804-644-3090

Category: Marketing

Brandylane Homepage › Marketing (Page 2)

Alternative Social Media Sites

02 Jan
654 Post by
Social media is a big part of contemporary marketing. Many of you already have a strong presence on one or more of the “big three” platforms—Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—but, for this month’s marketing tips, we’d like to encourage you to branch out and diversify your presence on the internet. Below you’ll find a run-down of some alternative social media sites. Have fun exploring! YouTube You’ve probably seen a number of YouTube videos, but you may not be familiar with the work that goes on behind them. It takes a lot of time and commitment to “go viral” like some of the videos you may have seen; however, maintaining a fruitful channel may be easier than you think. YouTube provides a great opportunity for everyday people to experiment with broadcast media. As an author, you will already have some experience necessary for creating a polished, engaging channel. Your background in writing will give you a leg-up when planning videos, and your talents in storytelling will enrich more spontaneous videos like vlogs and Q&As. Famous YA author John Green doesn’t exclusively make videos about books; he has several videos in which he further explains themes or passages from his books, announces and promotes his books, and recommends other books. All of this generates excitement around his books and allows him to connect with his audience.   Here are some general tips for getting started on YouTube: You don’t need fancy equipment to film and edit a video. Most smartphones have high-quality cameras and come with free editing programs. If you are filming outdoors or recording a live event, be sure to check the sound quality of your recording device (the microphone built into your smartphone) in this environment before you begin. People aren’t going to stick around to finish your videos if they can’t understand what’s being said. Editing can really help to develop raw footage into a crisp, clean video! Play around with different angles, sound clips, and transitions. There are many good editing programs out there for your phone and computer. Finding the right one and figuring out how to use it will take a bit of research, but the effort you put in will definitely be worth it. In the meantime, check out this video to learn some general editing tips. If you plan on being in front of the camera, expect to initially be a little camera-shy. It takes time to get comfortable with recording yourself on video. Any nervousness you experience is normal and should not deter you from pursuing video work.  Here are different types of videos that are popular on “BookTube,” but feel free to be creative and make something new! Book Review  Book “Haul” Book “Tag”: themed questions about books you like or don’t like; there’s a tag for just about anything! (ex: fall book tag, Disney book tag, Halloween book tag, etc.)  Writing Vlogs Learn more about YouTube Tumblr Tumblr is a great way to connect with other writers, artists, and fans through shared interests. However, the site can be a little daunting to newcomers. Although this platform is technically a blogging site, you won’t find many Tumblr accounts dedicated to the sort of “day in the life” posts typical of traditional blogs. Tumblr is a digital scrapbook and vision board where you can share pictures, quotes, videos, art, and anything else that reflects your interests. On Tumblr, you follow other users who post things that are relevant to your interests or your book, and you can repost your favorites onto your own Tumblr account. In turn, your followers will be able to repost these from you. For example, if you have written a fantasy novel, you may want to follow others who frequently post about world-building ideas, obscure myths, popular fantasy lore, cool paintings of dragons, and other applicable content. There are also several Tumblr blogs just dedicated to writing that include writing techniques, advice for other authors, writing prompts, and other things that might pique your interest as an author. You can also create content yourself. Before you go crazy with this, though, you may want to spend a bit of time on the site to see what sorts of posts are interesting to your potential readership. Then you can post sketches of your characters, excerpts from your upcoming novel, updates about a project you're working on, or whatever else you think your audience might enjoy! Be sure to tag your original posts with relevant keywords so new followers can find you easily. You can also field questions from followers by turning the question asking feature on and off as you please. Overall, your Tumblr should be a mix of original and reposted content that keeps your followers engaged and eager to check out your upcoming title. Still confused? Watch a tutorial of how to use this platform in this video. Learn more about Tumblr LinkedIn Like Facebook, LinkedIn endeavors to build your online social network. Instead of connecting you with friends and family, though, LinkedIn allows you to find work associates and make connections within your professional sphere. Having a LinkedIn typically lends a professional air to your social media presence. It is also a great way to stay in touch with people you meet in a professional capacity. Have you done a signing at a local bookstore? Connect with the owner on LinkedIn. Know a venue that’s always happy to host read-alouds and Q&As? See if they have an account on this site.   LinkedIn has a built-in tutorial that will guide you through the process of setting up your account.  Learn more about LinkedIn Pinterest You’ve probably seen Pinterest used for craft ideas and baking recipes, but did you know that it can be a handy tool for authors, too? Pinterest can help you promote and refine your writing. Like Tumblr, this platform allows you to browse other people's posts through tags. You can, for example, search “fantasy creatures,” “sci-fi fashion,” “victorian slang,” or whatever else might inspire your next writing piece.  Once you have found a post you like, you can “pin” it, or save it, to one of your digital “boards.” You can have multiple boards organized by theme. For instance, you may have one board dedicated to writing tips, another committed to marketing advice, and one that helps you curate the aesthetic of your novel. Users who like your boards will follow you to see what you’ll pin next. You can also follow other users who save pins and create boards that you like. When you are ready, you may want to start posting content of your own. Post writing tips using examples from your book, post about the publishing process, or even post some illustrations from your story. Be sure your original content includes eye-catching graphics and links to your book!  For more information on how to get started on Pinterest, check out this article. Learn more about Pinterest We hope you found our introductions to these social media sites helpful. If you do decide to build your presence on these platforms, please let us know! We will be happy to promote your content and help you along the way. And, of course, we are always here to answer questions the best we can.
Read More
Categories: Marketing, Social Media

