Notes from Minnesota
Hey Freelancer!
What an interesting
week.
My dear husband is working “out of town.”
Usually, on weeks like this, I wind up working through my “Sex and the City” DVD collection, much to my dear son's
chagrin.
However, last time I hit Best Buy, I
stumbled upon the “Dead Like Me” television series. Oh my gosh. Talk about fun! There's nothing like watching the
Grim Reaper hard at work to make for an interesting evening. It's black comedy at its best. Plus, I've my dear son
MUCH prefers watching this over the other series.
Sometimes you need to waste some time
doing absolutely nothing. After all, life's short.
Have a fabulous (and profitable)
week,
P.S. Be sure to check out our best sellers. Here's the
link
Beth's Hot Pick of the Week
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I'm amazed at the number of freelancers who tell me
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The Salesperson's Secret to Writing Incredible
Queries
Beth Ann Erickson
I don't like commercials. I dislike ads even more. They
interrupt my favorite shows. They eat up close to ten minutes of every prime time half hour.
If I ruled the world, television would run ad-free.
So would magazines and newspapers.
I have a hunch I’m not the only
one.
That’s the reality writers have to acknowledge:
Nobody wants what you’re selling. Period.
Seriously… does the world
really need another book
detailing an endangered heroine waiting to get saved by the brandy hero? Are the reading throngs longing for
the latest html codes to optimize their website?
They’re not. And this is exactly why you need to make
the concepts of good marketing your new best friend.
Once you recognize that nobody really needs your
product (whether it’s a book, article, whatever), it’s your job… and your job alone… to convince them that
they want it.
Good salespeople recognize this truth and
instinctively create buzz around whatever is they’re currently working on.
Sure, your book may contain a hero, heroine, etc.
Nearly every book does.
But what makes your writing
unique ? What makes it different
from every other idea that’s going to cross in front of potential publishers? What makes your article
better?
A good sales person (and that’s exactly what you are
when you query editors and publishers) researches not only the customer who will ultimately use their product, they
thoroughly understand the mindset of the “gate keeper” who will decide whether their “store” will carry the
product.
In other words, you not only have to “wow” your
future readers… you must totally impress the person who rips open your query and reads it.
You do this by digging deep. Get inside their head.
Research until you have a pretty good idea exactly
what will go on inside their head when they read your
letter.
Tall order, eh?
Well it gets a better… remember when I mentioned that
nobody likes advertising? That’s true. Editors and publishers don’t like queries either. Queries take time… just
like an ad, good or bad, does.
However, EVERYONE likes a
problem-solver.
When an ultra-targeted query arrives on our desks…
one that effectively solves a problem (sometimes one we didn’t even know we had!) bells ring. Whistles blow. And
Maury (our current “gate keeper”) practically trips over himself to get more information about that
book.
OK. I may be exaggerating a little here, but I’m sure
you get the point.
So how can you apply this knowledge to your next
query?
-
Research your intended audience. Get to know
them inside and out. Find out what makes them tick. What keeps them up at night. Weave that information in
your proposal.
-
Research the publisher you’re sending your
query to. Don’t send them anything inappropriate. Follow their guidelines to the letter. Let them know
you’re familiar with them by weaving pertinent facts into your query.
Great sales people know their audience and NEVER try
to sell them. That’s because people hate to be sold. Effective sales people are problem solvers and aren’t afraid
to frame themselves as such.
That’s exactly what you need to do: You’re not
selling an article. You’re not pitching a book. You’re solving problems. You’re entertaining
people.
You’re definitely not selling anyone. You’re your
readers new best friend. And that instantly transforms you into a stealth selling machine.
Big difference.
~~~
Beth Ann Erickson is the “Queen Bee” of Filbert
Publishing. She’s also the author of numerous titles including “101 No Cost and Low Cost Secrets To Turbo Charge
Your Freelance Income.” Pick up your copy today at http://filbertpublishing.com/101.html She’s also a busy copywriter, speaker, and publisher of
Writing Etc., the free e-mag for writers.
P.S. You can use this article free of charge on your own website or zine. Just don’t make
any changes and be sure to include the entire byline. Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I
Recommend:
Writing For Dollars!
The FREE ezine for writers featuring tips, tricks and ideas for selling what you write. Receive the FREE ebook, 83
WAYS TO MAKE MONEY WRITING when you subscribe. Email to subscribe@writingfordollars.com
-*-
http://www.WritingForDollars.com
~~~
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