Beth Vogt - Author Press Release Success

Kudos to client, Beth Vogt, for revamping her website to present a much stronger brand and marketing message. Check it out at: www.MommyComeLately.com


In addition, Beth developed a great press release that tied her book's message (about late-in-life motherhood) to the nomination of Gov. Sarah Palin for Republican vice president. Within 90 minutes of sending out her press release, she landed a radio interview. And, within a week, more requests came in. Wow...talk about quick results!

We appreciate Beth being a proactive role model for authors!

Leslie Vernick - 6th book printing in 12 months!

Congratulations to our client, Leslie Vernick! Her latest book, The Emotionally Destructive Relationship, has been available for only 12 months and just went into its 6th printing! This marks over 30,000 copies sold, which is a testament to Leslie's rapidly growing author platform.

As you can imagine, both Leslie and her publisher are thrilled. If you haven't checked out Leslie's unique book that helps individuals, couples, and families, visit: http://www.leslievernick.com/

We're happy for Leslie's achievement!

Leslie Nease – How to get lots of media interviews by yourself!

Congrats to our client, Leslie Nease, for showing how easy it is to get media interviews by yourself. Leslie learned how to send out an e-blast to radio and TV producers that gets results. Within 3 weeks, she had lined up a TV interview and 9 confirmed radio interviews...all by herself!

Plus, she landed a speaking engagement at her full fee, and received coverage through an article on a major church news website. Go Leslie!

Back to School for Authors

Summer is almost over and kids are headed back to school. Likewise, WildFire Marketing wants to help authors go back to school – the school of book marketing.

Rob Eagar is offering a free, 30-minute, audio teaching session entitled, “How to Turn Media Interviews into Book Sales.” Rob has taught over 100 authors how to improve their book marketing skills. In this teaching session, he spells out new ways to maximize any radio or TV interview and generate more book sales…even if you write fiction. Here's a cheat-sheet of the important issues that Rob covers:

• How to prepare for an interview.
• How to set proper goals and determine real results from your interview.
• How to control an interview – even with a difficult host.
• Specific techniques to help your interview boost your book sales.
• Plus, Rob shares a secret that most interview hosts don't want you to know.

To access Rob’s free teaching session, visit: www.startawildfire.com/audioresource1.html
A downloadable written transcript is also available.

Authors: Please forward this information to your author friends and writer’s groups.

Publishers & Agents: We invite you to notify your author roster about this helpful free resource.

"Rob Eagar has the energy, drive, and professional savvy to make a lasting impact upon any author's ministry. With a commitment to results, Rob will help you succeed by giving you solid business principles and proven marketing strategies that create a strong foundation for future growth."
Bob Hawkins, Jr. - President
Harvest House Publishers

For authors who want a "higher education" in book marketing and platform-growth, check out the WildFire Marketing – Author Mentor Program. Receive personalized instruction from Rob Eagar on all facets book marketing, such as websites, social networking, speaking, newsletters, media, etc.

You can choose from three different levels based on your budget and schedule. Learn how to spread your message like wildfire! For more information and author success stories, visit: www.startawildfire.com/mentorprogram.html

New Coaching Options for Authors

WildFire Marketing has enhanced the Author Mentor Program to offer you three new levels and pricing options. Authors can choose from Silver, Gold, or Platinum levels based on their budget and schedule. For example, you can boost your book sales faster with weekly coaching sessions and unlimited follow-up with Rob Eagar. Or, if you're under a writing deadline or a busy schedule, you can choose from less-expensive, scaled-down coaching options.

The Mentor Program is designed to help any author improve their book marketing and platform-growth skills. Rob will listen to your needs and create solutions to help achieve your goals. Plus, he will walk with you through the process to ensure proper execution, follow-through, and success. Using personal coaching sessions and follow-up via phone and email, Rob will teach you how to:

• Enhance the value of your expertise.
• Build a memorable brand.
• Excel at media interviews.
• Boost website traffic and income.
• Improve your keynote speaking skills.
• Acquire more speaking events.
• Sell more books and spinoff resources.
• Launch powerful newsletters…just to name a few!