Amateur Professional Photography

04 Nov
542 Post by
As a writer, you’re going to need pictures. Professional author photos appear on the back of your book, in event documentation, rock your social media pages, and more—there are a ton of ways you can use photography in your favor. With technology improving more rapidly than ever, the general public is getting better and better at spotting amateurish photography. The good news is that professional-looking photography is no longer only for professional photographers. Basic Tips There are a few basic tips to keep in mind whenever you are taking any kind of photos: If you have access to one, use a real camera. If you don't, try an iPhone, as they have excellent cameras. Make sure your light source is in front of the subject, meaning the light source is often behind the photographer, not behind the subject. Capturing the sun or another bright light in the background can overwhelm the shot. Taking photos through shadows of tree branches will cut up your shot visually.  Take photos head-on when possible. This is more important when photographing books than people, as the linear outline of a book reveals an off-kilter shot more obviously than the roundness of someone’s head. If the shot is going to be crooked or off-center, make sure it’s deliberately so. Take many pictures, then scroll through to find the ones that are most attractive, level, and in-focus.   Taking Excellent Author Photos Your author photo is the only image most of your readers will see of you. If you can’t have professional headshots taken, here are some tips for getting that perfect shot: Have someone else take the photo. It's clear when your author photo is a selfie, which is a more casual kind of photography. Wear something with no logos or distracting images and in a color that makes your features pop! Have your photographer stand back far enough that they can capture more than just a close-up of your face. We should be able to see your whole head and an inch or so above it, plus at least your shoulders. Check out the staff page of our website to get a better idea of what an excellent headshot looks like. Photographing Events Enlisting a friend or family member or hire a professional to photograph your event will help you a lot. If that’s not possible, or if you need to offer guidance to your designated photographer, consider the following: Take dynamic photos from a variety of different angles. Snap shots of different things: the speaker or presenter, the venue, any table or display, activities, and more. Avoid taking photos of children’s faces without their parents’ permission. Filters Most photo editing programs come equipped with “filters”. As on a traditional camera, a filter is used to modify the entire image by changing elements like the color, light, contrast, or focus. A digital filter can be found in the photo editor that comes preloaded on your phone, on Instagram, or in some other photo editor. A filter can enhance a photo to make its colors more vivid or crisp, but it can also easily overpower your image. Scroll through all your filter options to choose the best one. Often, you can click a filter twice or perform another shortcut to find a gradient. Using this, you can apply the effect of your filter only slightly or as high as it goes. When it comes to filters, a little goes a long way! Choose something subtle that enhances certain features of the photo. Cropping We’ve all seen a photo where the subject in the foreground looks great, but then you notice someone picking their nose in the background! Whether it’s a silly stranger, an ugly setting, or just too much empty space, cropping your photo can help bring attention where you want it and omit distractors. The “crop” icon always resembles this symbol: When cropping a photo, the finished product should feature the subject of the photograph in the middle of the picture or artfully balanced in some way. Crop a photo when there is something in the background that distracts from the main subject. Other tools   One of the best ways to get the hang of taking excellent photos on your own is to simply mess around with the tools you have. Below is an example of the different ways you can adjust the look of a photo using iPhoto for iPhone. They all do slightly different things, and it’s better to try them out than to explain them all here. Here are some of the more notable ones:   Brightness can add light to a dim image (though beware of overdoing it, as seen in the image below, which is clearly too bright. Contrast can add more brights and darks to a bland or dull image. Color can be helpful if your image has an unpleasant hue. For example, if your image is a little green due to light being filtered through water, you can add a light red layer over this, balancing out the green. When you know what you’re doing, photography can be a ton of fun! It can also strengthen your online presence and add a new skill set to you CV. So go on—it’ll be fall soon, and the perfect time of year to get outside and practice snapping shots!
Read More
Categories: Marketing

