Bottom line: the information in this episode is important to check out (no pun intended).
I've got three books I'm beta'ing right now, 4 full book trailers to create, all the AMMO videos to get through, trying to figure out Discord/Midjourney, writing book 4's blurb, various website and promo obligations, and am fixing to get book 4 back from my editor (the initial edit) with the book releasing August 26th.
My plate is so full. Getting really stressed because most of those are "now" obligations. NOT complaining. Just saying that out loud.
That said, I really think this needs to be at least "near" the top of that list. So much to research.
I think I get stuck when it comes to approach. I like being able to see successful examples of correspondence that I can massage and customize. Otherwise, it's me looking stupid ... "Hello Sir and/or Madam... I'm a nobody but my books are really good - promise! You should include them in your library!" I don't have your credentials to sell myself. And almost no one's leaving reviews so I can't point to them. I'm not sure how to "sell" *me* when I have no success to prop up my chances. But I will definitely make use of this great information. It's extremely valuable.
You're doing great, Jody. I'm so thrilled with your success.
For me, it's not so much about being concerned about looking stupid or failing. I think my overarching concern is putting the best pitch forward (as if I'm already comfortable with and successful at contacting them) so that I don't just fail - I've burned a potential source. This isn't something to cut your teeth on. Spit and polish before you present, ya know? Turn me down due to lack of interest or lack of sales - but not because I didn't use the right buzz words or whatever. That's why I like to see samples of correspondence that have worked. I can change, customize, massage, and do whatever to make it applicable to me and my work. But flying blind concerns me from a level of not just failure, but burning a potential resource from ignorance. Ignorance is my Kryptonite.
I'm definitely going to get Eric's resources. He's super sharp - I enjoyed him a lot. And having lost a close friend to prostate cancer made me feel instantly connected to him.
Regarding "relevant," with regard to contacting libraries. My gosh, unless I'm pitching Los Angeles, I can't imagine. I suppose I could pitch Miami-area libraries. Have you thought of pursuing not only your local Omaha libraries but maybe your home town libraries? Places you've lived?
I think the difference for the library books being free and the average person getting it free is ...
People go to libraries because they're readers. Period. No one but readers will go to go to the library.
People who "collect" freebies aren't invested in the book. They just like free crap. They have no incentive to actually read it. How many memes do we see about people and their TBR list? It disgusts me, frankly.
When I say, for example, that I'm beta'ing three books - that is serious to me. When I have a TBR list, it's an active list - not a "well, someday" list.
(And off topic, I'm a Henry Miller fan. I did read Tropic of Cancer, but I've yet to do Tropic of Capricorn.)
This is an episode that needs to be revisited by your listeners. It's a lot to digest, but I need to revisit it when I'm able to get to this area of my to-do list (which also is not a 'someday" but a "now" list). I just really wish I could get my books on audiobooks. But today's show is mind-blowing.
Might any of the Books for Brews venues discount the per-coffee/drink price to *you* because you're bringing people in?? It seems they might. Especially if you're stating that all profits go to "x" (local?) charity?
Thank you so much for being such a valuable resource. Truly. You're amazing.
Eric is exceptional. He has such a great process. I always feel self-conscious when I interact with people who excel at systems. So much of what Eric has done well is because of his systems. I'm a bad systems person and frequently fail because I fire, ready, aim!
The feeling you're feeling with a dozen "now" projects and not enough time to attend to all of them. I think for so many people in so many areas, that "now" feeling becomes the daunting obstacle that prevents them from succeeding, it's the thing that leads them to quit. There's only one of me and a staff's worth of jobs to get done.
But you have a unique determination, Heather, so you'll find a way to not only make it all happen, but you'll eventually have that staff of people working for you, helping get your books out to countless thousands of people.
Your faith in me is as astounding as it is encouraging.
I don't quit, as you may or may not suspect. Even if I bitch and whine and am confused or need help. I don't quit. And as soon as I "get it," I'm off to the races. My biggest obstacle - other than ignorance of certain things, however temporary - is biting off more than I can chew. Yes, time is a concern for me because I think I may over-promise when that is definitely not my style (I always succeeding in the business world due, in part, to my under-promise/over-deliver mentality). Once I'm done beta reading, which (to me) is a solemn responsibility, I'll feel better. I need to focus on a clear marketing strategy - including AMMO and this new library journey. Maybe a part of me is willing to back-burner the marketing stuff due to the better success (so I've heard) with a saga - and my book three only coming out this Friday. Maybe that buys me some time and I should concentrate on the commitments I've made to others and then circle back in greater force when I'm through with that. I really only have 2 primary books I'm concerned with. Moving forward, I'm going to try to limit my volunteering to 4 specific people. How many books can they write in a year...um, right?
