A Marketing Expert, Inc.: A Service Review for Bookpleasures.com

26 Apr 2010 3 Comments

by malsburymichelle in Uncategorized Tags: A Marketing Expert, All Things That Matter Press, book publicity, Bookpleasures, marketing experts, michelle malsbury, new authors services, Norm Goldman, Paula Krapf, Penny sansevieri, public relations, publicity, royalities

As many of my loyal followers know, I review books for Amazon.com and Bookpleasures.com. I love doing this as it exposes me to a variety of new and old authors that I may not have had opportunity to read otherwise. I learn about the various authors writing styles and how they move their plots forward and how they showcase characters. Through this reading and review process, as well as, connection through Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin I’ve also met many people who specialize in publicity for authors. One such organization is A Marketing Expert, Inc. headed up by Penny Sansevieri and Paula Krapf. Speaking from personal experience both ladies are first class and their services I would highly recommend to any new or emerging author.

I approached Paula via Twitter where we began a series of e-mail inquiries into their services. I engaged myself in two coaching sessions to help determine how best to move ahead with the marketing of my newest book, The Swindler, which has just become available from my publisher, All Things That Matter Press. This is my second novel and it is very important to me to be well sold and well received in the literary arena. I’ve been fortunate enough to realize that Penny Sansevieri and Paula Krapf are two key people that all new authors can benefit from conversing with. Let me describe some of the things they can do to help you market your book.

My first half hour coaching conversation with Penny hinged on my books synopsis and cover design, my web site design, who my target audience was, and compiling a pitch letter that would set the hook for future sales. This session ended up with me doing some homework regarding how my book was different from my closest competition and other things prior to session two which was scheduled for the following week. In the interim I sent Penny my synopsis and potential cover designs to see how, or if, they fit together, as well as, my URL for my personal web site at www.michellemalsbury.com, and began to compile a list of other books that would be considered competition for my book.  

From my session with A Marketing Expert, Inc., I believe that Penny Sansevieri spearheads the coaching end of this finely honed publicity team and that Paula Krapf handles more the actually publicity end of this process. [If this is incorrect gals please feel free to correct me.] I can say it was a pleasure to work with them.

In the second session Penny had had time to peruse my web site and provide me with insight in how to best change it up to highlight me as the author and my works secondarily. She had read the synopsis and looked over the possible cover designs that had been submitted to my publisher thus far. She offered some keen ideas and feedback there too. Together we discussed my target audience and how best to reach them. We spoke about how to generate a pitch letter and what ingredients should be included therein. We touched upon how my book differed from the others out in the marketplace and how best to capitalize on that with the right publicity.

For instance, my book is largely set in the state of Florida, which Penny said would be my target audience above the rest so it was important to place myself in public events that can draw readers to my book and to me as an author. Blogs, she said, are also a very viable component in generating interest and sales for authors. I blog regularly at www.en.wordpress.com/MichelleMalsbury. I also write articles of various genres for www.americanchronicle.com/MichelleMalsbury and have joined many trade organizations that I help can also move my writing into new circles that can in turn help generate sales and interest in my new book, The Swindler. Incidentally, there are numerous reviews up on American Chronicle regarding my book for those of you who have not yet purchased your copy. You can also log on to my publishers web site at www.allthingsthatmatterpress.com and click on the buy now, left had side of the page, where my book, The Swindler, should come up in first place. Thank you!

I was able to find out that A Marketing Expert, Inc. typically works with new or smaller press writers v. the major leagues because they like being able to help those authors get a leg up in the marketplace. This also happens to be the place where they can effectuate the greatest good in gross numbers v. working for a few stable authors. For more information into the various services these ladies provide please log on to their web site at www.amarketingexpert.com. You can pick from a variety of plans or have them tailor something just for you, either way it is an important component in helping new authors to learn the ropes in publicity. Having the right mix of press and publicity can lead to increased sales and royalties for the author and his/her publisher. Hey authors you can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter.