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12 Days of Tips (Day 12)
Tag: marketing
Marketing Calendar
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Author Limiting Beliefs
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All for a Cause
November 26, 2021-Yesterday we talked about publicity vs. advertising and the importance of publicity for building your brand. Today, we’re going to expand on that, but in a different way, with causes that are close to our hearts and that we believe in wholly. I’ll talk about our cause-related marketing efforts with things we support, believe in, and align with as a business.
Cause-related marketing (CRM) is a mutually beneficial collaboration between a corporation and a nonprofit designed to promote the former’s sales and the latter’s cause. Through CRM, businesses usually provide their partners with the following things. Here’s how you can get involved with CRM as an author:
- Financial support for their programs: You write them a cheque, send the cause a monthly donation to support their literacy initiative, or donate a portion of your book sales to their program. Also, this could be supporting a local sports team or performing arts in your community such as Timbits Hockey, Soccer, or Baseball, Gymnastics, Swimming, or Dance etc.
- Sponsorship of special events– Maybe your local library is putting on a reading buddy special event, and you’re the sponsor, or you sponsor a writing contest that they’re putting on. You provide them with the resources they need to make the special event happen.
- In-kind donation– This can include tangible or intangible contributions. For example, donating your time to read to kids at Sick Kids hospital, reading to seniors, or participating at your local ESL center to help adults learn English. In-kind donations can also include office equipment, marketing supplies, and your design time, etc. Essentially, in-kind donations help free up the nonprofit’s resources for allocation somewhere else.
They will put your company or name on sports jerseys, marketing materials, banners, website, social media etc. in return for your donation.
The key is that you need to BELIEVE IN and SUPPORT the organization that you’ve chosen in Cause-Related Marketing because if you’re using it as a marketing ploy, not only is that horrible, but dishonest, immoral, and unethical.
Here are some of the organizations that we currently support or have supported in the past:
- Triple-A Hamilton Huskies Hockey Team (Hamilton)
- Trees Canada (at the end of the year, we add up all the print books that we’ve sold, and we plant the same number of trees to offset the resources we use like paper) (Canada)
- Raising a Reader Massachusets (Boston, USA)
- Countless hours reading to kids in classrooms all over the city, virtual visits etc. (Hamilton and surrounding area)
- Hobbitstee Wildlife Refuge (Jarvis)
- Bear Creek Sanctuary (Barrie)
- Larch After School Program (Hamilton)
- Cat Adoption Center (Welland)
- Canon’s Cause (Caledonia)
- Toronto Cat Rescue (Toronto)
- Burlington Humane Society (Burlington)
- Alligator Wildlife and Discovery Center (Florida, USA)
- Tampa Bay Library (Florida, USA)
- New York City Coalition for Adult Literacy (NYC, USA)
- Binbrook Santa Clause Parade (Binbrook)
- Power Wheels Derby Sponsor (Caledonia)
- World Wildlife Fund (Global)
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Florida, USA)
- Hamilton Public Library (Hamilton)
- Air Cadets Canada
- Binbrook Fair (Binbrook)
I know I’ve forgotten some organizations we’ve sponsored on the list above, but you get the idea. We love sports, animals, and books! I believe in, and ONE MILLION PERCENT SUPPORT all of the organizations that we partner with.
As an author, you are responsible for promoting literacy in your community, your country, and the world because illiteracy is a global issue with massive implications for us all.
New Page! Courses, classes and workshops
October 17, 2021-We’ve added a brand new page to our site where you can see the educational resources age opportunities that we’re offering! Whether you’re just starting your education with us, or continuing your quest for knowledge, we have something for everyone. Check out our brand new page here https://pandamoniumpublishing.com/virtual-courses-classes-and-workshops/, and visit again soon as we have new classes added frequently.
Happy learning!
It’s Our Birthday!
🎉HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO US!!!!🎉Pandamonium Publishing House 50% off all of our courses one day only (October 1st) to celebrate our 6 years in business! Email 🖤🐼pandapublishing8@gmail.com for your 50% off coupon code! Can be used anytime and makes a great gift!
Check out our courses here: http://www.pandamoniumpublishing.com/shop
What Can You Learn?
September 10, 2021– As we chat about continuing education for authors this month, let’s take a glimpse into the world of knowledge and explore what you can learn as an author that will build up your bank account! We’re not talking about the typical manuscript improvement courses or how to write, but the topics aside from that and areas of learning that will help you sell your books and more!
- Accounting. This is essential if you’re a self-published author because you’ll need to keep track of your sales, taxes paid, royalty rates, and costs. What about foreign sales or the taxes you need to pay in a different country? Can you use some of your costs as a write-off if you’ve started a sole-proprietorship? Many questions need answers, and the best way to do this is to either hire an accountant or learn the ins and outs yourself!
- Sales. Selling is essential, and there is a wrong way and a right way to do it! The more you know about sales, the better because your livelihood depends on it! If you’re not into sales or don’t know how to sell, it’s time to brush up on your skills. So much has changed since the days of door-to-door high-pressure tactics; selling is now about connecting with your consumers and building relationships with them!
- Marketing. If cash is king, marketing is queen! Marketing is the blood of your business and books, and without it, no one will know what you do or where to buy it! Invest in marketing courses for your books and yourself; it’s an investment that will keep paying off. Marketing includes everything from packaging, how to reach your customers, who those customers are, social media, and more.
- Consumer Behaviour. The psychology of human behaviour is fascinating, and there are many continuing education classes available on this topic. Why people buy should be at the forefront of your mind when selling your book. What triggers them to make a purchase? Is there anything that you can do to influence their behaviour while still being ethical? Are there fonts/colours/shapes/designs that help people notice your work more? The questions are endless, and studying consumer behaviour is never a waste of time!
