Recently, my writers group at the Central West Writers’ Centre was visited by Vanessa Talbot, author of Extraordinary You. Vanessa is also a life coach, helping other writers and she discussed various ways on how to promote yourself when you become an author. Here’s what Vanessa had to say:-
- Writers just want to write – they’re usually insular people.
- Most self-published authors sell about 100 books.
- Authors need to be pro-active in marketing their books.
- The fastest way to sell a book is by word of mouth.
- Learn to build a rapour with the media.
- When marketing your book, start with local media – print and radio, then move on to magazines.
- When being interviewed, match your tone with the subject of your book.
- Match your energy level with the radio/television host.
- Eye contact is not necessarily a rapour builder – soften eye contact.
- Match the tone and pace of your voice with the interviewer, so you’re on the same scale.
- You need to match the language used with the show – listen to/watch shows to help you.
- People are drawn to mirror images of themselves.
- Find common interests with your interviewer.
- Be careful of your rapour within author photos – body language can be a good giveaway!
- Get the media on your side and be a gracious guest. Send email, etc to show your appreciation – they’re sure to remember you that way as well.
- Finally, create a blog and join social networks such as Facebook and Twitter – get yourself out there!
Many thanks to Vanessa Talbot and the Central West Writers’ Centre – we’ll certainly take more notice of people’s body language from now on!
Have you ever been interviewed? What was the experience like for you?
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