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Showing posts with label Internet book marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Internet book marketing. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Sell More Books!: Book Marketing and Publishing for Low Profile and Debut Authors





It’s All in the Name


Book Review by Lorilyn Roberts


When I read the title, Sell More Books! I couldn’t imagine anything that would help ME to sell more books.  After all, I had done nearly everything that had been suggested by marketing gurus and experts. What else was there that I hadn’t already tried?


Originally my marketing plan consisted of a little bit of this and a little bit of that, hoping something might work. I was so afraid that if I didn’t try everything, the one thing I didn’t do would be the difference maker. Why I took this approach, I don’t know, except to acknowledge that marketing is far more overwhelming and complicated than writing a book. 



Oftentimes we are bombarded with a zillion suggestions from well-meaning marketing folks, and being the newbie that I was, I tried most of them. What I found, however, is that many of those highly touted things didn’t work (and don’t work for most new or low-profile authors). Do you really need a publicist, for instance? What about all those press releases that cost a lot of money? And drawing up a marketing plan? What would that consist of, anyway? Sell More Books! will help.


Once I began reading Sell More Books! I realized what I needed were not new methods or ideas but a strategy to help me evaluate what I had already done. And Sell More Books! did not disappoint. I never thought about incorporating what had worked into a marketing plan that would fit my needs and budget into the future. I think it’s just human nature, like a cow, to think the grass on the other side of the fence is greener. Whatever we haven’t done is what we think we need to do because somebody somewhere says so—and we think they know more than we do.

Sell More Books! made me realize I was not alone, but by following some common sense, inexpensive suggestions, I could resurrect my lagging sales and achieve better results. Simply put, I needed to look at those things that had worked and continue to pursue them. And lastly, but also very important, I was challenged not to sit on those ideas but to put them to good use. When you become discouraged, oftentimes the hardest part is just getting started again. And because Sell More Books! helped me to see the mistakes I had made, I felt I could trust Steve Miller on other aspects of marketing I wasn’t as sure about.


Not everybody sells tons of books from TV and radio appearances—really? I thought I was the only one. What worked for me, I found myself asking? What about all of those wonderful book reviews I have posted on Amazon and other websites? Why not get some more? After all, you can’t have too many.


These are just two ways to market out of dozens outlined in Sell More Books. The suggestions run the gamut for every type of book in print and every type of person. Yes, we are all different. Go with what works for you and throw out the rest. Don’t feel like your book is a failure if something worked for someone else but doesn’t work for you.


In addition, Steve Miller shares many stories from authors he has talked to first-hand regarding marketing—and has concluded, as I did, that many things are a waste of money. I wish I had read Sell More Books two years ago. I could have made better choices in marketing Children of Dreams, saving myself a lot of time, money, and discouragement.


Sell More Books is the best marketing book I have read. Buy yours today and don’t repeat the mistakes others have made. You will be encouraged to keep on keeping on in the difficult world of marketing.


Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Why Should I Stay a Member of the John 316 Marketing Network After I Have Launched My Book? Part 6 of 6, John 3:16 Marketing Network


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Why Should I Stay a Member of the John 316 Marketing Network After I Have Launched My Book?
Part Six of Six
John 3:16 Marketing Network

By Lorilyn Roberts


Why Should I Stay A Member of the John 316 Marketing Network After I have Launched My Book? Everyone will ask themselves this question following a launch. A few have left, but most have stayed. Why? I think the following comment from Bernard Boulton, a member of the John 3:16 Marketing Network, will help to answer that question.


Last year was my first full year after I released my first novel in December 2009. My promotional plan was to sell thousands of books and the only way I knew to do this was to travel and organize events that people would come to and buy my book.

After visiting seven cities from February to November I decided that that was not the best way to promote my novel. I did sell 200 copies but the cost to travel left me far behind the profit ratio. I did have a lot of fun meeting different people but I didn't reach my objective.

