"CREATE AN EFFECTIVE BOOK LAUNCH" by Melissa Foster

http://www.melissafoster.com/

I recently watched a video by Melissa Foster who is founder of World Literary Cafe http://www.worldliterarycafe.com/ and a great author. Her website  http://www.fostering-success.com/ helps authors and is where she shares her expertise.


Below are my notes I jotted down while watching her free video. If you wanted to watch the whole video here is the link. http://www.fostering-success.com/free-videos  (my thoughts are italicized)


Know your audience: (Who will buy your book?)

• Ages
• Interest
• Hangouts
• Can your book cross audiences?

Remember to use your brand:

• Your launch should reflect your brand for yourself and your books. 
• Materials should carry your brand
• Online presence should carry your brand
• Your books should carry your brand

What is your budget?

What is your monetary budget- remember to include not just ad costs but printed copies for signings, posters, book-markers, etc.

What is your timeline?

How much time can you dedicate to your launch?

What timeline do you anticipate you'll need?

How long do you want to launch?

Prior to launch you want to do the following:

• Submit ARC's for review
• Contact book clubs
• Issue press release
• Create Facebook event (I've attended a few of these online and they are really fun. Most events have trivia question that can be found on authors website, blog, publishers website, Facebook, twitter, and pinterest accounts and attendee's receive prizes.)
• Goodreads event  
• And email announcement (hopefully you've been collecting emails on your website from your fans.) 

What is your goal?

Before your launch you should define your goal:

• Sales (for example: 500 books)
• Exposure (top Amazon 100)
• Capture a certain audience

Action items: 

How do you plan to reach your goal?

List your action items- (in person events, ads, blog tours, etc.)

Ideas:

• Insure online presence is solid
• Create book trailer
• Schedule blog tour
• Schedule in person events 
• Coordinate paid and free ads
• Contact media (TV, radio, newspaper)
• HAVE FUN!

I recently attended an event of a favorite author online at http://booktalknation.com/index.html and thought what a great idea for authors to reach more fans. (You can use this service whenever, not just for a book launch.)

Think outside of the box. Example: your MC likes chocolate, have an event at a chocolate store.

Make sure as an author your always building relationship. 

A place for Readers and Authors to unite!

We found a great website geared towards writers and we wanted to share with our author friends in hopes it can help you too. Check it out http://www.worldliterarycafe.com/

WLC has tweet teams, FaceBook teams, and blog teams that you follow them and they follow you. We only had 3 followers for the longest time at http://geodepress.blogspot.com/ and now we have 23 and are still growing. We've found new and exciting authors we enjoy interacting with.

Our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/geodepress is about to hit our 200th like and we have WLC to thank for that. Come like us on Facebook for a chance to win a copy of Zenobia- Birth of a Legend.

Our twitter account https://twitter.com/Zenobiaseries has grown leaps and bounds with great authors and readers to follow all from joining this great community.

It's a one stop shop for all your needs as an author. Readers get free books and learn about new authors on the rise. Check them out, you'll be glad you did.

Here are some places to connect with WLC:

Follow on Twitter

@WorldLitCafe

@Melissa_Foster (Founder)

Like on Facebook

World Literary Cafe

Feel free to leave your links on Facebook pages!

WLC promotes the writing community!

Zenobia in Alexandria Egypt

Because of Zenobia I have a soft spot for learning more about ancient Alexandria, the location where Zenobia was educated and started her on the journey of justice. You can read about her visit in the 3rd century to Alexandria, Egypt in the last half of Zenobia - Birth of a Legend; and the whole book of Zenobia - Challenging a Legend takes place in Alexandria.

My favorite tour guide Rick Steves is on his Europe tour right now and I've really enjoyed following along. I especially appreciate his visit to modern day Alexandria. You can follow his whole trip on his Facebook account but I have copied the visit to Alexandria here with pictures from his site. 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/rick-steves/alexandria-egypts-pearl-of-the-mediterranean/10151407478814702

Most tourists in Egypt visit only Cairo and Luxor. Few visit Alexandria, just a three-hour drive away — the country’s second city, and one of the great cities of the Mediterranean. Egypt’s historical capital for almost a millennium, today the “Pearl of the Mediterranean” is a favorite summer getaway for locals who appreciate its cosmopolitan flavor and cooler climate. It’s like Cairo in its mega-millions intensity, but cleaner and quieter, and facing the Mediterranean instead of the Nile.

Alexandria, with a panache unique in Egypt, jams 5 million people up against the Mediterranean.

Alexandria, founded in 331 B.C. by Alexander the Great, is a fabled place. Queen Cleopatra ruled from here, back when the city was, along with Rome, one of two in the ancient world with a million people. Back then, it rivaled Rome as a cultural and intellectual capital. Alexandria's awe-inspiring lighthouse (or Pharos) —one of the seven wonders of the ancient world — marked its harbor, and its legendary library was the world’s largest. No ship could dock here without giving up its books to be copied for this, the ultimate repository of knowledge. Tragically for all of civilization, the library burned (likely around 48 B.C.), and today only its legend — and a fragment of a single scroll (now kept in Vienna) — survives.

