A Marketing Plan in Brief

Guest Blogger
Kim Chatel

Rainbow Sheep Marketing Plan

For those of you who have been following this blogfest from the beginning, you will have seen mention of my new picture book "Rainbow Sheep" being released by Guardian Angel Publishing in May. You can scroll down the posts to see my book cover and additional images. To the left is one of my felt illustrations. I plan to bring the originals with me to signings and school visits. I think kids will get a kick out of its fuzzy texture.

I illustrated this book with fiber art, or needle-felted images. The book includes instructions for two simple felting crafts--a needle-felted sheep and wet felted soap. The addition of this nonfiction appendix allows me to think out of the box for marketing. I believe that every picture book has some unique slant that can be exploited. Is your book about hamsters? Target pet stores. Does it have a spiritual message? Why not speak to a local pastor and have him mention it in his weekly sermon? In my case, I will be targeting fiber and craft stores. Along with traditional book signings, I have reserved space a local craft fairs and fiber festivals. So here is my marketing plan in brief. My real plan is much more fleshed out, with a timeline and addresses or links to the contacts. But since most of them are local, I didn't bother to include them here. If you would like more info about this marketing plan, feel free to leave a comment or email me at klchatel@verizon.net.

Press Materials:
Tip Sheet: Cues about what is interesting in this book.
Background articles (for blogs): Research history of felt. Find other simple felt ideas for kids
Press Release
Sales Handles: Includes, blurb, hook and bio
Pitch Letter: For demos/signings at stores

Signings and Appearances: Local bookstores, libraries, elementary schools, craft fairs, fiber festivals, spinning stores (teach felting), conventions

Internet Marketing:
Group blogs
Radio interviews
Book reviews
Author pages to update: Jacketflap, Shelfari, Author’s Den,
Book awards (New Covey Book Cover award, Moonbeam award)
Book trailer for YouTube and similar sites

Kim Chatel Website Update:
Optimize search engine submission
Contest: Free sheep music box drawing
Create page where children can send in pictures of their felt sheep.
Put up a “Contact Me” page for school/library readings.
Add article on felting,

Promo Materials
Large copy of book cover (mounted on foamcore)
“Signed by Author” stickers
Postcards (with ordering info and book formats)
List of felt suppliers
Freebies to give-away at signings: felt sheep (with adoption certificates) & soaps, felting kits, bookmarks
Framed original artwork.

Send Press Release to: Local media (newspaper, radio), craft stores, art schools, local parenting magazine, PA arts council, local pediatricians & dentists (offer free book for waiting rooms)

Miscellaneous:

Create an email database for mailings: Use addresses from raffle of felt sheep music box

How-to Video: Create a video about making a felt sheep. Have it burned to dvd and then make a YouTube video with music, book cover etc.

Groups to join:
Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group (for local contacts)
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
EPIC

Big Mouth List: celebrities who might be interested in the book

So where did I distill all this info from? A couple of books, some newsletters and much internet research. Here are some of my sources:

Books:
Jump Start Your Book Sales, by Marilyn & Tom Ross and
Publicize Your Book! By Jacqueline Deval.

Newsletters:
Working Writer's Coach
Author Marketing Expert

Read more about "Rainbow Sheep" at www.kimchatel.com