Conference Tips for Published Authors

I am finally able to attend a conference, and I am really looking forward to my chapter’s Desert Dreams http://desertroserwa.org/desertdreams event from April 7-10^th in Scottsdale, Arizona. I miss seeing friends, and look forward to catching up doing my favorite thing: talking about writing with other writers. But there’s so much more to be gained from a conference, so I’d like to suggest a few tips for those of you attending any conference, but especially one held by your own chapter.

If you can, support your chapter with more than just your registration fee. Invest in some swag for the goodie bags. Bookmarks are great, but unfortunately, there’s so many of them that I often see them discarded. So try for something a little more substantial (I give out nail files with a plastic case that has my website address on it.) Get creative with something that attendees will actually keep, at least for a while. If you do a bookmark, why not have a ruler on the other side? At least you have a better chance of having someone pop it in his or her desk at work. I’ve seen pens, chapstick, even a lint brush! (And have looked up the author’s website long after the conference, when I have the time and I’m looking for a new read.)

My chapter also will make posters of our books and hang them in the conference rooms. I will have six around the place this year. Also, a ¼ page ad in the program, with yet another photo of another of my book covers (total cost, $100. If this is out of your budget, hook up with a friend to do an ad, or a two book poster, as I did below at my last conference with fellow author Erin Quinn.) I may not be able to meet everyone, but they will know I was there! (Is it seven times someone has to see your name to remember it? Something like that.) Regardless, I will also be supporting my chapter to make a profit, so we can do another conference in future.

I also donate a large basket for the literacy drawing, and another smaller one for a give-a-way to attendees. I love making baskets, and prepare for them all year long. The best time is to hit Michael’s after Christmas! I can pick up some lovely boxes and baskets, and many gifts for the out-of-towners that they may appreciate, all at a discount. And if one of my chapter mates wins one, they are always so grateful. It astounds me how many of our authors don’t read each other’s books. One year I did a basket give-a-way, and the winner blogged about it, and how wonderful my books were (almost as if it was surprising, lol.)

If you’re published or seeking to be published, this is an important tip for any conference: Be kind to everyone, even in the bathroom. I love to meet new people, so this isn’t hard for me. But if you’re the kind of person who gets overwhelmed sometimes, take a break. Go to your room and rest to get back your energy. Since I am still not quite 100% well, I may have to resort to plenty of breaks this year. And listen, if a mistake or two is made at the conference, please don’t take it personally. No one is targeting you. A conference is accomplished by volunteers who have a million details to juggle, and mistakes will happen. Take it graciously. Don’t scream and yell that you have been mistreated (yes, I’ve had this happen to me at the Editor/Agent appointment desk. Then the gal realized she had made the mistake, and well, you get the idea.) Keep it professional (including what you’re wearing. With that said, remember, the gal standing next to you in blue jeans and flip flops in the food line just might be the editor of your dreams.) For after all, the impression you make can enhance or damage your career.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten many tips, so feel free to share. Maybe something you learned from attending a conference? Please feel free to add to this!

As Always,

My Magical Best,

Kathryne

The New Dirty Word

That got your attention didn't it? But I'm not talking the traditional four letter words, I'm talking about  a dirty word to artists, writers, etc. That word is promotion.
I know some writers who think because they have a NY publisher, they don't have to do any promotion, but the times they are a changin'. If you want to be successful in this business you're gonna need a plan to get your name out there. Publishing a book isn't enough anymore.
Authors need to be discovered, not by agents but by readers.
And there's many venues to do it, too many for one blog to list.
And they don't work for everyone.
But I think, really believe, that there are threads in people's success that cross genres, abilities and writing levels.

1--write and write often.
Explanation: You need books out there for people to buy. I've heard it time and time again, many readers aren't going to buy your book if you only have one available. If they like your stuff, they're gonna want more and want it now. And, I should add, series are gold. If someone likes your characters, they're not going to want them to leave. EVER!

2--to keep your numbers up, it helps to write in one genre.
Explanation--This seems like a no brainer, but the truth is I am multipubbed in multiple genres and I always will be. As much as I'd like to be a writer dedicated to the business, I'm a storyteller who writes. Which means, I'm switching from my money makers to the book I want to write. I'm ignoring the business side of publishing for the artistic and creative side. It will cost me money, but it feeds my soul.

3--schedules are important, keep with them.
Explanation--consistently put new material out there for your readers and let them know when to expect it. Even if you can only write a book a year, let them know when it's out or will be released.

4--Freebies sell books
Explanation--I know lots of folks disagree with this, but it's true.  I have several short stories on permafree at all outlets and that drives folks to buy my books. It gives them a taste of my style, which isn't for everyone. I also post free chapters of my book, depending on my contract and let me say on my blog, I consistently get hits, it builds momentum and makes people eager for my book to be released.

5--Pricing matters
Explanation--ebooks don't cost much to produce and a savvy buyer knows this, unless you're a big name author with a huge following, not everyone is going to buy your 8 dollar ebook. Even though I have 20 books/stories published, I am still being discovered. My self-pubbed prices are low and the first book in a series is always 99cents (US). Why? Because I write in a series and if someone like the first book, they'll like the second. Also, there are a ton of folks who only buy 99cent books and I have the reviews to prove it stands out at that price point, so much so that these buyers will give up a chance to buy 3 books to purchase one of mine at 2.99. That my friends is what  this business is about, earning reader loyalty.

6--Websites are on the way out.
Explanation--this is probably the biggest shocker and I'd say that 90% of you are shaking your head. Yes, readers will visit  your website once if they've liked your book. And I can tell you I receive over 7,500 hits on my website a month, but my fans stalk my blog not my website, or they'll follow my facebook author page, goodreads or twitter. And it is their favorite social media, not all of them. I have different fans on different places, and only that place. Since I can't be everywhere, I have everything linked so one thing shows up on another social sites .

7--It's not a business, it's personal
Explanation--This is more than just personally responding to legitimate fans and acknowledging that their feedback means something (Let me clarify, these are not reviews, but contacts by someone through social media). This is a strange fact is that readers want to know you, the author. I break every rule when it comes to this business. Within reason I post stuff on my blog, personal stuff, like my hobbies, playlists, DIY projects and weird things that happen in my life. And people respond, even offer helpful advice. Those connections keep readers coming back. I know the advice is to make a theme relevant to your books, but the onlyconnection my posts have with my books is that they both contain the same sense of humor.