Marna A. Krajewski of Wakefield, Rhode Island writes:
“I am an Army wife who had her first book published in May 2006 (HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE: The Moving Life of a Soldier’s Wife.) It’s a collection of first-person stories about Army family life.
“My next book, HOUSEHOLD BAGGAGE HANDLERS: Celebrating the Lives of Military Wives, is coming out in May. This one is an anthology which I compiled and edited. A good friend tells me marketing it only to the military community is a mistake, yet this is my niche.
“Should I broaden my intended market, and if so, what are your publicity ideas?”
How about spouses of law enforcement officers, who also have esprit de corps (many are also ex-military or in the Guard/Reserves); veterans organizations and auxiliaries; base exchanges or card/bookstores near major posts; companies whose large international workforces frequently relocate; moving companies (sell in quantity to movers specializing in military relocation; they can give the book as a “goodbye” or “welcome” gift).
Piggyback your press releases onto the Lifetime TV show “Army Wives.” There is definitely a wider market for you – as evidenced by the intense popularity of that show – as ‘civilians’ are very curious and still romanticize Army life.
I would offer my book to moving companies to sell to military families that are always on the move as you were.
How about pitching the books as a “package” for women who are just about to marry that Marine Staff Sgt. or that Army Colonel, positioning the books with knot.com or other well known bride, pre-marrying ladies getting ready to become military wives ?? Sort of like a “hey ladies, know what you are getting into” kind of spin … everything you should know prior to marrying your U.S. military hunk.
I think this book could sound attractive to people interested in travel, working/living abroad, caring for elders from a distance, housewives, and those with relatives in the military. Lots of big markets.
Shel Horowitz, author
Grassroots Marketing for Authors and Publishers
http://www.grassrootsmarketingforauthors.com
I think that people may underestimate the fierce loyalty that some have to the military and their families. You might want to try and pitch Christian bookstores to carry your books.
You may also try and pitch some womans’ magazines. Getting an article featuring YOU as a militray wife and a published author may increase your exposure making your name more recognizable and increasing potential sales. Most magazine websites have a link or email to be able to submit story ideas. Start with the local magazines and use that article as a jumping off point to submit to the regional and national publications.
Good Luck!!
It is definitely worth broadening your target market, but with thought. As you know, niche markets can be very lucrative but many people, while not in the military themselves or married to a military spouse, have connections to the military, through friends or other relatives. I would not be considered a military family, but my brothers served as officers and reservists. Your tight niche market may not reach me. Also, with the on-going war, the plight of the military family is of great concern to the general public. I would create a strategy around your tight niche market and one around your broader audience.
I am facing the same challenge with my book just released.
Best of success!
Christine Sullivan
Author, “44 Days Out of Kandahar”
There are millions of military brats out there who rememember their moms’ efforts to keep the family together through thick and thin and multiple moves. There is probably an organization or many that cater to them that you can partner with.
Think about similes if you’re thinking about a bigger niche
So can we say….
“Marna A. Krajewski is the Erma Bombeck on military life” if so, someone might say wow i like Erma maybe this book would be interesting too
Marna A. Krajewski is the Oprah of military life, so someone that doesn’t care about the military but likes Oprah would read your book
Maybe a little brainstorming like this would help you target a wider audience if that’s whay you feel you must do.
Another popular tv show that features military wives is The Unit. You could offer expert advice about a problem featured in one of the shows and pitch your book. Blogging about military wife life might also help – find stories in newspapers that are relevant and include links. Women’s magazines are always interested in your story as a woman and more specifically military wife. What about writing tips for moving frequently and meeting new people and contacting welcome wagon and other groups as well?
I believe you have as wide a potential market as any fiction or nonfiction book that features compelling stories about individuals. People read books to be “taken to new worlds.” In addition, there are universal themes in all stories of coping with new and unexpected circumstances. I well remember dealing with shipping household goods when I was a new Mrs. Lieutenant in 1970. Similar frustrations are felt by people today in all kinds of situations. My novel “Mrs. Lieutenant” is coming out in a couple of weeks. I plan to market both wide and narrow. Phyllis Zimbler Miller
Anyone who’s half of a couple would find the information valuable; how about the corporate executive who is rotated from one regional office to another? What about those whose spouse is moving from one college campus to another to teach or as a student in an extended program? Our society has become so relocation oriented that staying in a narrow target area seems unnecessarily limiting.n.kateus http://www.EyeballsNTraffic
‘THought it might be a good Holiday gift for former military wives who used to move a lot and still have fond memories of that transient time.
N. Kateus has a great idea to market to corporate execs’ wives. You could pitch it as “Army Wives Offer Hard-Earned Moving Knowledge in Relocation Boot Camp Manual” or something like that.
Also, get them where they live, literally. Army bases have PX stores (stands for Post Exchange), Air Force bases have BXs (Base Exchange). Lots of soldiers and their families shop there every day. I’ll bet you could get prime display space on their front counters for your book. It would be an excellent mover for them. Buy a mail list database from a list company like infoUSA.com or The List Company (tlclists.com) of military base exchange stores and do a postcard mailing with your book cover on front and limited sell copy on back with the mail label. Then, if you don’t get calls within two weeks, follow up with a phone call (make sure you ask for your lists to include phone #s). Remember, you only rent those lists, so you can only use them as many times as you pay for, so buy carefully. They DO monitor usage closely with planted addresses.
If you do not already have a charitable partner, The Quietly Working Foundation for the Children of Fallen Soldiers (www.quietlyworking.org) may present an opportunity to expand your PR value through a “cause related” angle such as “Army Wives helping the Children of Fallen Soldiers and so can you”.
Great theme for your book! Sounds like a tell all – adviced filled book good reading for anyone in or out of the military.