Monday, September 5, 2016

Are We Having Fun Yet?



This has been one of those days. I’ve been wracking my brain (which can be kind of scary), trying to think of a new topic for a post. Nothing came to mind (which is even scarier).

Then I thought about yesterday. My daughter and I went out to lunch and had a sweet, funny and polite waitress. I left her one of my Thank You cards. You might wonder what that is. It’s a business card that I make myself. On one side it says, “Thank You for your courtesy and service.” At the bottom of the card there’s an arrow that points to the side, making people want to turn it over. On the backside it says, “Marja McGraw Mysteries” and has my website address. 
  The Thank You card has surprised me on occasion. Once, some time ago, a waitress actually chased me out to the parking lot to thank me for thanking her. True story.

I also found some great pens. They look like brushed metal and they have a flashlight in the top. I pass those out frequently, and sometimes leave one with the Thank You card. They have Marja McGraw Mysteries and my website address embossed on them.

Yeah, yeah. Someone out there is thinking, “Okay, so what’s your point?”

My point is, promotional items can help as much as promotion on the Internet. I’ve tried several different things, but these two seem to work the best. I’ve told someone I appreciate them, and I sometimes back it up with a gift of the pen.

I tried some small calendars, maybe 3” x 5”, but those didn’t seem to draw much interest. I’ve tried bookmarks, but they wear out and get thrown away. But pens? People look at them every time they use them. I’ve given pens to the UPS delivery guy, the woman working behind the counter in the pharmacy, neighbors, receptionists, doctors and a woman in line behind me at the store. I got some great letter openers, but unless someone is sitting behind a desk, most people aren’t interested. All of the items I’ve tried have my name, a reference to mysteries, and my website address on them.

I often come across as an outgoing woman. In all honesty, I’m not. It’s taken age and experience to bring me out of my shell. Well, that and working in law enforcement. Those guys don’t put up with “shy”.

I occasionally give someone a complimentary book in the hopes they’ll enjoy it and spread the word. One time I was at the beauty shop and an elderly couple came in. My stylist introduced us because the woman was an avid reader. I gave her a book and you’d have thought I’d handed her a hundred dollar bill. I found out later that she and her husband didn’t have much, and she appreciated the gesture more than I could have imagined. It turned out she told everyone who’d listen about my book – not just that she enjoyed it, but that it had been a gift.

Maybe you can’t afford to give books away, and I can’t either. However, on rare occasions, it’s worth it in the long run.

If you’re thinking about In Person promotion, think outside the box. Think up something memorable. Steal my idea about the Thank You cards. I probably stole the idea from someone else, but I can’t recall who at the moment.

And if something works? Keep doing it, and when possible, add to it.

A woman recently bought ten of my books and asked me to sign them and mail them to her friends. I included one of the pens in each package. I heard that the friends were calling this woman even before they read the book because they were so impressed with the pens. (I sure hope they like the book, too.)

I’ve only talked about three steps in the promotional trail here, but you can come up with more. Tell us about them. What works for you?

Until next time, remember that even a verbal Thank You can go a long way. It makes a difference when someone knows we appreciate them.

CLICK HERE to visit Marja McGraw’s website
CLICK HERE for a quick trip to Amazon.com

I’ve had a few reports that reading “Choosing One Moment – A Time Travel Mystery” has brightened a few readers’ days. Need a lift? Give it a try. And Thank You!

26 comments:

  1. I love the "thank you" card idea. Very clever. (No matter who first thought of it. LOL)
    We authors are constantly looking for new ways to promote our books and you've given us some great ideas. Thanks!

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    1. Pat, I wouldn't swear to it, but I think I stole the idea from Sunny Frazier. : ) Thank you so much for commenting, and I'm glad I could give you a few ideas.

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  2. Great promotional ideas, Marja. I have some business cards that "thank yous" can be added to. I also like the pen idea. Which company do you buy them from?

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    1. Thank you, Jean. I use National Pen and so far they've done right by me. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  3. Thanks for the great merchandising ideas, Marja. I may just steal the "thank you card" from you.

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    1. I think that's a great idea, Evelyn. People might forget it if we say Thank You, but if they receive the card, they'll remember you. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  4. Hi Marja,

    Great ideas! I may steal the pen idea. I've got bookmarks and postcards and I try to remember to insert them when someone buys a book, but I'm just as likely to forget as I am to remember. I guess my issue is getting in the habit of handing out the freebies. At book signings, candy works for me. People tend to feel a little weird about taking my candy if they don't at least stop to find out a little about my books. :)

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    1. Amy, I remember a conference I attended where someone had chocolate made into guns, knives and all kinds of mystery things. I looked into it and it was too expensive. Hmm. Maybe I can find some molds (tiny) and do my own. LOL Probably not. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  5. I also like the 'thank you' card idea. Looks like you're facing a lot of thefts, Marja. Despite the heavy competition from others, I'm sure the cards are a good draw. Who doesn't like to be appreciated?

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    1. I'm chuckling, Jack. You can all steal the idea; after all, I did. And it works. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  6. All great ideas. Thank you, Marja. (I'm sorry I don't have a card to present.)

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    1. Saying thank you worked, Carol. : ) Thank you so much for commenting!

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    1. Of course, Ruby. The card isn't enough, as much as it shows appreciation. Thank you for commenting!

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  8. Thanks for the promotion tips, Marja. I, too, love the thank you card ideas and may borrow/steal that. It's great that this blog came to you at a time when "nothing came to mind." Such is one of the surprises and joys of the writing life.

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    1. You're right, Eileen. Inspiration comes to us when we least expect it. I hope the cards make a difference for you. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  9. I really like the thank you card idea. It's an easy thing to make with a computer. I might give it a go. Thanks for the idea.

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    1. You're welcome, Gloria. I hope it works for you, too, and I hope it makes a few friends along the way. Thank you so much for commenting!

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  10. Making a thank you card and a business card together is pure genius. Great idea!

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    1. Okay, Pat, here's another idea. I have a regular business card, but on the back I list my titles. Whatever works. : ) Thank you so much for commenting!

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  11. Wonderful advice, Marja. I sold real estate for a couple of years while I still taught. I figured all of my fellow teachers would be good clients. Then one day one of my closest co-workers told me he liked another Realtor better because she gave him a calendar every year. People remember gifts.

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    1. Well, Joyce, I have to admit that we look at calendars almost every day. It would keep someone in mind. You're right, like it or not, gifts make a difference. Thank you so much for commenting. By the way, I wouldn't base my like or dislike on a calendar.

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  12. I like to do edibles. I've done fortune cookies with my name and book info in the fortune, pill bottles with my book cover and ordering info as the prescription filled with candy hearts, Red Whips for my racy novel, and raisins. When I'm at a convention, I will sprinkle a few on the freebie table, then return to put a few more out. Word goes around and everyone wants to find the food.

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    1. Great ideas, Sunny! People love edible giveaways and it will certainly help them to remember your name and to check out your books. Thank you so much for commenting!

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