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About this blog

 Most people treat marketing like it's a dirty word - but not you. You're a writer and know if you want to attract readers, your first step is to build awareness. If truth be told, however, book marketing is an afterthought for most independent and self-publishers. And if this is you too, fear not; this blog will help you focus your marketing efforts even after publishing your book. This blog will include anecdotes that will cover:

 

  • "why you wrote your book" will help you identify who's in your audience,
  • define the characteristics of your audience and how to reach them, 
  • what about your book will help your readers (what's in it for them) 
  • promoting your story; not your book,
  • and more!

 

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Marketing is a four-letter word: SAVE: Solution-Access-Value-Education & formerly PPPP product, price, place, and promotion.

 

Note: This blog started as Careful, Or You'll End up in my Novel featuring Real Characters, Real Stories from Real Life. Then I realized I write mostly about book marketing activity in this forum. So, here's more marketing pro-tips in one location.

Entries in this blog

Book Marketing Sales

#READINGBLACK SURVEY 2024 How many books did you read last year?

Please visit the #Readingblack Club to answer the survey question, or feel free to respond here.   QUESTION:  Are you reading anything this year?  If Yes, what genre? Fiction or Nonfiction? Is the format Digital, Audio, or Print (Paperback, Hardcover)? Are you consuming the material with a digital device such as an iPhone, Android, or electronic reader (kindle, PC, etc)? Are you reading the traditional way, such as an actual book in hand where you
Book Marketing Sales

Generate Book Sales through Search Engine Optimization

An authors' website can promote your book but blogging your research will attract a broad audience through search engine results! According to Zippia research, nearly 5 billion globally use the internet. And while this audience may not be in the market for books or your book, your website may have the information they want. The fact that they landed on your website will bring awareness to you and your publications. #protip: Videos get more engagement! #BookPromotion #SEO #Handselling#BookPromo

GET BRAND NEW(S)

Get your copy of the Brand News Quarterly Newsletter featuring Build-A-Brand Basics for Bios on Social Networks and Beyond. In Brand News, you’ll get a sample of the topics we cover in the Build-A-Brand Workshop. And you’ll be able to write a bio that captures and grows an audience in real life, and on any social network. Go to the website now! Click the download button.
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

1

HELP WANTED

"No one wants to pay for distraction, but they will pay if it's packaged as help." (me)   How help is defined is tricky. It depends on the client/customer's wants. If your prospective customer wants to escape their environment, then consider if you, the independent author have the skills, resources, and experience packaged in your book to help.    If your book is the solution, then show them how it can get what they want. In this case, adventure, exotic destination, and a
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

4

Expand Access to Increase Book Sales

There’s only one way to become a bestselling* author. Get a lot of people to buy your book. - Simple, right?   Yes, but it’s not easy for independent authors who must get their book in front of enough people to gain global sales.  Well, at least it wasn’t easy before the internet and the growth of eCommerce. Back then, it was nearly impossible to make global sales without a prominent publisher. Now any writer can sell worldwide. So why do so many independent authors insist on sel
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

3

Write for you BUT with readers in mind

So, you've finished writing your first book and after you've blown through your friends and family list; now, it's time to find your readers.  You know, those people who don't know you but will want to read your book if they knew about it? In other words, it's time to market your book. If you haven't thought about marketing until now, that's ok. The first step to finding your audience is to understand why, who and how. To determine it, backtrack to why you wrote the book in the first place. 
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

11

Apple and the Widow

One Trillion Dollars! Earlier this month, Apple executives announced their 42-year-old company is worth One trillion dollars.   For those unsure how to write one trillion dollars, there is a one followed by 12 zeros.     Today, some believe Apple changed the world with its products. Still, there are quite a few who get along fine without Apple.  For the rest, the company is a game-changer.       Apple went public in 1980, and for $22, anyone could buy a share.  Duri
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

9

The Barbershop: Social Network|Topic: Cryptocurrency - Bitcoin

As long as black women need to get their hair "did", and black men need to get lined up, we will always come together in the "Shop" or around kitchen tables to share the latest news.  No matter how many social networks like Myspace, Facebook and Twitter spring up they will never replace Low tech media such as The Barbershop,The Beauty Salon & Kitchentalk.      On this video, Software and Mobile App developer Anari Sengbe, illustrates this point when after his days of disruptin
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

10

The Story: Yours, Mine and Ours

Just a reminder. Your life is an open book. No matter how high you rise or how low you go; someone, somewhere knows part of your story.   Originally published 121017 The Thriving Writer
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

19

How to Profit from the Underclass

The Black community who have nearly zero wealth but $1.5 trillion buying power keeps the U.S. economy afloat.     Some have the belief, Absolutely some of those tactical and strategical solutions require mental reprogramming and behavior modification.   The Black community didn’t create fiat money or its banking system.  Therefore, we're clueless when dealing with it.  The system terrorizes and traumatizes others, crushing them under the weight of insurmountable financia
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

0

Character Building

It all begins with the character.  The story has its genesis in the character. Without the character - there is no story.    Whenever I'm having a problem writing fiction, ( or even in my own life)  I know I have to return to the protagonist.  If she's fully developed then I have to concede that maybe she's in the wrong story.    -Originally Posted in The Thriving Writer   
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

1

Playing the Long Game

I love it when a good plan comes together.    Many who are dazzled by the media and may have missed the plot.    We must remember, we're a civilization rooted in story-telling.   We share information filled with iconic imagery, symbolism, and sounds.     Celebrities are no different.  They use the media to tell stories that voice their platform position or opposition.   Case-in-point, On December 5, 2017 "Beyoncé surprised free-agent quarterback
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

0

Episode 2: Internal Conflict

What does it take to get to a Happily Ever After?   It's 2017 and romance novels are still the best-selling trade books in the America, maybe even the world. I'd go out on a limb to say the reason is two people always find their happily ever after.  But how about outside the book covers? In life?  What does it take to get HEA?  In today's podcast, I explore the reality.  Do you have what it takes to hurdle the obstacles to achieve your happy ending?     Transcript available on melhopki
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

7

Pilot Episode : Characters

No one can live up to the story that you create about them. If it's an amazing story, however,  it doesn't matter.  That is, if you remember this one thing.   Listen to my podcast "Careful, or you'll end up in My Novel" Pilot episode:  Characters    
Mel Hopkins

Mel Hopkins

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