad we have networked! ~Jean