At the leading of the Holy Spirit I took the month of December to look back over my year and devise a plan on how I would promote and sell books. The plan I produced was to seek education from those who could teach me how to increase my sales without increasing my travels in 2011. I asked the Holy Spirit to send me a teacher that could mentor me and teach me how to reach my goal for 2011. His answer to my prayer was Lorilyn Roberts and the John 3:16 Marketing Network, but I have received so much more, which is the way that God operates.

From the first I have loved the energy in this groupThe sense of purpose and the unity that is manifested here almost daily is life-giving. And to be connected to best-selling authors is phenomenal! I'm going to release my second book in a few months and I hope that I can be as successful using Lorilyn's program as the rest of you.

Right now I'm a little skeptical that it can work for me, and I'm frightened that it might. Sometime the smell of success gets to me like that. I can keep going but I'll stop now. I love all of you and I love being a part of this dynamic expression of genuine fellowship and partnership.

To God be the glory for sending Lorilyn for such a times as this.



Bernard Boulton - author


Tuesday, May 24, will be our LAUNCH DAY on the membership drive. If you summit your application to join at http://www.lorilynroberts.com/john_3_16_marketing_network.html

On Tuesday, May 24th, you will be able to download free e-gifts offered by some of our authors. The only requirements are: You believe in John 3:16 and you have a blog or website.

As part of the membership drive, our member authors are hosting a blog tour featuring eight of our John 3:16 Network authors.


Today we will meet three authors, Lorilyn Roberts, D. McCarragher, and JD Holiday.


Lorilyn Roberts is the founder of the John 3:16 Marketing Network and is the author of two books, The Donkey and the King and Children of Dreams.



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The Author Jeopardy Question to win Lorilyn's book Children of Dreams during the Facebook Event on Tuesday (today), May 24, 8-9pm, will come from this question:

                           


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Question: Where have you felt closest to God?

Lorilyn Roberts: I have scuba dived all over the world-the Red Sea, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Caribbean. Thirty minutes from my home in sunny Central Florida, dozens of cold, clear, springs bubble up and lure divers from all over the country to dive in the caves.


On many of these dives, particularly in the Red Sea, away from the noise and distractions of a busy life, I have been overcome with the immense beauty and vastness of the world beneath the ocean. On one particular night dive in the Florida Keys many years ago, my dive buddy and I were at about seventy-five feet, which is rather deep for a night dive.  We were diving off a shipwreck, and when I shone my underwater light on the rustic red side of a sunken boat, I discovered a brown caterpillar-like creature with tons of legs. He was edging his way along at a rather slow pace. I probably stunned him by the intrusion of my bright light in what was otherwise total blackness.



As I floated beside the ship and examined the peculiar worm, I wondered why, in the middle of the vast Atlanta Ocean, I would stumble upon this rather ugly creature.


Asking questions of seeming insignificance can lead to discussions with latent deeper meaning. Why did God create me? Are the things we stumble upon in life purely by chance?


I am convinced I am here for such a time as this (and so are you). The books we write bear witness to the lives God has given us, from comedy to romance to tragedy. We feel God's pleasure in the stories that touch us deeply, whether written by us or others. On that night dive way back long ago, when I was much younger and fitter, it is not surprising that God used a worm to reveal something about His nature-I have never forgotten it some twenty years later.


There is also a story in the Bible about a worm that God used in a powerful way. In the book of Jonah in the Old Testament, God sent Jonah to warn the people of the city of Nineveh to repent of their ways. After being eaten by the whale, Jonah traveled to the wicked city and did as God had asked him. But when God didn't destroy the city and spared the inhabitants, Jonah brooded over God's mercy to Israel's enemies. Then God supplied a plant to give Jonah shade as he sat angry in the hot noonday sun. The next day, however, God provided a worm to eat the plant.


