{"id":3752,"date":"2015-10-26T04:09:37","date_gmt":"2015-10-26T12:09:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=3752"},"modified":"2015-10-26T04:09:37","modified_gmt":"2015-10-26T12:09:37","slug":"plan-ahead-now-for-holiday-book-sales","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matilijapress.com\/publishingblog\/?p=3752","title":{"rendered":"Plan Ahead NOW For Holiday Book Sales"},"content":{"rendered":"

Authors must think ahead. We don\u2019t just write a book and then market it. We must plan the book; consider the audience and their needs, think about the timing of the project, and design it to suit the purposes. Then we write the book with the audience in mind so that it is cohesive, well-organized, and\/or entertaining. When it comes to marketing, it\u2019s also important to plan ahead. Who will you market to, where are they, what strategies will attract this particular audience, and so forth.<\/p>\n

In the offices of Patricia Fry and Matilija Press (home of many books for authors and the Klepto Cat Mystery series), I\u2019m preparing for the holidays. And I have been since June.<\/p>\n

I planned and wrote a Christmas story as part of the Klepto Cat Mystery series. And now I\u2019m in promotion mode\u2014yes, even in October. I\u2019ve been announcing the book to fans, reviewers, bloggers, friends, clients, colleagues, and family, suggesting it as a sweet read for the holidays and a lovely gift. It\u2019s early, but many people procrastinate. Bloggers and reviewers might plan a special holiday event and I want to be included. Reviewers often have a long list of books to read. I want to get on that list so they\u2019ll review my book before the holidays.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m lining up events, signing up for events, as well as taking advantage of other opportunities. For example, I\u2019ll bring books and accompanying note cards to a reunion I\u2019m attending soon. In fact, I\u2019ve presold a dozen books to attendees already. Naturally, I\u2019m donating books and note cards for the raffle.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve ordered extra bookmarks to insert in my Christmas cards. And, in fact, I\u2019ve had Christmas cards made with the charming cover of the Christmas book, which I\u2019ll send in late November or the first of December.<\/p>\n

I tried to sign up for a large event that occurs this month locally, but was too late to get a booth. I\u2019ve noted the sign-up date for next year. I may or may not have a new Christmas book next year. If not, I have a dozen other books in the series I can sell. By then, I\u2019ll probably have close to seventeen books in the series\u2014which is another way I\u2019m planning ahead.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re writing or marketing a book and it\u2019s conducive to holiday reading and\/or giving, don\u2019t waste another second. Start planning your promotional strategies now. Consider:<\/p>\n