Social Media Is Meant To Be Social

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip
is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits
spread their message like wildfire.

This Memorial Day, join me in thanking and honoring

those who sacrificed to make our freedom in America possible.

This week's focus:

Social media was meant to be social, not commercial. That's why readers don't appreciate publishers attempting to infiltrate their social networks. Trying to advertise books to a social network group is like interrupting a meaningful church service with advertisements to sell Bibles. The pitch is in bad taste and out of context, which only makes the congregation mad and distrustful.

Likewise, I find it hard to believe that the average reader wants to spend much time on a publisher's FaceBook page or Twitter feed. That doesn't line up with the definition of social interaction. This truth is backed up by a survey of 21,000 book shoppers where the majority said they ignore big publisher websites in favor of visiting author websites. This preference is due to the desire that readers want to build relationships with their favorite authors, rather than a large impersonal company. Thus, publishers would get better return on investment by empowering their authors to maximize social networks, rather than wasting money and manpower building a corporate social media presence.

How can publishers assist their authors to maximize social networks? Help authors create value-laden, word-of-mouth tools that can quickly spread through the social networks, such as free resources, viral videos, contests, coupons, sample chapters, etc. Give authors the tools to be the life of the online party in their own social networks. Happy author, happy readers...happy publisher.

Reminders:

Rob's New Book Releases June 7th:

Sell Your Book Like Wildfire is the definitive guide for authors on book marketing and publicity. The official release date is June 7th. Pre-order today and get FREE shipping for only $16.99 at:

www.startawildfire.com/books.html

To receive Rob's "Monday Morning Marketing Tips" directly to your email Inbox, click here

Sneak Peek of Rob's New Book Video!

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip
is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits
spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:
I thought you'd enjoy starting off this week with a sneak peek at the book trailer for my new book, "Sell Your Book Like Wildfire." (No authors, publishers, literary agents, small animals, or trees were harmed in the making of this video.) Click on the picture or link below to play.

If you enjoyed this video, feel free to share the link (http://youtu.be/cdAQDWuZEOw) with any authors, editors, agents, and publishers whom you know.
  

Reminders:

Rob's New Book Releases June 7th:

Sell Your Book Like Wildfire is the definitive guide for authors on book marketing and publicity. The official release date is June 7th. Pre-order today and get FREE shipping for only $16.99 at:

www.startawildfire.com/books.html

To receive Rob's "Monday Morning Marketing Tips" directly to your email Inbox, click here

Don't "Do-Yourself-In" with a "Do-It-Yourself" Mentality

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip
is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits
spread their message like wildfire.

A younger Rob with his self-published book hot off the printing press.

This week's focus:

I am one of the few original self-publishing success stories. And, I did it way before the advent of e-books, Amazon, and social media. Over 10 years ago, I left corporate America as a sales executive to pursue what seemed like a ridiculous dream to write a book. I had no publishing contacts, no name recognition, and no desire to wait two years to get published. So, I chose the D-I-Y "do-it-yourself" approach. I worked tirelessly on my manuscript for a year. Then, I hired my own editor, page layout designer, graphic artist, and printing company. Long story short, I put my sales background to work and wound up selling over 13,000 copies, spoke to more than 35,000 people, generated a consistent six-figure income, and eventually signed a nice contract with a reputable publisher. Ten years later, that book is still selling in bookstores across America.

What was the key to my self-publishing success?  I took great pains to avoid appearing self-published. That's right, I did everything I could to make people think that I had been traditionally-published. My manuscript was continually edited until my wife, the VP of Quality Control, deemed it "a real book." My book cover looked amazing and received great feedback. My book was printed on high-quality paper. My first website was created by an experienced professional. My marketing materials all featured the same brand. I succeeded because didn't let a D-I-Y mentality give me excuses to cut corners on quality.

Today, I see too many self-published authors sacrificing quality to get a book done quickly and cheaply. Maybe that explains why the average self-published books only sells 150 copies...total. That's a lot of hard work flushed down the drain.

