51hzbNDGSoL._SX322_BO1,204,203,200_More and more venues like Barnes and Nobles and even libraries are asking for a marketing plan that shows how you will drive “customers” to their venues. Our local library had such a low turnout for a well-known local author event, that they are starting to evaluate authors on a case-by-case basis on whether they have enough of a following.

 

This is why more authors need to be using their social media voices to build their marketing plans.

One library asked me for a marketing plan. I had expected this from a bookstore, but from a library?

Boy, was I surprised!

Because this is a problem facing many authors nowadays and it requires a lot of courage to get your name out there, I wanted to share a short sample of a marketing plan I’m using to help spread the word for any upcoming events I’m doing. Notice the numbers!

Marketing Plan for _________________________________

Marketing/Publicity

 

Personal Platform

I have a dynamic and growing social media platform that I use to reach potential readers of Accidental Solider: A Memoir of Service and Sacrifice in the Israel Defense Forces. I plan on using all of these to promote the book to a group of potential buyers already familiar with my story and voice:

Giving Voice to Your Courage Global Radio Show – my signature radio show since July 2013. Since July 2013, I’ve interviewed 30 authors – a few of them involved a series. I opened my show with a three part series honoring the death of my mother.

The first show got 92 listens to the recording, the second show got 68 listeners and the third got 36. My interview with Julia Cameron, author of The Artist Way, has received 392 listens to date. My interview with Linda Gray Sexton received 193 listens, my show, “How to Blog Your Memoir” has received 159 listens to date, and an interview with an author Nora Canon received 71 listens to date.  I plan to do programming around the book for the Creating Calm Network. I also plan on leveraging the author contacts I’ve made through the many author interviews done through the network.

Local Online Connections

Although not everyone who tunes in the radio show is from the local Pittsburgh community, I intend to use the “air-time” to share upcoming events and share in relevant Facebook groups like BurghBook group – which includes writers from the Pittsburgh community.

I have a feature interview coming up with the Pittsburgh City Paper and I’ll be sure to mention the news of the event in the feature.

I’ll also spread the word with Littsburgh – otherwise known as the Literary Hub of Pittsburgh where it’ll be listed on their site.

I’ll create a special Facebook event  and invite my Pittsburgh local connections which number to over 150 people. I would like to be part of the “Teen Fest” that is happening in B & Ns nationwide on June 11-12 and I understand there is a panel of teen authors. Accidental Soldier is directly targeted at that young adult group. Having other authors who I’m connected with like Joshua Bellin, help spread the word, will also raise interest and drive traffic.

I’ll submit the event through the listing over at Post Gazette.

  • Accidental Soldier Facebook Page: I upload videos, links to my blog posts. I currently have 543 fans and that number is growing. Each post results in 25% or more engagement.
  • My personal Facebook page: I have 806 friends and I would notify them about book readings and signings and ask them to help spread the word.
  • I belong to several groups of influence including my Creating Calm Network (my radio hosting  page), Jewish Pittsburgh on Facebook
  • LinkedIn: I currently have 500 connections and I intend to leverage the power of those connections to help spread the word about the event.
  • Twitter: I have 2,406 followers and 4,792 Tweets. I intend to leverage the power of my Twitter followers to help spread the news of the event.
  • Google +: I have 146 followers and 8,348 views. I post blog posts and YouTube videos on Google +. I intend to leverage the power of Google + and promote the event there as well.

Have you encountered this? What problems or tactics have you been using to help get the word out about your local author event? How has your social media voice helped?