Pam Perry, Book Publicity Coach

DREAMING THE BIG DREAM

If you want to make the most of your writing career, being an active participant in your overall marketing strategy is important. Leaving it up to the publisher is fine if you’re a top tier author, but only a select few have that coveted spot. Getting out there on your own means writing one quality book after another and making sure the right people know about your masterpieces.

That’s where a savvy marketing plan comes in.

Having a smart marketing plan means identifying the key players (Hint: it’s not just readers), getting your work in front of them in a memorable way to encourage them to buy or promote your books, and measuring the effectiveness of your marketing efforts to make sure your money and time are well spent. A plan like that doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. You just need to know the steps to get you there.

Welcome to Ministry  Marketing Solutions:

The Ministry  Marketing course was specifically designed to help authors create effective marketing plans for their work and their careers. What if you’re not yet published? Never fear.

Having a well-designed marketing plan for your book is a huge asset when your book does sell.

No author wants to be scrambling to create a plan when he or she is facing copy edits, galleys, and working on a knock-their-socks-off option book. Why add stress to an already hectic situation? Get your plan in place now and you’ll be able to hit the ground running the minute you get your release date.

Having a marketing plan in place before you sell can also help you make an excellent first impression with your editor and publicist. You’ll be able to show them your plan to see where you can complement their work and show them that you’re in this as a business. You’re a takecharge kind of author who is willing to do your part to launch a successful career. I’ve never met an agent or editor yet who wasn’t impressed by authors who treat their writing as a business.

Some authors think of comprehensive marketing plans as big, over-the-top strategies designed to make a splash in the market. And that’s certainly true in some cases. But just as often, marketing plans are created to make sure an author’s limited budget and time commitment are spent wisely. That means spending time on things that give the author measurable results.

This is particularly true if you write for a publisher or line where the distribution is fairly standard, such as in category romance. Can you still make a marketing splash if you write category? Sure.

But there may be a high-end cap of how much you can reasonably expect your marketing to accomplish with the short shelf life and consistent distribution strategy for your line. More importantly, your Ministry  Marketing Plan will help you set a comfortable, realistic budget and ensure every penny (and every minute of your valuable time!) gives you maximum results.

Over the next nine lessons, I’ll be walking you through the step-by-step process of how to rethink your whole approach to marketing starting from the ground up. Your work will include:

· Identifying your marketing goals – What are you specifically trying to accomplish at this point in your career? You’ll articulate your specific goals in a variety of areas

critical to marketing success.

· Recognizing your constraints – What limitations do you have on your ability to market due to personal, family, health, or “real job” responsibilities? You’ll lay out your constraints in advance to make sure your marketing plan is realistic from the word Go.

· Embracing your uniqueness – What are your strengths and weaknesses when it comes to your writing business? How can you design your marketing plans around your personality? You’ll answer both questions and use those responses as a basis for your planning work ahead.

· Rethinking your audience – Who are all the key players you need to reach? How can they help you achieve your marketing goals, and what do you have to offer them? You’ll learn about the seven primary audiences and evaluate ways to target them for maximum positive impact.

· Designing a savvy marketing plan – What is your overall marketing strategy? You’ll learn how to create what’s known as an Executive Summary that will keep you on track with your overall objectives and branding.

· Brainstorming your options – What are the things (big and little) that you can do to promote your books and yourself? You’ll get to brainstorm exciting new ways to meet your goals instead of being forced to rely on the same-old-same-old strategies.

· Considering the pros and cons – All marketing ideas are not created equal. What do you value more – time or money? High tech or low tech? You’ll learn a system for evaluating marketing ideas so you’re focused on the right ideas for YOU.

· Creating the perfect custom marketing plan – What’s your ultimate plan of attack? You’ll make decisions about the marketing activities you’ll do and put them together to create a marketing strategy that’s perfectly tailored to your strengths.

· Getting the most bang for your buck with ROI – With your ideas ready to go, how do you know if they’ll help you achieve your goals? You’ll learn about the power of ROI (Return on Investment) and discover a variety of ways to build in automatic measurements to see exactly how effective each marketing effort truly is.

"I have known Pam Perry for several years and watched her grow. She has found a particular niche

in our industry and has taken it to new heights. I respect her work and her commitment to excellence."

— Randye Bullock, Owner, Bull's-Eye Consulting, LLC,

"Pam is an innovative, visionary PR and marketing expert who has the insight and drive to successfully increase her clients' sales, distribution and marketing efforts. She understands the needs of her clients and works with integrity, creativity and passion. Pam has the know-how to elevate authors from "book sellers" to best-sellers."

— Nicolla Ross, Owner, Inspired Living Publications

"Pam is dedicated to promoting the written and publishing efforts of Christian African American writers in a marketplace where she makes a difference."

— Sally Stewart, Owner, Christian Writers' Marketplace

"I simply adore Pam! She is absolutely THE BEST at getting quality publicity for you and your Christian book or novel. How she does it with only 24 hours in each day is still a mystery to me! She is in-the-know, talented, well-connected, creative, and relentless about helping you to promote your work. She's a fierce marketer, but Pam is such a sweetie at heart! She is an extremely loving and generous person. Pam pours out her heart and soul into every project she works on and every person she works with. You cannot go wrong having her working for you."