Sometimes life seems like that. I can't figure it out. But diving into the depths of the ocean for me is like diving into the depths of God's love. I see His creativity in the world of worms, garden eels, and sea urchins; manta rays that glide over the sea wall, nurse sharks that hide under rocky ledges, and barracuda that amass in the hundreds. God's underwater paradise gives me hope that harmony with the world through Him is possible. I may not understand it all, but I don't have to. Perhaps God just wants me to enjoy the journey more and channel His creativity that I so much love into my soul.


As my kids get older, I look forward to once again putting on the weight belt, BC, tank, and octopus. I always enjoyed spitting into my face mask to clean it (after all, how many times in life is that acceptable behavior); and, of course, getting that last strand of hair out of the mask so as not to burn my eyes with seeping saltwater. I can't wait to push in that regulator button and hear the compressed air spew out (pretty important down there to be able to breathe) and I will waddle like a duck in all my gear to the back of the boat and wait my turn (imagining I look better than I feel with  the cumbersome tank on my back).


I will make sure I remember all those hand signals (the out-of-air one might come in handy) and, hopefully, heave off the back of the boat in a spectacular somersault. The rising bubbles as I sink and the sound of the regulator imitating my breathing will bring me back to my favorite pastime. I will be wooed once more to enjoy God's presence in a fabulous world of unparalleled beauty. And for a brief moment, nothing else will matter.


Our second author today that I want to introduce is Deborah McCarragher. I read Deborah's book, Mission Possiblewhich is full of Biblical insights on the value and holiness of marriage. At a time when traditional marriage is under attack, this book is refreshing and a welcomed reminder of how beautiful a Godly marriage is.


                                          

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The Author Jeopardy Question to win D. McCarragher book, Mission Possible,  during the Facebook Party on Tuesday, May 24, 8-9pm EST, will come from our discussion below:


Deborah's mission is to encourage women through Scripture to believe in God's Word, to transform their husbands by challenging women to minister to their spouses in a way that glorifies God. The author's candid approach makes this book an easy read, and compels the reader to join her in her quest to reach her husband for Christ. Alabaster Box Publishing's motto is: Books to stir your mind & stretch your Soul!


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Her primary goal is to share her personal testimony with others while bringing hope and practical help through her books.

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to stand in the gap for your mate's soul. Mission Possible  is a powerful tool for any woman who is married to a man who does not share her passion for Jesus. It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God's promises for her spouse and their future together. You can influence your home for Christ even within a spiritually mismatched marriage.       


Question: What is your favorite book besides the Bible?

Deborah McCarragher: My favorite book is The Pilgrim's Progress  because when I was a new Christian, someone in my Sunday school class told me about the book and encouraged me to read it. I was fascinated by the story. I was intrigued by the allegorical meaning of the characters and their purpose in the overall plot of the book. Christian gave me a picture of perseverance in the face of difficulty and how life as a believer had struggles and triumphs. It revealed to me that we have Supernatural help available to us, and that the Word of God gave great strength and guidance. The Celestial City presented by John Bunyan as a serene and beautiful destination for the weary Christian has always given me hope and confidence to press on to my eternal home with persistence. And to behold my Savior Jesus will be the greatest gift I could receive.


Lorilyn: And I echo a great AMEN to that.

Our third and final author on this blog tour is JD Holiday. JD Holiday is the author and illustrator of two children's books: Janoose the Goosea beautifully illustrated children's picture book; and a chapter book for six to eight year olds, The Great Snowball Escape. A chapbook of her short stories, Trespasses, was published in 1994. JD has published many short stories in literary magazines and written numerous articles about creative writing. She is a member of The Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators, (SCBWI) and Small Publishers of North America, (SPAN.)


                                    

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Janoose the Goose likes life in the barnyard very much. She is there visiting her cousin, Molly Duck, and her baby, DeeDee. Her vacation is over and Janoose must go home because there are no job openings on the farm.

When her flight home arrives, the fox has begun a crime spree. Though the farm animals had a farm watch program once, they were no good at it! Janoose is the only one who can stop him.
                                    
