Marketing 'Beyond Brokeback' at Pride Events & Other Venues - Discussion

[Ellen (tellyouwhat)]

^^^^^^^^
thanks des!

 

I don't want to give the impression I am not thinking in terms of selling many more copies! 

Here is why I'm so excited about 50 books.

Based on the number of people we KNOW marketed (those who have posted in this thread) that figure in sales is a fabulous percentage for a book that no one has heard of before.  The decision to purchase a book requires action, the person would have had to go on-line looking specifically for OUR book, rather than a wide google search on "brokeback mountain."  (we may come up there, but I have never seen it on the first page.)

The second reason the number "fifty" makes me happy is that we have 200 still in stock.  Each 50 we sell makes a SIGNIFICANT dent in that number, which means we won't have to pay storage to WingSpan.   

A modest goal, perhaps, but a worthy goal. 

The third reason is that if we SOLD 50 books, we have probably reached about ten times that number in getting the name of the book out there.  We have yet to embark on any real publicity campaign (sending out news releases, etc.) because we had to wait until the book is truly available POD.  So all of the publicity you have done, and will do, will be very important to take us to the next level of sales.

[shakestheground]

Not sure where to post this, but here goes.

I was recently commissioned to preform civil marriages in my locality. I married my first couple this past Saturday, 7-7-07.

When preparing for it I felt like I needed to have something in my hand, not a Bible because it was not a religeous service in any way. So on my way out the door I grabbed my copy of Beyond Brokeback and carried it. I felt it was very fitting, hope the energies of those stories will being blessings to the new couple.

Thank you again.

[KittyHawk]

Thanks for that post, STG. I knew this Forum had resulted in several wonderful partnerships, unions, and at least one marriage, but imagine our book actually being at a wedding! I hope it brings all the best things to new couple. (By the way, the story of the marriage will be posted in a few days on the Page entitled "The Rest of the Story" on the Beyond Brokeback web site.)  We appreciate your sharing this.

- KH

[BrokenOkie]

Am working on plans for book marketing/sales at the Wichita Falls pride event coming up in August.  The event is mostly movie screenings, sponsored by MCC, including BBM.  Excited permission from our pastor has been given to set up a table with some copies of the book for sale, with flyers, cards, etc.

[BayCityJohn]

Glenn:

Tell you what- I know where Wichita Falls is.

Can you get them to play the book video before the screening of BBM?  I can send you a high quality DVD, or upload the original file so you can burn it. We're going to try to do the same thing at the Castro screening in September.

[BrokenOkie]

You're reading my mind, John!

If you don't mind to upload it, I sure don't mind to download it and burn it.

They're also planning to show the concert, so it'll be quite a Brokeback Night in Da Falls.

[BayCityJohn]

Link to the video:

http://ftp://ftp.baycityforums.com


Login:  BBM@baycityforums.com

password: video

[BrokenOkie]

Got it, John - thank you!

Now they can show your book video, the concert, and the movie. 

ETA:

I think we're good to go!  Everything is there except the movie poster which I'll take this Sunday, and a volunteer is in place to take care of book sales.  If I don't forget, will also print a copy of the Variety ad for display.  After services on Sunday, we'll be rearranging and getting things set up to convert the sanctuary to a 'theater', complete with concession stand for the Pride Week screenings.  The stadium-seating & stage design of the building is going to be ideal for these events.

[Ellen (tellyouwhat)]

A beautiful picture of our book displayed next to Annie Proulx' in the front window of Lamba Rising in Washington DC






Thanks to goaboydc for talking to Lambda Rising about our book, which resulted in their stocking the book in their three locations.

DCLuke took this picture.

[Janie-G]

Hi. I've managed a small plug for the book but it might reach a fairly wide audience. I've been interviewed on Deviantart, the site where I have my gallery. As one of my featured pictures I chose Reunion so I could drone on about BBM. lol! And I managed to get in a mention for Beyond Brokeback. All those who've asked for more info I've directed to the website. There are loads of Brokies over there so who knows, it might help. Here's the link. The ref. to the book is near the end for those who don't want to wade through the rest! 

http://news.deviantart.com/article/34689/

Janie

[KittyHawk]

Janie, that's terrific! Thanks for mentioning the book!

I was also glad to find out about that site. Very interesting stuff. And I'm so impressed you're writing about Alexander! Keep us posted on that!

