It’s not everyday that you meet a gutsy woman like Sheri Fink. She grew up poor, and ended up a #1 best-selling, award-winning children’s author and creator of “The Whimsical World of Sheri Fink” children’s brand.
I heard Sheri speak at the Southern California Writers Association, and what I love about her, is that she is down-to-earth, stays true to herself–even when she wears her multi-colored wig–and is eager to listen and share her marketing strategies with other indie authors.
Along her journey to success Sheri says she has learned:
- To say “NO” to the good, and “YES” to the great.
- If it’s not a “Hell Yes,” it’s a “Hell No” (A way to prioritize the things you should accept, and those you should reject when opportunities open up to you.)
- To build in rewards for your progress (not just for achieving the BIG GOAL.)
- To research and consider all costs when determining the price of your book
- That it’s not all about book sales.
Sheri is fearless, something that has enabled her to get out of her comfort zone and she says it’s important to:
- Ask for what you want without being entitled (she did this after an interview and was on the cover of a magazine, because she said, “What would it take to be on the cover of your magazine?”)
- Think of yourself as a CEO.
- Treat everyone the way you want to be treated.
- Stay authentic.
Sheri offered “controversial” advice tips to indie authors and I must admit I was surprised to hear her say:
- Don’t blog, (this does not mean Sheri is anti-blogging; she does guest blog.)
- Guest blog on those blogs that have your target audience.
In one way I understand Sheri’s point about not blogging as it does take away time from writing your next book, however, I wonder if this may be different for a children’s author than for a memoir writer.
I advise writers to start a blog related to the theme of their book which will help them build their brand. Blogs have offered many writers opportunities to form relationships with other bloggers who support them and help promote their work. I also know that blogging has offered me opportunities with the media thanks to SEO and online visibility.
Sheri said she:
- She uses her Facebook Fan page to interact with her fans rather than blogging
- Doesn’t do giveaways (a business choice she made.)
- Releases different formats of her books separately with campaigns planned around each print, Kindle, Nook etc., for maximum effect.
I like her idea of releasing your book in print, Kindle, Nook etc., with several weeks apart for maximum use of press releases and planned campaigns.
I am curious what you think about “not blogging” and just “guest blogging” and using your own FB fan page to reach your readers?
I shall be offering a Webinar on “How to Create your BRAND” with Sheri Fink in August. The date will be announced shortly.
Sheri writes books that inspire and delight children while planting seeds of self-esteem. Her first children’s book, The Little Rose, was a #1 best-seller on Amazon for over 60 weeks, became the #1 top-rated e-book on Amazon, and received a gold medal in the 2012 Readers Favorite International Book Awards. Her subsequent books (The Little Gnome, The Little Firefly, and Exploring the Garden with the Little Rose) have all been #1 best-sellers. Her children’s book series received the Gold Mom’s Choice Award for excellence in family friendly entertainment. In 2013, Sheri was selected by CBS Los Angeles as one of the top three authors in her local area, a distinction she shares with Dean Koontz.
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Sonia … some very interesting perspectives here. Re blogging … I think blogging is very useful if you are writing on topics that relate to the book you are writing. It is a way of building an audience, but it also a way to develop perspectives for marketing the book. As for guest blogs, I completely agree that you should only do them for a host who deals with your potential audience.
MARY GOTTSCHALK recently posted..Learning to See the Other
Yes Mary. Those were two points Sheri brought up during her presentation that I found interesting. I think it’s different for an author of children’s books as well.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Marketing Secrets from a Best-selling Indie Author Sheri Fink
Good tips. Facebook may work very well for Sheri – there are authors very active on FB who have thousands of interactive followers. FB has been working to make page posts more difficult for followers to see, though, since FB wants to encourage paying to boost page posts views. Maybe I wouldn’t blog either if I could get everyone else to blog about me and link to my website! Good for Sheri!
Linda Austin recently posted..Becky Povich – Reminiscing smaller life stories into one big story
Yes Linda. Sheri is a great Author entrepreneur and after hearing about her background in the corporate world, her childhood, and her entrepreneurial spirit, I can see how this has led to her success as an author. She deserves it.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Marketing Secrets from a Best-selling Indie Author Sheri Fink
These are some great tips, Sonia! Miss Fink sure does seem like a bold and daring woman. I mean, look at that hair! I don’t know anyone else who could pull off that look! Anyway, I’m totally excited to see her books. My adorable little niece loves reading and her birthday’s coming up. Hope all is well!
Mike Carlson recently posted..Advantages and Disadvantages of Goal Setting
Glad you’re still as gutsy as ever, Sonia! Hope you keep having fn with what you’re doing!
Blessings and Bear hugs.
Rob, it’s been a long time. How are you doing. Are you still bear blogging? Thanks for stopping by.
Sonia Marsh recently posted..Marketing Secrets from a Best-selling Indie Author Sheri Fink
You may have hit the nail on the head when you said “I wonder if this may be different for a children’s author”. Every situation is different. If Fink has found success without blogging and doesn’t see the need, that’s fine. However, there is evidence out there that blogging does improve your visibility and SEO.