Tami Winbush: Marketing/PR rep for Champagne Books said:
I don't know how it's possible to hate talking to people and love talking to people at the same time. But somehow I end up doing it. I do not like to get up in front of a crowd. It makes me sweat, get all red in the face and my heart beats out of my chest. Textbook heart attack, I mean panic attack.
But once I get in front of said people, I can talk to them as if I have known them forever. I love to talk. I've been told that I have NEVER met a stranger, and it's true. The smaller the group of people I meet the better I am. So you would think that marketing Champagne and Carnal Passion Books to people online would make my life really easy since I don't actually have to get up in front of any people, right? WRONG!
There is 'something' to a face-to-face connection and being able to show someone something tangible. "Here my dear reader, look at this wonderful book. The cover art is exquisite, the story line intriguing, and the ending pops out of nowhere."
But that doesn't read nearly as well as if I were there with you. Don't get me wrong though; there are also great benefits to marketing online. The networking potential on the Internet is endless; with blogs, online magazines, review sites, your own website, and social networking sites!
I actually stumbled into my Promotions Manager job quite accidentally! I had been a reader for Champagne books for quite a while when I asked the publisher Ellen a question.
"Ellen," I said "how do you get your foot in the door in the publishing industry? I've run a review site; I have a degree in Accounting with a strong background in Marketing. What do I do? Maybe I could be a review coordinator?"
Ellen then came back and told me of a job opening that Champagne had available. I was excited, and jumped at the opportunity. How often do things like this happen? Not often for me, so I took this as a sign and Ellen and I had a nice talk and here I am. Happy as a clam and wondering when the work starts. I tell Ellen (too often I think) that I don't feel that I am working. I enjoy my work way too much to be working.
My suggestion to all authors is to make your presence known. Talk to all bloggers, all review sites, leave comments on all reviews of your book, talk to all book related sites! This is the way to promote, to market online. Get out there and push! As my favorite saying goes, "The worst they can says is no."
I don't know how it's possible to hate talking to people and love talking to people at the same time. But somehow I end up doing it. I do not like to get up in front of a crowd. It makes me sweat, get all red in the face and my heart beats out of my chest. Textbook heart attack, I mean panic attack.
But once I get in front of said people, I can talk to them as if I have known them forever. I love to talk. I've been told that I have NEVER met a stranger, and it's true. The smaller the group of people I meet the better I am. So you would think that marketing Champagne and Carnal Passion Books to people online would make my life really easy since I don't actually have to get up in front of any people, right? WRONG!
There is 'something' to a face-to-face connection and being able to show someone something tangible. "Here my dear reader, look at this wonderful book. The cover art is exquisite, the story line intriguing, and the ending pops out of nowhere."
But that doesn't read nearly as well as if I were there with you. Don't get me wrong though; there are also great benefits to marketing online. The networking potential on the Internet is endless; with blogs, online magazines, review sites, your own website, and social networking sites!
I actually stumbled into my Promotions Manager job quite accidentally! I had been a reader for Champagne books for quite a while when I asked the publisher Ellen a question.
"Ellen," I said "how do you get your foot in the door in the publishing industry? I've run a review site; I have a degree in Accounting with a strong background in Marketing. What do I do? Maybe I could be a review coordinator?"
Ellen then came back and told me of a job opening that Champagne had available. I was excited, and jumped at the opportunity. How often do things like this happen? Not often for me, so I took this as a sign and Ellen and I had a nice talk and here I am. Happy as a clam and wondering when the work starts. I tell Ellen (too often I think) that I don't feel that I am working. I enjoy my work way too much to be working.
My suggestion to all authors is to make your presence known. Talk to all bloggers, all review sites, leave comments on all reviews of your book, talk to all book related sites! This is the way to promote, to market online. Get out there and push! As my favorite saying goes, "The worst they can says is no."
Comments
And don't be shy. Drop by to say hi to her. She can be found at publicity@champagnebooks.com almost all the time, working tirelessly for the slave driver that I am.
(grins)
Ellen
Val
I'm simply playing in my job and loving every second of it. :)
Thanks for the wonderful comment! I do think that Champagne is a wonderful publishing company. We have the most talented authors! Guess what girl?! We have some great things coming up in the new year, you better keep your eyes open!
Tami
Thanks for commenting Martha!
Tami
Tami