New Year's Greetings, and welcome to our 8th year online!
The quotes above reflect two different aspects of this month's theme: rock n' roll book marketing. Is television, the "magic box" that first brought Elvis and The Beatles into our living rooms, losing some of its power? Long thought to be the demise of the American book reading habit, T.V. has lost some of its luster, thanks to the writers' strike, the Internet, and competition from sexy new portable media. Now, if electronic book readers can just get sexier and more affordable...how about a Dick Tracy wrist-radio-reader?
Especially for today's tuned-in, wireless youth, the Great American Novel just isn't very sexy, and writing and publishing is not an easy way to make a living - but it sure can be a lot of fun, especially with a rock n' roll attitude. Rock n' roll marketing means using new technology and social networking, being bold and brassy, willing to improvise, and not being afraid to make mistakes. I've even got a MySpace page now: http://www.myspace.com/bookawards. The baby picture is probably a mistake...
As I say in my article, referring to the lyrics of a James Taylor song, "sometimes it takes transforming yourself into 'a churning urn of burning funk' to get your lover’s – or your customer’s – attention. It’s now 2008, and it’s a new, noisier world, with a competitive bookselling climate that requires a new, steaming attitude. I suggest you turn your book marketing plan into that “churning urn” and get the notice your great work deserves." (See the article for entire song lyrics.)
"These days, you've got to be constantly churning out ideas, coming up with new methods of reaching out to customers and creative ways of having your message heard. In the rock music business they do it with concert tours, greatest hits collections, boxed sets, live albums, and lately, new media like satellite radio, YouTube and MySpace. Take the English band Radiohead, who offered music from their new CD two months prior to its release as a 'name your own price' digital download. They weren’t just giving away their music; they were giving people a reason to buy the $80 deluxe 'discbox' package, released over the holidays, that includes the new album on both CD and vinyl, an additional CD of seven extra songs, and a bound book of photos, artwork and lyrics. According to TechDirt.com, 'It shows the band is doing exactly what the economics suggests it should be doing: using the infinite goods (the music) to help make the scarce goods (CDs) more valuable.'”
It's not just the rock bands, either. British classical violinist Tasmin Little just announced plans to release her next album, Naked Violin, for free online. Hey, if you use the Internet (and sex) to sell classical violin music...that's rock n' roll marketing. Try it, even if you're an old geezer whose photographs probably shouldn't be seen in cyberspace. It might make your book a bestseller, you'll have some fun along the way.
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It's not much fun to have your work sell and not get paid for it. The anonymous author of When a Good Agent Turns Bad:
A Cautionary Tale recommends that you, "...question your relationship with any prospective agent. Scrutinize it like a marriage, not some good deal at a yard sale. Don't jump at the chance, should it be offered to you. I know you're eager. I know agents are part of the big dream for most writers. But a bad agent is worse than none at all."
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In her new Much Ado About Publishing column, Nina L. Diamond kicks off the new year with a charming story about motherly advice, revolving around the phrase, "Today is garbage day," and how she transformed it into "Every day is garbage day when you're in love." Yes, some of us -- mostly mothers, I think -- still hand-write letters to each other. How's that for a New Year's resolution? Write more letters to loved ones, especially to Mom!
Tip #11 of John Kremer's Marvelous Book Marketing Strategies is all about pitching yourself and your book to Oprah, or some other big time television show. "No matter how large, how unapproachable, or how intimidating it is, you have to step out and take the chance sometime," says Kremer. "So do it now."
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Book Awards Updates:
Axiom Business Book Awards - Entry is now closed and judging is underway. Results will be announced in New York on March 10th, in conjunction with the Publishing Business Conference and Expo. We're excited about bring the year's most outstanding business books some deserved recognition. Good luck to all entrants!
Independent Publisher Book Awards - Early-Bird fee deadline January 15th. Rewarding those who exhibit the independent spirit, innovation, and creativity to bring about
change in the world of publishing in 65 categories plus Regional Awards and the
Ten Outstanding Books of the Year.
Nautilus Book Awards - Entry Deadline is February 20th. Conceived to recognize world-changing books and celebrate how they contribute to positive social change, spiritual growth, conscious living, high-level wellness, and responsible leadership.
Moonbeam Children's Book Awards - Entry for 2008 awards to open on Jan. 15.
Check out our new Moonbeam Awards blog: http://moonbeamawards.wordpress.com
Click here for email alert when 2008 opens.
Here's to a great year,
Jim Barnes
jimb@bookpublishing.com |
