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TIP TUESDAY #173 MARIA DISMONDY ON GIVING BACK TO YOUR FANS



Tip Tuesday features writers' tips on craft, research, querying, blogging, marketing, inspiration, and more. If you'd like to send in a tip, please e-mail me at agentspotlight(at)gmail(dot)com.

Natalie here. Today I’ve got a great tip on giving back to your fans by Maria Dismondy, who has shared several other great tips with us. Maria is the author of THE POTATO CHIP CHAMP: DISCOVERING WHY KINDESS COUNTS

So here’s Maria.

Giving Back to Your Fans

As authors, we write books to share a story with our audience. Our fans purchase our books, which makes it possible for us to keep writing. It’s a wonderful cycle of doing what we love, and being rewarded in return. But have you ever stopped to give back to your fans? Here are some simple ways I like to show readers my appreciation. 

Prizes Galore

Everyone loves a prize! So I like to give away trinkets at my book signing events. The Oriental Trading website is my go-to for inexpensive items that I can buy in bulk. To pick the item, I find an object that relates to my book’s theme. Things like baseballs, stars, cookies, etc. work great. Bookmarks are always nice, too. And even though candy is easy (and delicious!), I like to stick to ‘things’ vs. anything edible. Whatever you choose, include purchasing information and book images for an added special touch.  

“Can I Have Your Autograph?”

Readers love having a book signed by the author. Even I have waited in long lines just to christen my book with my favorite authors’ John Hancock! Giving fans a chance to meet you in person is an exciting opportunity. Bookplates are also a nice option – simply sign and mail to any fans that request an autograph but can’t make it to your event. To set up a book signing and let the fun begin, simply contact your local bookstores – they’ll know the drill!

Sign, Sealed, Delivered -- Fan Mail!

As a former teacher, we studied a different author each month. We spent time reading their books and learning about their writing styles. At the end of each study, we would write a letter to the author. It was always a treat to receive something back in the mail. We didn’t always get a hand written note, which is completely understandable, but the handwritten ones were treasures we held onto! Open the door to receiving fan mail by setting up a P.O. Box in your pen name. Then post the address on your website and watch the letters roll in!

Review Rewards

When a blogger reviews one of my books, I like to say, “thanks” by sending a free, signed book their way. Then they can give it away to their own fans and keep the circle of gratitude going! Coffee gift cards are another one of my go-to gifts. 

Free, Fun Downloads

With each book I write, I offer a free download on my website. For teachers/parents, this includes lesson plans and activities that correlate to my book. (I’ve written Reader’s Guides myself but, more recently, I’ve hired teachers to create the lessons.) For the kids, I offer coloring pages designed by the illustrators of my books. It’s added touches like these that go a long way in the eyes of your fans – young and old!
Maria Dismondy, mother of two (with one on the way), reading specialist, fitness instructor and bestselling children’s author living in Southeast Michigan. You can find Maria at:

Website

Here’s a blurb of THE POTATO CHIP CHAMP from Goodreads:

Champ and Walter Norbert Whipplemoore are about as different as two kids can bewell, except for their love of baseball and potato chips. Champ had everything, but always wanted more. Walter had very little, but was never seen without a smile on his face. In the end, it is Walter and some crunchy potato chips that teach Champ a lesson about character that can't be taught in school.

  
Hope to see you tomorrow when I have a guest post by debut author Kit Grindstaff and a giveaway of THE FLAME IN THE MIST, a MG creepy fantasy.

19 comments:

Stina said...

Awesome tips, Maria. Thanks!

Laura Pauling said...

Excellent tips! :)

Kessie said...

What sweet ideas! I love just getting to talk to an author and realizing they're a person, not a god. (Hard not to worship your favorite authors!)

Robyn Campbell said...

SCHWEET! I love these bodacious tips. I gotta have THE POTATO CHIP CHAMP. It sounds like my kind of book. :-)

Heather Villa said...

Hi Maria,
Your terrific advice is right in step with the kindness theme of your book.
Your book is terrific too! Congratulations.
Best,
Heather Villa

Rachna Chhabria said...

Great tips Maria. Its always nice to show some love to our readers. And I love the sound of your book. Its my kind of a book.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Some good tips. I wonder what I could offer as a free download?

Emily R. King said...

Love the free downloads idea. The coloring pages for kids must be a huge hit!

Brenda said...

Congratulations on your book, and wonderful suggestions.

mshatch said...

Those are some great tips! Thank you both :)

Angela said...

Thanks for the tips Maria. I love Oriental Trading for small trinkets.

Jocelyn Rish said...

These are all great ideas. I've been seriously thinking about writing something into my book that could be used as a giveaway/marketing item because there's nothing that I think would work right now.

S.P. Bowers said...

Great suggestions for giving back to the fans. I'll have to keep them in mind for when I get published.

Unknown said...

Those are wonderful ideas, and I know authors who've received a lot of good feedback from providing lesson plans and activity books. Wishing The Potato Chip Champ great success! (I'm hungry now. lol)

Rosi said...

Gosh, these are such great tips. I sure hope I get to use them one day!!! 8-)

Stephanie Garber said...

Great tips! I think giving back is so important. I can only think of one author I've ever written to. She wrote me back the sweetest email. I liked her books before, but now I'm a total fan for life! Thanks, Maria!

Belinda said...

Thanks for the great ideas and Good Luck on your book!

Anonymous said...

These are all fantastic.

I've heard of Oriental Trading. I'll look at the website.

Michael G-G said...

I love all these tips--and you bet I'll be using them when I eventually get published.