Sonia Marsh - Gutsy Living

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3 New Book Marketing Tips to Try

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A fresh start to a new year generally means change.

If you’re like me, you’ll want to:

  • Work more efficiently
  • Save time
  • Try a new way to connect with your readers

Here are 3 new tips for you to try.

  • The book insert card
  • Connect with readers on Amazon Forums
  • Ask an Amazon top reviewer for feedback

Let me explain them in order.

1). The book insert card.

I thought about a way to remind those who purchase my book at an event, to review it, to encourage others to read it, and to invite me to participate in a Skype book club “Meet the Author” event. Below is my 5×8 card I insert into each book. It fits perfectly, since my book is 6×9. I’m hoping this will encourage more reviews. I designed one specifically to inform readers about the other books I have for sale. Take  look at the card below.

Review Card Insert for FF 5×8

2). Connect with readers on Amazon Forums

I thought it would be a great idea to thank my reviewers for reading my memoir and to offer them a free Kindle version of the 2nd book:

My Gutsy Story® Anthology: True Stories of Love, Courage and Adventure From Around the World

I know this could be risky (financially) as I would be “gifting” it to them at my own expense, however, I believe the more you give, the more you get back.

Anyway, before attempting to post my Dear Reader letter on my Amazon Author Central page, I thought it best to send a copy to Amazon customer service first and see what they said. After all, you don’t want to get in trouble with Amazon.

Here is the response I got from Amazon customer service:

“I understand you would like to thank reviewers for reading your first book, “Freeways to Flip-Flops: A Family’s Year of Gutsy Living on a Tropical Island.”

“Currently, there is no such option or category on Author Page to post the content you mentioned. However, I found a way to take are of this for you.

— The Customer Discussion forum on the bottom of the Author Page allows you to share your questions, insights, and views about your books with other customers.

If you’d like to preview a Customer Discussion, go to the bottom of the Author Page and point your mouse at the arrow to the left of a discussion to preview the first couple posts in a discussion.

Anyone who visits Amazon.com can read a discussion, but you must have a purchase history and be in good standing in the Amazon community to contribute to a discussion or start a new one.

You’ll find the rules for posting and answers to some frequently asked questions here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/forum/content/db-guidelines.html/

—We also offer the Meet our Authors Community in the Amazon.com discussion boards. Here, you can browse the different active discussions and post information about your books in the discussions you feel your book will best fit.

http://www.amazon.com/forum/meet%20our%20authors

I’m sorry that I couldn’t offer much help in this regard through Author Central. However, I’ve passed your message to the Author Central development team for consideration.”

I checked the Meet our Authors Community in the Amazon.com discussion boards, and you can add your book to the appropriate genre list.

3). Ask an Amazon top reviewer for feedback

I was fortunate to get a review from one of the top 500 Amazon Reviewers, when Freeways to Flip-Flops: A Family’s Year of Gutsy Living on a Tropical Island was published. (Read her review here.)

I thanked her for her review, and asked her for her feedback on who she thought my target audience was. She surprised me with her detailed response as she brought up a younger demographic of women than I had expected, (25-40) as well as the over 50, and retired group. She also suggested dropping my book off at libraries, which I’ve done, and to book club members. Ionia also mentioned those with physical disabilities, senior centers and the incarcerated.

Here is the review; I received 5 stars by Ionia Martin.

Have you tried new ways to market your books? Please share your comments, and if you find this post helpful, please share on social media.

THANK YOU.

***

Please VOTE for your favorite one of 5 “My Gutsy Story®” submissions. You have from now until January 15th to vote on the sidebar, (only one vote per person) and the winner will be announced on January 16th, and will select a prize from our generous sponsors.

Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

MGS FINAL COVER Small

Click on cover to go to Amazon

Would you like to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” and get published in our 2nd anthology?

Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here

What would you be doing if no one was stopping you?

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What would you be doing if no one was stopping you?

Go tell the world.

I love this question as it allows us to open our minds and brainstorm about what we truly want in our future. The next step is to create opportunities and make things happen.

I believe 2014 is the year to create new opportunities for ourselves.

  • What does this mean?

To me this means asking for what you’d like to have happen, rather than wishing for it to happen.

In other words, it means being gutsy and not waiting for that perfect moment when you think you’ll be smarter, more experienced or more confident.

  • That moment is now

As Ann marie Houghtailing says in her book, How I Created a Dollar Out of Thin Air,

“You might as well be waiting for Santa or the muse to show up. I prefer to create instead of wait.”

Yes it does take guts to ask people for help, or for what you want, but as long as you’re asking from “a place of worthiness and decency,” and not arrogance, this is how you’ll create your opportunities.

“Those who create opportunities insist that obstacles are opportunities disguised.” —Ann marie Houghtailing

Ann marie Houghtailing Book Cover
Click on cover for Amazon link

Success depends on your attitude. If you feel that you’re not capable of doing something, then you’re probably right. Do you think an athlete motivates herself to win a race by stating, “There’s no way I can run fast enough to win this race?”