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Read the question below and remember the answer for a chance to win a copy of this book. If you can type the fastest, you will surely win the book Janoose the Goose

Question: When did you meet your husband and how long have you been married?
JD Holiday: I've known my best friend and husband, Angelo since we were 15 and 16 years old. We are married 41 years.
This concludes our blog tour-be sure to go to Facebook tonight for our Facebook Event (May 24, 8-9pm EST).  You will have an opportunity to win eight free books. During that hour, we will have many members online to answer questions, and we will be offering some technical tips on how to do things that will help authors. These tutorials/tips will include:

How to upload a .jpeg to Facebook/blog

How to resize a .jpeg and load it Facebook/blog

How to copy and paste widgets on websites
How to set up a twitter account.

Knowing how to do these things will help you in your marketing efforts My sincere thanks to Amanda Stephan for putting these tutorials together.


For information on the John 3:16 Marketing Network and to submit an application to join, please visithttp://www.lorilynroberts.com/john_3_16_marketing_network.html.


Make sure you wait to Tuesday to submit an application to join so you can download several free eBooks.


My thanks to everyone who contributed in various ways to make this blog tour and Facebook Event possible. As with any endeavor, lots of people make things happen. The following authors below helped me to pull this off:




Below is a complete listing of all the articles and authors featured on the John 3:16 Marketing Network tour this week. The articles can be viewed at: http://lorilynroberts.blogspot.com.


Featured Author: Jay Miller
Featured Book: Sal and Sally
Featured Author: Sherrill Cannon
Featured Book:  The Magic Word

Featured Article: Are There Secret Formulas or Short Cuts for Making the Best-Seller List on Amazon-Part One of Six on the John 3:16 Marketing Network
Featured Author: Dr. Ray W. Lincoln
Featured Book: InnerkineticsTM
Featured Article: 
What it Takes to Have a Winning Team-Part Two of Six, John 3:16 Marketing Network
Featured Author: Dr. Robert McGinnis
Featured BookParadise is Where You Find it
Featured Article: Roaches That Eat Your Best-Seller Dreams-Part Three of Six, 
John 3:16 Marketing Network 
Featured Author:  Elaine Marie Cooper
Featured Book: The Road to Deer Run

Featured Article: What is a Book Launch Anyway-and Slowly, Please, I am New at All of This - Part Four, John 3:16 Marketing Network

Featured Author: Lynn Dove
Featured Book: Shoot the Wounded


Featured Article: 
Why Should I join the John 3:16 Marketing Network

Part Five of Six, John 3:16 Marketing Network


Featured Author: Lorilyn Roberts
Featured Book: Children of Dreams



Featured Author: Deborah McCarragher
Featured Book:  Mission Possible


Featured Author: JD Holliday
Featured Book: Janoose the Goose


Featured Article: Why Should I Stay A Member of the Network After I Launch My Book-Part Six of Six, John 3:16 Marketing Network

FINAL BIG EVENT

Tuesday Night, May 24, 8-9pm EST
Location: John 3:16 Facebook Fan Page at 
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Book-Launches-John-316-Marketing-Network/145412252147289Featured event: learn marketing tips, win free books, meet some John 3:16 Authors, ask questions, join the John 3:16 Network and download fee e-gifts!

Final comments from Lorilyn Roberts
In the John 3:16 Marketing Network, we share our thoughts, insights, knowledge, blogs, successes, prayer requests, and dreams. What started out as a way for authors to launch books has become so much more. I am not sure where God will take it, but I am trusting Him for the future. As I love to say, the best is yet to come!

To visit our information page and submit an application go to:

http://www.lorilynroberts.com/john_3_16_marketing_network.html
Last day to join for a long time will be Friday, May 27th.
DON'T FORGET THE FACEBOOK EVENT, Tuesday, May 24, 8-9pm, on the John 3:16 Marketing Network Facebook page.


