Published & Black Podcast
Welcome to the Published + Black Podcast, where the worlds of self-publishing, business, and life converge. I'm Tiffany A Green-Hood, your host, Publisher, Author, Coach, and Design Strategist. Join me each week as we delve into the hidden stories behind self-publishing triumphs and the intricate world of publishing.
Together, we'll illuminate the brilliance of black authors, exploring their captivating narratives and honoring their achievements. Our journey doesn't stop there – we'll delve into the art of crafting impactful author brands that extend beyond books and messages.
Prepare to dive into profound discussions, gain invaluable insights, and unlock the secrets of navigating the ever-evolving landscape of self-publishing, while touching on crucial aspects of both business and life. Whether you're a wordsmith, an entrepreneur, or simply in pursuit of inspiration, the Published + Black Podcast is your empowerment destination. Tune in, learn, and embrace the journey with me, your host, Tiffany. 🎧📚
Published & Black Podcast
Creative Marketing for Authors; The Money is in your Message (Rejoice 102.3)
For Published in Black the go-to radio show for black authors, creatives and entrepreneurs ready to turn their stories into success. Hosted by publishing expert and brand strategist, tiffany A Greenhood, each show will deliver real talk, powerful strategies and insider knowledge on self-publishing, brand building, wealth creation and making an impact with your voice. Whether you're writing your first book, growing your business or scaling your influence, published in Black will equip you with the tools, inspiration and unapologetic confidence to thrive. Listen now and be informed.
Speaker 2:Hello and thank you for once again tuning in to Published in Black Radio. I am your host, tiffany A Greenhood. It is good to be back. It's good to be back. I have a lot to cover. Today we are going to be talking about marketing Marketing, the number one issue that most authors run into. But first I want to talk about a couple of things. I want to welcome you to my show. If this is your first time listening, who am I? I am Tiffany A Greenhood. Publisher, coach, brand strategist, author, guru, publishing, self-publishing that is, self-publishing guru, and so this is your go-to show. I am on every Tuesday at 12 noon to 1230.
Speaker 2:Okay, that's CS time for those of you who may be listening online or through the website. Um, we reached the Chicago area and Northwest Indiana, so, yes, so definitely put us on your list to you know if you are looking to tap into your book, your story book project, finish it. You know something that's been sitting for 10 years. You want to reignite it. All that good stuff. Ok, also, I want to talk about guess what this month is. This month is my birthday month. I am so excited about that. So I'll be turning 50, june 14. So, hey, hey, shout out to me. So, june, we got some really, really good stuff coming up in June. We have a lot to cover. A lot will be uncovered in June. We're gonna have a lot to cover. A lot will be, um, uncovered in June. We're going to have a lot of content that will definitely help you get to the dollar. You know that's always my goal. Um, so happy June birthday month to me Also. Um, we're going to be focusing today on creative marketing and promo for authors.
Speaker 2:Okay, and just to remind you, if you are looking to, if you've been listening, whether it's your first time or you've been listening to a couple of episodes already. I think I've been on for about 30 days now. Um, you can go to publish with tiffanycom If you would like to work with me. If you think you just need a little help, if you're looking to book a coaching session or you need full blown production for your book, ok, so you can feel free to go to publish with Tiffany dot com. Everything about me is at that link. So also, you can go directly to book with Tiffany nowcom if you want to book a session. And then we also have our magazine. So if you're looking to be featured on the cover. The website for that is publishandblackmagazinecom.
Speaker 2:Okay, so just wanted to give those little notes before we get started, because y'all know, once I get started with my content, it's like we'll forget. I forget to promote and all that, so let me just hop right in. Okay, so we're talking about creative marketing for authors, okay. So the first thing I want to touch on is social media. Let's talk about it. Social media is what it is. Okay, it has definitely excelled and leveled up over the years.
Speaker 2:But one thing I'm going to say is everybody is there. Everybody is there. Most of everyone that you know has. They have a phone, and what are they doing on their phone? They have internet on their phone. They have a phone, and what are they doing on their phone? They have internet on their phone.
Speaker 2:So you need to make sure that you are posting your book, your business, your brand, whatever it is. This is the show for authors. But if you don't have a book yet, not yet. But you want to know how to promote your business or whatever this is for you as well, okay, so let's talk about social media. Promote your business or whatever this is for you as well, okay. So let's talk about social media, so you want to definitely make sure that your presence is being, um, I would say, being seen in a great way on social media. So what am I talking about? Listen, do not be, on social media, focused on the garbage, okay. You want to be focused on promoting who you are and what you do. That's what you want to be focused on. That is the goal. Why you say that, tiffany? Because what are we doing all this for? We want people to buy books, although I teach you not to focus on just a book sale, okay, and we talked about that a little bit when we had the show for um, about the anthology and stuff. So here's the deal we are not just focused on somebody buying books, but you want to be able to present yourself not just as an author, but you want to present yourself as a speaker. You want to present yourself as a leader. You want to present yourself as a publisher. If that's something that you're offering, most people who have published a book or two of their own, then go forward to offer publishing services, right. So? But here's the deal.
