(2012 - Midwest Homeschool Convention, Cincinnati, OH. My daughter dressed at Shannan)


This week my 2013 event season begins with a trip to Evansville, Indiana and the Southwest Indiana Home Educators Convention, March 15-16.

One of the most talked about topics between authors on various forums is how to reach a wider audience and strategies for online promotion. Well, as most know who follow my blog, I'm all for meeting real people than planning any online blitzes.

In fact, I encourage authors to get out and meet people by starting in their communities. Yes, online can reach a 'wider' audience, but personal interaction generates a satisfaction based upon real relationships that online promoting can't replicate.

Some will argue that offering 'free' Kindle downloads get thousands of copies out to readers. Really? And how many of those people will actually read the book? Or will it sit on the Kindle along with the hundreds of other 'free' downloaded e-books? Just because "X" amount of people download a book, doesn't mean they are actually interested. Studies have shown that many people just download free e-books because they can. A title or cover might catch their eye and 'click' - it's on the Kindle.

Contrast that to events, where real people buy a book based upon real interest generated from interacting with the author. I sign all my books, so it becomes more personal. Whereas I might not sell 'thousands' at an event, the ones I sell, I know are going to be read and not sit on a shelf. I've had kids come back a few hours later to tell me how far they're read, or the parents return the following day of the event to buy the next book(s) because the child finished the first book in a day.

After 3 years of doing events, I'm established and more than half my sales are either repeat buyers (fans) or initiated by people who heard of me from a friend or relative.  Yes! The all important word-of-mouth.  For example, the last event of 2012, I spoke to families from Alaska and Hawaii who heard of my books from family members that met me at other events.  Just to let you know, I've only attended events in Tennessee, Georgia and Ohio.  It won't be until this year that I branch out to Indiana, Pennsylvania and Nebraska. I try to keep the events within driving distance to save on cost of shipping books and other expenses.

Of course, various online promotions have their place in the world of marketing, and I realize not every author is capable of doing events for one reason or another. However, those authors who can, should! For me, no amount of 5 star reviews on Amazon or raving blog post, can measure up to the smile from a child when I hand them a signed book. Or a grateful parent because my book captured their child in such a way, he/she is now reading.

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