One of these days, you've got to read Grant Cardone's Be Obsessed or Be Average. It's among my favorite books. I've read it more than a dozen times. Maybe twenty times. You'll find a ton of meat in it, if you can get past Grant's obnoxiousness. He is obnoxious, and I love him.
Fine. I'll listen. Today and tomorrow are a bust for me anyway, work-wise, because today I have a doctor's appointment and tomorrow is my anniversary. So...having read your comment, I bought the audiobook. I'm going to start it now.
Stellar comments. I know people connected to libraries and will certainly pick their brains when crafting my own campaign. Man, it is tough to find time to do it all, Heather!
Jody, make sure you include a CTA in your podcasts not just to subscribe, but to continue the conversation here on SubStack. Let them know if they have questions or comments, they can engage you and other listeners. That's the best part of your podcast being here!
I can't agree with you more. Substack has changed podcasts and almost no one knows it yet. Free to host, email engagement, and like you said, an actual focused conversation.
Great series. Great guest. If your podcast numbers are going up, it's because I'm listening more than once. The information you're presenting is invaluable!
Couple thoughts I had on this discussion:
When I was working briefly in the Home Video department at Paramount Studios in my early days in Hollywood (remind me to tell you my stories of sneaking onto the set of Star Trek: The Next Generation someday...) we had 2 prices for VHS tapes (man, that was a million years ago). There was one price for "sell-through" and another for Blockbuster and other rental places that was substantially higher. The whole home video market was new and the studios felt justified in charging more since each tape at a rental store would could get dozens or hundreds of views. Now, with digital rentals, they can collect a royalty on each view instead. I suspect higher library pricing was in part due to the same philosophy. Since a library book had many more readers than a bookstore copy, the publishers felt justified in charging libraries more. I believe, too, that many books had a library edition with a more durable binding that may have contributed as well. Back then, libraries got tons of funding, too, so paying more for a book was just part of the way things worked. When you dive into the pricing for selling to libraries, I wonder if they set it at twice the retail price for legacy reasons, then offer that 55% discount to make it affordable for the libraries,
The other topic you guys talked about was why free library readers converted to sales at a much higher rate than giveaways. I think there's a simple reason for that. When you check out a library book, you have a week or two to read it. When you get a free book, it will likely end up on the bottom of your TBR stack and may never get read. When I partake of an author's free book deals, I do so mostly to help boost them to get wider exposure, but sadly I don't have time to read them. The one exception is audiobooks. I will listen to a free audiobook and that drives up my engagement with that author if I like their work. But the simple fact is, library borrowers actually read the books--which is probably the number one driver for sales from that demographic.
One more thing, I would think on the topic of relevance--which your guest stressed--that being a local or even regional author would be a big selling point for the libraries. There is often a section featuring local or even authors from the state. And I'm sure outside of New York and Los Angeles, the readers might be more interested in reading something that's not from some snooty big-city writer.
That will certainly be a part of whatever library strategy I employ in the future, start with the hometown libraries like you did, and then work the ones in the state, then move out to the other midwest states, locations that I can visit with whatever Bedtime Stories for Insomniacs LIVE program I come up with as a way to get the libraries (and maybe some patrons) to buy copies of my books.
What I've found in further research supports my original understanding. Bookstores are the ones who want either 30% or 55% and they want your book to be returnable. Libraries are buying books at 200% to 400% retail for the same reason Blockbuster was buying at a higher cost. I didn't want to push this too much, even in the edited show because I respected my guest, but it is worth adding a written note here with at least one source to support: https://hollybrady.com/dirty-little-secret-about-book-discounts/
Libraries are buying my book. I've got a few book clubs diving in. I just can't understand why more authors aren't using this strategy. And your idea of doing a live, in-person, tour and using that to expand regionally and nationally is brilliant.
Bottom line: the information in this episode is important to check out (no pun intended).