Marketing for Introverts

08 Mar
473 Post by
It may seem like marketing, especially self-promotion, is geared toward extroverts. Many marketing agents and publicists thrive in their positions due to their bold, outgoing natures. However, there is a place for introverts in the land of marketing, as well. If you’re an introvert, the typical schmoozing, corresponding, and shouting from the rooftops that take place in a promotional campaign may be your worst nightmare. We’re here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be this way! There are things you can do to use your personality to your benefit. Extroverts, feel free to skip this one, or pass it on to an introverted friend who may be in need. Introverts, buckle up and take notes. Maximize Interactions Take advantage of one-on-one marketing opportunities. This will allow you to: Make more personal connections Communicate your ideas clearly Be open about your needs and don’t be afraid to be honest: “I’m going to need a few days to think about this; if I don’t get back to you within a day or two, definitely feel free to reach out.” “I’m thinking about this and will get back to you later.” “I need a walk to clear my head and formulate my thoughts.” Christina Kann, Brandylane’s in-house publicist, is always available to talk marketing with you! Feel free to reach out to her directly at brandylanepr@gmail.com to discuss promotion. Be Prepared Here are some strategies we have found help authors feel comfortable, prepared, and confident when being interviewed or making contact with booksellers/venues:  Write an outline or script of what you want to say during a phone conversation before you make the call. This way, you don’t have to worry about forgetting something.  Practice reading through the script before you make the call. Have a friend or family member role-play so you can practice your conversation in a realistic situation. Develop several scripts for different uses. You can leave blanks for people’s names and more so you can tweak it for each audience. If you have a phone interview, ask them to email you the questions ahead of time.  Prepare answers so you’ll experience minimal surprises. Asking for questions ahead of time is a normal request, and interviewers should be happy to accommodate you. Public events can be daunting, but preparation is key. Practice what you want to say with a friend before presenting. You can build confidence, and they can give you tips to help improve your performance.  Bring notes — either notecards with phrases and keywords or actual sentences. Sometimes if you are nervous, stringing words into a competent sentence is hard, and having the sentences already composed in front of you will help.  Catering to Introvert Strengths Find a medium that works for you. Low-interaction methods can often be the most comfortable. Email, social media, and blog-writing are great ways to garner a following without actively engaging. It’s important to follow up. If you made a phone call the first time, you can switch to a more comfortable form of communication, such as an email, to reduce your stress, but mention in your email that you’ve previously contacted by phone. Schedule your marketing efforts (like social media and email), as trying to do many things at once may be overwhelming! There are plenty of great scheduling programs for any social media platform. Here at Brandylane, we use Hootsuite for Twitter and Buffer for Instagram. Facebook has a built-in scheduling function for professional pages. Take Care of Yourself Schedule “me” time to recharge. You will be better able to market your work when you don’t feel drained.  If you don’t feel up to doing something like making a phone call, and it isn’t time sensitive, wait until you feel more comfortable and are able to best represent yourself. Remind yourself of all your unique strengths that can augment your marketing: Your ability to listen to the consumer is a valuable asset. You think before you speak.. Don’t worry, you got this! Promotion can be a challenge, but it’s an important part of being an author. Once you start to get in the habit of using some of the tips mentioned above, you will find it easier to champion yourself and your work!
Read More
Categories: Marketing
author book signing

Event Venues

03 Jan
624 Post by
When you’re thinking of establishments that might carry your book, what comes to mind first? Is it a bookstore? Authors often immediately think of bookstores when they’re seeking out places to carry their books, and why wouldn’t they? After all, a bookstore is a perfectly logical option, and a great start. However, it’s important that authors move past the bookstore market, and keep in mind that there are countless alternatives besides bookstores to consider when looking for book carriers. From bakeries and coffee shops to toy stores and museums, there are a wide range of unique places that might want to carry your book based on its subject matter or just because they love your book! It just comes down to finding them! Here are some suggestions: Children’s book authors might look into toy stores, children’s museums, children’s libraries, children’s hospitals, daycare centers, restaurants, and clothing stores in their area that might consider carrying their book. There are many specialized museums in the US that could relate to your book’s content. These museums could be great places to contact. Check out the American Alliance of Museums for a list of potential markets. This site allows you to narrow down your museum search by location and type, so it’s even easier to find a specialized museum close to you! After selecting “Richmond, VA” and “History Museum” in the drop down menus, we were able to find The Valentine Museum, Virginia Historical Society, Virginia Holocaust Museum, and American Civil War Museum, all fantastic options for authors who have written books that have a historical focus. Organizations and associations that relate to your book's subject matter are also great options. For example, non-profits can be a great market, especially if there are fundraising opportunities for them. Check out the Directory of US Associations to find an organization that fits you and your book. The free trial option for the Directory of Associations site is 48 hours. Here is a general list of US organizations and associations for your reference. Brandylane author Caley Cantrell (Dogs Do NOT Love Holiday Cards! and You're Bringing Me a Baby?!), who has had great success in finding unique places to sell her books, offers her advice:  “Do a little brainstorming about your book. Think about it as a 'product' and not the labor of love that you spent so much time with. Where are 'natural' places for your book to show up. Is your book tied to a season in any way? Christmas, Spring, Mother’s Day? Can you make any connection like that? Then gift shops that thrive on those holidays may make sense. Take a piece of paper and write your book’s title in the center. Then create a wheel of 'spokes' around your book, each is a possibility of a different, yet related, place your title can live.” Books can be sold almost anywhere! Explore new and unique sellers, and watch your market grow. Keep an eye out for even more marketing tips, and feel free to contact us here at Brandylane/Belle Isle Books for any questions or concerns you may have!
Read More
Categories: Events, Marketing
Back to Top