Authors: Profit From Your Book From the Start

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How to Get Agents To Like You and Your Book

I just read this article about authors looking for literary representation.

Reminds me of the many times I've been approached at a public meeting by an aspiring author who wants me to do something for them because they want it. Or the emails that ask me to read a book, visit a site or get involved with someone I don't know because the author wants to sell books.

The approach rarely works.

It's like the guy who goes to a party and makes a marriage proposal to every woman he sees. He gets ignored or slapped a lot, but rarely is successful.

There's a much better way.

Instead of seeking help, become known as the kind of person that helps people.

Every big name author I work with is constantly approached by other authors looking for help of some kind. Behind the scenes, we discuss this and each one of them tells me the same thing. They want to help. They have been through the struggle, learned the path to success and take joy in helping those that are coming up behind them.

But like the girls in the party, they have to be choosy about who they help. It's only human to want to hang out with people we like.

How do you get them to choose you?

Simple. Be likable.

Robert Cialdini identified "likability" as one of the top persuasion principles in his book Influence, the Psychology of Persuasion. When we interviewed him last week, we talked about his new findings on the likability.

Cialdini explains that traditionally, sales training teaching persuaders to find a common ground.. something that both the persuader and the target have in common, but today Cialdini tells of a easier approach.

Like people.

Go out of your way to find out about the desires of your target.. find the common ground and especially find something you like about them. Focus on that, and help them get what they want.

You'll find that people who an help you will start asking to help.

And you'll have more fun while you move towards success.

Sell Books Online

If an author wants to sell books online, one of the techniques I prefer is planning, creating and launching a book promotion blog.

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Another Author Book Marketing Video Tip

MySpaceTV: Book Marketing Strategy Tips From Warren Whitlock by Warren Whitlock, Book Marketing Strategist
Book Marketing Strategy Tips From Warren Whitlock

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Book Marketing Blog Is Now a Widget

If you'd like to put my book marketing strategy post on your blog, just click here:

Widgetbox › Book Marketing Success Strategies for Authors web widget

A cool new way to include any RSS feed, or html code, or just about anything else you can think of on your web pages MySpace profile, Facebook page and other net locations.

Nothing to code. Nothing to learn. More promotion for you and your book. And it free.

Use My Network To Promote Your Book

I have thousands of connections I can share with authors.
Using LinkedIn.com, you can join me and connect our networks. People you know may want to learn more about becoming a best selling author. People I know can open doors to get you want you need.

And all of them read!

If you are a LinkedIn user, just click on the logo to see my book marketing profile on LinkedIn.com.

In you have not yet joined LinkedIn.. you will shown an easy sign up form.

It's FREE!. So do it today.

The secret of writing to be read

No sense writing a book that no one will be able to read.

Seth Godin points to a study of idea we know is true...

Seth's Blog: The secret of writing to be read

When you write this way, you will sell more book.

Gary asked "I Have No List.. How Can I Promote My Book?"

Gary's question is a common one. Most authors have no mailing list. We cover how to promote your book online in our FREE course for authors, but I think this message will add emphasis.

Just yesterday, I held a webinar with some of my readers.. all of them have been taught, reminded and begged to follow my number one rule for promoting online.

Never, ever, start a conversation with "I have no list"

You can buy advertising, hire a PR firm, and travel to all the bookstores on earth. If you have a big enough budget, you really don't have to have a mailing list. But the funny thing is, most successful rich authors have a mailing list. Why not start with the most effective marketing and promotion device for authors ever invented?

I reminded the class to write my name and email address on a piece of paper. "There you go.. you have a small list"

Then we took a survey about authors mailing lists. Can you guess the responses?

50% of those on the call said that they have no mailing list.

AAARGH!

Now I know that you are not one of them.. but there is a good chance that others reading this post haven't got the message. So please help me spread the word... Add a comment to this post and tell me you have an online mailing list. Be sure to include some information about how potential readers can see more on your book (after all, that's why we are here).

Okay.. rant over. Here's a couple of piratical suggestions for someone with a small list (even one address is a list):

1. Start building your mailing list. NOW!. If you don't have the software set up to do this, you can get it in about 5 minutes at http://AutoAuthorRiches.com

2. Don't do anything else until #1 is done. You cannot function as an author in this modern world using last century methods. Have I made that clear enough?

3. Offer something of value in return for people signing up for your list.

4. Use that offer (not "buy my book") in your advertising. Ultimately, the value of the readers that have signed up for your mailing list will far exceed the value of book sales.

I know. your book is different. If enough people read it, it will change the world. Well, keep in mind that no one will read it unless they know about it. And this is the easiest way to build a fan club of people interested in your subject. Please.. just do this. Build your mailing list.

5. Sign up for our FREE List Building Site.. This is where you will get new subscribers, more exposure for your book, find our about many other ways to build your readership and network with other authors that are just like you

6. On your profile page on Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn etc.. make sure you include your free offer. You can put the title of your book, but focus on getting readers attention. The best way to do this is to offer them free information on the subject they are interested in

7. Start a blog. Post about what you are doing, current events, your travels, your other work on the subject. Make sure there are prominent links to your free offer.

