Overview Nonfiction: Talent: Market Interest

Workshop: An Introduction to Writing for Children and Young Adults

“A blogged book allows you to test market your book.” Nina Amir

Target=Who—Where and When

In some ways marketing your work is a moving target, especially with all the ongoing changes in technology and outreach. There are many experts in this field to give detailed guidance through their blogs, podcasts, books, and workshops, so here I am just touching the surface with a few observations so that when you are ready to publish you will know what information to look for. And be able to recognize the legit support businesses. I’m primarily talking about books now.

By now you have established your audience, your subject, and your focus which all equal who your target market is. The next question to consider is where you want to aim and when. And the financial cost involved in the delivery. Beware of any organization that tells you it will cost you thousands to publish. Or any vanity presses.

First consideration—do you care whether you receive any pay? Or would you be just as pleased to write for non-profit organizations, and newsletters, and conferences and after-school programs.

Or are you willing to write pro-bono to develop a readership for when the time comes to offer for cost. And then continue to do both? Recognize that the costs involve time as well. For example having a traditional publisher will make a large difference in publicity, but you will still need to put in a large quantity of time. Whereas if you decide to be a self-publisher, you will be responsible for all of the marketing and publicity.

Traditional, Indie, print, e-book, online, free copies, each have individual pluses and minuses that need to be assessed regarding where are your strengths and where will you need assistance. Those choices will also impact where and when and how you market. Some niche topics are too small for the main publishers. If you have a contract with them for other work will you still be able to self-publish the niche. When would you need an agent? It’s not always easy to effectively navigate the creative side and the business side. Carefully consider what your main purpose and goals are and where you need assistance to achieve them.

Traditional publishing houses often have a built in time sequence process that as an author you need to meet those deadlines. There is some more freedom as an Indie publisher but once you begin the process you also have deadlines to juggle and not all of your own choice. Will the book cover be ready in time? Do you need a professional copyeditor? How much time are you prepared to adjust for the unexpected?

Knowing your primary reader will enable you to meet your goals and purpose.

Action Steps:

1.     Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses for both marketing and publicity.

2.     Choose one of each and read up some guidelines from a traditional publishing house, a well-established literary agency, and an Indie publisher such as CreateSpace to see what each of their agendas require.

3.     Look at the resource information through established organizations in your particular field, or through The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrator.

4.     Set aside some study time on one detail to assess your level of  potential competence or necessary learning curve.

Share: Where do you feel most confident? Where do you need advice?

Read deep, marcy