At the start of my son's special school year in 2015, his new teacher complimented me about the informative way I wrote my notes in the communication booklet. "Well, when you consider the fact that I've already written a book about my son, then it's really no wonder that my extensive writing continues on in my communication notes," I casually replied. "Oh wow! I would love to read that book," she said. Once again, I was aware of making a mental note to myself: I have another potential buyer for my book.
Often when I would least expect it, when talking with someone about my son, the mention of my book would inevitably come up in conversation. The next thing, I would be giving them details about where to find my various social media sites (on a temporarily hand-made laminated business card, which was later professionally, yet simply designed by the self-publishing and printing design service, I later chose to edit and eventually publish my book) so they could read up on what I'd written about my son.
But of course, there is more to just talking about your book to someone. You must know your target market - who will read your book?
Whilst writing my book, I had a fairly clear idea as to who would most likely read my book - who my target market would be and how I might reach them. I also had a few pre-publish marketing strategies in place. I spoke to parents of young children, both mainstream and special needs. I asked questions about how they coped, whilst they often asked, "When will your book be published?"
As parents, they felt that the subject matter was very interesting, whether or not they'd had any exposure or experience with the subject at hand. They felt they could relate. But I didn't just reach out to parents. I also connected with several carers of special needs children, who were no doubt able to personally relate to my story.
I attended meetings with several carer groups and functions with politicians from all levels of government. I spoke with teachers from both mainstream and special schools. I surrounded myself with like-minded people, such as writers and authors. I immersed myself in the right circle with those who were also like-minded readers of such a topic, which up until only recently, has perhaps been kept to the background and not spoken about as openly as other more accepted and understood challenges in life are.
This of course helped to keep me pumped and helped to keep the passion flowing in the eventual pursuit of publishing, despite my many bouts of low self-esteem and uncertainty during the often long and lonely journey of book writing.
In order to raise more awareness and understanding about the particular subject matter, I periodically posted and shared items of interest on various relevant social media sites in my ongoing attempts to market my book to a wider reader audience.
Hosting group seminars and undertaking public talks to interested people, will not only help to market your book to a wider reader audience, it will also boost your self-confidence as a public speaker as well as an author.
Having said this, I am yet to face my own fears as a public speaker, having always preferred to talk one-on-one, whilst I prefer to write about an issue or a subject, until such time I find myself in the unique position of being listen to, rather than listening to others as part of a like-minded audience.
Despite the long and often arduous task, however, it has also been very heartening to hear from those who barely know me, about how much they look forward to reading my memoir: Autism: On The Frontline - Through A Mother's Eyes - The Early Years, when it is eventually published, at long last.
Happy Writing (and) Book Marketing everyone
Copyright (c) Heather Golding - Author
Blog posted: 30 January 2016
Often when I would least expect it, when talking with someone about my son, the mention of my book would inevitably come up in conversation. The next thing, I would be giving them details about where to find my various social media sites (on a temporarily hand-made laminated business card, which was later professionally, yet simply designed by the self-publishing and printing design service, I later chose to edit and eventually publish my book) so they could read up on what I'd written about my son.
But of course, there is more to just talking about your book to someone. You must know your target market - who will read your book?
Whilst writing my book, I had a fairly clear idea as to who would most likely read my book - who my target market would be and how I might reach them. I also had a few pre-publish marketing strategies in place. I spoke to parents of young children, both mainstream and special needs. I asked questions about how they coped, whilst they often asked, "When will your book be published?"
As parents, they felt that the subject matter was very interesting, whether or not they'd had any exposure or experience with the subject at hand. They felt they could relate. But I didn't just reach out to parents. I also connected with several carers of special needs children, who were no doubt able to personally relate to my story.
I attended meetings with several carer groups and functions with politicians from all levels of government. I spoke with teachers from both mainstream and special schools. I surrounded myself with like-minded people, such as writers and authors. I immersed myself in the right circle with those who were also like-minded readers of such a topic, which up until only recently, has perhaps been kept to the background and not spoken about as openly as other more accepted and understood challenges in life are.
This of course helped to keep me pumped and helped to keep the passion flowing in the eventual pursuit of publishing, despite my many bouts of low self-esteem and uncertainty during the often long and lonely journey of book writing.
In order to raise more awareness and understanding about the particular subject matter, I periodically posted and shared items of interest on various relevant social media sites in my ongoing attempts to market my book to a wider reader audience.
Hosting group seminars and undertaking public talks to interested people, will not only help to market your book to a wider reader audience, it will also boost your self-confidence as a public speaker as well as an author.
Having said this, I am yet to face my own fears as a public speaker, having always preferred to talk one-on-one, whilst I prefer to write about an issue or a subject, until such time I find myself in the unique position of being listen to, rather than listening to others as part of a like-minded audience.
Despite the long and often arduous task, however, it has also been very heartening to hear from those who barely know me, about how much they look forward to reading my memoir: Autism: On The Frontline - Through A Mother's Eyes - The Early Years, when it is eventually published, at long last.
Happy Writing (and) Book Marketing everyone
Copyright (c) Heather Golding - Author
Blog posted: 30 January 2016
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