How can I create more time?

[robert1704]

I am so busy at the moment attracting visitors to my website that I don't find time to continue writing the sequel of my first book. I started posting articles to some 200 article sites and receive now between 1000 and 1500 mails/day from people who do the same as I do (you receive the articles from the other members) and every article some fifty times or more  . Consequently I have to empty my mailboxes regularly. Why do I want much traffic to my website? Because I want to sell the bloody book of course.
Last November, my cousin who lives in Essex was here (I live in Belgium not too far from Antwerp 40 km) and we talked about my book. When we said goodbye, he wished me to be famous and rich. We both had the same thought and in one voice we said:"No, rich is enough."
If someone is interested in reading my first book "A Holy Terror", I can always mail the final manuscript in pdf-form.
The adventure in this book happens in Australia. In the sequel, the main characters arrive in Belgium and get involved in political scandals.
The  last days I receive mails from a certain Steve Manning who tries to sell a writer's style and a system to write a novel in less than two weeks (he even beats Nick). I never read one of his mails as I am a follower of William Lawson:

GREAT SCOTCH, NO RULES

I hope everybody knows that ad from TV
Now going to bed  (only for the girls)
Goodnight

[Jayel]

Oh Robert, do I identify with your situation.  I have just started scheduling book signings and speaking engagements for 2006 and it dawned on me that the time I am out promoting is time I cannot write.  Like you I spend a great deal of time marketing my books and another large chunk teaching others to market.  I have hired a publicist and this has taken some of the contact time away from me. I use very selective target market advertising, which has really increased my website traffic. 

If you figure out the answer to creating more time - you will become a rich man marketing the answer.  Good luck.  You certainly have my sympathy.

Hope you slept well.

[robert1704]

Hi Jayl,

Beautiful website ! Congrats !

[Jayel]

Thanks Robert.  It helps to have an award winning artist on my team.  The website was actually her idea and was put up long before the first book became available.

How is your publisher with after print marketing help?  Do they offer all the bells and whistles?  Posters, bookmarks, letterhead.  If so you might consider having some bookmarks made up with cover art on the front and a short blurb and book ordering information on the back.  I have gotten a lot of sales from bookmarks given away at book signings.

Have you considered adding a few of your book's reviews to your site?  Even just a line or two from reviewers can encourage reluctant buyers (they like to know that others enjoyed your story). Also, you may want to include e-Signing on your site. Most of my direct sales are people wanting an author signed copy.

None of these ideas will give you more time, but the may help you sell more books.

[robert1704]

I don't get much help from my publisher, the only thing he did was sending an announcing-letter to my friends and family. In fact I don't know what is happening in the U.S. maybe they are doing a good job. I don't know.

The handicap I have here is that the people speak Dutch and my book is in English. The ever returning question is: "When will there be a Dutch translation? We will wait for that." (even from friends and family).

I am now thinking of contacting some bigger bookshops which have an English department, maybe I can organize a book signing there. Maybe I can design a bookmark myself.

Thanks for your advice
Robert

[Jayel]

The world (and all its languages) is at your fingertips through the internet  .  Get some advertising set up with genre related sites.  For example, I am currently running banner ads at Realms of Fantasy magazine's website, as well as in their hard copy magazine.  Finding just a few places on-line where you know people interested in your specific genre congregate and targeting them for a bit of banner advertising can generate a lot of interested website traffic your way, traffic that can easily turn into book sales.  You can also team up with other authors or your cover artist, to keep the cost of advertising down.

In the beginning I sold more books in Europe than I did in the U.S.; although, now it is a bit more balanced.  Contacting your local book shops with an English books section is a great idea.  Ask them to order a few and have you in for a book signing.  It is a great way to get them started carrying your title and most book shops love anything and anyone that will draw in more traffic, and you are your book's best advertisement.

Good luck, I hope you sell millions of copies!

[GaryHibberd]

Robert (and everyone else struggling with time, or the lack of it!)

Sounds like you're a victim of your own success  !!  Which can be both a blessing and a curse (at times).

I'm a Life Coach and specialise in Business Coaching, Personal Development and Career development...

Not having enough time for something is often the result of not setting solid personal goals.  Setting goals wisely will often allow you to see 'the wood for the trees' and will thus reduce stress and [hopefully] give you a view of where you need to focus your attention.

Goals need to be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timed), and if you're not setting goals now then I feel this is probably one of the reasons why you're feeling overwhelmed.

I hope this little piece of advice helps.  If you'd like to know more about Life Coaching, and the benefits it brings, please feel free to drop me an email.

Remember: If you don't know where you're going, you'll probably end up somewhere you don't want to be!

Kind Regards

Gary

[Sheree]

Sorry to state the obvious, but have you considered hiring someone to read your emails for you? College students are especially eager to earn a few extra bucks, and if they can get a little mentoring at the same time, you would both benefit.