Can Authors Create & Act On A Big Idea?

 

 

For all of the things an author could do to market their book, many will choose what they think is cost-effective, minimally impacts their time, and is something that they can see themselves actually doing.

All authors want the big idea. But do they have the fortitude, creativity, energy, time, and knowledge to come up with it? Are they willing to take a risk and pursue it? Do they have the skills, connections, or money that might be needed to implement it? 

Only each author can answer for herself.

Writers should be asking: 

·         What will it take to land a major news media opportunity, from a major feature story in a leading newspaper, magazine, or digital media outlet, to a big interview on a top tier television show, podcast, or radio station? 

·         How do I create content people want to click on — repeatedly and urge them to share it with others? How do you get something to go viral? 

·         How can I land a major influencer or leading expert/celebrity to endorse your book — without paying them a cent? 

·         How do I get invited to speak before a large crowd of people likely to be potential readers of my book – if only they knew of it? 

How do you come up with a big idea? 

·         Always be thinking about finding a big idea

·         Freely think of ideas without restraint or judgment

·         Have fun with this exercise — just let it flow with no pressure

·         Go opposite: turn the serious into silly or vice versa

·         Accept that the dumbest-sounding thing could be what works best

·         Borrow from other industries, disciplines, or mediums

·         Understand what people want and why

·         Be aware of what people need and why

·         Put others in touch with nostalgic feelings

·         Think in terms of a concept, setting, context, images, sound, and the words of your idea — everything plays a role in influencing another person

·         Brainstorm by yourself — meditate and then let what comes to you to marinate

·         Seek advice and guidance from others

·         Take note of what goes viral and why

·         Hijack what is newsy, popular, and trending —and spinoff your related content

·         Ride the coattails of other viral content out there and try to capitalize on which flavor of the moment is in vogue

·         Take an idea and project it out to its most extreme form 

Which subjects have viral potential? 

·         Remember what drives most people: money, family, friends, career, sex, sports, travel, fun, faith, pets, kids, mystery, and the pursuit of thrills

·         Realize we all deal with challenges, fears, jealousies, losses, anger, love, pain, and death

·         We all have values, political views, and opinions

·         Things that are funny 

·         Something deep and spiritual or philosophical

·         Helpful information

·         Appeal to targeted, underserved types of people

·         Tie into a major anniversary, holiday, honorary day, or public celebration

·         Motivational and inspirational advice or image 

Think of the biggest pleasure and pain points in life, those experiences many of us are bound to have that hold milestone significance — first kiss, first sex act, marriage, divorce, graduations, winning awards, championships, scholarships, contests, loss of a loved one, birth or adoption of a child, first apartment, first car, first job, major accident, big fight, etc. 

Can you create and act on a big idea? Why not?  

Need PR Help?

Brian Feinblum, the founder of this award-winning blog, with over 3.9 million page views, 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. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator!

 

About Brian Feinblum

Brian Feinblum should be followed on www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum. This is copyrighted by BookMarketingBuzzBlog ©2024. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent.  This award-winning blog has generated over 3.9 million pageviews. With 4,900+ posts over the past dozen years, it 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 www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” For the past three decades, including 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and director of publicity positions 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, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler. He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, Morgan James Publishing, 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. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.