Authors: Plant Your Seeds For A Harvest

 

It is okay if you don’t sell a single book today, tomorrow or even next month. But you need to be planting seeds — often months in advance — to secure sales down the road.

It is a marathon — not a sprint — when it comes to securing book sales for authors.

The long game includes a repetition of garnering these things over time:

* Bookstore signings

* Book reviews

* Social media

* Media coverage

* Testimonials

* Book awards

* Cultivating connections

* Developing a mailing list

* Targeted advertising

Everything you do is geared towards getting book sales — for either now or the future. Build your brand and keep growing it.

But some things definitely take time to secure and often, they involve a timeline that needs to be followed.

For instance, bookstore signings typically take several months advance notice to secure.

Additionally, getting major book reviews means you need to send out advance review copies four months prior to your book’s scheduled publication date.

Further, to build your brand and mailing list, you need to offer free downloadable content that can be accessed via signing up at your web site. This can be done many months before your book launches and will continue for as long as you are a writer.

Essentially, your book marketing starts a good six months prior to your book launch date. Use this lead-up time to plan and execute accordingly. That said, there are always things that you can do that require little or no advance notice, so don’t despair if you squandered your lead time.

Today you can join a social media platform. You can post a blog.  You can hand out fliers.

You can always do things to take ownership of your marketing — for today and tomorrow.

 Please Contact Me For Book PR Help

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 over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

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  Authors Can Make Headlines Without News

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Blogging 101 For Authors

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How Can Your Book Get Discovered?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/how-can-your-book-get-discovered.html

 

Will Authors Cross The Line?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/will-authors-cross-line.html

 

Why Do Authors Pursue Fame?

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Advice For Authors Who Say Nothing Works

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/advice-for-authors-who-say-nothing-works.html

 

The Truth That Authors Need To Hear

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-truth-that-authors-need-to-hear.html

 

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. 

 

 

 

Can Authors Imagine Their Future?

 

I recently read Imaginable: How To See The Future Coming and Feel Ready For Anything, Even Things That Seem Impossible Today, by Jane McGonigal. It offered powerful thoughts about the future -- how to predict it, handle it, create it, and mine it.   

Authors need to be inventive and creative -- not just with their writings but with their marketing. Writers must open their hearts and minds to new approaches to getting the word out about their books. Imaginable, in some ways, is a refreshing look at the future and how we choose to see it. If we can adjust our vantage point, perhaps we’ll be more productive, creative, and happy as a result.   

Avoid dismissing something as impossible, no matter how outrageous or unusual it would be if it were to happen. Plan for all possibilities and seek beyond what’s merely probable.  

Challenge what you believe. Prove your views. You may find out that things have changed, even your own stand on things Audit and challenge your beliefs.   

Nothing stays the same forever. We know this, yet we cling to what is, as if it must remain that way without acknowledging change is on its way -- whether we accept it or not.   

Ponder the unthinkable and unimaginable.  

Rethink your fate. Look past yesterday. 

Sometimes you need to suspend your disbelief.   

“History is made up of nothing but an endless series of shocking things happening for the first time: shocking scientific discoveries, shocking technological advances, shocking social progress, shocking reforms, shocking natural disasters, shocking violence, shocking government actions, shocking economic collapse. If anything, human brains should have a shock bias rather than a normalcy bias. But constantly expecting everything around us to change unpredictably would be too mentally taxing. It would wear down our nervous system. It would exhaust us emotionally, so we stick to our normalcy bias, which helps us stay sane and feel reasonably in control of our lives. Still, we can at least, occasionally and intentionally, give ourselves a little shock.” (excerpt from the book)  

Authors must balance dreaming and doing, writing and marketing. Having an eye on the future may help authors take better ownership of their present. 

 Please Contact Me For Book PR Help

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 over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

Read These Posts

How To Make America Read Again!

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/09/how-to-make-america-read-again.html

 

How Do Authors Spend Their Time?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/09/how-do-authors-spend-their-time.html

 

What Are Authors Willing To Do?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/what-are-authors-willing-to-do.html

 

  Authors Can Make Headlines Without News

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Blogging 101 For Authors

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Will Authors Cross The Line?