Anyone can be a maverick and write their own book. But, not everyone can be successful. I'm all for the entrepreneurial spirit, saving money, and enjoying the fruits of your labor. However, unless you're gifted in every area of publishing, spend the extra money to utilize professional freelance editors, graphic artists, and web designers. Don't D-Y-I (Do-Yourself-In) with a D-I-Y mentality. If you choose to self-publish, do it right from the beginning and create a book that becomes your own success story.

Reminders:

Marketing Teleconference for Authors - This Tuesday, May 15th:

"Sell Books While You Sleep - The Power of an Author Website"

Get top notch instruction from Rob - even if you can't be present for the live teleconference call. Everyone who registers gets a mp3 audio recording of the 60-minute call to listen on their own time. Register early for $49 at:

www.startawildfire.com/teleconferences2012.html 

Rob's New Book Releases June 7th:

Sell Your Book Like Wildfire is the definitive guide for authors on book marketing and publicity. The official release date is June 7th. Pre-order today and get FREE shipping for only $16.99 at:

www.startawildfire.com/books.html

To receive Rob's "Monday Morning Marketing Tips" directly to your email Inbox, click here

All Marketing is a Felt Need

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip
is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits
spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

As a marketing consultant, I worked with numerous leaders who work in academic circles, such as counselors, professors, pastors, and specialty book publishers. A common problem among these scholastic groups is the tendency to believe that their marketing should be exempt from the need to answer the consumers' primary question, "What's in it for me?" Appealing to a person's felt need is viewed as stooping to a lower level of commerce.

They maintain that focusing on logic, displaying didactic descriptions of their content, and listing pedantic endorsements should rule a promotional campaign. I would agree that this attitude makes sense if you only want to preach to the choir. But, if you want to expand sales beyond just a small restricted club, that type of narrow-minded approach will limit your growth.

Some academic leaders forget that everything is a felt need. People aren't robots. Logic might make us think, but it is emotion that makes us act. Every decision, no matter how academic, is still infused with the desire to protect and achieve our self-interests. Ironically, the most studious people in the world still buy fancy food because it tastes good, nice clothes because they look good, fine wine and fast cars because it makes them feel good.

Marketing efforts are rarely effective when you treat people like robots who should ignore their self-interests. Robots don't run our economy. People do. People who buy things according to a desire that says, "What's in it for me?" Therefore, when it comes to marketing, no matter how academic the product, everything is a felt need.




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Promote Your Book or Message with Power-Bites

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip
is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits
spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

The more you rely on technology to spread your message, the more you must be brief. We live in a world of smaller screens, smaller attention spans, and smaller conversations where media platforms continuously shrink discussions. For instance, radio and TV interviews these days are typically no longer 3 - 6 minutes. And, social media tools, like Twitter, limit your remarks to just 140 characters.

To market successfully in a world of micro-communication, it's crucial to speak concisely with power. People no longer give authors, business owners, or non-profit directors a long time to explain what they do. You've got to capture another person's attention right off the bat.

The best way to grab someone's interest is to speak in powerful sound bites, or "power-bites." Think of power-bites like a newspaper editor uses punchy headlines to introduce articles. Talk about your book, product, or service in a manner that makes someone curious or inquisitive.

For example, I'm starting to promote my new book, "Sell Your Book Like Wildfire," which releases in 30 days. When media reporters, bloggers, or publishing executives ask me about my book, I don't go into a long drawn-out description. Instead, I lead my responses with pithy power-bites, such as:

• Never tell someone what your book is about. Tell them "What's in it for me?"
• If you want to sell more books, stop selling books and start selling results.
• Start small to sell big. Light a fire with your kindling audience first.
• My book is the bible of book marketing.
• Marketing is easy with 3 simple questions: What's your value? Who needs it the most? Where do they congregate?

In a fast-paced world where Facebook, Twitter, and the 24/7 news media allow everyone to have a voice, it's more important than ever to cut through all the noise. Use power-bites to punch through the cacophony, gain people's attention, and spread your message like wildfire.

Take action today: Create three new power-bite sentences for your book, product, or service.




