You Have Won an Award – 10 Things to Do Now!

First, let me be among the first to say “congratulations and well done.” Entering your story, book or poem into a writing contest can be intimidating and humbling but now that you have won the award – it is time to shout the news from the roof tops. But where do you begin?

MUSIC INTERLUDE: cue Andy Williams singing “Where Do I Begin?”

Okay, now on with the show.

Just like with any marketing efforts, you need to have a plan. The “best laid plans” are the ones that are the most effective. (Is there something in the water or am I just filled with famous quotes today – have you read Of Mice and Men lately.) I digress…

Back to the plan.

See here is the thing: Remember all the blood, sweat and tears (enough already) that went into writing your novel? When you were done all you wanted to do was put your feet up and enjoy the days of wine and roses. (I sure hope you are getting all of these), but actually the real work is just beginning; the work of getting the word out so that people actually buy your book.

But we get distracted. Just like in this article. We let life or that shiny silver ball take our eyes off the task at hand; that is to be in a continual mode of marketing.

Now that you have won an award, you need to focus your efforts, develop a marketing plan and then work the plan so that you can make the most out of this incredible honor!

Following are 10 WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OUT OF WINNING AN AWARD!

1. Take a picture of you holding the award and your book!
2. Hire a professional to write a press release about the award. Halo Publishing offers this service that includes distribution to nationwide media outlets, a phone interview with one of our reporters and a full page news release.
3. We also encourage you to send that press release,  including the photo of your book cover and your author photo, to:
   1. Local editor of the weekly town paper
   2. All the contacts in your email file
   3. Post on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and any other social networks on which you participate
   4. Post it on your website
   5. Post it to a variety of free news sites like Free Press Release or PR Inside, 1-888, Local Patch, etc. Google free press release submission to find websites in your area
   6. Contact any organizations in which you are a member, Chamber, Rotary, etc. and send them a copy to be posted or linked to in their next newsletter
4. Include the award in your online signature for email and your bio on every webpage and account you have:  Joan Jett, Author, Winner 2015 Best Author On the Planet
5. Include this same information on all of your marketing collateral such as business cards, brochures, postcards, etc.
6. Call your local paper and see if they would be interested in doing a special feature article. Many local papers are willing, at no charge, to write an article when a local author wins an award. It doesn’t hurt to ask.
7. Call the local bookshop and ask if they would be willing to host a book signing event where you can also feature your award!
8. Create a simple video (30-60 seconds) in which you show your book and the award and just share a brief commercial about what the award is and how excited you are about winning. Post this on your website and link to the video from all of your social media accounts. Check this article on Creating a Killer Video.
9. Use Animoto to create a video from still pictures. You can add a voice over or just select music from their collection. You can create a 30 second video for free.  Check out this  video – note the information and URL are not real.

10.  Create a meme from the picture of you and the award. Visit www.imgflip.com and upload your photo and add a few words. Share the picture everywhere on the web and include a link back to the press release and/or where they can buy your book. 

BONUS IDEA: Throw a party. (It could be a “garden party to reminisce with your old friends“) Invite your friends and family and local contacts to come and help you celebrate this wonderful accomplishment. Carry the award with you everywhere. Take lots of selfies with you, the award and your friends and share all over the web. The more you share the more effective your marketing efforts will be.

Bottom Line: Winning an award for your work is a really big deal. Now is not the time to be modest. You need to find every way you can to stand and Shout it From the Rooftops. You can’t afford to be distracted because then you’ll lose the momentum of the moment. You need to Let the Sun Shine In on you and your efforts!

Visit our Facebook page and let me know if you have won an award and we’ll make sure to help spread the word through our social media!