TPC BOOKS TOP 10 DIYBOOK MARKETING TOOLSOF 2010

OMAR LUQMAAN-HARRISPARTNER – THE PANTHEON COLLECTIVEWWW.PANTHEONCOLLECTIVE.COMWWW.FACEBOOK.COM/TPCMARKETING

FOREWORDWelcome to TPC Books Inaugural Top 10 Do It Yourself Book Marketing Tools of 2010!

We compiled this list because our mission is to empower and inspire (aspiring) authors like you to take control of your publishing destiny and make your dream come true!

This list, while not exhaustive, is the result of our trial and error from publishing two novels in 12 months.

Also, don’t get too wrapped up in the order. The point is you need to be doing all these things and more to get your book out there!

The Pantheon Collective is (from left) James W. Lewis, Omar Luqmaan-Harris, And Stephanie Casher

WHAT THIS IS ALL ABOUTSaving you time Saving you moneySo you don’t repeat our mistakes So you spend your time and money on things that move booksSo you can be wildly successfulAnd help someone else like we’re helping you!

THE LIST

# 6 BEST READER COMMUNITIES

“ COMMUNITY CANNOT FOR LONG FEED ON ITSELF; IT CAN ONLY FLOURISH WITH THE COMING OF OTHERS FROM BEYOND, THEIR UNKNOWN AND UNDISCOVERED SISTERS AND BROTHERS” ~ HOWARD THURMAN

1,000 TRUE FANS PHILOSOPHY (FROM BE THE MEDIA)

• A creator, such as an artist, musician, photographer, craftsperson, performer, animator, designer, videomaker, or author - in other words, anyone producing works of art - needs to acquire only 1,000 True Fans to make a living.

• A True Fan is defined as someone who will purchase anything and everything you produce. They will drive 200 miles to meet you at a bookstore signing. They will buy the super deluxe re-issued set of your stuff even though they have the non deluxe version. They have a Google Alert set for your name. They bookmark the eBay page where your out-of-print editions show up. They come to your openings. They have you sign their copies. They buy the t-shirt, and the mug, and the hat. They can't wait till you issue your next work. They are true fans.

1,000 TRUE FANS PHILOSOPHY (FROM BE THE MEDIA)

• True Fans will each spend one day's wages per year in support of what you do, let’s assume $100/fan.

• If you have 1,000 fans that sums up to $100,000 per year, which minus some modest expenses, is a living for most folks.

• One thousand is a feasible number. • If you added one fan a day, it would take only

three years.

THE IMPORTANCE OF CLEAR POSITIONING

Positioning defined: Distinct, desirable, compelling perception of a product or service (or lack thereof) relative to competitive products or services in the minds of consumers

• How do readers perceive your book?

• How do readers perceive your book relative to others in your genre?

The difference in these two questions will determine your ability to gain TRUE FANS!

FINDING (AND FEEDING) YOUR HERD• You must be where your readers are

• Amazon• Facebook• Yahoo/AOL groups• Youtube• Reader communities• Bookclubs• Blogs• Conferences, Book fairs, Bookstores

• You must learn what your readers like, want, and dislike• You must engage in the conversation to get the conversion• You must continue to provide relevant, distinct, desirable, and compelling

content and/or products

WHY CAN’T I JUST USE FACEBOOK???

The good news:• Readers are definitely on FacebookThe bad news:• They are not on Facebook to buy

anything

Go to your favorite authors’ Facebook page and gauge the level of audience engagement (discussions, likes, comments) for yourself and then get the hell off Facebook and find your active herd.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A READER COMMUNITY AND A BOOK CLUB

READER COMMUNITY

•Reach: hundreds/possibly thousands of like-minded readers in one place•Activity: Reader’s are engaged daily in contests, discussions, reviews, sharing, and liking•Behavior: Actively seeking book recommendations, info on fav authors, and engagement with them. Participate in contests, provide feedback, and share good books with others

BOOK CLUB•Reach: at the max maybe 50-100 like-minded readers•Activity: Most bookclubs meet once a month or quarter to discuss one or two books at most•Behavior: Actively seeking new books to read and discuss. Review books and engage with authors periodically

TOP 2010 DIY READER COMMUNITY - CRITERIA • Number of readers (20 points)• Promotional tools (outreach) (30 points)• Direct Selling tools (25 points)• Extras (engagement tools) (25 points)

• Contests & Giveaways• Discussion Boards• Polls

MEET THE CONTESTANTS• Weread• Amazon• Goodreads• Findmeanauthor• Shelfari

CONTESTANT 1: WEREAD (60 OUT OF 100)• Number of readers (20/20 points): more than 3 million readers

and 60 million books added.

• Promotional tools (outreach) (20/30 points): Allows you to link with external social media sites. Readers can add your books to their bookshelf, post on your wall and give you valuable feedback about your books.

• Direct Selling tools (10/30 points): Links to Amazon.com, but readers can’t buy directly from weread.

• Extras (engagement tools) (10/25 points) • Contests & Giveaways: limited• Discussion Boards: robust• Polls: non author controlled

CONTESTANT 2: AMAZON (90 OUT OF 100)• Number of readers (20/20 points): the world’s number one

book retailer

• Promotional tools (outreach) (30/30 points): “Lists”, “tagging”, “voting”, “communities,” “images” and “Author Central”. Amazon has more than enough tools.

• Direct Selling tools (30/30 points): Amazon is THE online retailer.

• Extras (engagement tools) (10/25 points) • Contests & Giveaways: limited• Discussion Boards: robust• Polls: non author controlled

CONTESTANT 3:GOODREADS (100 OUT OF 100)• Number of readers (20/20 points): a massive audience of more

than 4 million book lovers. • Promotional tools (outreach) (30/30 points): Advertising, lists,

communities, tagging, reviewing, rating, author profiles, blogging, videos, apps, widgets, selling links, and direct contact with readers!

• Direct Selling tools (30/30 points): You can sell your ebook directly from goodreads and/or link to Amazon and other online retailers

• Extras (engagement tools) (25/25 points) • Contests & Giveaways: robust• Discussion Boards: robust• Polls: author controlled

CONTESTANT 4:FINDMEANAUTHOR (30 OUT OF 100)

• Number of readers (0/20 points): no information on number of readers

• Promotional tools (outreach) (20/30 points): Advertising, author profiles, videos, and selling links.

• Direct Selling tools (10/30 points): Not so robust. Site is designed for readers to choose authors based on a photo, n0t any other information.

• Extras (engagement tools) (0/25 points) • Contests & Giveaways: non existent• Discussion Boards: limited• Polls: non existent

CONTESTANT 5SHELFARI (90 OUT OF 100)• Number of readers (20/20 points): owned by Amazon.com

since 2008, this is how Amazon does a reader community

• Promotional tools (outreach) (30/30 points): “Lists”, “tagging”, “voting”, “communities,” “images” and “Author Detail pages” with social media tools as well.

• Direct Selling tools (30/30 points): Amazon is THE online retailer.

• Extras (engagement tools) (10/25 points) • Contests & Giveaways: limited• Discussion Boards: robust• Polls: non author controlled

MEET OUR 2010 WINNER!

WHY GOODREADS WINS

• Reach/Targeting: Ability to reach and cultivate your 1,000 TRUE FANS

• Reader engagement: The readers here are active and hungry for interactions with YOU!

• Tools: Advertise, sell, create polls, conduct giveaways, share all your online content, and interact with readers on a one to one basis!

THE WINNERS

TUNE IN NEXT WEEK!

#5 BEST DIY ONLINE RETAILERS