To receive Rob's "Monday Morning Marketing Tips" directly to your email Inbox, click here

QR Codes - Good Marketing Gone Bad

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip
is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits
spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

Recently, I was driving through downtown Atlanta when I stopped at a red light next to a commuter bus. The side of the bus displayed a Mercedes Benz automobile advertisement with a big QR code that said, "You'll be glad you scanned this code."  Curious, I whipped out my iPhone and scanned the barcode. But, instead of being glad, I felt mad. The QR code simply took me to the Facebook page of a local car dealer's website. There was no contest, no discount, no special promotion...nothing but a waste of my time. Unfortunately, I've seen this same boring example happen dozens of times with other QR codes I've scanned.


A year ago, I wrote an article touting the ability of QR codes to revolutionize marketing and transform print media into multi-media. But, the execution has failed to live up to the hype, and QR codes have failed to catch on with the general public...for good reason. Companies and marketers across America have basically killed consumer interest in QR codes, because they didn't link them to anything interesting. Why go out of your way to scan a QR code when it just takes you to the company's website? Why scan a QR code when there's nothing in it for me? Instead, give me something impressive, such as a special discount, exclusive behind-the-scenes access, funny video, etc. Make me glad, not mad, that I scanned the code.


QR codes have become an example of good marketing gone bad, because too many marketers forget a basic principle: people don't respond to ads unless they perceive there's something in it for them. QR codes had the potential to engage consumers in a really unique way. But, as consumers have realized that scanning a code just links them to a boring ad or lackluster website page, they do what any normal person does...they start to ignore them. It's too bad that so many companies have wasted this new technology. But, if you fail to offer a positive result to the consumer, then no new type of marketing will yield the intended result.

To receive Rob's "Monday Morning Marketing Tips" directly to your email Inbox, click here

@ Rob Eagar 2012. All rights reserved.

Does Marketing Feel Oppressive or Liberating?

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? Likewise, if you write a book and no one reads it, does it make you an author? I would argue no, because the whole point of writing a book is to share it with others. Otherwise, you're just writing a diary.

There is a scriptural proverb that says, "No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light." If your book helps people "see the light," then what sense does it make to avoid marketing? Authors of any genre should feel obliged to let their value shine.

There's no reason to feel guilt when you reach out to help someone. Therefore, marketing should be viewed as a liberating endeavor, not an oppressive burden. I encourage authors to adopt the following maxim: I have fantastic value which can help people mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Thus, I'd be selfish not to approach as many people as I can with my value.

When you take time to write a blog, speak publicly, post on Facebook, offer free resources, or conduct radio and TV interviews, you are drawing people to the light of your book. If you find those activities tedious and difficult, then you may have forgotten your value or the fact that people deeply need it. Come back to the light.

To receive Rob's "Monday Morning Marketing Tips" directly to your email Inbox, click here

@ Rob Eagar 2012. All rights reserved.

How to Create Online Community

If you want to build a following, either online and offline, the key is to position yourself as someone who is worth following. The best way to attract a large group is by becoming an object of interest, which means the ability to draw people to you by dent of your expertise or charismatic personality. For instance, celebrities in our society, such as actors, reality TV stars, musicians, athletes, bestselling authors, and politicians, are considered objects of interest, because people are fascinated by their glamorous lifestyle, eccentric behavior, or award-winning achievements. Likewise, intellectual experts, such as scientists, doctors, lawyers, ministers, reporters, and counselors, can also be objects of interest, because of their ability to help people discover new information or overcome personal challenges.

People won’t become your fan unless you give them a clear reason. I know this sounds obvious, but it's that's simple. If you’re engaging in social media, and struggling to build a growing community, then people probably don't regard you as interesting. You're lost in the mix of more appealing authors who are getting attention. So, your goal should be to magnify the best parts of your book and your author expertise. Use your strengths to make people want to stay connected with you. For example, below is a list of ways to attract a following based on the genre of books that you write:

1. Non-fiction advice, how-to, textbooks: Deliver clear answers to common problems.
2. Biographies, reference: Provide insight into historical or current events.
3. Fiction, romance, chick-lit: Generate intense feelings of emotion or passion.
4. Gift books, children’s, religious: Serve as a constant source of encouragement.
5. Memoirs, comedy: Supply a unique sense of humor and wit.
6. Science fiction, young adult, crime: Create a feeling of fear, wonder, or suspense.
7. Business, political commentary: Express counterintuitive opinions that challenge the status quo.

