I’m honored to have my friend and writing mentor, DiAnn Mills with us today to talk about marketing your book. She’s also giving away her new novel, Deadly Encounter. It releases today, August 1st! Keep reading to find out how you could win a copy. Take it away, DiAnn!

A writer builds her marketing and promotion platform long before a single word is written on the manuscript. When an idea hits the writer’s heart and mind, how the content will draw readers begins. This doesn’t mean the writer looks to the latest trends to mine book topics, but it means she actively seeks opportunities to share her passion.
The technique doesn’t divert from creating a quality project. Fresh writing enhances the ability to propel the project into the right hands. (Click to tweet) Consider all that drives a book: specific readers, needs, dreams, strengths, challenges, and desires.
How can the contents meet those criteria? Use the reader’s personality to develop blog themes, contests, memes, events, hashtags, giveaways, podcasts, Pinterest board(s), promotion, posting tips, videos, speaking topics, and whatever other social media platforms that will fit into the writer’s brand.

• Agents and editors are attracted to writers who embrace a green light to marketing and promotion.
• When a writer has a grasp on how to approach readers with a targeted topic or genre, every thought has value.
• Each scene or section of a book has potential. Look to the subject matter for distinct possibilities to draw attention to the writing project.
• Traditional and Independent publishing efforts become enjoyable and simplified.
• At the completion of the book, the writer is able to compose and calendar blogs, contests, hashtags, tweetables, giveaways, and events.
• The writer can request guest blogs months in advance, ensuring the exact date of the book release corresponds with the blog post.
• Events can be scheduled, planned, and perfected months ahead of the designated time.
• A successful writer who has mastered marketing and promotion is eager to begin the next project

For example: Bonnie Bestseller is writing a novel about a heroine who works as a coffee barista in Telluride, Colorado. The story takes place in January when the town is filled with skiing enthusiasts. Business is booming, and the coffee shop centers as a conversation spot. Bonnie has sworn off dating and refuses any of the male flirting tactics
In the midst of keeping customers happy, the coffee shop is sold to a single man who knows nothing about roasting coffee beans, making delicious drinks, or keeping patrons happy. He’s shy, extremely good looking, knows nothing about snow or skiing, doesn’t drink coffee, and requires the heroines help to make the coffee shop a continued success. The thought of working for her boss is detestable, but she has no choice.
End of first chapter.
The writer creates a file titled: Marketing and Promotion. She lists the ideas that pop into her head with the understanding some will be tossed and others will be valuable. For example:
Blog:
Skiing Tips the First Day on the Slopes
Coffee Addicts are Fun
Memes:
A photo of someone reading your book and drinking coffee – “Common Grounds is the best romance ever!”
Facebook:
     In my new novel Common Grounds, my heroine is a barista who works for a man who hates coffee or tea. What is your favorite go-to beverage when it’s cold outside?
Tweet:
Love coffee and #romance? Common Grounds @BonnieBestseller will thrill you (click to tweet)
Videos:
A humorous video on grinding coffee.
Coffee art.
Contest Giveaways:
Coffee
Gift card to Starbucks
Speaking Topics:
Research
Where I find story ideas.
If you’d like a copy of the spreadsheet – Proactive Marketing and Promotion e-mail me at diann@diannmills.com for your copy.
Are you ready to accept the challenge? Comment here and be entered in a random drawing for a copy of Deadly Encounter. Contest ends at midnight (EST), Saturday, August 6th.
Connect with me at: www.diannmills.com
DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.
Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Library Journal presented her with a Best Books 2014: Genre Fiction award in the Christian Fiction category for Firewall.
DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Author Roadmap with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.
DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.
DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.