Monday, May 23, 2011

Why Should I Join the John 316 Marketing Network?


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Why Should I Join the John 316 Marketing Network?
Part Five of Six
John 3:16 Marketing Network

By Lorilyn Roberts

I am the president of the local Word Weavers Critique Group in Gainesville, Florida, and I have encouraged my fellow critiquers who are serious writers to join the John 3:16 Marketing Network. Many are making great strides in their writing and working towards publication.

But most of them are not interested in joining. The main reason: "I want to concentrate on my writing."

Doing both IS hard, but it is essential for writers to begin marketing themselves long before they finish their book.

Why? Marketing is more time-consuming and more all-encompassing than writing. If you start early, you will be better prepared when your book hits Amazon and/or bookstores; and if you are a serious writer, that day will come.

Don't wait. Take some time and start making those connections TODAY-on Facebook Twitter, and other social networking websites.

The John 3:16 Marketing Network combines all those assets that social networking offers with many added bonuses, including:

  1. We help you to launch your book to best-seller status on Amazon or Barnes & Noble. It is within reach for an unknown author to achieve best-seller status in one or more categories for a twenty-four period with some old fashion hard work and the help of the John 3:16 authors.
  2. The forum provides encouragement and camaraderie in the Spirit of Christ.
  3. A lot of information is shared by authors in the network-what has worked, what hasn't work, pitfalls to avoid, and ways to do things better.
  4. We have several marketing gurus in the network who often give free help/advice on our forum.
  5. Members feature other members on guest blogs. We've had interviews of authors on blog talk radio and other offers of various types involving social networking adventures. Creativity reigns supreme in the network.
  6.  Because we are a cohesive group, we are in a position to test-drive new marketing products for authors before they are released to the public. There is "power" in numbers!
  7. Your publisher will be thrilled when you tell him you have a large network of authors ready to Facebook/tweet/blog/announce your book on a book launch, and you have the opportunity to be featured on multiple websites as you promote your book. It is possible to reach thousands of people in a twenty-four period.
  8. You will make lifelong friendships as you pour your heart/dreams/hopes and life into sharing your book and participating in helping others. As part of the Body of Christ with similar giftedness, there is nothing else like it on the web-at least that I am aware of. If there was, I would have joined it rather than starting one.
  9. We are free-how many things in marketing cost money and give little back in return. You don't risk anything and have everything to gain.


Until Tuesday, May 24th, we are hosting a membership drive and featuring some of our members. Our Facebook event will be on Tuesday, May 24, 8-9pm EST, when you will have an opportunity to win up to nine free books. During that hour, we will have many members online to answer questions. We will be offering technical tips on how to do things that will help authors. These tutorials/tips will include: how to upload a .jpeg to Facebook/blog, how to resize a .jpeg and load it Facebook/blog, how to copy and paste widgets on websites, and how to set up a twitter account.

Knowing how to do these things will help you in your marketing efforts.

For information on the John 3:16 Marketing Network and to submit an application to join, please visithttp://www.lorilynroberts.com/john_3_16_marketing_network.html on TUESDAY, May 24. If you submit an application on Tuesday, May 24, you will be able download free e-books from some of our member authors.


As part of the membership drive, our member authors are hosting a blog tour featuring eight of our John 3:16 Network authors.

Today I am pleased to introduce you to Lynn Dove. Lynn has been a delight to get to know through the John 3:16 Marketing Network and I know you will enjoy meeting her, too.

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Lynn is a graduate of the University of Calgary, where she earned her Bachelor of Education degree in 1981. She has spent the last thirty years teaching children in the private and public school settings. In 2007, she earned a Masters of Religious Education degree from the Canadian Southern Baptist Seminary in Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.

Heal.jpegThe Author Jeopardy Question to win Lynn's book Shoot the Wounded during the Facebook Event on Tuesday, May 24, 8-9pm, will come from this short interview:

Question: Tell us about your two books, Heal the Wounded and Shoot the Wounded.

