Self-Published Authors Grab Marketing Attention With An 'Elevator Pitch'

Tips to hone your 'elevator pitch'; having your pitch ready at a moments notice could mean the difference between selling your book idea or not.
By: Lynnette Phillips
 
July 29, 2011 - PRLog -- Why use an ‘Elevator Pitch’? Networking, of course. Having your pitch ready at a moment’s notice for book editors, book signings, dozens of marketing situations or catching up a long-lost friend might be just a few examples of when you’ll want an ‘elevator pitch’.

Thrillerfest, the convention for the International Thriller Writers, was held in New York City this month. One of the events involved was called ‘AgentFest’. It was advised that authors hone their pitches since they would have only 3 minutes to snag the attention of an agent. Think, what has to happen in those 3 minutes!

Kimberley Howe, AgentFest Director, shared some thoughts in a blog post she wrote for Thrillerfest.

· Sum up your major plot line in 25 words or less

· Reveal the protagonist

· It helps to use the words “What if…So what?” (In other words why should we care?)

· You want to capture and keep the agent’s attention

Let’s try it out on a recent favorite book of mine, ‘The Devil’s Paintbox’ by Victoria McKernan:

Two orphans escape starvation and dream of a second chance when they join a wagon train on a perilous cross country journey.

Again let’s use another one of my recent favorites, ‘Sky of Red Poppies’ by Zohreh Ghahremani:

Two young innocent schoolgirls learn about the bittersweet rewards of friendship  amid the changes of a strict society and the challenges of shifting politics.

Bestselling author, Jon Land, offers this tip, “…make your pitch character driven in the same way your book will be”.

This is one A.G. Kent might have used for ‘I Was A Seventh Grade Monster Hunter’:

Previously unknown gifts aid 12-year-old Hannah and the Creature Crew in the terrifying and hazardous search for her eccentric grandfather.

Refining the synopsis of your book to a handful of words is a definite challenge but not impossible. Keep in mind the expert’s advice and follow these simple suggestions:

· Follow the KISS rule – Keep It Simple Sweetie,

· Focus on your hero/heroine and their quest,

· Try asking “What if…So what?” and

· Remember,  “Stuff happens to people you care about.”

Use your ‘elevator pitch’ as a core marketing tool any time you need to grab someone's attention quickly. Slip it into emails, when contacting a book blogger for a review, on a business card or as your tag line for your website.

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Lynnette Phillips has written reviews for numerous novels and short stories and has established relationships with many authors and publishers. She is also author of a series of book marketing and self-publishing guides, a book marketing coach/consultant, an editing professional and radio host. She also writes two blogs lynnettesbookworld.blogspot.com and lynnettesbookmarketing.blogspot.com
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Source:Lynnette Phillips
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Tags:Elevator Pitch, Book Marketing, Self-publish, Core Marketing Tool, Agent, Book Editor, Book Signing, Website, Tag Line
Industry:Books, Marketing, Publishing
Location:Yucaipa - California - United States
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Page Updated Last on: Jul 30, 2011
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