Speaker 2:If you are not posting this, let's say I'll use Facebook as an example. That's the longest living social media platform. That's been around, right? I think that was the first one, okay. So if you have a profile on social media, whether it's your personal or business, okay, it should work together.
Speaker 2:But you should have professional headshots. You should have content that speaks to who you speak into, okay. So that's another key you need to know who you are speaking to. Who are you speaking to when you're posted on social media. You shouldn't be reposting other people's videos and all that good stuff. And I mean, listen, how do I know this? Because when clients come to me and want social media, social media marketing, or they want me to, they want me to schedule their social media posts for them. I have to inspect their profiles and it don't always look good. So I'm telling you this is how you can show up and be informed. I mean, you know, make sure that you're informing your audience.
Speaker 2:So you want to definitely have your headshots. You want to have professional images? Okay, we all have cell phones and, yes, I'm team iPhone over here and you know the iPhones take the best photos Okay, but even if you don't have an iPhone, some of the Androids take great pictures. That's cool to post here and there. But you want to take the time to invest in a professional photo shoot? Okay, professional, so your images should pop. You should make sure that you have a media kit. What's a media kit? A media kit is kind of like your business resume.
Speaker 2:Okay so I know you all probably thought all of this stuff you don't really have to worry about until you make it. As people you know, that's kind of the language they use no, no, I want you to do that right now, cause you're preparing to get to wherever it is that you want to be. So if you want to be, you know, the heavy hitter, the household name and all that, then you need to have all this stuff in place now. Okay so, and social media is the best place to do it. How do I know? That's where I started and that's what helped me. And I started at the bottom, not to say that I'm all the way at the top now, but listen, I done came up a whole lot of levels Just using free social media media. We have to keep in mind that social media is a free platform. They don't charge us to create an account, and so you just have to know how to use it strategically. To you know.
Speaker 2:Grow your business to promote the book and not just promoting the book, because I think a lot of authors let's just stay on the author tip real, because I think a lot of authors let's just stay on the author tip real quick. I think a lot of authors get used to just promoting the book. No, stop doing that. Promote your message. Remember I said the first. I think that was the first episode. I said the money is in the message, the money is in the message, the money is in the. I'm going to say it again the money is in the message, your money is in the message, the money is in the message, the money is in them. I'm gonna say it again the money is in the message, your money is in your message. So it's not your book you want to so much focus on. I believe that's when. I solely believe that's where authors get stuck at is focusing on the book.
Speaker 2:If they don't have no book sales, then they think life is over. Oh man, I don't got no book sales. Ain't nobody buying no books. I have heard that for years. That is so not true. You are not presenting what you're selling right, and so that means your message, your face. That's where the professional photos come in. That's where your social media graphics need to look amazing and vibrant and clear and crisp. Right so? And you don't have to be a graphic designer, hire someone to do that for you. Okay, I'm a graphic designer. If you need graphics for your social media platform, your Facebook cover, your videos, I offer that service. If not, go to this website called fiverrcom. Thank me later and we're gonna take called Fiverrcom. Thank me later and we're going to take a break real quick. Enjoy, enjoy.
Speaker 3:Life was bitter to the core. There was nothing to live for Until love came. And even second times around, happiness could not be found. Until love came, I was left all alone. My heart was breaking. Thought was my own, soul was aching. Tears covered me. We've been through the whole night and I need some relief. Joy comes in the morning.
Speaker 3:Been searching for Many years now Keys to life's door. Needs to know how. Brought to my knees, savior, can you help me? And was led to believe. I'll tell you I was to believe. His love showed me. Love said not so, even with the odds against me. Love showed me. Love sent, not sold, without a reason for cause. Peace and joy placed on pause Until love came, having no hope at all and not a lover, one, a cold, dear. Love came. I was left all alone. My heart is breaking. All that was mine so amazing. Tears covered me. I've been through the whole night and I need some relief.
Speaker 3:Joy comes in the morning. I've been searching for many years now the keys to the light store. Brought to my knees, it was led to me. I tell you I was too weak. Love showed me. Love said not so, even with the odds against me. Love showed me Love, said not so Keep on holding on. Love showed me. Love, said no. Love told me don't let go. Love showed me love, said not so Ah, love's a mess. Oh God, I don't need no love. That's what he told me. He told me not to Awesome.
