Patricia Dischler of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin writes:
“I am the author of ‘Because I Loved You: A Birthmother’s View of Open Adoption’ (Goblin Fern Press, 2006). This book is part memoir, part guidance/advice. I share the story of placing my son for adoption in 1985.
“I have been focusing on marketing directly to adoption agencies and pregnancy centers, gaining endorsements from most national adoption offices. Once I get them to read the book, they’re hooked, and sales come in. But getting an agency to take that first step is tough. I have a national list of these agencies and have been sending emails and mailings, but most often these campaigns result in very little hits to my website and sometimes no sales at all. I am thinking that while I can write a good book, I really need some help writing copy that sells books.
“I think that whole ‘compel them to buy’ factor is missing in my material, and I am looking for someone who can help me with this marketing. While there seems to be lots of help out there with publicity (press releases, etc.) I haven’t located anyone for marketing–writing ads, mailings, emails, etc. that sell. Can your readers help me out?”
The Publicity Hound says: Most authors who write wonderful books can’t write a sales letter worth a lick. If you don’t have time to study the art of writing sales copy, hire a writer.
OK all you sales copy writers. This is the time to market your services and tell Patricia what makes your copy so great. How about offering specific links where we can see what you’ve written?
Then give us the cold, hard numbers. If your sales letter is online, what’s the lead-click conversion and the click-sale conversion for a particular sales page? Do you split-test? (If you’re serious about your sales copy, you certainly do. Just a few small changes in one headline can quadruple sales fairly quickly.)
If you don’t do any of that, you can still explain what makes you so great.
Also, check The Publicity Hound’s Resources List. Even though there isn’t a specific category for sales copy writing, several writers, public relations companies and others write sales copy.
I would love to give you some help or advice on your marketing strategy for free. If it does great then you can pay me what it was worth.
I haven’t read your book but I believe it is a very important key to helping end abortion in America. I am currently writing and planning marketing for my on books. First, you need a vision and a plan to execute that vision. Please give me a call 912-965-3577(W).
Hi Patricia,
I am so warmed by your story! I would love to write a sales letter for you. Take a look at a few of my samples below. While they aren’t in your field, I know you’ll see their value.
I wish you all the best with your book & your writing career!
Best wishes,
Lara Kay Loest
http://www.SiteHunt.com/sevenbucks/
http://www.ZeroToProfitASAP.com
http://www.ZeroToProfitASAP.com/apprentice.html
Patricia:
It is so great you are telling the other side of the story. I am not sure what you ultimate vision is for this and what your visions is, however, I have a few ideas on the marketing side. First, if you haven’t already, I would record your book in your own voice. Then I would put on your web site an excerpt for people to listen to your story in your voice. This would also be something you could send on a CD as part of your promotional material. Second, I am a firm believer of mini-web sites. This story it too important and may be lost on your main site. I would create a site just for the book that would have a link to the audio excerpt with ordering instructions (if you haven’t already done that). I hope that helps. Warmest regards, Lia.
Patricia, i feel your pain!
Heck, if Borat the misfit travel guide from Kazakhstan can get book deals this book seeling thing should be easy, right?
There are lots of copywriters out there just google “copywriter” you’ll see tons of them.
Some of them might have even posted on this blog so check the archives. I’ve posted a lot so I know there are tons of archives here.
Check out those copywriter’s advice see if it seems creative that kind of thing.
If someone is willing to give good free advice imagine what the goodies they might give out when you plop some dough their way.
Anyway you could also think about doing your own sales letter. Key is the headline.
Here’s how Harry Potter might Write one for yoU.
http://www.articlealley.com/article_7908_50.html
Speaking of selling books,
Here’s a report on a unique way author’s are getting book deals.
http://www.paidcontent.org/entry/419-media-predict-sets-up-virtual-betting-parlor-for-books/
Patricia, as a result of your query, I contacted Internet marketing expert Mark Widawer and he’s doing a free webinar for you and other Publicity Hounds on Thursday, June 14.
Topic: “Six Simple Landing Page Secrets”
Time: 8 PM Eastern (5 Pacific) The webinar will be 60-70 minutes, and you’ll need a telephone and a PC or a Mac to participate.
I love Mark’s work, and he’s one of the sales copy and landing page gurus I’ve been studying the last five years. Join me on the call and register now at http://www.PublicityHound.net/LandingPage and you’ll receive immediate instructions on how to participate.
You don’t need to be a whiz internet marketer to know that you need traffic for your website to be successful. It doesn’t matter what your site looks like, it doesn’t matter what your sales pitch is, if people aren’t coming to your site then all that stuff we spend hours anguishing over doesn’t make a lick of difference!
A persuasive blog post or sales letter argues one point and accentuates it thoroughly with analogies, metaphors, examples and references. Just one point, by trying too hard and quoting too many you’ll not only lose your own focus but the attention of your audience.
If you can’t sum up your business in one sentence, if your visitors can’t figure out the purpose of your website in 10 seconds, you’re not communicating. You’re not sticking in their head. And that doesn’t help your ideas or brand to spread.
http://arthur-internetmarketing-guide.blogspot.com/2009/11/want-to-spread-your-idea-try-to-narrow.html
A persuasive blog post or sales letter argues one point and accentuates it thoroughly with analogies, metaphors, examples and references. Just one point, by trying too hard and quoting too many you’ll not only lose your own focus but the attention of your audience.
If you can’t sum up your business in one sentence, if your visitors can’t figure out the purpose of your website in 10 seconds, you’re not communicating. You’re not sticking in their head. And that doesn’t help your ideas or brand to spread.
http://arthur-internetmarketing-guide.blogspot.com/2009/11/want-to-spread-your-idea-try-to-narrow.html