Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Client Success Story - Leslie Vernick


Leslie Vernick DCSW, LCSW
Author, Speaker, Counselor
www.LeslieVernick.com

Working with Rob Eagar has been well-worth the investment! In the first three months of his Marketing Mentor Program, we’ve already:

● Produced a polished newsletter, which helped me get the 2008 Relationship Expert Columnist position in Today’s Christian Woman magazine!

● Improved my image with a striking new website (see before / after picture below).

● Developed methods to get over 100 additional newsletter signups per month.

● Created a professional speaking demo that displays my presentation skills.

● Launched a new brand that people remember:
Enriching the Relationships that Matter Most


Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Client Success Story - Mary DeMuth

Mary DeMuth
Author & Speaker
2007 Christy Award finalist
2007 Retailer’s Choice Award finalist

www.MaryDeMuth.com

“I hit a point in my career where I needed some expert help. Connecting with Rob Eagar was a blessing! His Marketing Mentor Program caused a personal revival, something I never thought possible. How could hiring a marketing consultant create such a spiritual result? Rob asked hard questions. I learned difficult things. But, I also found the grace of God in his teaching. Here’s just a few of the results I’ve experienced with Rob:

● Defined unique brands for my non-fiction, Pioneer Parenting, and fiction Turning Trials to Triumph.

● Revamped my image with a stunning new website
(see before / after picture below).

● Launched new products that generated solid sales in the first week.

● Practiced media training to turn interviews into more website hits and product sales.

● Learned better speaking skills to help expand my message.

● Generated giveaway tools that attract new customers.


I am absolutely thrilled with the way Rob Eagar has helped me! I recommend WildFire Marketing to any writer and speaker.”


Monday, November 19, 2007

Client Success Story - Grace Fox


Grace Fox
Best-selling Canadian author
International Speaker

www.GraceFox.com

“I worked with Rob Eagar and his Marketing Mentor Program, and in just a few months, we:

● Developed focused statements that reveal the benefits of all my books and speaking topics.

● Improved my media interview skills, which has doubled visits to my website and caused over 500 downloads of my articles.

● Created a new brand tagline which recharged my ministry.

● Developed ways to encourage over 75% of an audience to signup for my newsletters.

It’s been a pleasure working with Rob. He’s a great encourager, asks tough questions, and provides beneficial long-term coaching."

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Sample Book Marketing Plan

One key to successful book sales is creating a good marketing plan BEFORE you finish writing your book. Publishers adore authors who think about marketing while they write their manuscript.

Click here for a sample of how to structure a solid marketing plan.

Post a comment to share your tips for writing a winning plan.

Rich Author / Poor Author and What's the Difference?

Every author wants their book to succeed. Some authors focus so much on writing, though, that they never learn how to make their message work for them. I’m NOT saying that the goal of writing is to get rich. However, if your writing doesn’t become financially self-sustaining, then your influence will be brief. I know authors who wrote great books, but they were forced to quit due to a lack of income. So, use this article to consider if you’re causing your message to shrink or spread like wildfire.

Poor Authors think they only need a Good Book.
Rich Authors know they need a Good Marketing Plan.
Poor authors hope if they write a great book, then it will automatically sell itself. However, this notion is unrealistic when you’re competing with over 100,000 other “great” books published each year. Good writing alone can’t always cut through the noise. Plus, poor authors assume their publisher will do all of the marketing. Yet, cash-strapped publishers usually restrict most of their marketing budgets to the big names.

Rich authors don’t just write good books. They build a good marketing plan around their book to help generate sales. Publishers love authors who clearly define their audience, differentiate their book from the competition, and develop creative ways to promote their message. Click here for a free example of a solid marketing plan.

Poor Authors expect Income only from their Book.
Rich Authors expect Income mostly from Spin-off Products.
Poor authors try to pay their bills by writing as many books as possible. They live off of advances and dream of royalty checks. Yet, few writers can make it on a $1.00 royalty. Sadly, this one-dimensional mindset blinds them to other streams of income. Some authors even think the best way to sell a book is to quickly write another book.

Rich authors realize their book is a pathway to more lucrative opportunities called spin-off products. For example, I used content from my $10 book to create a $150 video study. Remember that people like to learn in varied ways. So, if you limit your message to just a book, then you will limit your income and influence. But, if you focus on meeting the needs of your audience, then the offshoot potential is endless. You could offer speaking seminars, videos, downloads, e-books, audio, coaching sessions, paid newsletters, etc. Ask yourself right now, what new spin-off products could you create from your book?

Poor Authors rely only on Publicity.
Rich Authors rely on Exposure they can Control.
Poor authors rely on publicity to promote their books, such as media interviews, book reviews, and book-signings. Yet, publicity is something you cannot control, because you can’t force someone interview you, review your book, or attend a signing. Worse, competition is fierce for bookstore shelf space and available media slots. In these situations, you’re just one among thousands.

Rich authors still use publicity, but they find ways to market their book as the only choice in front of the buyer. They get exposure that they can control. For instance, when someone reads your newsletter, you’re the only buying option at that time. Good exposure keeps customers focused on your book. You could submit articles to magazines, create an audience-focused website, setup tele-seminars, generate speaking engagements, do your own radio show, create a print or e-newsletter, etc.

Don’t let your book sit in the poor house. Think like a “rich” author and make it work for you.

Sunday, November 4, 2007

How Do You Know if Your Speech is Good?

So, you’ve just come off stage to a standing ovation, and you’re feeling pretty good about your speech. Later, as you stand by your resource table shaking hands, several people mention how they think you’re a great speaker. But, are their comments an accurate indicator of your skill level?

The fact is that every speaker gets told they’re the best speaker ever. And, most audience members aren’t going to share negative feedback. So, do audience compliments really tell you if you’re any good? Let’s look at three ways to know if your speech is great:

1. The leader who booked you invites you back.
Most leaders are looking for effective, results-based speakers they can trust. If your speech is good, then leaders know they can count on you. This belief increases the desire to invite you back, because they know good things happen when you’re there. Giving a great presentation causes leaders to want you back. Sure, some leaders may want to skip a year to keep things fresh, but good speakers stay in a leaders mind on a consistent basis – which helps create consistent bookings.

2. The leader who booked you refers you to another leader.
You have a great speech if the person who booked you tells their influential friends how good you are. Leaders talk to their peers and swap stories about speakers. This referral process alone can fill up half of a great speaker’s calendar. Word starts to spread and the phone starts to ring with requests. Is your phone ringing?

3. Another leader in the audience approaches you.
You have a great speech if a different leader in the audience comes up and says, “Here’s my card, I’d like to book you for another event.” It’s one thing for someone to compliment your talk, but it’s different when someone offers to give you money to present your same talk to another group. When you can motivate someone to immediately want you, then you’ve got a great speech.

Great speakers never rest on their laurels. Instead, they invest the time and money to improve their presentations. A dud message can’t spread like wildfire. Ask yourself, what can I do to generate more repeat and referral business? If you feel stuck, give us a call at 1-800-267-2045 or email: Rob@StartaWildFire.com We love helping make good speakers great!