Promotion

Yes you have heard it all. Especially if you belong to RWA and you're on the PRO class this month. It's all about social networking. And you've probably all taken classes or gone to workshops about promotion.

When do you start? Do you wait for your first book? You need to brand your name. Yada, yada, yada. It's all good information.

Today however, I'm talking promotional items. Bookmarks, magnets, business cards, ceramic cups, and whatever else your busy little mind can think to hand out. These items are great to brand your name. You can send them to conferences, have them at book signings. Give them out at nationals. Leave them at coffee shops and books stores.

So where am I going with this? On my Utah RWA loop there was a call for promotional items for a workshop in Texas. I began pulling out my items. Good grief. I had over 1000 out of date bookmarks I don't even want to admit how many business cards.

When you begin, you're so excited you can't wait to have something in hand to give out. However, unless you're rich and have booku bucks, you need to have a plan. Something that you can still use even if you've hit the New York Best seller list. Granted, at that time you'll want to branch out and do bookmarks with your current book, but by then you can afford to do that. And to have generic items on hand won't hurt. And you won't throw them away, therefore burning your money.

I've come up with a list of the do's and don't's of what to order to build a brand for yourself in the beginning, and you can use after you've succeeded.

I wish someone had done this for me before I spent all the money that got tossed into the recycle bin this morning. Answer these questions before you design your promotion item. Once you've answered then you can determine what would work best for you for the long term. Not just the present.
1. Do you have a web site?
2. Does your site have all your social media listed?
3. Do you have a newsletter? Can you find this on your web site?
4. Do you have an email address?
5. Does your web site have your bio? Your News? Your Books?

Now answer these questions:
1. What is the purpose?
2. What do I need?
3. Do I have a web site design that brands 'me' or the genre I write?
4. Is there chance I'll change my web URL?

You've answered all these questions.Think about this, in the coming months or years if your web site URL remains the same, then that is the most important thing you have to brand your name.

I've found to begin the two most important things on your business card or promotional item is your author name and your web site. Everything else is redundant and makes it time sensitive. How often have you changed your email? How many people still use My Space? Google has groups the same as Yahoo, I had my newsletter on it until somehow it got linked to a spam thing and all my members were receiving unwanted spam. Now I'm with Yahoo. My business cards have the old Google newsletter information. My website has all my current social network information.

So if you agree with me, you know you need your name and web site only, and if you're absolutely sure you're keeping your email then most likely your email address. Now you need to determine your design. Do you have something, a symbol on your site you could use? Do you have a design template that matches your web site? Something that matches your web site would be the best.

Unless you plan to change it frequently--with each book cover or something. Then you'd need to have something more plain and generic. You're favorite color, with your favorite Celtic symbol or your favorite flower. Only you know what would make people think of 'you'.

What do you need to begin? Do you have a book out if no, then you don't need bookmarks yet. Business cards or Magnets? I'd say both. Business cards are nice to hand out to agents and/or editors--if they ask for one. Magnets are good because people are more apt to keep them. I know my fridge is magnet central. LOL

Other promotional items are up to your pocket book, such as mugs, totes, buttons, and T-shirts for contests. All are good, but you need to weigh the cost with the advantage. Most of these are good after you've hit your success mark.

It's nice to have something on hand, even between books. If you play your cards right, and you get a great deal on a 1000 magnets, you'll be able to use them until you give out the last one.

Purpose is to never have outdated items.

In a nutshell this is my recommendation for promotion items--as with everything else it's only my opinion--for an author at any stage of her/his career.
1. A design that's generic and simple or matches your web site. (if it's going to stay the same)
2. Have your Name, web site and maybe your email address.
3. Business cards and/or magnets to start.
4. When you have a book: Bookmarks with the same information as your cards, for bulk ordering.

When your book is released, only order a small amount for bookmarks with the cover on them. You'd rather run out and have to reorder, than have 1000 on hand after the book is out of print.

What are your thoughts do you agree, or have something to add?