If you have not heard about the marketing powerhouse, Maryann Reid, then please check out Maryann Reid: guerilla marketing book strategies to catapult your career.
This phenomenal author managed to get her first book, Sex and The Single Sister, published at age 25 by creating a market for herself.
Using innovative book marketing strategies, she has garnered attention from media personalities such as Oprah and Wendy Williams. Her hard work has paid off with over 25 million press hits from around the world.
In her bootcamp titled, Sell It Before You Write It, Reid gives away the book marketing strategies she used to attract agents and publicity.
She also gives you a taste of the kind of mindset we authors need to have if we are going to set ourselves apart in the self-publishing industry, a market that is overcrowded with talent and potential.
Straight from the author’s mouth: tips from a book marketing expert
1. You have written several books such as Marry Your Baby Daddy, Use Me or Lose Me, and Sex and the Single Sister. Can you tell me about these titles? What inspired you to write them?
All of these titles have in common empowered central female characters I like to call alpha females or “Alphanistas”. I love to talk to people who have changed their destinies, who took control of their future, who stop playing victims and start becoming active creators in their life. If I loved that so much, I figured I’d enjoy writing about them even more.
2. How long did it take you to finish each book? Can you talk about your writing process?
I’m published by a traditional publisher. We have deadlines of about several months. During that time it can feel like you have to write the book half over. However, the process from the very beginning takes me about three months. I start from page 1 and don’t stop. I tried outlines, they never work and feel contrived. I just jump in and hit “go”. I do find that this method can lead to writer’s block. One way I overcome that is by listening to myself. That means I have to step back and feed my energy. It may take days or weeks. I may need to have some fun, get into some new conversations or just get several nights of good sleep. I don’t beat myself up. What people call writer’s block, I just like to think of it as intuition needing to come out and play. Intuition can’t be serious all the time! It takes the spontaneity out of creation.
Part of the writing process should include the question “How am I gonna market this?” When coaching clients, I tell them to think of this before the book is even written or finished. Infuse ideas into the story you can market later. It’s called merchandising. It’s a real department at publishing businesses. They make products out of successful books that are not the book itself. Think of what kind of workshops, blogs, memes, movements, or inventions you can create with your book. That is apart of the writing process as well!
3. Any editing tips?
Hire a professional. You can only edit yourself so much, and you are limited by your limitations.
4. I noticed you were featured on ABC News, NBC, Wendy Williams, and other great networks. Can you talk about what it is like being featured on these shows? What do you have to do to prepare?
That is my element. Because of what I write about and how I market my books, especially Marry Your Baby Daddy, the media seems to contact me first without the help of a publicist. When I am on tv or the radio I feel like I’m shining inside. It feels natural and fun. Of course, I’m nervous because I have a tendency to say things I shouldn’t. I often have to reel myself in and tell myself “behave”, so I can convey exactly the points I want to get across. Now that I have matured and had more practice, it’s like a natural flow. I had a casting call the other day, and I barely blinked. It felt like I was supposed to be there. I was supposed to do this. To prepare, I just make sure I have a good outfit, and, while being interviewed, I leave the audience with something to think about and a way to contact to me.
5. Many authors are starting to do video blogs and feature themselves in book trailers. What advice do you have when it comes to creating a strong presence for video?
Video is important. The key here is to be original. Not every writer belongs in front of a video camera! Know when you are to hire professionals. If you can’t be in the video, write the script. Video blogs and trailers give the reader a sense of not just your book, but who you are. Make sure if it’s somebody playing you or the REAL YOU, that you share yourself and vulnerabilities. Nobody is really interested in how Pam met Dan. They want to know how you met Pam and Dan, and why THEY should care. If you are spending the money on this. Do it right.
6. If you could share one tip you learned with self-published authors who share the same dream of being a successful author what would it be?
Finding an agent is free. If the cost of self publishing is too expensive or cumbersome, who says you can’t look for an agent at the same time? Who says you have to do one or the other? I always tell my clients to explore the route of someone paying you for your work, instead of you spending your own money on it. There is a credibility when an entity wants to buy in to you. This doesn’t matter to all authors. If it does, then go for it and get an agent!
Enjoyed the interview? Feel free to connect with this author:
Law Reigns 