| Recently I reviewed a client's query letter. It was a | | | | Make this description tight, concise and, of course, |
| hard working query letter, detailing the marketing | | | | hugely interesting. Then you can move on to... |
| prospects for the book, her own glowing credentials | | | | Your Great Marketing Plan--With You As the Star |
| and the contacts she possessed that would help her | | | | The query letter should include a brief paragraph or |
| publicize the book. But she left out one teeny weeny | | | | two about how you're going to market the book. Of |
| thing: she didn't say what her book was about! I used | | | | course, if you go with a traditional publisher you'll get |
| to think query letters were relatively easy, but now I | | | | major help in this area from the publishing house. But |
| realize that a query has to do so many things that | | | | remember this: no one will be a better advocate for |
| it's easy to forget essential elements. Since the letter | | | | your book than you. And when editors are |
| is your first step in putting your book's best foot | | | | considering manuscripts they're also considering what |
| forward, you don't want that to happen. So here's a | | | | kind of a marketing presence they'll be getting with |
| simple rundown on what goes into a solid query | | | | the author. You'll make their job easier--and your |
| letter. | | | | book much more successful--if you can bring your |
| Who Are You? | | | | own marketing plan to the table to work hand in |
| It's tempting to start the letter by leaping into a | | | | hand with the publisher's. Do you have contacts in |
| breathless description of what you're sure is going to | | | | the media willing to help? Are you good at getting |
| be the best book in the world, but resist a little | | | | quoted in newspapers and magazines? Do you publish |
| longer. You want to use your first paragraph to | | | | freelance articles that can mention your upcoming |
| introduce yourself and let the agent know why he or | | | | book? Put a lot of thought into this. Too many |
| she should pay attention to you. Tell the agent who | | | | writers go into the publishing process expecting |
| you are. Describe your qualifications, including a bit | | | | everything to be done for them and then are |
| about your current activities which will in turn describe | | | | disappointed. Having a good marketing plan would |
| your platform. Have you been doing speaking | | | | show a potential agent that you're serious and you |
| engagements? Do you appear on television? Are you | | | | understand the business. |
| noted in your profession? Have you won any | | | | The Next Step |
| awards? Do people look to you as an expert in your | | | | You've mentioned your credentials, described your |
| subject? Do you teach? For instance, if you are a | | | | book and your stellar marketing plan. Ideally, at this |
| workshop or seminar leader in real estate finance, | | | | point, you have the agent intrigued. You want him or |
| frequently travel across the country, and have 5,000 | | | | her to say, "Great! What does this person have to |
| people attending your workshops every month, you | | | | offer?" This is where your letter would say |
| can tell the agent:"Now I've decided to give away all | | | | something like, "I would love for you to see more |
| of my secrets in a book about real estate financing | | | | and I have a proposal" or "I have 50 pages of a |
| with no money down." Anything that puts you in | | | | manuscript." Whatever you want the agent to see |
| front of people is a potential place to sell your book | | | | next, offer it up and ask, "May I send this to you?" |
| so don't forget to mention such activities. | | | | Asking permission is always a classy thing to do, it |
| What's Your Book About? | | | | shows you're not being presumptuous. Then you |
| In the next two or three paragraphs of the letter | | | | move into a closing that let's the agent know you'll |
| you get to talk about your wonderful book idea and | | | | follow up in a certain amount of time either via phone |
| or story. As a guideline, it may help you to read the | | | | or email (they might prefer email). |
| backs of book covers. You'll want to do something | | | | When you're done, read your query letter over many |
| similar--a brief synopsis of your book with enough | | | | times. Have another trusted set of eyes read it for |
| spark it will intrigue the agent or any other potential | | | | you. It's easy to overlook important points, or to |
| reader, to pick up your book. Use bullet points to | | | | think you've covered something when you really |
| highlight what amazing tidbits the reader will get out | | | | haven't. When you can polish no longer, send it |
| of the book. Will they get five strategies on how to | | | | out--many times! And congratulations. You've just |
| eat without gaining weight? Or 4 low cost resources | | | | made the first step in getting yourself and your book |
| for financing a large home improvement project? Or | | | | out there. I wish you a successful journey. |
| the 6 surefire signs you've found your life purpose? | | | | |