Jo-Anne Vandermeulen

“Ready or not, here I come”… As a child, this game was so much fun; but why, as an adult, I discover my knees shaking?

This is the way I feel about now. I’m the one who’s searching for a place but there’s nothing to hide behind. The one shouting the traditional rant, “Ready or not, here I come” is coming to tag me. Who’s it? Who is this jubilant person coming to get me?

My audience.

Whether I’m ready or not, followers/fans are going to come. Confrontation is about to begin today.

Marketing your book starts now, even before you’re published. John Kremer from Book Marketing Network (http://bookmarket.ning.com/) reinforces this fact over and over again.

Last night, I listened to one of John’s audio podcasts.

(Mental note to self – never listen to an inspirational speaker just before bed unless I want ideas rattling inside my head and splicing throughout my dreams.)

Again and again, his main message was clear… a writer must develop an author platform well before the book is published.

“Generating relationships should begin as soon as the writer has the idea to write the book.” >John Kramer<

A writer should reach out (“30 some sites”) to your audience, make friends, and develop relationships.

I figure I have about 6 months to a year before my book, “Conquer All Obstacles”, hits the stands. Yet, my marketing strategies must begin now.

Yesterday, I got a confirmation call from Cory Deslauriers. He owns and manages Auto Trim & Signs (http://www.autotrimyorkton.com) just 6 miles south of Yorkton. My order’s complete. The deco is ready to be positioned on my SUV. Now talk about service. Does the man ever sleep?

In less than an hour and just shy of 300 bucks, my vehicle is decked-out with my book jacket cover and addresses to both my business and personal sites. “Coming Soon!” is the highlighted message beside my book. After my book is published, Cory’s going to change this message to read, “Now Available”. How exciting!

I’ve never had my name on the side of a vehicle before. Exposing my life for others to see is kinda nerve racking. Perhaps it’s because I’m unsure of the response. I cannot even fathom future generated conversations as the result of the deco splashed brilliantly on both sides of my vehicle. Am I ready to announce to my local community the upcoming release of my book?

Again, the audience is chanting… “Ready or not, here I come”. Am I ready to get caught? Whether I’m ready or not, I must pull my vehicle out from hiding. Drive my vehicle from the garage and out onto the streets for all eyes to see.

I’m ready.