Marketing Matters!

​​MARKETING IS AN ONGOING PROCESS:
 
Many times, authors are at the risk of not knowing how an event might go. It can be risky times in which one event might be a successful time of selling your heart warming books, but the consumer has other ideas about buying a book the next time. So, to combat that, I stay busy marketing with passing out my business cards, swag, and having conversations that may lead to a sale or future reader for my books. I might even end up with a contact for a future event, school visit, daycare visit, or a previous customer who comes by to see me.
 
 
FRIDAY NIGHTS IN THE PARK
 
This was very evident in two of my Friday Nights in the Park that I have attended and at two bookstore events. These events are typically for two hours at a time.
 
 
My Friday Nights in the Park events are a terrific opportunity to have a visibility in the community that I live in. This event usually lasts from May to September.
 
Sometimes, there are also unique events held at the park that I also attend to further my mission. The event usually brings lots of crowds to the local area.
 
Visibility is so important that you need to be present at events so that your name and books can be at the forefront. The community needs to see a face with a book.
 
My relative who lives in another community passed on to me that she met a person who goes to Friday Nights in the Park. The person mentioned that they remembered meeting me at the author table I set up there.
 
I give out “pickle stickers” to represent my book, “Nicoli Picoli.” Apparently, the children like getting the stickers when they go to the Friday Nights in the Park, so they always want to go to get them from me.

​BOOKSTORES GALORE!
 
My first bookstore event this month was at a bookstore. I had a low turnout. I did read to one child though. I was also able to meet a lady who announced to me that she was pregnant. She asked me to dedicate a book to “My future baby.” I have done this dedication before in the past which I thought was kind of cool.
 
Then, I spoke with another person from Texas who had some similar interests as I do since I also used to live in Texas before who wanted to buy my book for his nephew. This happened to be my first military book, “Did You Come Home for Lunch?” The dad also worked on C-130’s which happens to be on the front cover of that book.

​During the next book event, I was participating with three other authors who have written nonfiction, romance, and mystery. Then, I was promoting my children’s book fiction book, “Eli’s Shenanigans.” The attendance of customers was low in the bookstore due to graduation activities and possible severe weather coming to the area. So, most of the time all of us authors collaborated on our writing career.

MARKETING SUCCESSES
 
 
This month like all others has been all about marketing. This month is special because I have been recorded reading “Eli’s Shenanigans,” been on a podcast called, “Trauma to Triumph” (all about military Veterans) recorded for a podcast review of the writer’s conference and am looking forward to being on a podcast next month.
 
 
I have learned from my mentor, currently reading my mentor’s book, and reading books that I got at the writer’s conference to learn more about being an author, especially about marketing. I was also in an international kids’ magazine called, “Kidlio Magazine- www.kidliomag.com. 
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​Finally, I am currently working on a new book which hopefully will be done in June 2025. Then, the marketing for that book will be in process. This will be my 12th children’s book. After that, I have book 13 which will start with the illustrator in July 2025.
 
This is the day in the life of a children’s book author. It is rewarding, fun, and challenging but with great determination and heartfelt stories, I will prevail with my faith always remembering that “I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me.” (Philippians 4:13). I even have a shirt that has this verse.

INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES:


So, I follow the advice of many different inspirational quotes as well:
 
“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop. Confucius
 
“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club” Jack London
 
“Only those who risk going to far can possibly find out how far one can go.” T.S. Eliot
 
“Life is a journey. When we stop, things don’t go right.”  Pope Francis
 
“Success is the sum of small efforts-repeated day in and day out.” Robert Collier