by I’m in the throes of marketing madness. It’s a whirlwind. The view from the eye of the cyclone is breathtaking! Ideas are swirling all around. Each wind gust propels me forward. However, promoting 10 TURKEYS IN THE ROAD is not something I have done alone. I’m certainly glad that I started the process a year ago, because marketing takes on a life all its own, and it’s imperative to have innovative and trustworthy people in your corner.
What did I write? Who was I? What did I stand for? What did I have to offer? These questions were always in the forefront of my mind. I wanted people to know exactly what they’d be getting from my book, a critique, or an author visit from me.
Each step has been its own adventure. All writers must walk their own steps, sing their own song, and dance their own dance. What I’ve learned over the past several months, as I’ve prepared for the release of my book, is that you can NEVER start marketing early enough. EVERYTHING takes a tremendous amount of time, along with a conscious effort and many different resources. I’ve met and worked with some of the best people in this industry over the last year—top-notch, top-of-the-line creators!
After assessing my web presence, I realized that the first thing that needed a complete overhaul was my website. My website is my business card. I surmised that it is my introduction to the literary world. Through it, librarians, teachers, editors, and parents would catch a glimpse of my life and my writing style.
I held to the old adage, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” and I kept that close to my heart. I needed and wanted to put my best professional foot forward, and so for me, this meant a completely fresh design.
I wanted a site that was colorful and fun in the same taste as the art of 10 TURKEYS, illustrated by the talented David Slonim. I turned to Donna Farrell who executed exactly what I needed and wanted. She did a superb job. We had the same vision, and she didn’t disappoint. She goes over and above for her clients, and each website she designs is unique in its own right.
Marketing takes money, and you’ll want to make sure that you plan accordingly. I was fortunate to find talented people along the way that added a sprinkle of magic to everything that was created for my site. My teachers’ guides were written by my daughter-in-law, Whitney Reeves, a stupendous and creative educator and inventor. Whitney is not only a fabulous writer but also co-creator and founder of Bitzy Baby, a revolutionary company that provides safe sleeping and innovative crib bumpers for infants.
My friend, critique partner, and the very talented author/illustrator Carrie Clickard (Victrica Malica, Flashlight Press, 2012), created my puzzles, puppets, book trailer, and also my sorting game, along with some snappy songs. Carrie has a plethora of advertising knowledge, and she helped me compose fun activities for children of all ages.
I hired Renee Gray-Wilburn of A Way With Words to proof and copy edit content. Renee questions every comma and picks up on every grammatical error! I was determined to give 110% to my site, just as I do to my writing because it is all interconnected. If you want your site to be the best it can be, you must seek out those who can add their
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Super post! Thanks for sharing your marketing story and best wishes with your book. I love that kids can get activities to go with your book.
What a fun and whimsical book with zany illustrations! Thanks for all of the great marketing info–I hope I’ll be able to use it sometime soon!
Very interesting to read all you’ve done to market your book and to shape up your web site. It’s very nice-looking! My kids & I love reading your previous “10 Turkeys.” Can’t wait to read the new one!
Such a great insight to all the work that follows a book. Thank you for this useful insight!
Brenda, Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and all the great information!
So exciting! Congrats on your book
And all of the hard work that goes into getting it to kids! You have some great tips I hadn’t even realized were possible yet (getting the QR on Vista Print cards? NICE!). Thanks!
Did you come up with the ideas for all the extras/activities when you wrote your book, or after your editor took it on? Thanks for giving away a book, gobble gobble.
This is what is so daunting to me, all the work that goes into promoting one’s own book. Scary. When I finally get a book ready I wonder if I will have the energy to do the rest of what it takes.
Thank you for the tips, this is helpful information and a great follow-up to all that has been shared with us this month regarding the actual writing part of the process. And congrats on your success thus far!
Such a helpful posting. PB writers often complain because there are 2-3 years from contract to publication, but it looks like there’s enough work in between to keep us busy so we’re ready to market it when it arrives in the bookstores.
Thanks for sharing, Brenda!
Thanks for sharing your marketing journey. I know I need to start an author web site and I have felt overwhelmed about where to begin. You offer some practical ideas & inspiration!