This list is just a sample of the diverse ways that any fiction or non-fiction author could draw attention to their name and their books. I go into a lot more detail in my new book, "Sell Your Book Like Wildfire." You might choose to rely on one approach build interest. Or, you could combine several styles to help capture an audience. The point is to establish yourself as someone who is as interesting and worth following. You don’t have to change your personality. Rather, be yourself. But, give people a reason to like you, respect your skills, and want more of who you are.

To receive Rob's "Monday Morning Marketing Tips" directly to your email Inbox, click here

@ Rob Eagar 2012. All rights reserved.

Send Newsletters Instead of "You-Letters"

One of the most common marketing mistakes made by authors, businesses, and non-profits is sending “you-letters” instead of a newsletters. A “you-letter” is a newsletter that’s all about Y-O-U, which is self-absorbed and annoys people. For example, you’re probably sick of getting emails and junk mail where someone writes about themselves the whole time. It’s like that person is saying: “Hey, I know you’re busy, but I’d prefer for you to just sit there and read a bunch of selfish blather about me.”

For instance, when I was writing the chapter about newsletters for my new book, "Sell Your Book Like Wildfire," I received an unsolicited e-newsletter from a new author plugging her first book. To my chagrin (and her loss), her newsletter content contained six different promotional ads for her book – all in the same issue. Yet, there wasn’t one helpful article or piece of information that benefited me. Ironically, her book was all about how to overcome stress and work more efficiently. Yet, her newsletter was a picture of inefficiency. Furthermore, it made me want to avoid all future newsletters from this person.

If you want to kill the promotional power of your newsletter, talk about yourself and ignore the needs of your audience. Make that mistake a couple of times, and people will throw everything you send to them in the trash.

Here’s a good rule-of-thumb to remember: Keep 80% of your newsletter content focused on helping or entertaining the audience. Write beneficial articles, answer frequently asked questions, comment on current events, provide resource listings, etc. Then, limit the other 20% of your newsletter to content about yourself, such as product promotion and personal updates. Stick to that 80 / 20 rule, and your newsletter will turn into a more effective marketing tool that people look forward to receiving.

Amazon Lets Authors Spy on Their Readers

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

Thanks to Scott Stratten at www.Unmarketing.com for sharing this marketing tip at a conference we attended together last week.

Did you know that Amazon lets authors see who is highlighting notes in their books and tweeting content to friends? When someone reads a book using a Kindle device or app, Amazon stores the information they highlight. Plus, Amazon displays who used Twitter to spread word of mouth to their friends. How does it work?

1. Go to: https://kindle.amazon.com

2. Type in the title of your book in the "Search" box at the top right-hand corner.

3. Click on your title when it appears in the search listing.

4. You will see a picture of your book cover, a list that says "Posts from this book," and a section called "Highlights," which shows content that people notated while reading your book on their Kindle.

It may seem a little creepy that Amazon tracks all of this reader information. But, keep in mind that Amazon only displays information that readers agree to make public. There's no blatant invasion of privacy. Kindle readers can turn off this sharing feature if they desire.

Amazon's slogan for their Kindle service is "Read. Review. Remember." I like that tagline, and I think their new service offers some innovative promotional opportunities for authors. Here's why:

1. Authors get an unprecedented opportunity to peek into the minds of their readers. You can see what parts of a book resonate with readers the most, because you can literally see the passages that people highlighted. This ability allows the author to focus future blog posts, free resources, interview topics, or social media conversations on content that they know people already find intriguing.

2. Authors can identify and thank readers who share word of mouth via Twitter. By seeing who tweets your material, you can leave a message at that individual's Twitter account to show your appreciation for telling their friends. How cool is that?

3. If your book doesn't have many highlighted portions or shared posts, it could indicate that your book isn't being discovered or the content isn't capturing reader interest. Knowing that information can serve as a wake-up call to improve your marketing or strengthen the manuscript for your next book.

Even though this service from Amazon is unique, I would urge you to take it with a grain of salt. Don't base your book's marketing plan or primary promotional activities on the comments you see posted or the passages highlighted. Those comments listed only represent a small fraction of your total reader base. Instead, stay focused on marketing your book based on its overall value. Use the benefit of this service to gauge what kind of conversation is happening around your books.