Lynn Dove:  Shoot the Wounded, the first book in the "Wounded Trilogy," is written for youth and young adults, and addresses how lies and gossip destroy a person's spirit. It speaks to the heart of relevant themes such as bullying, teen pregnancy and family violence all the while pointing the characters, and ultimately the reader, to hope in Jesus Christ.                                                                        
                                   
Heal the Wounded  is the much-anticipated sequel to Shoot the Wounded. After the death of their friend, Ronnie (in Shoot the Wounded), Leigh and Jake try to come to terms with their loss. As their love grows for one another, Leigh and Jake must face a series of devastating, life-changing events that will challenge their love and their relationship with God.

Question: In your books you deal with topics that can be sensitive and disturbing for Young Adults - bullying, cutting, and teen pregnancy, among others.

Do you draw on personal experience at some level for your characters, or do you create your characters from scratch?

Lynn Dove:  I have worked with teenagers for over thirty years as a teacher/church youth leader. In that time I have seen the devastating results of children being victimized by bullying. My eldest daughter was bullied in middle school and I was bullied in high school so I do draw from personal experience to a large extent.
Question: Do you have any publishing and/or marketing advice for new writers? 
Lynn Dove: One thing I would tell new authors is to not feel shy about purposefully promoting yourself in the marketplace. I think that was one of the hardest things for me to do initially. As Christians, we value a humble attitude, but as authors the louder and bolder we are in promoting ourselves to our readers, the more books they will buy and read. Some self-published or POD (print on demand) authors are quite content to write for a select audience, family and friends, but for those of us who want to reach a larger, more world-wide audience, we need to be prepared to create a "buzz" about the book. The only way to do that is to get people talking about it. Word of mouth is huge! 
That said, I think it is also important to ask yourself the questions ahead of time about what your personal goals are with publishing a book. I applaud my publisher, Word Alive Press, for asking some pointed questions up front in their publishing questionnaire. One question in particular prompted me to prayerfully consider my personal goals: "What is the one thing, (the most important thing) you would like to accomplish with your manuscript (book)?"  I remember I wrote, "My hope is that teenagers and young adults who read this book will be touched by the message in the story, and ultimately that this book and any others I write will bring Glory to God."
Tomorrow on Tuesday, our big launch day for new members, we will be featuring Why Should I Stay A Member of the John 3:16 Marketing Network After I have Launched My Book? Part Six of Six, from the John 3:16 Marketing Network. Our guest authors will beLorilyn RobertsDeborah McCarragher, and JD Holiday, hosted by Amanda Stephan (on her website).

If you have missed any of the previous postings for this blog tour, they are listed below:

Wednesday, May 18
Location: Lorilyn Roberts Featured AuthorJay Miller
Featured Book: Sal and Sally
Featured Author: Sherrill Cannon
Featured Book:  The Magic Word
Featured Article: Are There Secret Formulas or Short Cuts for Making the Best-Seller List on Amazon-Part One of Six on the John 3:16 Marketing Network

Thursday, May 19
Location: Paulette Harper
Featured Author: Dr. Ray W. Lincoln
Featured Book: InnerkineticsTMFeatured Article: What it Takes to Have a Winning Team - Part Two of Six, John 3:16 Marketing Network

Friday, May 20
Location: JD Holiday 
Featured Author: Dr. Robert McGinnis
Featured Book: Paradise is Where You Find itFeatured Article: Roaches That Eat Your Best-Seller Dreams - Part Three of Six on the John 3:16 Marketing Network 

Saturday, May 21
Location Lorilyn Roberts
Featured Author:  Elaine Marie Cooper
Featured Book: The Road to Deer Run
Featured Article: What is a Book Launch Anyway-and Slowly, Please, I am New at All of This - Part Four on the John 3:16 Marketing Network

You can also find all the articles at http://john316mn.blogspot.com


Friday, May 20, 2011

Are There Secret Formulas or Short Cuts for Making the Best-Seller List on Amazon? Part 1 of 6, John 3:16 Marketing Network

Are There Secret Formulas or Short Cuts for Making the Best-Seller List on Amazon?
John 3:16 Marketing Network
Part One of Six

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By Lorilyn Roberts

If I knew of a secret formula, I would be a millionaire—and so would you, because secrets promising success don’t remain secrets for long.