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Why Do Authors Pursue Fame?

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Advice For Authors Who Say Nothing Works

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The Truth That Authors Need To Hear

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-truth-that-authors-need-to-hear.html

 

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. 

 

 

 

Interview With Author Jim Young

 

 

1. What motivated you to write your book, to force you from taking an idea or experience and turning it into this book?  As I saw the world waking up to the reality of burnout's impact, I noticed that there were books geared towards women and the general population, but none geared specifically towards the special brand of burnout that I faced as a man.    

2. What is it about and who is it for? The book is a dissection of the cultural forces that lead men into burnout and keep them stuck there. It also provides a powerful, lasting antidote to burnout in the form of "expansive intimacy." The book is for men who have become consumed by the demands of their career to the detriment of their family, romantic, and social lives.    

3. What takeaways might the reader will be left with after reading it? Readers will walk away with an understanding that their situation is not unique or shameful, that our culture has created conditions that lead men into burnout. They'll also learn that breaking through the shame that keeps them stuck in burnout is the path towards lowering their stress, creating new & stronger relationships across their lives, and finding happiness.     

4. How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design?  The title came from two-word response I gave to my romantic partner when she asked me on our first date what I was looking for in a relationship. The subtitle came from a "throwaway" comment I made on a podcast that helped me realize that practicing intimacy is what makes a guy "tough" these days. The cover design was an inspiration from my designer, Donna Cunningham of Beaux Arts. As soon as I saw the abstract circles, representing the cascade of connections we can build in our lives, I knew I had my cover.   

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers? Don't hold back when you reach a point where what you're about to write makes you scared. Instead, go further than you think you should in that direction.   

6. What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading? I see a continuing movement towards authors having more freedom in how their books get out into the world, as well as a trend towards content ownership remaining with its creator.    

7. What challenges did you overcome to write this book? I wrote this book in about 10 months while running a business, parenting three teenagers half-time, growing a long-distance relationship, dealing with a relative with mental health issues, and staying sharp enough to perform live improv comedy shows once a month.   

8. How would you describe your writing style? I think my writing is relatable while pushing the reader to consider new perspectives. I push for a blend of levity and gravity through the ample use of stories that I connect to research and thought-provoking ideas. Ideally, I'm trying to change minds by opening hearts.  

9. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? Our world is so fragmented and fraught. The power structures that influence so much of our world are led by men who have been raised under a set of conditions that shame them into closing down, turning away, and burning out. If we are going to reverse the trends that are pulling us apart, we need to provide leaders with a graceful and appealing way to step away from the ways they've been socialized to hold power. Expansive Intimacy offers just that.   

About The Author: Jim Young is an executive coach, facilitator, and speaker who leverages his experiences from the corporate C-Suite to cure burnout for leaders and organizations. His book, Expansive Intimacy: How "Tough Guys" Defeat Burnout, helps men create a roadmap for more fulfilling lives. You can learn more about his work at www.thecenteredcoach.com.

 Please Contact Me For Book PR Help

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 over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres.

 

Read These Posts

How To Make America Read Again!

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/09/how-to-make-america-read-again.html

 

How Do Authors Spend Their Time?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/09/how-do-authors-spend-their-time.html

 

What Are Authors Willing To Do?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/what-are-authors-willing-to-do.html

 

  Authors Can Make Headlines Without News

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/09/authors-can-make-headlines-without-news.html

 

Blogging 101 For Authors

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/blogging-101-for-authors.html

 

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https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/33-more-ways-to-generate-book-sales.html

 

How Can Your Book Get Discovered?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/how-can-your-book-get-discovered.html

 

Will Authors Cross The Line?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/will-authors-cross-line.html

 

Why Do Authors Pursue Fame?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/08/why-do-authors-pursue-fame.html

 

Advice For Authors Who Say Nothing Works

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/07/advice-for-authors-who-say-nothing-works.html

 

The Truth That Authors Need To Hear

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2022/04/the-truth-that-authors-need-to-hear.html

 

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.