I'm excited to see Amazon offer another ground-breaking service that brings readers and authors closer together. At times, they seem like the only organization dedicated to helping authors break the down the walls of publishing.

Once you've checked out Amazon's Kindle service, what marketing opportunities do you see available for your book? Leave your comment below.

To receive Rob's "Monday Morning Marketing Tips" directly to your email Inbox, click here

@ Rob Eagar 2012. All rights reserved.

How to Set a Speaking Fee

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

Getting paid to speak is a great way generate more influence and revenue for your books, business, or non-profit organization. Yet, setting and negotiating a speaking fee can feel so uncomfortable that some people avoid speaking altogether. Don't let fear cause you to miss out on a lucrative opportunity. Use the following approach to navigate the process in a win-win manner.

In our Western society, people tend to attribute a lot of money to items or services that provide a lot of value. For example, we perceive a new Mercedes-Benz automobile as a luxury vehicle that's reliable and loaded with lavish technological features. Since most people agree that Mercedes equals value, a lot of individuals are willing to spend a lot of money to purchase one. The name "Mercedes" is a perceived symbol of quality, status, and comfort. Their high value equals a high price tag that thousands of car buyers are willing to pay.

In contrast, a used car covered in rust with a busted engine equals little or no value. Anyone trying to sell an old jalopy will have to settle for a low price. The lower value creates a perception that equals lower money to purchase.

This same principle applies to setting a speaking fee. For instance, if you're a recent bestselling author or a high-profile business leader, then your perceived value will generally be quite high. Therefore, you can command a high speaking fee. For instance, many politicians, celebrities, and athletes routinely receive $5,000 - $25,000 for an individual speaking engagement. On the contrary, authors, non-profit directors, and business people with little name recognition may have to settle for $250 - 2,500, or even speak for free.

Likewise, establish your speaking fee at a level that helps you secure more bookings, and then raise your fee as your value increases. If you become a better speaker, win an award, or gain the ability to attract a following, increase your fee accordingly. Otherwise, start at a level that allows you to gather experience and grow your track record. Seek experience over money. As you get better, the money will come.

If you secure a few paid bookings and no one balks at your fee, then it's probably too low. Lack of resistance usually means you're leaving money on the table. Try raising your fee by 10 - 20% until you get a little resistance. That will help you identify a realistic range.

Above all, treat every speaking engagement with importance, and give it your utmost effort, regardless of your fee or audience size. When people hear your speech and consider you a "Mercedes-level" speaker, then you'll be in the fast lane to higher fees.

To receive Rob's Monday Morning Marketing Tips directly in your email inbox, click here

© Rob Eagar 2012. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - "Steal from Yourself for Better Marketing"

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

When I consult with authors, non-profits, and businesses about marketing issues, a common complaint arises about the need to generate a lot of content for free resources, newsletters, and social media pages. This need to write articles, blog posts, or updates gets labeled as a nuisance, because the client thinks it will be difficult to continually come up with new information. However, generating new content doesn't have to be difficult. The simplest way to stay resourceful is by stealing from yourself.

When you steal from yourself, take old material that you've already written and re-purpose it. For instance, take past articles, blog posts, or newsletters and reuse them. Or, modify the original material by putting a new spin on it. Take parts of a book and break it into smaller chunks of content. Turn videos into written articles. Or, take written material and turn it into an audio or video podcast. In addition, steal from interesting experiences in your life or organization to generate new information. For example:

Authors - Steal from yourself:

- Break your non-fiction books into short articles

- Break your novel into short stories or create back stories.

- Give sneak peeks into your upcoming manuscripts.

- Write about the challenges you face as an author.

Non-Profits - Steal from your organization:

- Use your inside perspective on current events to stress the need for your service.

- Take old newsletters and modernize the content.

- Ask recipients or donors to provide success stories for articles that highlight the importance of your cause.

Businesses - Steal from your internal intellectual property:

- Use the history of your company to write about the longevity or strengths of your business.

- Ask customers to provide success stories for articles that showcase the use of your product.

- Ask employees to rotate providing new articles that examine your industry; Reward them for participation.