Check out our classes below; we’re adding more all the time!
Best-Seller Bootcamp – Pandamonium Publishing House
Children’s Book Writing Master Class – Pandamonium Publishing House
Transitioning from Writer to Author (An Introductory Course) – Pandamonium Publishing House
Novel Writing Course – Pandamonium Publishing House
Course: Get Your Book Noticed and Increase Your Sales – Pandamonium Publishing House
The Cons of Self-Publishing
August 18, 2021- Yesterday, we spoke about the pros of self-publishing; we can call this part two to discuss the cons of the same subject. The more educated authors are about the publishing industry, the options, and expectations, the better chance they have of being published or at least choosing the best fit for their work.
- Initial and ongoing investment. Self-publishing can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000+, and there are ongoing expenses. If you don’t have the funds to invest in an editor, formatted, designer, and publication, it’s going to be a tough road, and you’ll get a less than good product. The point is, most people can spot a poorly done self-published book a mile away based on the cover alone; then they pick it up and can see from the interior that it’s sub-standard. They’ll keep their money and spend it on a book that looks the way that it should, no matter how compelling the story.
- Too many hats. You are the person in charge of everything, as mentioned in the post before this one. You’ll be the one answering emails, interviewing graphic artists/illustrators; you’re the marketing and sales team as well as the social media guru. You’re the shipper, receiver, inventory orderer and fulfiller, and the person responsible for maintaining your website. There are at least fifty jobs that you’re responsible for while self-publishing. You could hire some personnel to help you, but most of the time, there’s not enough money left in the budget, so you end up doing everything yourself. This is not only time-consuming but counterproductive. Don’t be a jack of all trades master of none.
- People. You’ll need contacts for bookstore signings, graphic artists, illustrators, formatters, a printer, and an editor. You’ll need a group of beta readers, people who will give you honest reviews, and the right distributor. You’ll need an accountant, social media specialist, marketing manager and more. The list is long; be prepared to have a ton of doors slammed in your face before ever getting in front of your target audience.
I don’t say any of this to discourage you, but to be truthful that YOU must be the right type of person to take the rejection that comes with self-publishing. It’s not for the faint of heart or the easily rattled.
Here’s how we can help you on your self-publishing journey: http://www.pandamoniumpublishing.com/shop; check out the classes and services that we offer.
Pros of Traditional Publishing
August 13, 2021- We’re talking about what publishers want during August, and today I thought it might be good to talk about the pros of traditional publishing. Why an author would consider traditional publishing as an option, and on Monday, we’ll chat about the cons. Let’s dive in:
- You get paid for your work. This is every aspiring author’s dream, to be paid for their work! After years of struggling, you’ve finally made it! In traditional publishing, the publisher purchases your work and pays you an advance or royalty. All you have to do is write the book and complete the revisions that the editor expects. Plus, you will receive a royalty on your book for the life of the work.
- Everything is handled. From your marketing plan to publicity, book signings, and bringing your book to market, the publisher takes care of it all. They tell you where to be and when. They take care of you and your book from beginning to end. Publishers also handle the sales, payments, earnings reports, and inventory, as well as editing design, formatting, and creation of your book.
- Opportunity. Publishers have a vast network of contacts, and from those contacts comes opportunity. Your book and your face have the potential to be in front of a ton of people and media personnel. You’ll have opportunities that most people can only dream of!
Authors can be found in documentaries (like ours!): https://drive.google.com/file/d/14HpvaRHvxk1T4J4NbRdvXwRQ3VpkAZOs/view?usp=sharing
in newspapers, on radio segments and podcasts, on blogs worldwide, interviewed on internet segments, YouTube Channels, and red carpets.
There are many pros when it comes to traditional publishing, and publishers want to see that you are informed about how the various types of publishing work. Know what you’re getting into. Happy Weekend, everybody! See you on Monday to talk about the cons of self-publishing.
Publishers and Positivity
August 4, 2021– Yesterday we talked about the importance of authors having a clean social media profile because they are an extension of and representative of the publisher and the House. Today, we’ll focus on the importance of positivity and why it matters to publishers.
During normal pre-pandemic times, I met every author that I was interested in publishing, face to face at a coffee shop or for lunch. Now, I meet them via Zoom, Facetime, or at the very least, over the phone. Why? Because I like to know who I’m working with and if we’re a good fit for them as their publisher and if we’re a good fit for them as an author. I like to know if we mesh, if we share any of the same values, and to get a glimpse into their personality.
To be honest, not a lot of publishers do this and 99 percent of them never meet the author! Because we’re a small House, I think it’s especially important to personally meet every individual on my team because we work so closely together and there’s a ton of communication between all of us. I especially love it when authors are energetic, enthusiastic, and upbeat! Here’s why positivity matters to publishers:
- Happier-We want our authors to be happy as they interact with the public and readers; we love authors who have a positive mindset because they’re naturally charismatic and wonderful to be around. Happy authors inspire new and upcoming writers/authors, and for publishers, that is our mission.
- Healthier-Authors who are optimistic are healthier in terms of their outlook on the world, taking on responsibilities, and having a strong work ethic. We know that book signing tour schedules can be gruelling and can take a toll mentally and physically, so positivity is very important in that regard as well. Everyone knows that happiness is contagious.
- Wealthier-Happy authors make more sales and that means more money for them! As publishers, we pay a royalty to the author on every book; the more sales, the higher the royalty. Happy authors are wealthier not only in their pocketbooks but also in the opportunities they get and the relationships they forge.
Positivity is important and publishers can’t wait to work with authors who are cheerful, lively, and pleasant. It makes our jobs better, our team brighter, and our readers smile.
