How Can Authors Work With Non-Profits?

  

Many authors are seeking different avenues to sell books, to go beyond bookstores and libraries, or their friends and families. One place to look more closely is the non-profit sector.   

Think houses of worship, schools, community centers, and charities for every cause, from helping the homeless, veterans, and the elderly to abandoned pets, literacy, and peace.

Here is what you can do or consider when contacting a non-profit: 

Fundraiser

You can sell the book to a non-profit at a low price and they can re-sell it and use the profit to fund their organization and programming. They can sell your book on their site. They can give it away to big donors or new members. 

Branding

If you develop a relationship with an organization, they may allow you to contribute to, or be interviewed on, their blog or newsletter. Maybe they can interview you on their podcast. Perhaps they will have you speak, in person or by zoom, to their members.  

Goodwill

Give back to your community and be in support of an important cause. Donate books — help others, get a tax write-off, and hope that posting about your donation on social media buys you some goodwill.

Testimonials

Ask those who get books or hear you speak to send you testimonials that you can post on your web site, social media, or marketing materials.

Lead Generator

Connecting with a group can help you sell other books, products, and services. Let’s say you donate 20 copies of a book. Maybe it serves as a loss leader and those who read the book then go to your site to purchase other stuff. 

Feel Good 

If for nothing else, let yourself feel good about helping others.   

Networking

Anyone whom you meet is a potential consumer of your book. And every person knows other people, people that you would love to be introduced to. Let's say you speak at a non-profit, or sell/donate books to them. Ask them if they can refer you to other groups who may want the same arrangement.  

Word-of-Mouth

This is the name of the game. Sure, sales are the bottom line, but word-of-mouth is what will power that. Getting more people exposed to your message and reading your book will only lead to more people telling their friends/family and social media networks about you.  

Which non-profits should you reach out to?  

Start locally, geographically, and if it goes well, expand regionally and nationally.

Look for organizations that have a high profile in the community or media.

Seek out smaller ones, too, knowing it will increase your chances of developing a relationship with them.

Try organizations that align with your values and the message of your book.  

What is the best way to reach them? 

Find their web site listing and see if you can find a directory of personnel. Find the executive director, president, or programming director.  Call them and see if you can pin down who is the right person to approach about speaking, selling books, making a donation, etc. Then, if they are nearby, learn when they will be around, and visit or call them. Only resort to email if necessary.  

Think ahead of your meeting of all the things you could ask for. Prioritize. Focus on getting to know them and letting them feel you care about what they do and show a willingness to help. From good intentions and good efforts come good results. 

Even if linking up with one or more non-profits does not yield a harvest for you, know that you are doing something helpful and positive and greatly contributing to the world that you live in.  

 

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com He is available to help authors promote their story, sell their book, and grow their brand. He has 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

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About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on Twitter @theprexpert. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2022. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This blog, with over 4,000 posts over the past decade, was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby  http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and two jobs at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Susan RoAne, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He recently hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America, and has spoken at ASJA, IBPA, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. He has been featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. For more information, please consult: linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum.