We met today to discuss ways of promoting my books and how to get help from my loyal readers to pass the word around about my books and recommend them to other potential readers.
The conversation went something like this:
Marketing Manager: You must stop monkeying around Vic and take this question of book promotions seriously.
I didn't pay much attention as I was eating some monkey nuts at the time. He threw a banana at me to get my attention and asked: How many books have you got published so far?
Me: Seventeen - and a cartoon one available to download FREE from my website (HERE).
He stopped and scratched his armpit for a while and then said: Seventeen? You have a lot to say for yourself. Are they all available online as well as in the shops?
Me: Yes, some are available in paperback and Kindle format, whilst others are available in Kindle format only (FROM HERE).
Marketing Manager: How many are available in paperback?
Me: Four of them - "Visions", "The Priest and Prostitute", "To Love a Priest" and "God's Shepherd". They are also available in Kindle version.
Marketing Manager: Good ... have you had any feedback from your readers. And I don't mean have they sent you bananas and peanuts!
Me: Yes, some have e-mailed me saying they liked the books, others have left reviews on the AMAZON website.
Marketing Manager: Why don't you encourage them to write more reviews on Amazon for you?
Me: How? Anyway, I don't want to impose.
Marketing Manager: You're not imposing you ape! If your readers genuinely like what you write they'll be happy to spread the word for you.
Here's what I suggest. Ask them to read any of your books. The serious ones or any of the humourous ones - they seem very inexpensive.
Once they have read any of your books they should then leave a review on AMAZON. Just like others have done (HERE).
They should of course tell you they have left a review.
At the end of the month put the names of all those who have reviewed a book in a hat. And then pull out two names.
Send those two people one of your paperback books signed by you. They can choose which of the four paperback books they like.
If someone reviews two or more of your books on AMAZON put their name in the hat twice or as many times as they've reviewed a book to give them more chances to win.
Me: Sounds a good idea!
Marketing Manager: What are you waiting for you big gorilla? Get on with it! And pass me another banana. Oh ... and another thing. Ask your readers to mention this promotion on their Blogs, their Facebooks or their Google+, or whatever other media they are on. Most readers are kind and nice people and they might mention you if you ask nicely. And say "Please".
Me: Over to you dear readers. Please do as the monkey suggests and let me know what you've reviewed. Thanx. Do you want a peanut?
I like your "Marketing Manager"! Great idea, Victor! Let us all know how it works out!
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thank you Lulu. I hope people read the inexpensive Christian books on Kindle (only $0.99) and hopefully get some benefit from them in knowing the Lord.
DeleteGod bless you.
That was easy!!! I left a comment on Visions and purchased The Priest and the Prostitute. I've just finished a mystery and was wondering what I was going to read next!! Have a grand weekend!!
ReplyDeleteMany thanx Cathy. I do hope you enjoy The Priest and Prostitute. I look forward to your review on AMAZON.
DeleteGod bless you.
Hi Victor! I think it's always hard to ask people to write a review. Most writers are introverts by nature. I was happy to write one for you, it was the first one I'd ever done, and I had to prompted by Lulu's.
ReplyDeleteI wish you great response from your post!
Ceil
Thank you Ceil for writing a review for me previously.
DeleteAs my marketing manager said: It's not the reviews that count. It's the fact that new people have got to know about the existance of your Christian books. Since putting up this post three days ago I've had more "hits" on this one post than on any of the others recently. And that's before any reviews having been written. Most of the hits are from new readers who, even if they don't come back, they have at least got to know the books exist.
I've rewarded my marketing manager with a banana.
God bless.
I've been so busy I'm just coming over now. Can i hire you marketing manager? He seems pretty wise. Hey, if you remember I reviewed on of your books on my blog. I'll have to copy it over to Amazon. I'll try to this weekend.
ReplyDeleteThat would be brilliant Manny. Thank you very much.
DeleteGod bless you and yours.
Super cute blog post! Love your creative idea and pulling names out of a hat!
ReplyDeleteLinda B
https://bricesmicechristianbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Thank you Brices Mice for your visit here and your comments. Every so often I promote my books here and on Google+
DeleteI hope you like them. Some are FREE from www.holyvisions.uk
God bless.