I told you that a client/friend landed a grant to have her book presented as a play in Griffin, Georgia. Well, I really, really want to be there, so I am attempting to locate writers groups in the area where I can speak, therefore, justify spending the money to go.
Do you see how that works? No, I probably won’t be a paid speaker—although some clubs and organizations do give speakers a stipend of from $50 to $150 or so. I go out and speak to these small groups for the exposure. It is a way for me to promote my books, my services and SPAWN while also helping hopeful and struggling authors to take the steps necessary to succeed.
Those of you with books to promote could follow suit. Do you have a class reunion or a family reunion coming up next summer in Los Angeles, Detroit, Philadelphia, Miami or Waterloo, Iowa? Contact bookstores in the area and arrange for a book signing. Then make arrangements to do a gig on a local talk radio show prior to the event and be sure to send out press releases to local newspapers. If your book, in any way, relates to local history, see about speaking at the museum or before the historical society.
Maybe you have a nonfiction book featuring pets, natural health and beauty tips or family budgeting. Arrange book signings at appropriate sites—pet stores, veterinarian offices, animal shelters or natural health food stores, beauty shops, beauty supply stores or real estate offices, an accountant’s office, etc.
Do you have a novel focusing on an elderly couple who take a motorcycle road trip? Set up signings/talks at senior centers, bike shops, civic club meetings and so forth.
In other words, use your imagination to come up with good venues for promoting your book and step out of your comfort zone to make the arrangements.
Program directors and bookstore managers who do not know you, will need some proof of your credibility. After telling them a little about yourself, invite them to your website. Send them a copy of your book. Give them a sense of your talk. And be sure to tell them about some of your speaking experiences.
What? You don’t have speaking experience? Here’s what you do:
1. Join a Toastmasters Club. Find one near you at: http://www.toastmasters.org. Toastmasters Clubs are self-help organizations for honing your public speaking and communication skills.
2. Devise a presentation designed to entertain and/or inform audiences.
3. Set up several book signings and speaking engagements locally.
Now you have skills and experience.
To learn more about the dos and don’ts of public speaking as a way to promote your book and so much more related to writing, publishing and promoting your book, read The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Those of you who have this book–and I know there are quite a few of you who do–how about commenting on what part of the book helped you the most. PLFry620@yahoo.com. Or leave a comment here.