Stealing from other people is illegal and a bad reflection on yourself. However, stealing from yourself is a legitimate way to generate plenty of content and keep your marketing plan on easy street.

To receive Rob's Monday Morning Marketing Tips directly in your email inbox, click here

© Rob Eagar 2012. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - "How to Use Pinterest to Market Books"

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, business owners, and non-profits

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

"A picture is worth a thousand words"...especially if those words represent word of mouth.

There's a new kid on the social media block that is changing the way people communicate online. Facebook and Twitter rely on text to share information. However, a unique website called Pinterest (www.Pinterest.com) allows people to use pictures as the focus to organize, discuss, and spread their ideas and interests. My wife recently discovered Pinterest and is addicted to it. "I love using pictures to remember stuff and tell my friends," she says. "It's so much more fun than Facebook." Her comments really got my attention.

Pinterest is described as a pinboard-styled social photo sharing website. The service allows users to create and manage collections of images based on a theme. For instance, my wife likes to collect and display images of home decorating ideas, recipes, travel spots, and her favorite books. Her friends see pictures of the items that she recommends, and they can click on the picture to get more information or even make a purchase. Multiply this effect by millions of users, and there are incredible opportunities to spread digital word of mouth like wildfire.

As of last week, Pinterest was the third most popular social networking site behind Facebook and Twitter. In addition, over 58% of the traffic is female with 59% between the ages of 25 and 44. For individuals and businesses trying to reach men and women between the ages of 25 to 44, Pinterest is a great social network to utilize.

If you're an author or publisher, Pinterest offers legitimate opportunities to create online word of mouth. Here are five tips on how to use this new service to market your books:

1. Place "Pin It" buttons on your author or publisher website that let people easily add a picture of your book covers to their Pinterest profiles. For example, put a "Pin It" button next to all of your book covers with a link back to your site or an online retailer, such as Amazon. When Pinterest users "pin" your book covers to their profiles with a brief description, it gives their followers a one-click opportunity to buy your book based on their recommendation.

Use this link to get the code for a "Pin It" button: http://pinterest.com/about/goodies/ The "Pin It" button is made to look like and function similarly to both Facebook's "Like" and Twitter's "Retweet" buttons. Placing them all together will increase the social awareness of your products.

Pinterest says that "while a description is optional, it is recommended; specifying it lowers the friction for your users to pin your products. You can have multiple Pin It buttons on each page. Just make sure that each button is next to and associated with the correct product, visually."

2. If you're a fiction author, you could use Pinterest to help your novels come alive. For instance, you could display images of the settings, locations, history, or details within your story. If you wrote a novel set during the Civil War, you could show images from the actual battlefield location, clothing that was worn by men and women during that period, pictures of historical leaders, etc. Use imagery to add a new dimension to your books. (These ideas also apply to non-fiction books.)

3. Create a Pinterest profile and use it to show behind-the-scenes images of your life as an author or your organizational culture as a publisher. For instance, you could display pictures of your writer's cave, favorite writing tools, recommended resources, top 10 lists of books, etc. Publishers could display pictures of their staff and an inside look into the company. Use imagery to help make the impersonal become more personal.

4. Display images on Pinterest that represent coupons or discounts that users can redeem when buying your books. For example, show a picture of a printable coupon or a discount code that can be used on your website or redeemed at a retailer.

5. Use Pinterest to host a contest. For instance, you can pin a selection of your book cover photos, and to participate in the contest, users have to repin your book photos, choosing their favorite. This can help your titles go viral, and you can randomly select one user who re-pinned the book that got the most attention. This also gives you the opportunity to find out which of your books are the most popular. Another way to hold a contest is to ask users to pin their own photos of your books. The one that gets the most attention from other users walks away with a prize.

Pinterest is the visual version of Facebook and Twitter. And, most people would rather look at interesting pictures than read through boring text. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Pinterest may be worth a thousand sales.

This Wednesday, 8:00pm Eastern, March 14th - Teleconference Series for Authors:

The Cure for the Bland Author Brand

Every author has a brand whether you know it or not. If you don't know it, then that means your brand is usually negative. This session explains how to take control of the branding process to positively influence the public's perception about your books. This recognition helps separate your books from the rest of the crowded marketplace. Register early for only $49 / $59 afterwards. All attendees get an mp3 audio recording of this material to listen again. Click here to register.