Speaker 2:We are back. So I want to hop right back into what I was telling you guys about promoting yourself across social media. As an author, as an entrepreneur, as a brand creator, whatever it is that you have book, brand or business you should be promoting yourself on social media. Yes, they are. There are other marketing avenues, but today we're talking about social media because that's kind of like the biggest platform that is popular now and it works. Ask me how I know, okay, so I'm going to hop back in and talk a little bit about that. So here's the deal. What I'm trying to get to is and why I'm connecting your book to all these different ways to market yourself is because it starts with your book. It starts with your message. The money is in your message. Without your message, you wouldn't have a book, right? So no matter what your book is about whether you have a self-help, a memoir, a life story or now Now here's the deal.
Speaker 2:I'm not necessarily talking about fiction authors, okay, we're talking about nonfiction. So that's the memoir, that's the life story, that's the um. You know seven steps to X, y, z. Or you're showing someone how to do something. You're teaching someone how to get from one point to another, even if you're a coach and you teach transformation, if you are a confidence coach or transformational coach, all that good stuff. So, and just FYI, all of y'all should have books, ok, just in case you didn't know. So why, tiffany? Why should I have a book? Because your book equals social media exposure. It equals magazine features, podcast interviews, pitch letters, speaking opportunities.
Speaker 2:What Y'all thought it was just about book sales? Absolutely not. It is not just about book sales. It's about getting your voice out here in front. Wait, listen to this, this in front of the people who don't know you. Okay, because soon as we start a business, let's just be real in our community. Soon as we start a business and we selling something, who do we go to? We go to the people we know.
Speaker 2:Now, that's cool, but, to be honest with you, I started making my big money with strangers, people who had no idea who I was, and came across my Instagram live on my Periscope live. I started on Periscope for those familiar with, periscope was the first live streaming platform and I started on there, afraid, scared and all of that, but I kept going for some reason. I knew it was power in consistency. Okay, so I went live. I was in Atlanta, broke, you know, didn't know where I was going to go from there, but I still had my love for black authors and self-publishing. So I started going live, talking about what I knew about self-publishing. I didn't have no professional headshots, none of that. I didn't have no, nothing, just my voice and this free platform. And I started there and from there I started my publishing company and everything else I have going on right now.
Speaker 2:So you have to start somewhere. So, but I need for you to know and really hone in on it starts with a book. Now, if you already are established with your business or your brand, then you can actually still implement a book. Okay, so don't never think that it's too late to implement a book. I feel like every business, every brand, every leader needs a book anyway.
Speaker 2:I mean, what are we doing when you go and you speak in front of a large audience? They need you to take home with them. That's good. They need some of you to take home with them. So, once you get through speaking and you've captured and you've gotten your message out and all of that, right, what are they going to take home with them?
Speaker 2:Usually, you'll have a table when you get to doing paid speaking engagements, because that's where I'm pushing you to, it's not just about the book. Once you start doing paid speaking engagements, then when they come out to the lobby, you're going to have a book, you're going to have a table with your books that they can purchase and guess what? They get to take you home with them. So all the strategies and examples you gave and the coaching that you gave in that 30 minutes or 45 minutes that you spoke, they get to then take with them. Okay, so that's something that is very powerful.
Speaker 2:I know that y'all kind of thought that people make six figures or millions just with the book itself. Now, I'm not knocking somebody who has done that, but a lot of times it's all these other things that are in that same circle of selling copies of your book. You also implement these things, and so speaking engagements is a huge one. Okay, I do have an episode on my podcast specifically about how to get paid to speak, how our authors get paid to speak. Okay, so you can check that out at publishedinblackpodcastcom and we're going to take a break like a castaway search for strength inside.
Speaker 4:Was it all in vain? Because the deeper you dig, you find more and more pain. Don't let your tomorrow be like yesterday, because I spoke to god, I called out your name and, on your behalf, I just asked if he would be there for you. I want you to be blessed. Don't live life in distress.
Speaker 3:Just let go, let God, he'll work it out for you, it out for you. I pray that your soul will be blessed forever in His revenue in.
Speaker 4:His testament. Enter a place when you never have to cry, never have to live a lie, never have to wonder why, never want for nothing. You're always satisfied In the peace that his arms will provide. He will erase any guilt or shame, any bad habit you've got. You won't want to do them again. He will erase any guilt or shame, any bad habits you got you won't want to do them again.