There is one sure road to the best-seller list, provided you have a good book, and that is hard work and networking. I don’t know of any other way to do it. What I have discovered, however, is many authors spend a lot of time and money in less productive ways, thus coming away feeling discouraged and defeated.

Examples of comments I have heard include: “I can’t get anyone to review my book,” “my sales are non-existent,” “I don’t know where to begin,” “I spent money doing ‘this thing’ and got no results.”

You also have heard this if you have been marketing for a while. I could tell some fabulous tales of “drain holes” I thought would work and didn’t.

One of the reasons I made becoming a member of the John 3:16 Marketing Network free is so people would not feel like they paid for something and got less than their money’s worth; and most authors don’t have a lot of extra money (like me). 

I also didn’t start the John 3:16 Marketing Network to become a marketing guru. God gave me the vision, but He gave me the passion to write. But without a way to promote my writing, I knew nobody would read my books because nobody would know they existed.



I will share a short story about my first book, The Donkey and the Kingwhich I published using a Print on Demand publishing company. When my book arrived, I was ecstatic. I could at last say I was an “author.”

But, sadly, I didn’t know any other authors to share my excitement with and I did nothing to market it. I made no announcement and told nobody about my new book, except my closest friends and family. I did nothing to promote it, not even with people in my church. ZILCH! NADA!

I am sure you are wondering how many copies I sold—maybe ten copies. Yep, I probably made the Guinness Book of World Records for the “worst-selling” book that year. Why didn’t I do something to promote it?  First, I didn’t know how; and second, I was too shy to talk about my own book.

A couple of years later, I went on Amazon to see if The Donkey and the King was listed since as I had never checked. Sure enough, it was there. I had one review by someone I didn’t know with a rating of five stars. That was the first time it occurred to me that somebody out there might like to read my book besides my closest friends and family.

I have gone from that day to this—because God put it on my heart to start the John 3:16 Marketing Network.



The John 3:16 Marketing Network is based on John 3:16 from the New Testament in the Bible: “For God so love the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

To become a member of the John 3:16 Marketing Network requires only two things:

  1. You believe in John 3:16.
  2. You have an active blog/website.
     
Over the next six days, several of our John 3:16 Marketing Network authors are hosting a guest blog of different authors as part of our twice a year membership launch. Each day I will share a marketing article, and the guest author for that day will share something about herself and her writing career.

Before we are authors, we are people uniquely gifted and loved by God. Once we look beyond what someone does and see him as we see ourselves—a human being with needs, wants, struggles, hopes, and dreams, we can relate to him better and discover things we have in common.

That brings me back to the question and the title of this piece, Are There Secret Formulas or Short Cuts for Making the Best-Seller List on Amazon?

The short answer is no, there are no secret formulas, but yes, there are short cuts to make marketing easier. I will share some of my thoughts and what we do in the John 3:16 Marketing Network to help Christian authors launch their books.

From Wednesday, May 18th through Tuesday, May 24th, we are hosting a membership launch featuring some of our members in a blog tour. Our Facebook party will include many events which you won’t want to miss. Mark your calendar—Tuesday, May 24, 8-9pm EST, when you will have an opportunity to win eight free books. During that hour, we will have members online to answer your questions, and we will be offering tutorials on how to do some technical operations for internet marketing. These tutorials/tips will include:

1.      How to upload a .jpeg to Facebook/blog
2.      How to resize a .jpeg and load it Facebook/blog
3.      How to copy and paste widgets on websites
4.      How to set up a twitter account.

