Article Review: "How to Break into the Gift Market" by Claire Bateman
The book I’m dissecting is Writer’s Digest Guide to Self-Publishing 2015 . Writer’s Digest aims its publications at the aspiring and the emerging writer. It produces how-to and guidance books as well as reference books—not to mention webinars for those newbie writers whose pockets ring with more change than peasants like myself. Many of its volumes are the effort of multiple authors writing different sections or are compendiums of many articles.
Writer’s Digest Guide to Self-Publishing 2015 is the latter. The articles are quite short. The book is edited by Robert Lee Brewer, who also contributed a few articles.
Writer’s Digest Guide to Self-Publishing 2015 is divided into three main subject areas: 1) Production 2) Management and 3) Promotion. Other sections include author interviews, listings of professional services to the self-publishing author, resources such as conferences and book fairs, and an index.
The present article, “How to Break into the Gift Market” is in the Promotions section.
“Know how to get your self-published book placed right next to the register?” asks author Claire Bateman. “The secret is simple; market your title as a gift and sell it to gift and specialty stores, hospital gift shops, stationers, or children’s boutiques across the country.” (p. 134)
It’s simple idea, but there’s a bit more in the execution, of course. Her advice centers on trade shows. She lists the four largest markets for these. She also notes pricing practices.
The rest of her article contains practical and common sense pointers such as not make your bulk order too large. Sell what think will move in gift shops. Be available to customers.
This is a specific article tailored to a specific market. It would work for those interested in promoting their work through these venues, but again, as with so many articles in this book, it is only a stepping stone. At same time, for someone just starting out, it could provide valuable direction.
According to the contributor’s notes, Bateman’s second title, This Little Light of Mine , won honorable mention in Writer’s Digest International Self-Published Book Contest. Her work has appeared in Country Roads Magazine, The Catholic Commentator, and Jubilee Magazine.
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Title: “How to Break in the Gift Market”
Author: Claire Bateman
Writer’s Digest Guide to Self-Publishing 2015
Section: Promotion
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Yesterday’s Review: “The Night Wire” by H. F. Arnold
Last self-publish review: “Speak More, Sell More” by Diana Graveman
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© 2015 Denise Longrie
Image Credit » https://pixabay.com/en/typewriter-retro-vintage-old-498204/ by Unsplash
Comments
CoralLevang wrote on August 2, 2015, 1:11 PM
This sounds like an interesting book. I've never considered doing anything like this, but it could be something to look into.
MegL wrote on August 2, 2015, 2:04 PM
Sounds like a good idea Great review, must look out for the latest version, it's always interesting reading.
AliCanary wrote on August 2, 2015, 4:10 PM
I'm not too much into the print version of self-publishing, as I know how it feels to have excess inventory, but I've been considering e-books. Does this cover those, as well?
msiduri wrote on August 2, 2015, 4:49 PM
Yes. The book itself is a paperback and focuses on hardcopies, but does dabble in that. Actually, and only partly because it's free, if you're considering self-publishing e-books, perhaps a good place to start would be smashwords formatting guide. It goes into painstaking detail about formatting. I can't recall the exact title, but it's something quite obvious, like smashwords ebooks guide or smashwords formatting guide. You should be able to download it off the smashwords site or from amazon. And—did I mention—it's free?
Happy hunting. If you have trouble finding it look me up on Facebook and I'll see if I can be any further assistance.
msiduri wrote on August 2, 2015, 4:50 PM
Thanks for you kind words. I hope you find it useful, or at least entertaining.
msiduri wrote on August 2, 2015, 4:53 PM
CoralLevang I've never considered this either. It seems geared toward the inspirational genre, though.
seren3 wrote on August 2, 2015, 6:11 PM
msiduri I appreciate this post. There is so much to learn about marketing one's writing. It's exhausting!
msiduri wrote on August 2, 2015, 7:46 PM
Thanks for you kind words. You're right—it's a job in and of itself.
DWDavisRSL wrote on August 2, 2015, 9:29 PM
I have read numerous articles similar to the ones included in this book and have put some into practice. There was lots of research before I self-published my first book and I continue to learn, and hopefully improve with each successive novel. I have just published my 5th eBook and will soon have my fourth book available in paperback.
msiduri wrote on August 2, 2015, 9:41 PM
Congrats! And my best for continued success. I have two books, both in print and ebooks. I'm working on a third and have two short stories I'm shopping around traditionally.