This week’s Help This Hound question is from Dr. Stephanie Buehler of Orange County, Calif.:
“I am a psychologist and sex therapist who is publishing the book Sex, Love, & Mental Illness: A Couple’s Guide to Staying Connected. It’s geared toward couples in which one (or both) partners has a mental health problem, and toward the therapists and others who may help them.
“It discusses how a spectrum of problems affect sexuality, including side effects of medication—and ways couples can work together to overcome them. The problems include depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, ADD, substance dependence, and Asperger’s Syndrome, among others.
“The book offers examples of struggles couples have faced and provides pragmatic activities including sensual touching and mindfulness. I wrote it because one day I had a client with severe bipolar disorder and his wife come into my office and I found myself wondering just how to approach all of the concerns that they had.
“I wanted to reach on my shelf for a book—but none was there. I realized at that moment that I had stumbled upon a little recognized but very important topic that I think will make a huge difference in the lives of many couples.
“I’m looking for ideas on how to market to specific niches like psychotherapists and pastoral counselors who may want to buy my book and use the info with their clients. Hounds, can you help?”
If you have your own Help This Hound question, email it to me and include your city and state or province.
Hi Dr. Buehler,
Getting the word out about your book is a common challenge. Many of our authors at Dog Ear Publishing have found success by participating in online forums and commenting on blog posts where their target markets are active.
It is easy to find blogs and online communities. Try searching for psychotherapists and pastoral counselors in the ‘blog’ section of Google. You’ll even be able to set up an alarm system that’ll email you whenever a fresh post is made.
Good luck,
Miles Nelson
Dog Ear Publishing
Dr. B:
1. Create and send Top 10 type lists to a wide variety of publications based on a section of your book. You could produce many of these to create a variety of articles, each targeted to the publication you’re sending it to.
2. You mentioned a number of conditions that people seek treatment for and consequently cause problems in their relationships. Each of those groups has at least one, often many more, organization and magazine that speaks to that group. Each of these can be targeted and articles/tips written that address your topic and their condition.
I have one of the conditions you mentioned and can help you if you’d like. Also, I have been published a number of times and know how to get the attention of decision maker at each publication. Email me your contact number if you’d like to talk.
norman@yourfirstpriority.com
All the best.
Norman
Hi Stephanie,
Do you belong to local or state organizations that have lists you can contact? Some of these are online and easy to join, with message boards where you can post your information.
How about writing articles with specific ‘how to’ tips and publishing them on sites such as EzineArticles.com, SuccessTelevision.com, VibrantNation.com. Readers here are searching for practical ideas from experts.
You can also set up ‘Google Alerts’ targeting topics like sex therapy, PTSD, bipolar, substance abuse. That way you’ll connect with bloggers who are focused on the same issues and readers who are following them.
Lastly, we have a monthly Virtual Book Tour on our blog and would be delighted to feature you and your new book. Let us know if you’re interested.
Best of luck with your launch!
Phyllis
Mentors@HerMentorCenter.com
Hi Stephanie,
Your book sounds fantastic and much needed. I look forward to reading it. As someone in the Healing Arts, I have seen the importance of addressing this topic and look forward to having a solid resource for myself and clients!
1) Do you have a website specifically for the book? With an Opt In Box – For instance, how can I get updates and info on your book? A newsletter is one of the best ways to get info to people who are interested in Your topic and what you have to say!
2) Do you have a Blog on the topic where you can create dialogue, reach, grow, widen your audience and educate on the topic? Blogging is a great way to generate articles from the book, which can then also widen your audience further and establish your expertise, develop trust, generate interest, etc.
3) Getting on Twitter and Facebook are other potent ways I have found to reach your audience. Everyone knows someone who has one of these issues and can easily pass along a tweet and a Facebook share.
4) Have you considered doing some teleseminars on the topic? I am finding this to be a really powerful way to reach tons of people – and fun to have a much wider range of contacts than just my local community! Twitter, Facebook and my already established email newsletter list have been the sources for getting many people registered in very short periods of time. It’s been exciting. I developed these by following words of wisdom from people like The Publicity Hound and other Social Media Mavens!
All of these take time to develop, but can be well worth reaching out to people you might not otherwise have found, or who may not have otherwise have found you!
Best Wishes and Blessings to you on this important and exciting venture,
Sandy Rakowitz
Mentoring People and Animals for Healthier, More Vibrant and Inspired Lives!
I agree with Miles and Phyllis. Figuring out which bloggers “speak” to those issues should be easy to do with Google alerts. Then add your comments or see if the blogger will consider allowing you to be a guest blogger.
Also, if you haven’t promoted your book on your own blog you should start there. You may also want to create a sales page/website specifically for promoting the book.
To your successful launch,
Cathey Kuhn
Warrior Business Services
Awesome ideas! Thank you, Joan, for posting this. Now I have to roll up my sleeves and make it happen. Thank you, everyone, for your help.