Marketing Offline

Much is said these days about marketing online: It's almost as if we've forgotten about the past or feel as if online marketing is the new answer to getting the word out about our book.

The truth?

Marketing online can help us connect faster than any other way. It can help us sell books; it can even help us advertise for free. What it really has a hard time doing is truly connecting with another human being.

Sure, you may have 2,000+ followers on Facebook, feel as if your profile page on LinkedIn is the cat's meow; you've filled out everything that LinkedIn has requested for the perfect page. You may even have a website with a blog in which you update almost daily. And your readership has tripled in the last three years.

 

But have you made any real friends?

In other words, have you made any real connections?

Well, yes and no.

I like to think of marketing offline as kind of like going to a dinner party where you shake hands, talk about what you do for a living, and allow the other person to do the same. Marketing offline is making a real connection with a reader who has been reading your blog for over a year and has finally had the courage to meet you in person.

Marketing offline is doing those book signings that make a difference; i.e., no sitting behind the table looking bored sort of stuff. It's taking those postcards with your book cover on one side and your contact information on the other with you, and handing them out when the occasion presents itself, i.e., the bank, the post office, the line at the grocery store. Marketing offline is offering your free speaking services to a writer's group or conference, and then being available afterwards to answer questions. It's teaching a free class, it's offering your services at a school.

Marketing offline shouldn't be overlooked, even in this era of laptops, iPods and touch screens. It shouldn't be overlooked or taken for granted.

Why?

Because, if you're like me, you want to connect with readers whenever you can.
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Kathryn Elizabeth Jones is the owner and editor-in-chief of Idea Creations Press, a publishing services company offering writing, publishing and marketing services to writers and non-writers alike. She is also the author of five books, including Marketing Your Book on a Budget, a short, insightful read focusing on getting the word out. Learn more at http://www.ariverofstones.com.

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