Speaker 2:Okay, we are back. I love that song, be Blessed. And that's what I need for y'all to do With all this content and tips and tricks and strategies I'm giving about the publishing game. I need for you to be writing this stuff down, taking notes book marketing in your brain, because it makes real money. It really does, and it's nothing better than being able to get paid from all the foolishness and mess and bad and good that you have been through and made it through. Okay, so I want to hop back in. Okay, so I want to give you guys one major tip that I discovered myself and started using. I started buying the domain to my book titles.
Speaker 2:I know that you didn't know that, but when you title your book, first of all, when you title your book, make sure that it's a unique title, okay, so make sure you're Googling it, you know. Put it in Google. See, if somebody created a song 20 years ago and it's, it might be it's copy written or something. You don't want to use those titles. Stop using titles that everybody else already has. Okay, create a unique, strong title and make sure it's brandable. So don't make it 12 words. You know your book can be one word, you know and so but what I want to tell you is if your book is called I don't even want to use that example, I was going to say how I made it through, but it's too common but whatever your book title is, I want to encourage you to purchase the domain. What is the domain? The dot com? Now you go to a website, www dot. Yes, buy the domain to your book title. Why do I want you to do that? Because that is a way to not only market your book a lot easier, but it helps people find your website a lot easier as well, and that's that's one of the little tips that I um found to be very, very um beneficial in this field. Okay, so buy the domain to the title of your book.
Speaker 2:Another one I want to give you is get you a professional email. Get a professional email. I know we all got Gmail, yahoo and all that, and that's what we came up on, but when you tap into having a real business because books and publishing, it's a real business Okay, it's a real business. I'm here to tell you get you a professional email. That means your email should be hello or info at xyzcom. Whatever your website is, you should have a professional email to match that. Okay, it looks better. Why am I making that a big deal? It looks better when you start sending out pitch letters for speaking engagements and magazine features and all these different things that you're going to do because you are promoting you. Okay, the money is in the message, but you need to have these things in place.
Speaker 2:So that's why I'm kind of giving some of these little tips and strategies, because a lot of the people that are already there at the level you want to be at, they already know about this. So I'm telling you to prepare where you want to go. If you want to be a New York Times bestseller I hear that a lot Amazon bestseller, whatever, prepare for it, okay, before you get there. So I wanted to leave you guys with that. Get you a professional email and you can even create an email for your imaginary publicist. Yeah, you can do that. Yes, create an imaginary email for your imaginary publicist that you make up. Give her a name and when you send out your pitch letters for speaking engagements, send it from her email so that looks like you have an assistant. You have someone else speaking on your behalf.
Speaker 2:I'm giving y'all some heavy game today. I hope you're writing this down, or jotting it down or recording it or something, because these are the things that people don't tell you, the publishers do not tell you. So I really want you guys to hone into this, because this is how you prepare to get to where you're going. So when you get there, you already got everything in place. You got your media kit, your what we talked about. We talked about the media kit, your professional images. That's extremely important.
Speaker 2:Too many times I have authors inquire about wanting to be featured in publishing black magazine my magazine and I have to turn them away because they don't have the right photos. You would be surprised the photos they send and I'm like is this how you have? Like, no, that's not cool. So we need to start being prepared. Work on being prepared and being ready. Don't you? So you don't have to? How they say, you don't have to get ready, you're already ready, don't you? So you don't have to? How they say, you don't have to get ready, you're already ready. So work on being ready. Have your professional photos in line. Have your pitch letters ready.
Speaker 2:You should be sending out 10 to 15 pitch letters per week. Yes, I said it Just like when y'all fill out for these grants. You shouldn't just be applying for a grant, that's a whole other topic. But, but fyi, you should be sending out pitch letters as well. 10 per week, 10 per month. Don't just send out one, send 10. If you're sending out 10 per week, at least one of them gonna email you back, right?
Speaker 2:So I just these things are so important and I see from time to time how the information is not being given. So I feel like that's. That's why God created me, that's why I'm here and that's why my voice is so important, because I need for you all to know this stuff and it really helps you. When you get to where you're going, you're already prepared. It just leaves an amazing impression, you know. So you don't want to be, um, we don't want to be out here looking crazy. So I'm going to go ahead and close out. I hope that this episode blessed you today. My goal is always to bring real strategies, um, get you to the, the tips and the strategies that are going to help you profit in this business, in this industry, because it's not always nice and peachy, creamy, but there are so many independent ways you can again get the money. That's in your message, okay, so I want to encourage you to definitely go to my website PublishWithTiffanycom, bookwithtiffanynowcom, and Published in Black Magazine. Talk to you soon.
Speaker 1:You have been listening to, published in Black with publishing expert and brand strategist, tiffany A Greenhood. Listen next week for real talk, powerful strategies and much more. Again, we thank you for listening.
