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In This Issue:
CBE: Fact or Fiction?
Client Success: Dr. Matthew Elliott
February Amazon Rankings for CBA Publishers
Article: How NOT to Market a Book
Are You Playing-It-Safe?
CBE logo 
Fact or Fiction for Authors:
Are you an author going to CBE? Make sure you're prepared by reading Rob's recent blog post.
Make plans to attend the Christian Book Expo in Dallas, TX on March 20 - 22nd. This event is being billed by some as the "world's largest Christian conference," because it is expected to attract around 200 Christian authors and 20,000 attendees.
 
For details and registration,
 click here.
 
Quick Links:
 
 
 
 
 
 
About Rob Eagar:
Rob Eagar
Rob Eagar is the founder of WildFire Marketing who helps authors and publishers spread their message through innovative marketing strategies. He has trained over 100 authors from beginners to best-sellers. The results his clients enjoy include: 
 
● Larger book sales.
● Increased media exposure.
● More speaking events at higher fees.
● Enhanced website activity and online influence.
 
Client Success Story:
 
"Rob Eagar's expertise was a ray of light shining through the cluttered opinions of how to promote a book. He helped me determine the most important marketing tasks and how to plan for the future. Most of all, Rob took a personal and sincere interest in my book's message."
Matthew Elliott 
Dr. Matthew Elliott

Author of Feel
 
For more client success stories, click here.
 
February Amazon 
Comparison of ECPA Publishers
Amazon
Click here for spreadsheet of our February rankings.

WildFire Marketing tracks the top 15 ECPA 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.
 
WildFire Marketing E-Newsletter
February, 2009
How NOT to Market a Book
 
Last week, one of my clients forwarded me the following email she received from a first-time author trying to promote a new book. Take a moment to read the text and ask yourself, "How does this message make me feel?":
 
(Disclaimer: The author's name and book topic was removed to protect them from feeling like an idiot.)
 
"Hello friends, you can probably guess that I'm grinning from ear-to-ear over the release of my new book. The publisher has their marketing team doing its part in getting the book out to the public. But, now I'm also asking for your help to create the buzz necessary to make this book move and get it into the hands of the audience. Let's work together to move the first printing of the book out of the warehouse within this month! Here are simple ways you can help:
  1. Purchase a copy of the book for yourself and for at least one friend.
  2. After reading the book, write a review and post it on Amazon and Barnes&Noble.
  3. Ask your church or business to order 20 - 50 copies of the book. Keep one in your church library and give the rest as a resource to families. (If just 60 groups purchase 50 books each, we'll empty the warehouse and send my book into its second printing!)
  4. Consider inviting me to conduct and/or speak at a seminar at your church or community organization. Books would be made available to all participants. I have put together a 5-session seminar through which I share valuable information. Contact me to schedule a date.
  5. Forward the link to my book's press release to your entire e-mail mailing list. Send it with your endorsement and a personal note explaining your connection to me.
  6. Print out as many copies of the press release as you'd like and post it on bulletin boards at schools, churches, libraries, etc.
I really appreciate all the help you can give in promoting my book. Please dedicate within the next week to doing something (if not everything) from the suggestions given above. I appreciate you. Thank you in advance."

If you're like me, doesn't this author seem just a bit presumptuous? The tone of the message insinuates, "I don't care about you...it's all about me."
 
It's true that you can't sell books if you don't let readers know that they exist. But, you can't endear readers to your message and grow your platform if you don't meet their needs first. The main issue that concerns most people is "How can you help me?" To get them interested in your book, answer these two questions:
  • How is the condition of my audience improved?
  • What tangible results do my readers experience?
The key to effective book marketing is showing how you meet other people's needs, even if you write fiction. Therefore, your marketing efforts should be reader-focused, rather than self-focused. Examine all of your promotional materials, such as websites, bios, blogs, and brochures. Do you communicate a selfless desire to help others? Or, do you convey a sense of self-importance?
 
The task of marketing isn't to draw attention to yourself. Instead, your goal should be drawing attention to a need and the value that you can provide. And, you don't bully or coerce other people to help you. Instead, you empower others with samples and free tools to spread word-of-mouth, rather than sending out emails begging for their assistance.

Examine the way you market your books, and ask yourself: Am I selfish in my expectations, or am I selfless with my value?
 
 

Are You "Playing-It-Safe"
with Your Talent?

In the Bible, Jesus tells a parable about a business manager who entrusted three workers with money and skills. Over time, two of the three workers invested their money, grew their talent, and doubled the amount they were given. In contrast, one worker sat cautiously on his money, never invested to grow his talent, and stayed at the same level. Soon after, the manager blessed the two smart workers with even more talents, and stripped the "play-it-safe" worker of all he was given.
 
As an author, you have been given a special talent. But, what type of worker are you? Are you willing to invest in doubling the talent that God has given you? Or, do you "play-it-safe," worry about spending money, and put off improving your skills?
 
I agree with concerns about the economy, maintaining a busy schedule, and the fear of wasting money. But, these worries aren't a valid excuse to avoid our own growth.
 
You can sit around and wait for Oprah or James Dobson to call, but you'll wait forever and squander your talent. Or, you can invest in doubling your talent and increasing your booksales.
 
Case in point: Recent graduates from the WildFire Marketing Mentor Program have experienced these results:
  • Doubled newsletter signup rates.
  • Tripled website traffic and blog visitors.
  • Raised speaking fees by 30%.
  • Sold an extra 500 - 1,000 books within 90 days.
You can't move forward by sitting still. And, you can't grow by shrinking. Likewise, you won't sell more books if you blame the economy and avoid improving your marketing skills.
 
It doesn't cost much money to learn, but you do have to invest the time. For example, you can read numerous free articles and listen to free audio on my website. You can participate on my blog. You can join a writer's critique group or a Toastmasters speaking chapter.
 
For a minimal investment, you can purchase my 8-CD audio course, Advanced Book Marketing for Authors ($125), get a Keynote Speech Makeover ($350), or join the Marketing Mentor Program ($750/month).
 
The "Parable of the Talents" reminds us that when we invest wisely to grow our talent, we get all of our money back plus a lot more. It's a timeless principle waiting to be enjoyed.
 
So, stop wondering if now is the right time to begin improving your writing, speaking, and marketing skills. The answer is always the same: Of course...what are you waiting for?
 
 
Parting Words
 
Just because the economy sounds bad doesn't mean that people aren't buying books. However, people are less apt to pay for fluff.
 
To grow your book sales, even in a negative market, focus on the VALUE of your message. Now, more than ever, is the time to show the results that your fiction or non-fiction produces for readers. How do your books make people's lives better? Can you give specific examples? Value means everything, especially when readers are hard-pressed to part with their money.
 
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
Spread Your Message
Phone: 1-800-267-2045
Email:
[email protected]