This does not mean you will not face challenges, setbacks and problems like everyone else. Your attitude will make you see things in a different way. Look at obstacles as part of life. Look at solving them and know that there is always a solution. Sometimes you just need to ask.

Here are some examples of obstacles I’ve faced, and how I’ve overcome them.

  • I was unsure of my brand as “Gutsy Writer” and knew I wanted to expand it to “Gutsy Living.” I asked my social media/blogger friend, Marcie Taylor, to have lunch with me. She helped me with the concept of starting the “My Gutsy Story®” series on my blog.
  • I needed help when I started my own indie publishing company, so instead of hiring someone, I decided to start my own FaceBook group, “Gutsy Indie Publishers.” The goal was to help one another with our indie publishing questions, and today we have 436 members who are eager to ask and answer questions.
  • I decided it would be cool to organize my own book signing at  Costco, I asked to speak to the manager and he “yes,” and helped me get an event set up.
  • After several years of listening to a radio show called Writers on Writing, I asked the host, Barbara De Marco Barrett, to have a show  with indie authors. She agreed to invite 3 indie authors, including me, on January 2nd, 2013.

Sometimes we reach a point when we have so many ideas swirling around that we feel uncertain as to which direction to proceed. We question which is the right choice; we are advised to make specific goals plan for the New Year, we fear taking the wrong path, so we procrastinate. I know this is where I am right now.

I’m asking for your help please.

  • What should I focus on that would interest you?
  •  Where would you like to see Gutsy Living going in 2014?

THANK YOU TO ALL MY READERS AND DON’T LET ANYONE STOP YOU IN 2014.

 ***

Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

MGS FINAL COVER Small

Click on cover to go to Amazon

Would you like to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” and get published in our 2nd anthology?

Please see guidelines below and contact Sonia Marsh at: sonia@soniamarsh.com for details.

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here

VOTING for your favorite December 2013  stories starts on January 2nd, 2014, and ends on January 15th. The WINNER is announced on January 16th. Please check out all our December stories with Marian Beaman and Fee Johnson, Ian Mathie, Jessica O’Gorek and Laurie Buchanan, sharing their “My Gutsy Story®.”

How Do I get My Book Made into a Movie?

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Typewriter THE END

Like most authors, I really, really want my book made into a movie, and I also believe, like most authors, that I have a unique story that lends itself to a screenplay.

The question is how do I get my book in the hands of the perfect Hollywood producer who will fall in love with my story?

First, let me tell you what happened to me on the day I launched my first book: Freeways to Flip-Flops: A Family’s Year of gutsy Living on a Tropical Island.

I received a phone call from an associate producer of a new TV talk show scheduled to air in the Fall. They found me online by Googling keywords like family/travel/adventure/gutsy. Marianne, the associate producer prepped me for the show, and although things were changed at the last minute, she helped me develop a pitch and suggested I contact (GMA) Good Morning America. Here was the pitch she developed for me: “I took my affluent teenagers to live in the jungle.” I followed her advice but had no luck with (GMA).

But I won’t give up, so I’ve been spending time listening to webinars on how to get your book made into a movie and all of them have asked me to pay a fee for either:

  1. Turning my book into a screenplay or
  2. Guaranteeing that my material will be reviewed by producers without the need of an agent. All I have to do is purchase a set of books and videos (offered at a one-time special low fee) that will help me prepare a 3-5 page in depth description and analysis of my book and capture the attention of real producers.

I asked an award-winning playwright if this is how I should proceed and she said:

“The way this usually works is the producer should be the one paying to option your book, not the other way around.  And there would need to be a written option agreement between you.” 

She added:

“Unless the person is clearly a working screenwriter in Hollywood with LOTS of connections,  even if he wrote the script, the chances he could get it produced are small.  You think the publishing world is tough?  Hollywood is worse.”

I have come to the conclusion that the best way to get your movie in the hands of a producer, is to either:

  • Know a Producer
  • Have a contact in the film industry who knows a producer, or who is close friends with an agent/producer/someone in the business
  • Have a bestseller if you’re indie-published, which will bring attention to your book; think Amanda Hocking
  • If you have a literary agent, have them help you with their film agent contacts
  • Make things happen yourself through networking at conferences, asking people you meet.

In a article by Warren Adler in the Huffington Post, Warren states:

“It is difficult to explain this reality to an eager questioner who believes he or she has created a work of genius. My usual answer is to advise them to find a way to attract the attention of the “Hollywood agentry,” those intrepid and seasoned soldiers whose experience and contacts are geared to gain the attention of stars, producers, studios, writers and the entire gaggle of entrepreneurs who put their judgment on the line and find the money to reach the entertainment marketplace.”

“The real future for novelists may be in venues yet to come made possible by technology that might be just beginning to emerge.”

I am curious what Warren means in this last statement. Sounds interesting.

Warren Adler, best known for “The War of the Roses” garnered outstanding box office and critical success with Golden Globe, BAFTA and multiple award nominations internationally, Adler went on to sell movie and film rights for 12 books, all noted for his character driven and masterful storytelling.

Here is another article I found helpful, “Turn You Book Into a Movie: Tips and Guidelines.”

Even in this article, they stress the importance of contacts.