History has been harsh: No trace of Alexander’s day survives, Cleopatra’s city is now under the sea, the library is long gone, and the lighthouse has tumbled (the only surviving image of it is engraved on a coin). Of its ancient wonders, only a hint of Alexandria's street plan, a few archaeological digs, and the towering Pompey’s Pillar survive today.

Then early 90-foot-tall Pompey’s Pillar, carved out of a single mighty piece of granite, was shipped 500 miles from Aswan down the Nile to this spot 1,700 years ago. It stands like an exclamation mark, reminding all who visit that today’s city sits upon what was a mighty urban center of a million ancient Egyptians.

The Alexandria National Museum (with wonderful treasures from the time of the pharaohs, a small bust of Alexander, and fine early Christian art) tells the city’s story in an old mansion that once housed the US consulate. Alexandria gave Rome a toehold on Egypt. This is where St. Mark arrived to introduce Christianity to the land. The invading Muslims bypassed it for Cairo. In the Middle Ages, famine, civil wars, earthquakes, and disease left the once-mighty Alexandria just a village of 10,000. Then, in the 19th century, the city enjoyed a resurgence — becoming one of the liveliest ports on the Mediterranean, with a cosmopolitan mix of Greek, French, English, and Italian influence. By World War II, 40 percent of the population had come from other countries. But then, with the anti-colonialism of the 1950s, foreign interests were nationalized, and most of the foreigners who brought such vitality to the city fled.

Today, Alexandria’s early-20th-century grandness is musty and caked in this generation’s dirt. The city is a teeming and thoroughly Egyptian metropolis of about 5 million. It feels spirited, young, and progressive. In fact, Alexandria helped spearhead the revolution of 2011.

Alexandria is a long and skinny port town, just two miles wide but stretching 12 miles along the seaside Corniche — which feels like Nice’s Promenade des Anglais hurled into a Blade Runner furnace. The wistful Cecil Hotel, built in 1930 and overlooking the harbor, gives the visitor a comforting home base with a nostalgic touch of belle époque elegance.

Alexandria’s top attraction is its futuristic modern library. Norwegian-designed and built in 2002 with a dazzling reading room accommodating 2,500 readers, it stands near where the fabled ancient library stood (www.bibalex.org shows off all its wonders). While the library is a delight of modern architecture, the highlight of the city for me was exploring the Anfoushi old town. More on that tomorrow.

Are we repeating history?

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One great thing I love about promoting Zenobia and her story is she fought for freedom and wanted to stop the injustices. I'm hoping instead of repeating history we can learn from our past and correct it before it's to late. 

Are we repeating history? For a brutal truth watch the video by FreedomFest2013 at Geode Press website http://geodepress.com/are-we-repeating-history/

Book Review

"Zenobia is an inspirational story of a young woman trying to find her way in a male dominated world. She fights her passion for learning and her quest for justice, for her desire to prove a girl can be just a good warrior as any man.

Enjoy her adventures as you read this wonderful novel by Russell Wallace."

Review by Maria Romrell

I received this review for Zenobia – Birth of a Legend the other day and the reader said I've never done a review before. I thought about the thousands of readers who also have never written a review. Author http://www.melissafoster.com/and owner of http://www.worldliterarycafe.com/ posted this statement. “Did you know that positive reviews and sharing of books you love is a great way to thank and support your favorite authors? Even authors with hundreds of reviews appreciate each one they receive. Authors work hard to produce books you can enjoy. Share the love.”

Every time I post a review on Amazon I get a computer generated email that says thanks for reviewing as millions of buyers depend on this.

Why I started writing book reviews? I am reading all the time and when I started a blog for my writing (because that’s what my writing group suggested), coming up with material to blog about wasn't as easy and so the decision to combine my love for reading into my blog was a simple idea. On my blog I shared a great article on how to write a review: http://juliemartinwallace.blogspot.com/2012/03/i-decided-since-i-love-reading-i-might.html

Hopefully this will help you write a review for the next book you read. You may still ask yourself why should I write a review? Here are a couple thoughts on why I think everyone should write a review:

1. As a personal journal to keep track of books you read and enjoyed
2. To socialize and share with others what you loved reading
3. To let authors know you appreciate the time and talent they share with the world

There are probably many other reasons to write a review but these are a few that motivate me. As a reviewer, every time I read a book I post a review on my blog, on Amazon, on Barnes and Noble, and on Goodreads in hopes it will help you decide on your next book to read; and if you do the same than I can decide on my next book To Be Read.

Happy reading and sharing!

“Marketing made simple” by Rob Eager with Wildfire Marketing

Marketing made simple was taken from the Wildfire marketing website. I tweaked it to only apply for authors but the article is mostly intact on how I read it. Some things may be geared towards non-fiction books but I can see how fiction writers can take the same information and use it.

For many authors the term “marketing” seems as complex and confusing as learning to speak a foreign language.