To receive Rob's Monday Morning Marketing Tips directly in your email inbox, click here

© Rob Eagar 2012. All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - "Why Word of Mouth Fails"

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, businesses, and non-profits

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

Have you ever read a book, watched a movie, or visited a restaurant that you really enjoyed, but never told anyone until someone else brought it up in conversation? Once you were reminded, then you began to tell numerous friends. This situation identifies two common problems for authors, businesses, and non-profits who want to generate more word of mouth. First, most people won't tell their friends about your product or service unless you make an obvious request. Second, you must make the ability for people to tell friends as easy as possible.

Most people are willing to spread word of mouth, but they're busy or forgetful due to all the distractions in our hectic society. Thus, if you want more people to tell others about your product or service, you need to make it blatantly clear. For instance, if you're an author, you must specifically tell people, "Please tell your friends about my book." Then, provide free tools on your website that makes it easy for readers to do so. If you run a non-profit, you must openly ask people to donate. Then, provide compelling success stories and easy ways for people to contribute to your cause. Otherwise, most people will never stop to think about forwarding your information to someone else. State the obvious in order to start a word of mouth wildfire.

New Two-Day Workshop for Authors:

Join me in "Hot-lanta" Georgia on April 27 - 28th for a new two-day author workshop, "Sell Your Book Like Wildfire." This event will be the opposite of a typical writer's conference. You won't get generic instruction lumped in a room with dozens of other authors. Instead, you'll get two days of direct instruction on your specific book in a small group setting. You will leave making significant progress in these key areas:

• Identify your book's value in a way that makes readers flock to it.
• Distinguish the target audiences who are most excited to buy your book.
• Develop a brand that guides your career and sets your books apart from the crowd.
• Maximize exposure for your books via media interviews and speaking engagements.
• Use a website and social media to effectively promote your message.
• Develop a personalized marketing plan that focuses on your strengths.
• Fiction authors: Discover special marketing tactics geared specifically for novelists.

Early-bird pricing is $750 by April 1st. For details and registration, click here.

Note: Don't wait. I will need at least 8 people registered by April 1st to conduct this event.

To receive Rob's Monday Morning Marketing Tips directly in your email inbox,
click here

© Rob Eagar 2012.
All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - "Tame the Speed of Social Media"

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip

is written to help authors, businesses, and non-profits

spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

One of the attractive benefits about social media and blogs is the speed at which people can communicate. Through a single Facebook post or Twitter update, you can notify hundreds or thousands of individuals in an instant. Social media can ignite a word-of-mouth boost similar to pouring lighter fluid on a fire.

However, the speediness of social media can also present a problem. That’s because the rate at which a topic can be transmitted means that another topic can quickly come along and take its place.

For example, informal studies are showing that the benefit of getting mentioned on someone’s popular Facebook wall or Twitter account may last no longer than an hour. Other posts follow so quickly afterwards that the original post quickly moves off of the main page and disappears into the archive where it dwells in obscurity. Likewise, popular blogs post new topics so quickly that topics from the previous day are soon lost in the mix. Instead of a topic enjoying a long-lasting fire of interest, the result is brief flare-up that soon dies out.

How do you prevent this problem from leaving your marketing efforts in smoldering anonymity? Consider these points:

1.Adopt a “wash-rinse-repeat” mentality with your social media efforts. Don’t expect one post or mention to drive sufficient coverage to your product, book, or service. Strive to get multiple mentions at multiple locations over time. Avoid a one-and-done strategy, or that will be your fate.

2.Make sure you have a permanent location for the important information that you’re marketing. Dedicate a page on your website, such as an article or free resource, which is easy to find and won’t disappear into an archive. Always provide a link to that page in your social media posts so that people can easily access it.

3.Rather than depend on other social media pages to spread the word, use tools on your own website and blog to help spark interest and create referrals. I recommend the free tools from Social Twist (Tell-A-Friend buttons) and www.PayWithaTweet.com

Take advantage of the speed that social media has to offer. But, take the steps mentioned above to avoid getting burned by sudden shifts in online attention.



