Christa Reads and Writes: Guest Post: JAMIE CORTLAND: Marketing Your Dream Book

Today it is my pleasure to have Jamie Cortland as my guest to discuss marketing...

Marketing Your Dream Book

By Jamie Cortland

You have already established your target market and you have written the book of your dreams which just happens to be a great book. Now you’ve just received your first order.

Uh oh! There’s a mistake on the spine of your book. Your name is spelled wrong! What are you going to do? The publisher won’t refund your money. Solution: You’re going to use the box of books as galleys to send to reviewers. You’re going to order more books after you’re sure that won’t happen again.

I hope that for the past two or three years that you have built a network of supporters, people who are interested in you and your project. I also hope that you are established on social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads. When your book is released and you have copies to sell, have a party or better yet parties! Book release parties. Tell people about your book; answer questions.

Join web forums, start a blog. Create a blog tour on the web and don’t forget give aways,. Have you created a Media Kit? I would take one with you when you visit book stores. You will need an attractive folder that contains your press photo, author’s bio, a synopsis of the book and perhaps an excerpt and a copy of your book. I love book signings, but not everyone does. Your reading audience will vary to sometimes long lines and other times perhaps only one or two people. Do a little talk about your book. Normally, the book seller will expect this. Give him or her a copy of your book and be sure to thank them when you leave even if no one shows up. It’s okay to have flowers, a bowl of candy on your table along with your books. Be friendly to everyone even if they don’t buy a book.

Now that we have talked about parties and book signings, I would like to say that it is also fine to sell one book at a time to someone who needs and wants your book. Keep repeating this. Sometimes this can actually be more successful than selling to thousands of faceless people.

Create a book pitch if you haven’t already. You will use it time after time, so it is best if you can write at least three. How long? Ten seconds, twenty seconds and thirty seconds. When someone asks you what the book is about, you will use the ten second pitch. If they want to know more. Give them the longer pitch.

Do you have a website? If not, it should include a blog, sample chapters from your book, a link to the site or sites where your book is sold, book reviews, blurbs and your schedule of appearances as well as your contact information.

Other things you can do, get at least 20 Amazon reviews, speak at conferences.
Speaking to large audiences is something I’ve never liked doing, but it is a must. The last time I spoke at a large audience, my microphone went out and I had no alternative but to walk up and down the aisles with a mike in my hand, still speaking, sometimes stopping to ask questions. I have never gotten over my fear of large audiences so I hope to soon join a Toastmaster’s group.

If all of this is just too daunting or you just don’t have the time, or are ill, hire a publicist. They are after all pros. They can place you on TV shows, radio shows and arrange book signings you might not be able to book. Some publicists are quite expensive, but oftentimes, they have budget plans.

Have fun and I’ll see you on the bestselling list!

Thanks for the tips Jamie! Now to talk about you and the links for your romantic suspense books, including the newest, DYING TO DANCE...

Brief Bio and Links

Weslynn McCallister, pseudonym, Jamie Cortland was born in Evansville, Indiana and raised in Roswell, New Mexico. Today, she lives in the southwest. A published novelist and an award winning poet, she is a member of Sisters in Crime, the Mystery Writers of America, and is a founding member of the Florida Writers Association.Website URL: Weslynn McCallister, Author www.jamiecortland.com

Facebook URL: https//www.facebook.com/jamiecortland

Twitter: Weslynn McCallister@twitter

LinkedIn: Weslynn McCallister, Author

Buy links for Jamie Cortland's books - Romantic Suspense:

What Lies Within http://www.amazon.com/What-Lies-Within-Jamie-Cortland/dp/1629891762/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1447445600&sr=8-2&keywords=What+Lies+Within+Cortland

Dying to Dance http://www.amazon.com/Dying-Dance-Romantic-Jamie-Cortland-ebook/dp/B0157JJ36K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1447445635&sr=8-1&keywords=Dying+to+Dance+Cortland

Synopsis - DYING TO DANCE

Char and Diana Mansville, two sisters in their early twenties, lose their parents in a tragic accident. Finding themselves on the brink of financial disaster, they re-locate to southwest Florida to live with their aunt, a beautiful and wealthy ballroom dancer. Once there, they meet handsome and charismatic Roland Donovan, who is a sociopath and involved in a deadly insurance scheme. Stricken by Diana's beauty and charm, he sets his focus upon her and relentlessly begins his pursuit of her.

ReviewChar and Diana are both writers and the death of their parents hits them hard emotionally. Moving to Florida is a new start for both of them and a chance to learn ballroom dancing. Aunt Marion is glad to have them - the man in her life has died unexpectedly and the Cooper family, who run several ball room dance studios are impressed with what the sisters already know about dance. There's Diana's break up with Wyatt, and the romance of Char with Dillon, and then there's the charming Dr. Donovan. He's made some bad investments, needs money, and thinks Diana is his answer. If she won't give him a loan, an insurance policy with him as beneficiary will work as well. DYING TO DANCE builds slowly but steadily with increasing tension not just in the dance frame.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review as part of this blog tour. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.