While sitting in a yellow taxicab in Manhattan (No,
I didn’t use Uber), it occurred to me the numerous similarities between how a
cab driver goes about his business and how authors need to attack their
publicity and marketing. Come on a ride
with me as I note 11 ways authors should promote books like a cabby.
1.
Be
Assertive
Taxi drivers are not relaxed,
passive, or conservative by any stretch.
They hustle to get fares and they literally cut corners to expedite
their trips so they can get a new customer.
Learn from them. Be scrappy and
aggressive.
2.
Prepare
To Change Directions
Taxis are always moving, but never
in the same direction for too long. You
too must be out there and moving, but be ready to alter your course or methods.
3.
Be
Ready To Apply Your Brakes
Sometimes you need to stop an
activity and pursue a new one. If a cab
doesn’t stop, it can be fatal, and if you fail to see the stop signs to what
you’re doing, you’re in for a crash.
4.
Anticipate
And Be A Lane Ahead
Cabs always look ahead and see how
they can negotiate traffic to position them to where they want to be. They switch lanes often. Survey your landscape and anticipate the
roadblocks you need to navigate around.
5.
Break
The Rules – But Don’t Be Reckless
Cabs speed, fail to signal, and
sometimes cut people off. You too will
have to push in ways that may seem like you’re pushing the envelope – just
don’t run a red light!
6.
Know
The Road Conditions
Cabs prepare to drive in bad
weather, darkness, or lousy roads. You
should prep yourself for the bumpy road ahead.
7.
You
Never Know Who You’ll Meet
Cab drivers never know who’ll get
in their cab. It could be a celebrity, a
grouch or a crazy person. They are
prepared to talk to them to find out.
You too should talk to anyone and everyone everywhere, from supermarket
lines to PTA meetings.
8.
Don’t
Forget To Stop
All that speeding towards your goal
sometimes requires time to pause, reflect, assess, and move on. Cabbies have to stop in order to get a new
fare and pick up passengers. You may not
pick up a passenger, but when you stop to take a break you might pick up a
valuable idea.
9.
Fulfill
Your Purpose
Taxis have a single purpose – to
make money by taking people from point A to B, over and over. Know what your purpose is – to market and
promote your book to the targeted readers who would want your book.
10. Use A GPS
Cabbies know the roads but always
take along a GPS because they need a map to where they are going. They can’t afford to get lost. You too, need a road map. Know where you’re going otherwise all that
you’ve done is go nowhere fast.
11. Time Is Money
Just as taxis often charge based on
a meter (time and distance traveled), think of your own meter. Put a value to your time and make sure you
spend it wisely.
One other similarity between cabbies and authors – aside from the mediocre pay and long hours – is that they are both called
“hacks”!
DON’T MISS: ALL NEW RESOURCE OF THE YEAR
2015 Book PR & Marketing Toolkit: All New
Brian Feinblum’s views, opinions, and ideas expressed in this blog
are his alone and not that of his employer. You can follow him on Twitter @theprexpert and email him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com.
He feels more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted
by BookMarketingBuzzBlog © 2015
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