Click here for pricing, details, and signup information.

"I hit a point in my writing career where I needed expert help. I'm absolutely thrilled with the ways Rob Eagar and his Mentor Program helped me so quickly."
Mary DeMuth
Author of Watching the Tree Limbs - 2007 Christy Award Finalist

Concerns for Christian Publishers

While attending the ICRS tradeshow for Christian retail stores and publishers in Orlando last week, the lack of energy was palpable. There was a sense of nervous concern about the future, and you could tell that big changes are hitting the industry. Here's a sample of the decline in event attendance:

"Last week’s trade show ended July 17 with total attendance of 7,448—the lowest numbers since the 1980s, and well off last year’s already limp showing of 9,266. Professional attendance (which is mostly retailers, plus some industry professionals) was down to 2,386, a 17% drop from last year and about half as much as in New Orleans eight years ago...Exhibitor numbers declined to 353 (including music and gifts), down from 410 two years ago."
Source: Publishers Weekly

The good news is that many Christian publishers are still selling lots of books and doing okay financially (Thomas Nelson and Baker both did well in 2007). However, the bad news is that more Christian bookstores are continuing to close. Current CBA membership is down to only 1,731 retail locations. This problem puts Christian publishers in a tough spot, because their retail distribution options are narrowing as the large bookstore chains grow in buying power. In other words, publishers are trying to cram more cherries (books) into an ever-shrinking cherry pie (retail market).

One way for publishers to combat this tightening distribution trend is to pursue more non-retail channels, such as bulk sales, social networking, sponsorships, and direct-to-consumer sales. However, most of these options are best met by getting the author involved in the sales process.

For example, most social networks hate corporate intrusions and product promotion. But, authors can build relationships within these communities to increase awareness and spur new book sales. When publishers help educate their authors how to grow their platform, they can tap into a lot of new growth opportunities.

It's time for publishers to stop talking about how much they value "author platform," and offer real training to help their authors make it happen. To elaborate, check out my article, "Why Launch a Book When You can Launch an Author?"

Christian bookstores are disappearing because they struggle to offer real value to readers (price, location, inventory, etc.). Instead, they try to rely on sympathy votes from Christians to get business, but few believers are voting for them. Let's hope that Christian publishers learn from this problem and avoid making the same mistake.

Be a Wordsmith and Help End Hunger

If you're a professional writer or speaker, then you know that command of the English language is a key to your success. Words are the tools you use to change people's lives, entertain them, or challenge individuals to grow. Plus, those with a strong vocabulary usually garner more respect from others.

So, how good is your knowledge of words? Here’s a fun way to test and build your vocabulary while helping to make food contributions: http://www.FreeRice.com/

My playing level is around 40. See if you can top it.

Win a Garmin 260W GPS Navigator

WildFire Marketing is excited to announce our new website (www.startawildfire.com/) to help authors, speakers, and publishers sell more books and spread their message. To celebrate our site launch, we're giving away a new Garmin 260W portable GPS navigator for use in your car or on foot.

When a wildfire breaks out, GPS navigation lets people know how fast the fire spreads. Likewise, GPS can help you get places faster to spread the message of your book. Now, you don't need to worry about getting lost on the way to author speaking events, book signings, or media interviews.

Register to win the Garmin 260W by visiting the WildFire Marketing home page. Simply signup to receive our free email newsletter. Signup today, because the winner will soon be selected on Tuesday, July 22nd.

Plus, every person who signs up will also receive an exclusive article from Rob Eagar called: "Marketing Mistakes Authors & Speakers Make."

Note: If you have already subscribed to our newsletter, then you are automatically entered to win the contest.

Help us spread the wildfire! If you have a personal blog or newsletter, we invite you to tell your group about our contest and new website. Post this information in your blog or newsletter, then notify us at Rob@StartaWildFire.com And, we'll enter your name twice to increase your chances of winning.