Sheri Fink on branding Archives - Sonia Marsh

Sheri Fink Author of Children's Books — Sheri Fink Author of Children’s Books

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.

Sheri Fink and Sonia Marsh at SCWA 6/21/14

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.