Reaching My Market

tonyajwilliams · 06-05-2009, 11:51 PM

I'm working on a proposal and want to tell the publisher
how I will reach my market: That market consists of
people who are mentally, their family members and people
who work with the mentally ill. What would you say to indicate
you can reach this market? Also, what if you have a
secondary market that includes lawyers and those interested in
inspirational stories? How would you say you are going to
reach these markets? All help appreicated. Thanks.

Billingsgate · 06-06-2009, 09:08 AM

I hate to say it, but I think a publisher will be much more receptive if you tell them how you already have reached out to this community, with your website, blog, newsletters and speaking engagements. That will convince them you have a ready platform which will help do the job of spreading the word about your book. If you haven't done any of the above yet, then get started on it. Then in your proposal, instead of saying what you will do, you can tell them what you are doing, which is much more attractive and reassuring to the publisher or agent.

tonyajwilliams · 06-06-2009, 08:58 PM

thanks for your response

scope · 06-07-2009, 01:03 AM

Since a platform tells the publisher what you have done and what you will do to bring exposure to your work and increase sales--beyond what the publisher's may or may not do--it's nothing to take lightly. Unless it's a high profile, blockbuster nonfiction book, publishers place great emphasis on nonfiction platforms. The fact is, they may not do a great deal of merchandising, and in any event will place heavy emphasis on the author's contacts and efforts. You don't want to tell them about people and/or places you know are impossible to deliver (difficult is OK), and all that you do list have to make sense. While writing the book I imagine you established contacts with people and places which you will want to list and expound upon. You then want to list-with detail-appropriate people, places, organizations, associations, websites and blogs (yours and others), speaking engagements, talks, and much more. People, places, and such that can help you spread your message and advise others of your book and its vale.

You might want to think of it this way. You wrote a book. You published it. Now it's your responsibility to sell it. What's your plan?

Wayne K · 06-07-2009, 06:12 AM

This takes research. A good place to start would be NAMI, they're very helpful and are looking for ways to help mentally ill people--if they take your book seriously, they'll at least know how to point you in the right direction.

The marketing part of a proposal is tough for a new writer. Tell them what you're willing to do. Tell them who will listen to you. NAMI will help you develop that.

06-05-2009, 11:51 PM	#1
tonyajwilliams figuring it all out Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 78	Reaching My Market I'm working on a proposal and want to tell the publisher how I will reach my market: That market consists of people who are mentally, their family members and people who work with the mentally ill. What would you say to indicate you can reach this market? Also, what if you have a secondary market that includes lawyers and those interested in inspirational stories? How would you say you are going to reach these markets? All help appreicated. Thanks.

06-06-2009, 09:08 AM	#2
Billingsgate Disappointment to my mother Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 254	I hate to say it, but I think a publisher will be much more receptive if you tell them how you already have reached out to this community, with your website, blog, newsletters and speaking engagements. That will convince them you have a ready platform which will help do the job of spreading the word about your book. If you haven't done any of the above yet, then get started on it. Then in your proposal, instead of saying what you will do, you can tell them what you are doing, which is much more attractive and reassuring to the publisher or agent. __________________ The Toilet Bar blog: dispatches from a Chinese village

06-06-2009, 08:58 PM	#3
tonyajwilliams figuring it all out Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 78	Replay thanks for your response

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06-07-2009, 01:03 AM	#4
scope Commonsensical Maverick Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,763	Since a platform tells the publisher what you have done and what you will do to bring exposure to your work and increase sales--beyond what the publisher's may or may not do--it's nothing to take lightly. Unless it's a high profile, blockbuster nonfiction book, publishers place great emphasis on nonfiction platforms. The fact is, they may not do a great deal of merchandising, and in any event will place heavy emphasis on the author's contacts and efforts. You don't want to tell them about people and/or places you know are impossible to deliver (difficult is OK), and all that you do list have to make sense. While writing the book I imagine you established contacts with people and places which you will want to list and expound upon. You then want to list-with detail-appropriate people, places, organizations, associations, websites and blogs (yours and others), speaking engagements, talks, and much more. People, places, and such that can help you spread your message and advise others of your book and its vale. You might want to think of it this way. You wrote a book. You published it. Now it's your responsibility to sell it. What's your plan?

06-07-2009, 06:12 AM	#5
Wayne K Banned Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 21,681	This takes research. A good place to start would be NAMI, they're very helpful and are looking for ways to help mentally ill people--if they take your book seriously, they'll at least know how to point you in the right direction. The marketing part of a proposal is tough for a new writer. Tell them what you're willing to do. Tell them who will listen to you. NAMI will help you develop that.