May Challenge Preview

Are you guys excited about the May Marketing Challenge (name still in progress)? Yeah! Me, too!

So I thought I'd give you a bit of a preview for what you can expect starting next week, as well as take care of a few housekeeping items.

First off, the challenge really needs a better name than May Marketing Challenge. I've tried to come up with something witty and memorable, but I've got nothing. So, I'm open to options. Post your ideas for a good name in the comments and I'll pick a winner.

What does the winner win? Good question. First, you win the honor of being the creator of the May Challenge name and all the glory that comes with that fine distinction. Second, you'll get an automatic extra entry into the drawing.

Oh, what's the drawing? Another excellent question. You're on a roll. The drawing will take place at the end of the challenge for everyone that makes it all the way to the end. Fabulous prizes are still being finalized, but they are designed to help you further your book marketing efforts, which is, after all, what this is all about.

In order to be entered, you just need to check in each day of the challenge in the comments box and let me know that you've completed that day's task. Sometimes I'll have questions to answer to help keep the momentum going, and other times it can be a simple "I'm done". Everyone who completes the challenge is eligible to win the fabulous (currently unnamed) prizes.

Following this blog is not a requirement to enter the drawing or win the prize, but I would recommend it.* That way, you'll be sure not to miss any of the posts. You don't have to do the challenges on the day they are posted, but most of them will build on themselves so you don't want to get behind.

Are we good? If you have any other questions I haven't answered, just let me know in the comments along with your fabulous name suggestions.

*Of course, I recommend it. It's my blog. Still, you should do it.

Now, on to that promised preview!

Think Local
Have you ever been fishing? You can use worms, crickets, crawdads, all sorts of little bugs as bait. But if you want to catch the really big fish, you use little fish, minnows. You can buy minnows, but they're pretty easy to catch: a modified pop bottle and some bread will do it.

Getting big media works the same way. The big fish pay attention if you've got lots of little fish swimming around. A five minute spot on your small town morning news show probably won't sell a bunch of books. But you aren't planning to fry up and eat the minnows. You use them (I'm talking about the local show here, stick with me) to catch a bigger show, maybe the next biggest city in your county.

Don't overlook your local media outlets because they aren't big enough. They can help you reel in the big fish.