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© Rob Eagar 2012.
All rights reserved.

Monday Morning Marketing Tip - "Self-Published Does Not Mean Published Author"

Rob Eagar's Monday Morning Marketing Tip
is written to help authors, businesses, and non-profits
spread their message like wildfire.

This week's focus:

As technology makes self-publishing easier than ever before, numerous companies have cropped up that use suspect marketing approaches to gain new business. In order to gain new business, some of their claims prey on the emotional dreams of aspiring writers. For instance, these companies will make advertising statements, such as "become a published author" or "get published this year." To an unsuspecting author, these ads can seem appealing.

However, the truth is that self-publishing does NOT make anyone a published author. The only way a writer can be considered a legitimately published author is when they are paid an advance by a publishing house to create and distribute their book. In contrast, when the author has to pay their own money to get a book produced, that is self-publishing.

Why do I tell you this? It's not because I'm against self-publishing. I self-published my first book back in 2002 before all of the new technological tools we enjoy today were available. Self-publishing is a great option for authors who write books for a narrow niche, already own an audience, or need a way to quickly create spin-off resources. Self-publishing will continue to grow and improve. But, it's not equal to traditional publishing. This point is proven by how so many successful self-published authors, such as William Paul Young, Amanda Hocking, and myself, all go on to sign contracts with traditional publishing houses.

I'm talking about this issue because paying someone else to make your book does not make you a published author. Just like paying someone else to get married wouldn't make you a real husband or wife. So, when these self-published companies make emotional appeals to help you become a published author, they're not giving you the full picture. As a self-published author, you will remain at a distinct disadvantage in the following ways:

1. Readers still view most self-published books with skepticism, because they wonder, "If there are hundreds of publishers in America, why couldn't you convince one of them that your book was good enough to publish?"

2. Bookstores will not carry self-published books on their shelves. So, self-published authors will struggle to get national distribution that they really need. And, don't tell me that having a self-published book on Amazon or B&N.com is enough. That's narrow-minded thinking, because online retailers only make up a minority of the total book-selling pie. Why severely limit yourself?

3. The majority of self-published books that I see still look homemade and substandard, including those coming from the so-called market leading companies in self-publishing. They contain dreadful covers, bad editing, unprofessional page layouts, and hard-to-read content. You would think that the self-publishing industry would try to prevent these occurrences, but that's not the case.

I'm glad self-publishing is here to stay. But, don't confuse self-publishing with being a published author. Until retail bookstores gladly carry self-published books on their shelves, which won't happen anytime soon, there will always be a distinct difference between the two options. If you want to be considered a legitimate author, continue pursuing the traditional publishing route. That road may be harder, more time-consuming, and laced with rejection, but that's true for most of the things in life that are truly worth it.

Upcoming Opportunities:

The WildFire Author University

We're getting close! I only need 10 more people to register in order to launch my new instructional opportunity on March 1st called the WildFire Author University. Participants in this unique program will enjoy the following instruction over the next year:

• One, 45-minute, personal phone call with me per month.
• Free access to my monthly teleconference sessions and downloads.
• Free copy of my new book and all new author resources that I create.
• Access a private forum where I answer your questions and you interact with authors. Learn best practices from me and your peers.

I won't launch this new program unless at least 20 people enroll by March 1st. I've got 10 interested already, so another 10 will make it happen. The price is $2,399 for the entire year...that's less than $200 per month! (Full payment up-front will be due). If you're interested, let me know today so that I can get you on my list. Send me an email to: Rob@StartaWildFire.com or call 1-800-267-2045 and say "I'd like to enroll in the WildFire Author University." Click here for more details.

Don't forget: This Wednesday, February 22nd, 8:00pm ET

Next Teleconference Session for Authors:

"O Reader, Where Art Thou?"

You've written a book, but how do you find readers for it? Wise authors market smarter, not harder. This happens by focusing your promotion on readers who are most likely to purchase your book and spread word of mouth. Join Rob on this teleconference call and discover how to identify, locate, and connect with your target audience.

Click here to register today and save over 15% before February 22nd.

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© Rob Eagar 2012.
All rights reserved.