I planned to just say Happy Easter this morning before exiting to the kitchen. I’m preparing brunch for 25+ family members who will arrive in about 5 hours. But, as often happens, a topic occurred to me the minute I sat down in front of the computer.
As you know, I’m leaving in a few days to speak to authors in Atlanta and Nashville. I present a dozen or so workshops and speeches every year at various venues throughout the U.S. I’ve done 7 speeches since late January. People sometimes ask me, “How did they find out about you in Baltimore or Seattle or Nashville?â€
The internet certainly helps with exposure. I do receive invitations, but not without a lot of effort on my part toward becoming known in the right circles. Mostly, however, I solicit invitations. If you want to go out and speak to your book’s target audience, try some of the following ideas:
• Locate upcoming seminars/conferences in your topic or genre and contact the organizers with your credentials and a description of your speech. You’ll find conferences on a variety of topics at: http://www.allconferences.com or do a web search using keywords related to your topic or genre: cooking + shows (or conventions), fantasy + conferences, gardening + seminars, etc.
• Send complimentary packages to key organizations or industry leaders related to your topic or genre. For a history book or even historical fiction, this could be banks or other solid institutions seeking an entertaining program for a conference or meeting. For a book related to getting the sale or an emotional issue within the corporate world, for example, contact company heads throughout the U.S. Include in your package, your book, your brochure or other promo material, your resume/bio and an outline of your suggested program. Follow up by phone.
• Contact resorts and cruise ship lines. You may get a gig presenting your program to the guests.
• Don’t forget about your local civic clubs. The Chamber of Commerce should have a list of all organizations. Contact the program chair and tell them about your program.
• Consider appropriate shops and stores as venues for your presentation. Garden shops, pet stores, gift shops, feed barns, automotive stores, wine establishments, health food stores, etc.
• Churches sometimes sponsor workshops. Can you offer congregations tips on budgeting, writing, storytelling, healthy eating, suicide prevention, recovery from emotional problems, etc?
While, certainly, if you get word out about your book and your great program or workshop, industry leaders, conference organizers, store owners, etc. will come looking for you. But you’ll get more action if you present yourself to them—let them know you are available and that you have a polished presentation.
For more about your job as book promoter and how to hone your speaking skills, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
And if you’d like to have me come and speak to your writers’ or authors’ group, just contact me at plfry620@yahoo.com
Oh yes and Happy Easter everyone!