Our thanks to author Millie West for this guest post.
I view the PubSmart conference I just attended in Charleston, South Carolina as a force that emerging authors should embrace. I gained insights into the world of publishing that I didn’t have before.
Example: Keynote Speaker Hugh Howey (shown at right). This author has proven that writers can use forms of publishing outside the traditional model and achieve great success.
There were experts from all realms of the publishing and book marketing industry that spoke during the event. For you writers who couldn’t attend this time, here are a few of the most valuable points I took away from the conference.
- Writers: Get to know your local Arts and Humanities Councils to see what grants, events and opportunities are available.
- Discovery of writers’ work: 80% is word of mouth, 20% comes from social media, check out booksilove for recommending titles along with goodreads.
- Branding: Your brand is a promise. What is the reader going to get from interacting with my book? Your brand is your most important marketing tool. What makes your work compelling? How do readers thing about my book?
- Foundation: The voice you use on social media should be the same as the voice you use when you write.
- Launching a book: Don’t put too much pressure on yourself during the launch phase. You’re running a marathon, not a sprint.
- Adjacent Readers: You want to turn readers into fans. For instance, if your book takes place in the lowcountry of South Carolina, search the communities in that area for groups and organizations you can introduce your work to. They don’t have to be book clubs. Those readers are the most likely to bring you more readers…
Many thanks to the PubSmart team for putting together such a wonderful conference. It’s always great to learn new ideas!
Author, aviatrix, adventurer – Millie West is a licensed pilot, one of the FIRST female pilots hired with UPS. Her love of adventure has taken her between the clouds and into the woods. She and her husband are avid hunters and hikers.
You’re right on with your post, Millie. I see a brand being absolutely foundational and the basis for all interaction with your audience communicating that brand promise, but also communicating who and what you and your art/words stand for. Once you have a solid strategy it’s keeping consistent and replicating over and over. That will build your brand as well as your following. I have more information on artist branding at http://babacita.com/artist-branding.
Millie, I was one who didn’t make the event. But so grateful you’ve taken the liberty to share this wealth of information. Sounds like it was every educational and informative for authors at large.
To check out more news and views about the inaugural PubSmart conference, visit http://pubsmartcon.com/media/ – Millie and plenty of others share their insights and experiences…
I hope you are able to attend the PubSmart conference next year. The learning experience was outstanding. I plan to attend next year!
Hi Millie! It was great to meet you at Pubsmartcon. I agree, this was a fantastic resource for writers. The sharing of ideas and experiences was amazing. Looking forward to next year already. Lara Nance
I enjoyed meeting you as well, and I hope to see you next year. To me, the event was so polished, It was as if it was the twentieth conference instead of the first!