The information will be useful whether you apply to the John 3:16 Marketing Network or not.

In addition to an opportunity to win eight free books, on Tuesday, May 24th, if you submit an application to join the John 3:16 Marketing Network , you will be able to download free e-gifts

For more information on the John 3:16 Marketing Network and to submit an application, please visit my website at Lorilyn Roberts.

Again, Tuesday, May 24, will be the membership launch day. If you summit your application on Tuesday, May 24th, you will be able to download free e-gifts offered by some of our authors.

Today on our Blog Tour we will meet two authors Jay Miller and Sherrill Cannon.

The Author Jeopardy Question to win Jay Miller’s children’s picture book, Sal and Sally,during the Facebook Party on Tuesday, May 24, 8-9pm EST, will come from our discussion below:

Question: Can you tell us a little about yourself.

Jay Miller: I am a retired Electrical Engineer and now spend time writing children’s books. I have been married thirty-three years; have seven children, and 13 grandchildren.

God gives me the opportunity now to bring Him into the lives of young children so they will learn to love Him in fun ways that they can understand. These books will also teach them to have fun reading, while learning to love and respect everyone else and all the Critters that God has placed upon this earth.

Question: Ten percent of the proceeds from your books go to the Grace for Children Foundation. Can you tell us a little bit about what the organization does?



Jay Miller: The Grace Centre project is an integrated, holistic Christian approach to meeting the needs of a broad range of children. Children of all ethnic and religious backgrounds will be accepted, based only upon the recognized genuine need of the family.

Over the past 40 years the families of Ethiopia have suffered drought, famine, civil war and more recently the AIDS epidemic. Families have been stripped of their wage earners, and traditional multi-generational support. Infant mortality is high (16.5%) and literacy low (less than 30%).

Overall, Grace Children’s Centre aims to work together with families to provide a means of improving the lives of their children. This means the children will be given the opportunity to grow up into people who can change their world in a positive way with a hope and vision for the future.

Sal and Sally: ISBN 9781935028130 (ages 3-8)
Book Trailer



Two little fish learn to blow colorful bubbles in the sea. Soon all the other sea critters are learning to blow them, too. Nasty Nick, a hungry long nose cowboy shark, wearing a red cowboy hat, swims up and tries to break up the party, but he is unable to pop the bubbles. He soon tires and decides to head back to Texas, but they convince him to stay and blow tiny bubbles through his long nose. Soon, everyone is blowing bubbles and singing songs of praise to Jesus.


The Author Jeopardy Question to win Sherrill Cannon’s children’s picture book, The Magic Word during the Facebook Party on Tuesday, May 24, 8-9pm EST, will come from our discussion below: 



Question: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Sherrill Cannon: I am the mother of four and a grandmother of nine. All of my books are in rhyme and all teach something like good manners and caring for others. My husband and I just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary last June!  We travel in our RV from the East Coast to the West Coast each year to visit our children and grandchildren... sharing my books along the way!



Question: Was there a particular experience that motivated you to be a writer?

Sherrill Cannon:  After I read the story of the Nativity to my granddaughter, she looked at me and asked, "But where's Santa?"  That night the entire story came to me in a dream, and when I sat down to write, the words just flowed—with ideas I hadn't even thought of. I thank God every night for allowing me to write Santa’s Birthday Gift.

Don’t forget, during our Author Jeopardy Game, you will have an opportunity to win      The Magic Word  and  Sal and Sally, Tuesday night, May 24, 8-9pm EST during our Facebook party at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Christian-Book-Launches-John-316-Marketing-Network/145412252147289



Thursday we will be featuring What it Takes to Have a Winning Team, Part Two of Six, from the John 3:16 Marketing Network. Our guest author will be Dr. Ray W. Lincoln, hosted by Paulette Harper (on her website).