“In any business, it’s important to make great contacts. If you’ve got big dreams of being a Hollywood blockbuster writer, then it may be time to launch yourself full-on into the Tinsel Town community.”

(Please note, I’m an indie author who is passionate about marketing and sharing with other indie authors on my blog. Please join our Gutsy Indie Publishers Facebook Group where we welcome you to ask questions.

If you’d like links to webinars on this topic, please e-mail me at: Sonia@soniamarsh.com

I hope you join me in Making things happen yourself through networking at conferences, and asking people you meet.

I refuse  to give up.

What about you?

 

5 Questions You Must Answer Before You Write Your Book

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Dale Griffiths Stamos- Story Structure Editor
Dale Griffiths Stamos-
Story Structure Editor
There are five basic questions writers need to ask prior to starting a manuscript. I believe these will save time and help you structure your memoir, or novel.
Manuscript consultant, Dale Griffiths Stamos, mentioned these five questions during her recent presentation at the CWC-Long Beach.

“What’s Your Story?  The 5 Essential Questions of Good Storytelling.”

  •  Who is your main character?
  •  What does the protagonist want?
  •  What’s standing in the way of getting it?
  •  Do they succeed or fail?
  •  How did the protagonist change?

I shall share the notes I took during Dale’s seminar, but I would urge you to contact her directly if you need help with your story structure. Dale was my editor, and I truly admire her expert skills at “seeing” the entire story and molding it into one meaningful structure. Her website is: manuscriptconsultant.com

1). When you ask yourself who is your main character?  It could be one person or a group protagonist. For example (a group in a lifeboat) all want the same thing. You can also have a dual protagonist, (a couple) or two protagonists with two story lines.

2). What does your protagonist want? This want, is what drives the entire story. Each scene want is different from the overarching want. The want has to be a life or death need for the character.

3). What’s standing in the way of getting it? is where the antagonist forces or obstacles (usually more than one thing) stand in the way.  There is conflict, and this must always drive the story forward.

4). Do they succeed or fail? This is the resolution. Do they get what they want?  The central dramatic question is answered. Will they succeed?

5). How did the protagonist change? The protagonist(s) has to change in some way. They start out, they have struggles, they become a new being because of it.  It can be a subtle change, or a dramatic change, but there has to be an evolution.

 

Sonia Marsh, DaleGriffiths Stamos Flora Brown at CWC-Long Beach
Sonia Marsh, DaleGriffiths Stamos Flora Brown at CWC-Long Beach

Dale covered these 5 questions in far more detail during her presentation. I just wanted to give you a few tips to help you think about your story structure.

DALE GRIFFITHS STAMOS is a teacher, a writer, and an award-winning playwright. Please check out her bio here.

 ***

I’m in Florida on vacation and shall post photos from my trip to Key West, and Naples on my Facebook page from time to time. Please check them out.

How to Become a Successful Gutsy Indie Publisher

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purchased from i-Stock
purchased from i-Stock

Becoming a successful “Gutsy Indie Publisher” is like being a circus juggler on a unicycle, throwing flames and spinning plates; all at the same time.

So what is the secret to juggling?

  • It’s to think like a pro.

If you want to sell commercially, you need to become a professional publisher.

  • To sell your book you have to suit the book buyers not you.

Yes, it does cost money, and you need to figure out:

  • What am I good at?
  • What am I not so good at?
  • What do I need help with.

There are 6 steps towards becoming a successful “Gutsy Indie Publisher” and I shall be presenting these at the Digital Author and Self-publishing conference on 10-12-13, in Los Angeles.

Digital Author and SP-Conference-BannerClick here to see the entire program.

Each phase of becoming a “Gutsy Indie Publisher” requires specific tasks and skills you need to be aware of before moving onto the next one.

Some of the steps are ongoing, and require adapting to where you are in the publication process before moving on. The 6 steps I shall cover are:

  1. writing
  2. pre-publication
  3. publishing
  4. marketing
  5. promotion
  6. what next?

Within each step, I shall cover the following topics:

Topics covered in those areas

Many have asked me, “So Sonia, what’s next?”

Well apart from helping people with my new business, “Gutsy Book Coaching”, speaking and continuing with the “My Gutsy Story®” second Anthology, (please keep submitting your stories) contest guidelines here, I also plan to volunteer in Spain in May 2014, with a group called Vaughan Volunteers. I’ve always wanted to volunteer and meet people from different cultures. If you want to have a week in Spain, speaking English to Spanish business people, Vaughan pays for your hotel, food and sight-seeing. It’s a great opportunity to help, while learning more about the Spanish culture.

Do you have a “My Gutsy Story®” you’d like to share?

NOW is the time to submit your “My Gutsy Story®” which may be included in our 2nd ANTHOLOGY.

You can find all the information, and our new sponsors on the “My Gutsy Story®” contest page. (VIDEO) Submission guidelines here

Here are the stories we have in October:

  • October 14th: Marcia Molina-Lehmann
  • October 21st: Cappy Hall
  • October 28th: Don Westenhaver

Thanks and please share if you enjoyed this post.

 

 

 

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