- KH

[Janie-G]

Janie, that's terrific! Thanks for mentioning the book!

I was also glad to find out about that site. Very interesting stuff. And I'm so impressed you're writing about Alexander! Keep us posted on that!

- KH

You're so welcome. I believe in this book. And every little helps to swell the sales. I'll update you on the Alex project....if we EVER get it into shape. lol!
Janie

[KittyHawk]

I had thought that if we could win an award or two for our book that it would boost sales. One in particular that I thought we had a good chance for was the Lambda Literary Award. Sad to say we're not among the finalists!    Here's the letter I got this past week. Nominees and finalists can be found in the links at the bottom.

- Lydia

The 20th Annual Lambda Literary Awards (Lammys) will take place at The
Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood on Thursday, May 29, 2008 on the eve
of The Book Expo America (held May 30 - June 1 at The Los Angeles Convention
Center). The winners will be announced at the Gala Buffet Reception and
Ceremony, which is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood.

The Lammys recognize and honor the best in GLBT literature. The nominated
books reflect a diverse range of distinguished voices from the GLBT
community and highlight the full range of achievement in 2007 GLBT
literature.  Eighty judges, representing a broad cross-section of the GLBT
literary world, will select a single book in each category to win the
prestigious Lambda Literary Award, considered to be the highest accolade for
a book from the GLBT community. Spanning 21 categories, 103 finalists are
picked from 463 books nominated by 190 publishers. Finalists will be
announced March 15th.

Please help acknowledge the contribution of these writers by placing a
congratulatory ad in the program. The ad rate card is attached in both Word
and as a pdf.

Advertising Rates (Color / B&W):
Back Cover (4-color only)   $1200
Inside Front Cover (4-color only) $1000
Inside Back Cover (4-color only)   $1000
Full Page  (Color or B&W)    $900/$850
Half Page - Vertical or Horizontal (Color or B&W)  $450/$400
Quarter Page (Color or B&W)  $225/$175
*Eighth Page (Color or B&W)  $150/$99

*We are offering a $99 "sweetheart" classified ad (1/8 page) in B&W so you
can send a "Happy 20th Birthday" to the Lambda Literary Awards, or a
valentine to your favorite LGBT author. Make it a color classified, for only
$150. Just send us the wording.

Ad Deadlines:
-Monday, April 7th for space reservations
-Monday, April 14th for ad and payment

-To reserve ad space, e-mail lisag@igc.org or call (415) 431-7363 or fax the
ad form to (415) 431-7362.
-Please e-mail your ad to Randy Dunbar at randy@randydunbar.com (No need to
cc it to me.)

Important links:
-Advertising page:
http://www.lambdaliterary.org/awards/advertising_llf_awards.html
-List of Nominees:
http://www.lambdaliterary.org/awards/current_nominees.html
-Current finalists:
http://www.lambdaliterary.org/awards/current_finalists.html
-To order Award Ceremony tickets, go to
http://www.lambdaliterary.org/awards/annual_llf_awards.html
-For sponsorships, please contact Charles Flowers at
awards@lambdaliterary.org or 212-239-6575

Thank you for your support!

Lisa Geduldig/Advertising Sales
20th Annual Lambda Literary Awards
Ph: 415-431-7363/Fax: 415-431-7362
lisag@igc.org - http://www.lambdaliterary.org

[BayCityJohn]

I will be attending the sneak preview of the 'Brokeback Mountain' dance by the Man Dance Company in San Francisco on Saturday, Aug 16, 2008

I plan on bringing a couple of promo copies of the book, and some business cards, to the show.

I know the director of the company is interested in the forum.

Either Linda or I, or both, will post a review of the dance.

The public performance is scheduled for sometime in June 2009.

This is just some informaion passed on to me my hairdresser ( Michael's too) about

Man Dance Company of San Francisco.

http://www.mdcsf.blogspot.com/

"To kick off 2008, a $5000 match will enable Man Dance Company to collaborate with the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus towards a premier concert in June 2009 at the new San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  There will be a 'Sneak Peek' on August 16, at the Conservatory's Osher Salon in SF. The donations to this celebration will benefit these organizations towards unifying and enhancing the LGBT and Allied Communities"

Two of the performances

       


"Who Wants to Live Forever" - Queen                             "Brokeback Mountain" - Santaolalla

[desperadum]

Thanks, John. Have fun tonight - we look forward to hearing all about it!