I've got three books I'm beta'ing right now, 4 full book trailers to create, all the AMMO videos to get through, trying to figure out Discord/Midjourney, writing book 4's blurb, various website and promo obligations, and am fixing to get book 4 back from my editor (the initial edit) with the book releasing August 26th.
My plate is so full. Getting really stressed because most of those are "now" obligations. NOT complaining. Just saying that out loud.
That said, I really think this needs to be at least "near" the top of that list. So much to research.
I think I get stuck when it comes to approach. I like being able to see successful examples of correspondence that I can massage and customize. Otherwise, it's me looking stupid ... "Hello Sir and/or Madam... I'm a nobody but my books are really good - promise! You should include them in your library!" I don't have your credentials to sell myself. And almost no one's leaving reviews so I can't point to them. I'm not sure how to "sell" *me* when I have no success to prop up my chances. But I will definitely make use of this great information. It's extremely valuable.
You're doing great, Jody. I'm so thrilled with your success.
For me, it's not so much about being concerned about looking stupid or failing. I think my overarching concern is putting the best pitch forward (as if I'm already comfortable with and successful at contacting them) so that I don't just fail - I've burned a potential source. This isn't something to cut your teeth on. Spit and polish before you present, ya know? Turn me down due to lack of interest or lack of sales - but not because I didn't use the right buzz words or whatever. That's why I like to see samples of correspondence that have worked. I can change, customize, massage, and do whatever to make it applicable to me and my work. But flying blind concerns me from a level of not just failure, but burning a potential resource from ignorance. Ignorance is my Kryptonite.
I'm definitely going to get Eric's resources. He's super sharp - I enjoyed him a lot. And having lost a close friend to prostate cancer made me feel instantly connected to him.
Regarding "relevant," with regard to contacting libraries. My gosh, unless I'm pitching Los Angeles, I can't imagine. I suppose I could pitch Miami-area libraries. Have you thought of pursuing not only your local Omaha libraries but maybe your home town libraries? Places you've lived?
I think the difference for the library books being free and the average person getting it free is ...
People go to libraries because they're readers. Period. No one but readers will go to go to the library.
People who "collect" freebies aren't invested in the book. They just like free crap. They have no incentive to actually read it. How many memes do we see about people and their TBR list? It disgusts me, frankly.
When I say, for example, that I'm beta'ing three books - that is serious to me. When I have a TBR list, it's an active list - not a "well, someday" list.
(And off topic, I'm a Henry Miller fan. I did read Tropic of Cancer, but I've yet to do Tropic of Capricorn.)
This is an episode that needs to be revisited by your listeners. It's a lot to digest, but I need to revisit it when I'm able to get to this area of my to-do list (which also is not a 'someday" but a "now" list). I just really wish I could get my books on audiobooks. But today's show is mind-blowing.
Might any of the Books for Brews venues discount the per-coffee/drink price to *you* because you're bringing people in?? It seems they might. Especially if you're stating that all profits go to "x" (local?) charity?
Thank you so much for being such a valuable resource. Truly. You're amazing.
Eric is exceptional. He has such a great process. I always feel self-conscious when I interact with people who excel at systems. So much of what Eric has done well is because of his systems. I'm a bad systems person and frequently fail because I fire, ready, aim!
The feeling you're feeling with a dozen "now" projects and not enough time to attend to all of them. I think for so many people in so many areas, that "now" feeling becomes the daunting obstacle that prevents them from succeeding, it's the thing that leads them to quit. There's only one of me and a staff's worth of jobs to get done.
But you have a unique determination, Heather, so you'll find a way to not only make it all happen, but you'll eventually have that staff of people working for you, helping get your books out to countless thousands of people.
Your faith in me is as astounding as it is encouraging.
I don't quit, as you may or may not suspect. Even if I bitch and whine and am confused or need help. I don't quit. And as soon as I "get it," I'm off to the races. My biggest obstacle - other than ignorance of certain things, however temporary - is biting off more than I can chew. Yes, time is a concern for me because I think I may over-promise when that is definitely not my style (I always succeeding in the business world due, in part, to my under-promise/over-deliver mentality). Once I'm done beta reading, which (to me) is a solemn responsibility, I'll feel better. I need to focus on a clear marketing strategy - including AMMO and this new library journey. Maybe a part of me is willing to back-burner the marketing stuff due to the better success (so I've heard) with a saga - and my book three only coming out this Friday. Maybe that buys me some time and I should concentrate on the commitments I've made to others and then circle back in greater force when I'm through with that. I really only have 2 primary books I'm concerned with. Moving forward, I'm going to try to limit my volunteering to 4 specific people. How many books can they write in a year...um, right?
