| About Rob Eagar: |
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Rob Eagar is the founder of WildFire Marketing who helps authors and publishers spread their message through innovative marketing strategies. Typical results his clients experience include:
● Amplified book sales.
● Increased media exposure.
● More speaking events at higher fees.
● Enlarged author platforms.
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Advanced Book Marketing for Authors:
8-CD audio set at a special price thru Dec. 31st
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To succeed in today's tough publishing climate, you've got to leave the basics behind and learn advanced skills to market your books. Listen to over 6 hours of top-level marketing instruction recorded live with a diverse group of authors.
Topics covered include how to get more speaking engagements, write powerful newsletters, and turn media interviews into book sales. The 8-disc audio CD set also contains 10 bonus instructional resources.
Get a 20% discount before December 31st.
"Rob Eagar mentored me for 6 months and really helped take my marketing, speaking, and branding to the next level. I can attest that I make much more money as a result of Rob's tutelage. Plus, I'm more strategic as I promote myself, my message, and my books."
Mary DeMuth
author of Watching the Tree Limbs
2007 Christy Award Finalist
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| December Amazon
Comparison of CBA Publishers |
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Click here for spreadsheet of our December rankings.
WildFire Marketing tracks the top 15 CBA publishers according to the average ranking of their 20 best-selling books on Amazon.
Comparing this monthly data over time helps authors and publishers identify who is best utilizing this important online sales channel.
Note: Amazon rankings do not reflect accurate sales figures. However, they can help determine how specific publishers or titles perform over time versue their peers.
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WildFire Marketing E-Newsletter December, 2008 |
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What's Your Marketing Motive?
Take a moment to ponder this question: "What motivates you to write a book or give a speech?" Do you feel compelled to tell people something that will help them? And, do you find yourself driven to share your message with someone and see positive results?
We live in an era of unprecented technology where anyone and everyone can have a voice. New tools, such as blogs, self-publishing, YouTube, and podcasts make preaching and teaching easier than ever. In fact, last year over 400,000 new books were published. But, I'm not convinced this is a good thing. And, at the risk of offending someone, I've got something important to say:
God does NOT call Christians to be authors
(or speakers).
Instead, God calls Christians to write or speak about a specific message that will improve other people's lives. So, if God hasn't given you a distinct message yet, then He hasn't called you to write.
I've met too many Christians who say, "God called me to write a book." Others desperately dream of becoming a "retreat speaker" or keynoter for arena events. Yet, when I ask, "What is your core message that you feel burdened to tell others?" or "Why is your message so important?"...they can't answer the question.
Here's the problem: without a real message, you can't be a good writer or speaker. Sure, you can be an entertainer, but the American Church already has enough of those folks (they're called musicians and comedians). So, if you think God called you to be a professional communicator, but you don't have a deep message to share yet, then keep waiting on God - or question if He actually called you.
In his wonderful book, "Communicating for a Change," Pastor Andy Stanley referred to advice he received from his father, Dr. Charles Stanley, who said, "You've got to have a burden. That's the thing most preachers are missing. A burden. If they don't have a burden, it's just a bunch of fluff...It is a burden that weighs so heavily on the heart of the communicator that he or she must deliver it."
So, if you want to be an author or speaker, then I ask you...what's your burden?
Many people think God called them to speak, but it's really just a personal desire for the limelight. Or, they're trying to satisfy what someone else told them to do. However, the Church doesn't need any more "authors" or "speakers." People are thirsting for proven, biblically-based, life-changing messages that will answer the tough challenges they face.
Here's my point: If you just want to be a Christian author, that's like saying you just want to get married - for marriage's sake. It's a selfish motive, because it's not about whether you want to sacrificially love a specific person. You just want to be married, and it doesn't matter to whom.
Likewise, people who just want to be speakers or writers are too focused on what it will do for them (their ego, their bank account, etc.) Instead, good communicators are more concerned about the needs of their audience.
To truly be a "Christian" speaker, make sure you've clearly defined a God-given burden. Know your value, and the results you can produce. Without that element, you're just another voice lost in the cacophony.
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Are You Wasting Money on
Video Book Trailers? |
Pop Quiz: What smells like cheese, has the power to put thousands of people to sleep, and sucks an authors money faster than a vacuum cleaner? Answer: Book video trailers.
For those of you who have worked with me, you know that my primary concern is an author's well-being. Well, lately I've watched a lot of authors pay hard-earned money to buy a video ad for their book thinking that it will ignite sales. But, nothing could be further from the truth. Here's why...
We live in a video-oriented society, and videos can be powerful marketing tools. But, I've watched over 100 book trailers so far, and over 95% were really awful! Too many authors are getting videos made by amateurs who lack credentials and a professional background. Worse, there's no creativity, art, and excitement put into the video for the viewer to enjoy.
Instead, the average trailer consists of a camera panning across a bunch of boring still-shots, usually the book's cover. Meanwhile, sappy music plays in the background, and a lame narrator gives a boring description of the book. Other bad book trailers include lifeless interviews with authors droning about their reasons for writing.
How are these videos supposed to motivate me to buy a book? How did these authors think this was a good idea? There's no value in the video for the reader. It's just a boring commercial that makes me feel embarrassed for the author.
The reason why everyone's talking about book trailers is simply because it's the new fad. Authors compare themselves to others and think they're cool if they have a video. Likewise, many authors would rather spend their money making cheesy videos, instead of getting out and interacting with their audience to actually sell some books.
Here's the reality about book trailers:
1. There is no conclusive evidence that shows video trailers motivate people to buy books. The video production companies will claim that they're revolutionizing the world. But, they're mostly just churning out useless eye-candy that doesn't deliver.
2. A book video is supposed to act like a TV commercial that builds hype for a movie. So, ask yourself this: When does a lame movie commercial on TV ever motivate me to go to the theater? Never. Likewise, a bad video trailer isn't going to motivate anyone to buy your book.
If you want to see examples of really good book trailers, check these out:
Click here for a top-notch non-fiction book trailer.
Let me be clear: There's nothing wrong with book trailers if they're done right. But, the lesson to authors is that if you can't afford to do it right, then don't do it at all. Otherwise, spend your money in wiser ways. |
Parting Words
Yes, our economy is struggling right now. What does this mean to you as a writer or publisher?
Author platform is now more important than ever. Why? Many publishers are no longer in a financial position to take chances on new authors with no platform. In addition, slumping bookstore sales mean publishers need every established author to maximize their platform and help generate more non-retail book sales. We're in a "all hands on deck" critical situation.
So, if you want to sell more books in 2009, now is the time to invest in your platform-building skills. WildFire Marketing is one of the few companies with a proven track of helping authors grow at every level, from beginner to bestseller.
If you'd like to explore how we can help you, don't hesitate to call 1-800-267-2045. All initial phone consultations are free.
Thanks for subscribing to my newsletter, and take a moment to forward this newsletter to your author and publishing industry friends.
Thanks!
Rob Eagar
WildFire Marketing
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