— Genikwa Williams, President & Founder, Jordan Media Group

"Pam provides a broad base of PR services to her clients. She is especially skilled in the African-American marketplace. Pam is delightful to work with and quite adept at her profession."

— Mark Dreistadt, Owner, Infinity Concepts

"Pam is my publicist and coach. She has major networking skills. Pam introduced me toprofessionals across the states that I was able to partner with on a few projects. She has given me suggestions on book cover design and post cards for my professional image in the media. I am still working on the leads she provided last year. If you are looking for ROI, Pam is the person."

— Brenda Jenkins, author

"Pam does the best PR working that I have seen in a long while. She is very professional and operates in extreme integrity. I respect and enjoy her work ethic so much that I recommend her services monthly at my business seminars has. I will retain her services for my 2008 & beyond book & magazine projects and you should also. If you are serious about promoting & marketing your Book, Product or Event, Pam Perry and Ministry Marketing Solutions should be #1 on your agenda!"

— Reginald Dockery

"Pam Perry has been a God-send from day one. When I first met Pam over the phone she was working for my then-agent, Denise Stinson. While she had been in PR with Fortune 500 companies, she was in-between the dream and reality of owning her own PR & Marketing firm. I believe she was soaking up knowledge even then of the inner workings of the book publishing world. Which, I might add has proven to have gone into the mix to make her the mega book publicist that she is. Pam Perry took me on pro-bono. She voluntarily blessed me and my newly launched book, I Say A Prayer For Me: One Woman's Life of Faith and Triumph published by Walk Worthy Press/Warner Books. Pam wrote an article that appeared in the Michigan Front Page ( go to www.stanice.com/articles.html ). There have also been many national radio and online interviews she's arranged for me. She believes in what I do enough to refer several potential clients to me for ghostwriting projects, writer coaching, and speaking engagements. I pray that God continues to bless this sincere, genuine, on-fire-for-Jesus, talented, anointed, and gracious woman like only He can. I appreciate the opportunity to say a word or three on Ms. Pam Perry's behalf. Without hesitation and with utmost delight, I highly recommend her company."

— Stanice Anderson,  author

"Pam Perry has deep knowledge in marketing to the Christian community. Her contacts, energy and commitment make her an important expert in her field."

— Troy Johnson, Founder, President, AALBC.com, LLC

"Pam Perry is a consummate professional who not only provides a much needed service, she is a trailblazer. Pam has taken her marketing expertise and her love of ministry and combined the two to

create a marketing powerhouse. She provides excellence in service, no matter who you are.

Established authors as well as up and coming authors will always receive the individual attention that they deserve. I highly recommend Ms. Perry for all of your marketing needs."

— Jackie Moore, Life & Health Producer/Executive Assistant, Colonial Life

"Pam Perry is the consummate networker. We worked on several projects together for National Association of Black Journalists. She understands the power of networking to make things happen. If I need to connect with someone, I'm pretty sure that Pam can help. You've heard of six degrees of separation? Pam is at about a .5 degree of separation from most folks. A great trait for a marketer to possess!"

— Rhonda Welsh, Community Relations/Public Relations, St. John Health

"Pam Perry is the consummate PR professional. She has extensive public relations experience and has carved out a niche for herself with Ministry Marketing Solutions and puts a stamp on everything she does with class and grace. I first met Pam Perry years ago as an intern and was delighted to learn from an expert. She is at the top of her game with the level of results that she delivers to legions of clients all across the US. Mrs. Perry not only delivers results, she exceeds expectations and is capable of handling tasks in any industry with ease. She comes highly recommended and is one of the outstanding Publicists not only in metro Detroit but beyond."

— Lisa .Wilmore, President, Publicist, The Wilmore Agency

"Pam really is a master connector. Within 5 seconds of listening to someone speak on what they

are passionate about, she can get them connected with at least 5 other people that can assist them

in marketing and attaining their dreams."

— Leah Hubbard, Owner, Wise Administrative Associates

"Pam is my mentor, and has been a great friend and colleague. I would recommend her superior work and integrity to any individual, company or organization."

— Candace D. Reese, CEO & Global PR Strategist, Envision Global Corporation

"Ministry Marketing Solutions has been an undeniable asset in the promotion of my Christian fiction novels. Pam Perry, the company's owner, has garnered me great exposure, helped me create solid marketing strategies and kept me before readers and the media in my target audience. Pam embraces clients with her heart and infuses passion and excellence in her efforts to promote their projects."

— Stacy Hawkins Adams, author

"Pam is an excellent publicist!"

— Robin Ware

"I recommended Pam to one of my top clients and she has provided excellent service and counsel."

— Hajj E. Flemings

"Pam is very knowledgeable in her field of public relations. She has an almost magical grasp of the trade. Her standards are outstanding."

— Bob Ivory, Owner, IvoryCoast Communications,