Joining a Mastermind group with other authors has been a dream of mine, and now, every two weeks, I have the privilege of spending an hour with the CEO of Morgan James Publishing in his Mastermind group for authors.

Morgan James Publishing was founded by CEO, David Hancock, and while the journey is a long one, the story of its inception is inspiring. After facing some unpleasant experiences with traditional publishers for his own books, David was challenged by his mentor, Jay Conrad Levinson, to establish his own publishing company. Over two decades later, I find myself among the many authors benefiting from David’s willingness to embrace his mentor’s challenge.

David and his wife had a simple yet profound vision: to create a publishing company where they would feel comfortable reading the books to their children, Morgan and James.

In a recent Mastermind meeting, David shared insights into the top four streams that drive book sales (although he emphasized that there are numerous other avenues as well). David and his wife’s vision of creating a publishing company where they would feel comfortable reading books to their children reflects the importance of cultivating reader relationships, which David emphasized during the meeting.

Here are the top four streams I jotted down in my notes, based on David’s extensive experience in the publishing world:

1. Word of Mouth: Yep – it’s still number one! “Readers beget readers”, says David. So readers, our recommendations, online reviews and request for a book at our local bookstore is invaluable to the success of a book.
2. Email: Cultivating relationships with readers through a growing email list is paramount. Consistently staying in contact with those who sign up can foster a loyal readership. While I’ve admittedly felt shy about asking people to subscribe, I’ve found email to be the most effective way to stay connected with fans. So, I was encouraged to hear this is still considered to be a very effective way to connect with people. In a landscape where social media algorithms are constantly changing, email remains a reliable and productive channel for engagement.
3. PodMatch: This service efficiently matches authors with podcast interviewers, providing an excellent platform for authors to share their insights and stories. After connecting with the company’s president, I’m excited to try out this service starting in May. With the upcoming book launch set for October 29, 2024, I’ve been advised to begin scheduling interviews promptly to ensure ample time for guest bookings. The idea of receiving assistance in finding the perfect match for both audience and content deeply resonates with me. There is a monthly fee for this service, but given David’s listing this as number three on the list, I decided it’s an investment I should make.
4. Social Media: Engaging with your audience on social media platforms is vital. Regular posting and interaction can help boost visibility and engagement with potential readers. Ah yes . . . I get it. I know it. I just struggle to pull myself away from everything else I’m doing and engage – but okay – I hear you David!

These insights from David have provided me with a roadmap for navigating the ever-evolving landscape of book marketing. As I continue to learn and grow in this journey, I’m grateful for the opportunity to glean wisdom from such esteemed mentors.

As I try to juggle all that needs to be done, his words help me to stay focused on the big picture.

In the past few days I have . . .

• Sent out twelve copies of my ‘Portraits of White’ books to BookThinkers.com for their unboxing events on Instagram.
• Secured a media appearance on December 3, 2024, with our local TV station, ABC27’s Good Day PA. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in my endeavors, particularly with my ‘Portraits of White’ concerts, making this author spotlight feature all the more exciting.
• Updated my website store (and website), preparing for ramping up toward the book launch as more people start visiting my website.
• Completed round two of sending out hundreds of emails to potential corporate sponsors for our Double Keyed LSO project – whew! Round three is up next and THEN…we start picking up the phone to follow up.

With each burst of effort, I’m reminded of the power of persistence and dedication. Inch by inch, progress is made.

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Thanks for reading!