8. Post comments on relevant blogs. Don't spam them with a note to buy your book. Rather, you should make a meaningful comment on the posts.. and mention how it relates to your blog, free offer, etc.

9. Make sure you have followed the advice in my Famous Authors Course (free if you click here)

10 You can buy advertising, issue press releases, submit articles to publications, joint venture, get interviewed on podcasts, blogs, radio and TV, speak before large crowds, hold book store signings or a 100 other promotional activities. But when you do.. I hope you will be looking for ways to increase the readership of your online mailing list.

11. Too much work? Then why not just give away your book. The other steps here are for authors that want to see an income from their work. If that doesn't matter to you, the best way to get attention for your book is to arrange give it away. Many authors get started this way, submitting an entire book as a gift for our best seller book launches

Selling a book is hard work. Offering your book, and profitable add on products to people who are happy to hear from you is easy. To build a sustainable, profitable business as an author (and if you want income, you are in business) today requires an online presence and an mailing list.

Are you Bookwise?

I just watched a short video called "What is Bookwise"

Any author would want this.

It's the quickest way I've seen to be in a real business.

Why would you want that? Tax savings, another channel to get the word out about your book, and an incredible network of authors and readers for your book.

And then there's the global literacy project.

Watch the What is Bookwise video now and leave me a comment with your thoughts.

My Meeting With The Famous Author

I spent this afternoon with Robert Cialdini (yes, the Influence guy).

Cialdini was speaking at the Fortune Small Business Conference and I went with my friend Donna Fox to record an interview with him.

I'll post a link to that interview when it's done.

He told us about some new information and I asked if I could share it. So you'll be among the first to hear..

On the subject of Likability, Cialdini told us that all of the sales training that says that you need to get people to like you is wrong. You know, the "find out what their hobbies are.. what you have in common so you can bond" stuff.

He explained that this will often come off as a fake. And here is the reason why.

To really bond with a person, you should focus on liking them. Really, sincerely liking the people you meet and want to influence. Once you find a real reason to like them, it's much easier for them to like you.

People buy from those they know, like and trust. The best way to be likable is to like people

How To Find Partners to Promote Your Book

I just received a question from Solly at AskWarren.com about finding people to help an author promote their book. I'd like to share my answer with you.

The first this to remember about partnerships is The Law of Reciprocity. Approach every relationship as an opportunity to add value, solve a problem or fulfill the desire of the other person and you'll find that it's much easier to get what you want.

The Law of Reciprocity says that if you give something to a person, they will automatically programed to want to return the favor.

Let's apply this to promotional partnerships.

I can almost guarantee that the people you are looking for are not listing "help a new author sell books" on their list of goals for the year. Rather, the potential partner is looking for more content for their blog, radio show, newsletter or magazine, or and interesting guest to attract more viewers. If the potential partner is a mailing list owner, they will be looking for the above, plus new subscribers.

So before you ask for help. Learn what the partner wants.. get if for them.. be a resource.

In our Accelerated Book Marketing coaching group, we follow this process by showing authors how to establish a solid presence on the web, with tracking to know instantly when there is an opportunity. We have a whole section on attracting publicity by getting listed as a resource that potential partners will be looking for, even before we launch a campaign to become a best seller.

Here's one tip from our section on Cross Promotion strategies that may help.

BE A GREAT CUSTOMER

When I'm working with a successful celebrity client, I ask them how they feel when someone approaches them in public. I want to know just what gets them motivated to help new authors (they almost always WANT to help but have limited time and resources).

Most authors tell me that someone approaching them that has read their books, subscribed to their newsletters or purchase a product will get a warm reception. A heartfelt testimonial is even better.

Imagine walking up to the most famous author in your books category saying "I read your book. You helped me...." and then the most important phrase.. "What can I do to help you spread your message further?"

Now, you may not be able to meet in person. Fortunately, the Internet will allow you to do this online.

1. Make a list of the authors you would like to partner with
2. Subscribe to their newsletter.
3. Watch for announcements of new books.
4. Order the book.
5. See who they partner with.. repeat the process with each.

As you start looking for partners in the network of authors that help promote other authors, you will discover dozens that are actively using cross promotions. Make sure you subscribe to their mailing lists, look at their free offers (that's how they market) and look for clues about their passions and desires.

You really can get anything you want by helping other people get what they want.

The fastest way to network this way is through our ZeroCostPromotions.com network. You can join free and most promotions a free too. Make sure you are on the list to get advanced notice of the biggest new cross promotion book launches at http://zerocostpromotions.com/

Join the Brain Trust

I was just chatting with JP Maroney about book marketing strategies and learned about his new project.

Take a look.

The JP Maroney Blog » (Brain Trust Pt 2) “Brain Trust Gone Wild…”

My Interview in Japan About Book Marketing Strategies

I was recently interviewed by Gary Bremermann of PowerUpEnglish.com. He has a podcast intended for non-Native English speakers and interviews top experts and authors on business topics. I've refered several of my clients to him to expand their audience.Take a look at what he does. You may be an appropriate guest. And you will want to look at how he has built a following in his target market (he's an expatriate American recruter in Japan)... now much better known as an expert in his field from this simple idea.Book Marketing Strategist Warren Whitlock Interviewed by PowerUpEnglish.com

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