Can Authors Speak As Well As They Write?

 

Author, you just need to answer one question when it comes to marketing your book: Can you talk in a way that equals how your written words sound?

Think about it. People are buying your book because they believe or perceive that you are a good writer in a genre that they value. If you can write well, then you should be able to speak well, but that often is not the case.

A poor speaker can doom a great book.

The converse can be true: a great speaker can sell a poor book.

To be a successful writer, you need to be a good speaker. You speak about your book all of the time, whether to friends, family, or casual strangers. You pitch your book to the news media and you persuade people when you present at a book store or make a public appearance. You talk in a media interview. You speak when making videos. You use your vocal and verbal abilities to sell what you clanked out on the keyboard.

Are you shy? Get over it.

Do you stutter? Fix it.

Mumble?  Clearly enunciate.

Whisper? Speak up. 

Afraid of a crowd? Focus on talking to one person.

Have a screechy voice? Take voice lessons.

Tend to ramble? Stop that.

Bad body language? Be aware of it and stand tall.

Poor appearance? Get new clothes.

Low energy? Suck down some caffeine.

Whatever issues you have, find a work-around. Get trained by a pro. See a psychologist. Practice good habits.

Speak well by: 

* Sounding authentic

* Not sounding like you are reading something

* Having a strong theme and message

*Using a hook to keep them interested

* Using eye-opening stats and facts

* Conjuring up images through good stories

* Engaging audiences with questions

* Mastering brevity

* Dropping a few memorable lines

* Harnessing the appropriate vocabulary

* Giving clear take-aways for listeners

The road to selling your books is paved in how well you obtain speaking opportunities and deliver great speeches. Speaking is like writing, but with sound. You’ve got this.

Do You Need Book Marketing & 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 like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your 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 5,000+ 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.