I know many authors find marketing an overwhelming aspect of publishing!
Creatives are, by nature, comfortable in producing work but often feel uncomfortable in marketing or promotion.
With the vast changes in technology affecting the industry, and the ease of access to a vast selection of stories, it can feel like an extremely competitive world!
As a self published or Independent author, we are often faced with the daunting task of turning our author life into a small business.
Not only do we have to write, have a day job, maintain families, a social life and do all the usual daily living tasks but now we have to scramble to make time to promote our books and market ourselves. All to often we don’t even know where to start.
Send me an email and lets have a chat!
Want something different?
Marketing Support
Need someone who can brainstorm some ideas with you?
Need help sketching out a marketing plan?
Need help understanding how social media works?
Maybe you have an idea, but you have no idea how to activate it?
Do you feel lost creating content and need someone to create a social media campaign for you?
Need a video edited?
Perhaps you need some help researching what podcast you should approach or sending off emails to request a book listing….
Having worked with a vast array of creatives, and being one myself, I personally understand how difficult it can be to navigate marketing and promotions when its just not something we feel confident in doing. Let alone the extra time it takes researching ‘how to’ and feeling like its hard work because none of it resonates with our personalities and we are all on our own!
I really enjoy working with creatives to come up with ideas that are tailored specifically to your lifestyle and feel less daunting, more authentic and encouraging!
I like finding solutions that motivate you rather than drain you.
If there is anything about marketing or promotion that you really just want some help and support with, I have a wide array of skills and the understanding of how to use a number of different online toolsets that can help you feel less overwhelmed.
The best part is, I can work within any budget!
I am constantly upset by websites I see that are charging 100’s and 1000’s of dollars for things that don’t require a huge amount of specialized skills or time and take advantage of creatives who are already struggling to keep their passion sustainable.
Please note I am also open to assisting any other creatives with their self-promotion and marketing. If you resonate with my approach, please do reach out for more detailed ideas of how I may be able to assist you in your relevant field.
I have previous experience working in radio and multi-media promotions and love navigating in these realms!
Don’t judge a book by its cover…
Well, actually - WE DO!
Let me start by saying, am not a professional cover designer.
I cannot create a high-resolution original digitally drawn work of art that will flawlessly declare how delicious the context of your book is.
BUT - I did major in design/Illustration at Art School so despite technology having developed astronomically further than anything that was around when I was a student, I am still an artist and am a Canva wizz, so may be able to help create a cover for you.
What I can do very well is understand what an arts design brief is.
Couple that with my experience in the publishing industry and an understanding of how we subconsciously process visual information (thankyou to my Philosophy of Art lecturer!) and I can help you work out what kind of cover would best complement your book.
I am so tired of hearing about stories where authors pay large amounts of money for covers that don’t match their vision or don’t accurately represent their market, and mostly I believe this happens because a lack of understanding of what each creative field requires. Its not the artist or the authors fault, it’s all too often a miscommunication or a misunderstanding.
A really good designer will know how to communicate with their clients so that they can be assured they are both on the same page - pun intended! But a really good designer with specialist understanding of book marketing often costs more money than some authors may have in their budget.
If your working on a tight budget, you may find it useful to work with someone who can act as a conduit between yourself and wherever you are commissioning a piece from. And I would love to be that bridge for you.
Part of a great cover is a compelling blurb!
How often have you picked up a book and read the back only to feel disappointed that it revealed something you’d have rather discovered in the story yourself, or mislead you into what you were actually reading? On the other side, how often have you read a blurb that just feel entirely short of how good the book actually was?
Blurbs are tricky because they are part marketing, part promotion and part storytelling. And lets face it, your book is so rich and full that condensing all of your fantastic storytelling into a few lines feels almost cruel.
Like a cover art, blurbs should be designed specifically for your ideal target audience and sometimes it can be hard to work out what that market actually wants, and how to authentically deliver that to your potential readers.
I love writing blurbs!
I get such satisfaction from producing a paragraph or two that entices yet authentically honours a books insides. My favourite part is how excited authors get reading something they’ve dreaded having to do and watching how excited readers get about books because of those few sentences printed on the back.
Pricing:
Prices start for as little as $30NZD for help with cover.
Pricing a blurb is a little different, in most cases I work with a blurb draft and full synopsis which starts at $50.
If I will need to read your novel to construct a fresh blurb, I will charge a fee for reading time. For an example of my reading abilities 100,00 word YA novel will take me around 5 hours to read.
Book Covers and Blurbs:
I have been involved with a wide array of small events and I am always keen to learn new things!
I have worked with/on/for: musicians, visual artist, community theatres, small film sets, training workshops, markets, relaxed weddings, memorials/celebrations, parties/festivals and, authors many others (including NFP with fundraising).
There are a wide array of roles in the events category I can assist with or manage. I have even assisted in book launches remotely!
My favourite element of events has always been creating immersive themes.
I have hosted numerous creative themed events, fully equipped with crafted décor and costuming, for many family and friends.
From planning to preparation to presentation, I can manage any small scale project or offer assistance by physically and remote!
I love the challenge of working to a tight budget! I believe there is always a way to bring a vision to life!
I even have a knack for pairing flavours to themes (though I’m certainly not a caterer) and mixology (cocktail creation).
Whether you are planning a book launch, a small gig, a social occasion or an art show (curation), I have contacts and skills that you may find useful.
pricing:
Please do send me an email to discuss how I can help.