I'm rambling. Why do you keep letting me ramble??
One of these days, you've got to read Grant Cardone's Be Obsessed or Be Average. It's among my favorite books. I've read it more than a dozen times. Maybe twenty times. You'll find a ton of meat in it, if you can get past Grant's obnoxiousness. He is obnoxious, and I love him.
Fine. I'll listen. Today and tomorrow are a bust for me anyway, work-wise, because today I have a doctor's appointment and tomorrow is my anniversary. So...having read your comment, I bought the audiobook. I'm going to start it now.
You won't regret it. (I hope your visit to the doctor is all good things, and happy anniversary!)
Stellar comments. I know people connected to libraries and will certainly pick their brains when crafting my own campaign. Man, it is tough to find time to do it all, Heather!
Jody, make sure you include a CTA in your podcasts not just to subscribe, but to continue the conversation here on SubStack. Let them know if they have questions or comments, they can engage you and other listeners. That's the best part of your podcast being here!
I can't agree with you more. Substack has changed podcasts and almost no one knows it yet. Free to host, email engagement, and like you said, an actual focused conversation.
Great series. Great guest. If your podcast numbers are going up, it's because I'm listening more than once. The information you're presenting is invaluable!
Couple thoughts I had on this discussion:
When I was working briefly in the Home Video department at Paramount Studios in my early days in Hollywood (remind me to tell you my stories of sneaking onto the set of Star Trek: The Next Generation someday...) we had 2 prices for VHS tapes (man, that was a million years ago). There was one price for "sell-through" and another for Blockbuster and other rental places that was substantially higher. The whole home video market was new and the studios felt justified in charging more since each tape at a rental store would could get dozens or hundreds of views. Now, with digital rentals, they can collect a royalty on each view instead. I suspect higher library pricing was in part due to the same philosophy. Since a library book had many more readers than a bookstore copy, the publishers felt justified in charging libraries more. I believe, too, that many books had a library edition with a more durable binding that may have contributed as well. Back then, libraries got tons of funding, too, so paying more for a book was just part of the way things worked. When you dive into the pricing for selling to libraries, I wonder if they set it at twice the retail price for legacy reasons, then offer that 55% discount to make it affordable for the libraries,
The other topic you guys talked about was why free library readers converted to sales at a much higher rate than giveaways. I think there's a simple reason for that. When you check out a library book, you have a week or two to read it. When you get a free book, it will likely end up on the bottom of your TBR stack and may never get read. When I partake of an author's free book deals, I do so mostly to help boost them to get wider exposure, but sadly I don't have time to read them. The one exception is audiobooks. I will listen to a free audiobook and that drives up my engagement with that author if I like their work. But the simple fact is, library borrowers actually read the books--which is probably the number one driver for sales from that demographic.
One more thing, I would think on the topic of relevance--which your guest stressed--that being a local or even regional author would be a big selling point for the libraries. There is often a section featuring local or even authors from the state. And I'm sure outside of New York and Los Angeles, the readers might be more interested in reading something that's not from some snooty big-city writer.
That will certainly be a part of whatever library strategy I employ in the future, start with the hometown libraries like you did, and then work the ones in the state, then move out to the other midwest states, locations that I can visit with whatever Bedtime Stories for Insomniacs LIVE program I come up with as a way to get the libraries (and maybe some patrons) to buy copies of my books.
What I've found in further research supports my original understanding. Bookstores are the ones who want either 30% or 55% and they want your book to be returnable. Libraries are buying books at 200% to 400% retail for the same reason Blockbuster was buying at a higher cost. I didn't want to push this too much, even in the edited show because I respected my guest, but it is worth adding a written note here with at least one source to support: https://hollybrady.com/dirty-little-secret-about-book-discounts/
Libraries are buying my book. I've got a few book clubs diving in. I just can't understand why more authors aren't using this strategy. And your idea of doing a live, in-person, tour and using that to expand regionally and nationally is brilliant.
I think I'm going to be investing in a used pickup truck and camper/trailer next year to make these plans a reality... meanwhile, back to the writing!