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Something exciting's happenned but would love your advice

by Rachel Goodchild
21 replies
Hi

My next print book comes out next february. it's with Penguin who are of course an established and traditional publisher

Because it's on internet dating (it's full of funny disaster stories!) I suggested we should break with tradition and offer a section free prior to it's release.

They've agreed! I want to show them using internet marketing techniques can be a powerful way to market a print book
I've got a few wee plans to do it- but was interested...what do you guys think are some exciting and interesting ways to get the chapter out there?

Basically I want to build a large list, that I'll keep posted with a few stories and some info, then will tell once it's released

But I am up for some really creative ideas. it's such a cool topic to play with ! advice?
#advice #exciting #happenned #love
  • Profile picture of the author ibringjoy
    This technique is for the actual launch date, but it seems to me you can use some of the same techniques to market the "leaked chapter" or whatever. Joe Vitale and other associates of his use this technique to drive their print book launches to #1 on Amazon:

    They find a lot of people who are in a similar niche, and get them to provide some sort of bonus for anyone who buys on launch day, or whatever day they pick to be "THE Day". The people who provide the bonuses also get promotion out of the deal, and new subscribers to their lists. In addition, they all promote the launch.

    Finding people in the dating niche with large lists for such a joint venture should be very doable.

    Good Luck with your new book!

    Kathryn
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  • Profile picture of the author Takuya Hikichi
    Rachel,

    why don't you look for bonus contributors who can help you launch? Gather as many as you can and start a notification list and offer more bonuses for fast movers.

    Edit: Oops, Kathryn just beat me with the bonus suggestion.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rachel Goodchild
    the bonus idea is a GREAT one...a bit like a fashion week goodie bag?

    I like that!
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    • Profile picture of the author Takuya Hikichi
      Originally Posted by Rachel Goodchild View Post

      the bonus idea is a GREAT one...a bit like a fashion week goodie bag?

      I like that!
      That sounds good ... but what's "a fashion week goodie bag"?

      I own like 4 sets of clothes and wear them repeatedly every week.
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  • Profile picture of the author Paxton
    Funny disaster dating stories - ask my wife - she ended up with me !!!
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    • Profile picture of the author grumpyjacksa
      Originally Posted by Paxton View Post

      Funny disaster dating stories - ask my wife - she ended up with me !!!
      guess i should just keep veeeery quiet.....
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  • Profile picture of the author Rachel Goodchild
    thanks guys...
    a fashion week goodie bag- you go to see the collection, and on the seat is a bag full of little treats like bottled water, discount vouchers, a wee gift or too.
    it's cool
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    • Profile picture of the author Headhunting55
      Originally Posted by Rachel Goodchild View Post

      thanks guys...
      a fashion week goodie bag- you go to see the collection, and on the seat is a bag full of little treats like bottled water, discount vouchers, a wee gift or too.
      it's cool
      At least in the entertainment Biz, we call the "goodie bags" "swag". In the states, they have now become taxable, because at the Oscars and some of the other big awards shows swag has amounted to items valued in excess of $50,000....so you can be SURE the goverment is gonna want a piece of THAT!
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      • Profile picture of the author Peter Bestel
        Rachel,

        I'm sat here, in a small rural town that is actually Scotland's National Book Town. Today, coincidentally, we're right in the middle of the annual Book Festival week. A host of authors have been invited throughout the week to give talks and peddle their wares. Whilst this is a very pleasant time for the visitors and profitable for the town, it has crossed my mind that this is a grossly inefficient way of promoting books.

        Also, very few authors/publishers actually capture contact details of their readers. What a waste!

        The idea of involving IM to promote a book is definitely the way to go. Joint Venture with dating sites would appear profitable and goodie bags are a great idea.

        Do Penguin produce any books that would suitable as a companion to yours? Maybe they could offer a deal for purchasing both.

        Could you also offer a discount or a freebie to a membership site of your own that has internet dating related 'stuff'? Keeping in touch after the release would be good too, especially when the second volume comes out!

        Just a few random thoughts.

        Good luck with it.

        Peter
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        • Profile picture of the author Kerry Finch
          Hi Rachel,
          I'm thinking that maybe you could partner with an offline organization, e.g. newspaper, or that morning show you have in New Zealand (get ready for some pancake makeup) - release your prelaunch section to them, and have them run a competition for readers/viewers worst dating stories - which they email (or I suppose you will have to accept snail mail too). The The newspapers/TV shows love this kind of thing, but of course we are only talking NZ here.

          For the rest of the world, do something similar online? Release your chapter and call for readers stories. Not only will this get you names, but more stories for the future (a waiver being a condition of entry).

          Prize - a copy of your book and another bonus from your publisher perhaps..... just throwing it out there.......

          Regards
          Kerry
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          • Profile picture of the author ShayB
            I know of an author who contacted people with parenting blogs and offered a chapter for their review - and asked that they review it on their blog by a certain date.

            If they did so and emailed her a link to the review, she gave all kinds of goodies, plus a free copy of the book.

            I have also been contacted because I have a large online moms group and offered a similar deal.

            I would say look for bloggers and the owners of Yahoo, MSN and Google groups that might be interested in your theme.

            HTH
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          • Profile picture of the author Rachel Goodchild
            Originally Posted by Kerry Finch View Post

            Hi Rachel,
            I'm thinking that maybe you could partner with an offline organization, e.g. newspaper, or that morning show you have in New Zealand (get ready for some pancake makeup) - release your prelaunch section to them, and have them run a competition for readers/viewers worst dating stories - which they email (or I suppose you will have to accept snail mail too). The The newspapers/TV shows love this kind of thing, but of course we are only talking NZ here.

            For the rest of the world, do something similar online? Release your chapter and call for readers stories. Not only will this get you names, but more stories for the future (a waiver being a condition of entry).

            Prize - a copy of your book and another bonus from your publisher perhaps..... just throwing it out there.......

            Regards
            Kerry
            I know I'm going to get alot of press when the book comes out- but that's a great idea!
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  • Profile picture of the author John Hillage
    Could you get some kind of a deal for an "exclusive" extract in some of those gossipy magazines in the UK like Heat or Now?
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  • Profile picture of the author SimonRiver
    Congrats on your new book, post a link here so I can buy it when it comes out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chris Lockwood
    Nice job on getting published by a major publisher.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jillian Slack
      How about doing an online book tour?

      Alex Mandossian has free teleseminars on how to do this, and he also offers a pricey course on it as well. But it's a great idea and great way to get publicity.

      Plus it's a lot better than in-person booksigning events. People in my writers' group hold booksignings and so few people stop at the table to see what's going on. It's even that way for the more well-known authors. People are more interested in the cookies you set out or asking where the restroom is located.
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      • Profile picture of the author Lance K
        Rachel, are you familiar with Alex Mandossian's "Virtual Book Tour" system? If not, you may want to give it a look. Uncle Google can lead you there if you're interested.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rachel Goodchild
      Originally Posted by Chris Lockwood View Post

      Nice job on getting published by a major publisher.
      Thanks Chris
      Actually it's my third with them, but this one is has the most global appeal. I've been very very lucky
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  • Profile picture of the author Gail Sober
    Do you have a video camera?

    Have some fun acting out a couple of "disaster stories" (or recruit some friends) and post on YouTube. Make it as funny as possible.

    eh, something like that.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rachel Goodchild
      Originally Posted by Gail Sober View Post

      Do you have a video camera?

      Have some fun acting out a couple of "disaster stories" (or recruit some friends) and post on YouTube. Make it as funny as possible.

      eh, something like that.
      I like that idea
      I'm really into you tube marketing at the moment!
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