All too often, individuals and organizations mistake marketing as the attempt to explain who they are, what they’re about, or what they do. However, this perspective contains a common thread that is counterproductive – the marketing language is self-focused and all about you. The problem is that nobody cares about you or what you do. Instead, they care about what you can do for them. And, they won’t give you their money until you answer their internal question, “What’s in it for me?”

For example, when I hear authors asked to explain why they wrote their book, they usually describe what the book is about. To make matters worse, these self-focused explanations are placed onto important marketing materials, such as websites pages, brochures, social media pages, newsletters, etc. Thousands of dollars are spent on marketing. Yet, the most important question in the public’s mind never gets answered, “What’s in it for me?”

Book readers don’t care about your topic, genre, mission, or product features. Their primary concern is how you can make their life better. Therefore, they want to know the RESULTS that you can create for them.

To avoid confusion, I define a result as any positive outcome, life change, or tangible improvement that you create for someone who reads your book. In addition, the description of a result must be specific enough to generate emotional interest. Logic makes people think, but emotion makes them act. For example, consider the difference between these statements:

Ineffective:

• My book is about home organization.

Effective:

• My book helps you experience the soothing calm of an ordered home.

You may think your marketing materials tell people about results. However, I’ll bet the language isn’t as effective as you think. To prove my point, try this test: Ask someone who is unfamiliar with your book to visit your website. Give them 60 seconds, and then ask how they would explain you to a friend. If they don’t mention the results that you offer, then your marketing is more of a hindrance than a help.

The big problem with a lot of marketing campaigns today is that they expect the customer to do the company’s job, which is to answer the ultimate question, “What’s in it for me?” That’s like asking someone what they do for a living, and they respond with a glazed look and say, “I don’t know…you tell me.” People will not take the time figure out the results you offer…that’s your job and the job of your marketing materials.

When people cannot discern how you’ll improve their life, then they will hesitate to give you their money –to buy a book. We all make decisions according to our self-interest. Marketing is the process by which you help people realize you have their best interests in mind. When you shift from telling people what your product is about to explaining the results you offer, you will naturally reduce skepticism and build the trust required to create a purchase. For example:

Authors – Don’t tell people the topic of your book. Tell them the results that it will create.

A results-based approach to marketing simplifies your efforts by focusing solely on the most critical elements for success. You no longer need to worry about what language to put on your website, what kind of articles to write for your newsletter, or what to say during a media interview. Tell people about the results that you offer, and give examples of readers who have experienced those results. When your concentrate on appealing to a person’s self-interest, you kindle the sparks needed to ignite marketing wildfires all across the country.

I receive a weekly newsletter every Monday and the information has been extremely helpful. Go to the website and sign up for the Monday Marketing Tips at http://www.startawildfire.com/ you won't regret it.

The dates are set for Zenobia the musical. Will you be there?

Presenting... ZENOBIA THE MUSICAL in Chicago this summer. Don't miss out on the extraordinary story of Zenobia preformed as a musical.

http://youtu.be/TaoOFFQQQLM

Lorrisa has taken her obsession for Zenobia and combined it with her love for acting and music and wrote this wondrous story of a great woman in history!

the original live multimedia musical by Lorrisa Julianus & Angela Salvaggione 

Presented by: Theatre-on-the-Hill and the Village of Bolingbrook/ Roger C. Claar, Mayor.

WHERE: Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center
375 W. Briarcliff Rd.
Bolingbrook, IL 60440

WHEN:
Thursday, August 15th 8pm
(FREE WORLD PREMIERE for the annual Bolingbrook Jubilee)
Friday, August 30 8pm
Saturday, August 31 8pm
Sunday, Sept 1 7:30pm


Rated PG-13 for dialogue and intense action

Based on historical events

And calling all singers, dancers, and actors, here's your chance to participate in this great show. 

GENERAL AUDITION INFORMATION:

Auditions will be held April 22nd and 23rd , 7pm to 10pm, at the Bolingbrook Performing Arts Center, 375 W. Briarcliff in Bolingbrook (same location for rehearsals and performance). Conveniently off I-355 and I-55, we are less than 30 miles from State/Madison in downtown Chicago and an approximately 38min drive.

This is an adult cast with an equal number of male and female roles. There are only two under 18 roles. Performers of every racial background are encouraged to audition for any role they feel is within their capabilities.

Auditions will consist of readings from the script (please email lorrisaj@att.net for sides and songs in advance), a vocal audition (prepare your own song acapella or learn one of ours with mp3), and a movement audition.

EVEN IF YOU CAN’T SING, there are still plenty of roles available, particularly for men.

If you are unable to make these audition dates, please contact us and other arrangements may be possible.

Please write theatreonthehill@yahoo.com to request an audition hour slot. Walk-ins are also welcome. Please bring a head-shot and resume if you have them.

Rehearsals will begin immediately after auditions and occur weekly on various weekday evenings and Sunday afternoons until the performance date. Please bring your schedule to auditions and/or list of conflicts.