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Make Write From Home your
Homepage.
Write From Home
Kim Wilson
P.O. Box 4145
Hamilton, NJ 08610
Tel: (609) 888-1683
Fax: (609) 888-1672
E-mail:
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Christmas Marketing Plans for
the Innovative Writer
by C. Hope Clark
About the time you buy the
Halloween candy, you need to plan your Christmas marketing strategies.
Thinking about it is great, but not writing it down leads to New Years
before you know it, as well as lots of missed opportunities. December is
wrought with so many obligations already. Set up your writing promotional
plans in advance and enjoy the holidays a little more.
Look at your calendar and start
setting benchmarks or actual time goals to do specific tasks.
October
-
Decide on your promotional
sales. Set up any e-commerce you will need for those specials and
determine any redesigns needed for your Web site.
-
Determine your advertising
budget, and how, when and where you intend to use it.
-
Confirm partnerships with
other writers, newsletters, writing groups, stores, businesses and clubs
who might have seasonal events that could use your publications and your
guest appearance. Consider places like the mall, arts commissions, writing
clubs, reading groups, the Chamber of Commerce, the holiday craft fairs
and publications that need your ads.
-
Check with schools and
libraries about promotional opportunities. Keep them supplied with ample
amounts of promotional material.
-
Create your printed material.
Have copies made.
-
Remember promotional blurbs
for your e-mail, newsletters, chats and list groups. Go ahead and write
them.
-
Order any books you want to
keep on hand.
-
Insure you have ample supplies
of your specials, gift offers, etc.
-
Schedule radio shows.
-
Submit guest articles to
newsletters and Web sites online.
-
Prepare your Christmas cards
and postcards. Place the print order.
-
Pick up your Christmas outfits
for personal appearances.
-
If you can, knock a few of
these efforts back to September, especially in more metropolitan areas
where holiday scheduling is a year-round task.
November
-
Post your Web site. Make
e-commerce live.
-
Submit your November
advertising as planned.
-
Post a press release at
PR Web.
-
Distribute flyers, brochures,
bookmarks and postcards as planned.
-
Keep a handy supply with you
at all times, and keep promotion on your mind whenever you leave the
house.
-
Purchase ample postage for
mailing books and gift specials. Learn to use the automated postal
machines at the post office. Remember that lines are getting long for
holiday mailings.
-
Or go to
USPS.com and consider
having packages picked up from your home instead of fighting the lines.
-
Send your Christmas cards and
postcards the day after Thanksgiving.
-
Keep in touch with your
business partners on at least a weekly basis to ensure that supplies and
materials are well stocked (and checks collected).
-
Participate in as many chats
as you can. You have more time in November than you do in December.
-
Update your Web site often.
Stay connected with your readers a little more often than usual so they
are reminded of your holiday specials. Don't spam.
December
-
Stay on top of orders. Your
customer is gone forever if she receives her order after Christmas.
-
Spread promotional material even
heavier than in November. Last minute shoppers will jump at your opportunity
if you hand them an answer to a gift problem.
-
Stay connected with the readers
via newsletters, chats, etc. While other writers/authors are extremely busy,
you might capitalize on being readily available.
-
Attend Christmas events with ample
cards, postcards and books. Don't pass an opportunity to sell yourself and
your material at a social function.
-
Check back with business partners
more than weekly. Every other day or at least biweekly is necessary since
these are hectic business times.
-
Be prepared to ship a flurry of
orders the two weeks before Christmas, especially since this year you have en
entire business week available.
These ideas are generalities because
writers produce copy, sell books and create columns, but the gist of the advice
is to plan before December rolls around. The first of October might be a little
early to hear carols and admire decorated pines, but it's not at all too early
to plan your holiday writing events. Think like the magazine editor needing
seasonal material—three to five months ahead of the deadline. In doing so, your
events are more successful, your attitude is more enjoyable and your sales are
something to sing Jingle Bells about.
C. Hope Clark is founder of
FundsforWriters. Her holiday offer this year is
The Shy Writer/TOTAL FundsforWriters combo special. Purchase
The Shy Writer and receive a TOTAL FundsforWriters subscription for free.
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Have You Read...
I Wanna
Win
by Cheryl Wright
If you want to win writing contests and earn that elusive tag of
'award-winning writer' or if you just want to hone your skills, this book will
point you in the right direction.
New to freelance writing?
Read
this informative article.
Read
Glossary of Writing Terms
Authors Area
Agents &
Publishers
Book Marketing
Publications
(Electronic & Print)
Resources
Associations &
Organizations
Job Boards &
Guideline Databases
Research & Reference
Classes, Workshops &
Seminars
Links
Author &
Writer Web Sites
Writing Sites
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Writing
and Illustrating Children's Books
