Tapping into your A-Team Network
As a new author you have one massively powerful asset that has been a sleeping giant…until now. It’s your “A-Team”.
Who is the A-Team? The A-team is:
A group comprised of the more influential people you have within your personal and professional network.
“Influential” can be defined as:
People who are seen as leaders or thought leaders within their own network or industry.
Individuals who have large followings on social media (or at least significantly larger than you) platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, TikTok, Twitter.
Individuals who’s company or business could purchase a bulk order of books from you and book you for a virtual or in-person author reading or speech.
People who write their own blog, newsletter or may have access to their company/business newsletter.
People who work in media and might be able to help you with some PR.
Folks who are super reliable and will always follow through. These are the best to count on for leaving early Amazon reviews.
People who are gifted “connectors” and while they may not have a huge audience, they have no problem introducing you and your book to the people who do.
Your A-team will likely be 25 people max.
What to ask from your A-team (the easy lift ask):
Amazon Reviews: “I would mean so much if you could leave me a review on Amazon. Nothing helps a new author more than book reviews”
1-3 Book Purchases: “Thank you so much for your interest! The truly best way to help me is by purchasing 2-3 copies of my book on Amazon and then leaving a review. The book makes a great gift for a friend, I promise they will love it.”
What to ask A-team members who are connected in Organizations/Companies/Professional Networks:
Ask if they would be interested in an “incentive offer” for committing to a bulk purchase of books. For example you can offer a 50% discount on your speaker fee for anyone who is buys a bulk order of 50+ books. Speaking can be delivered virtual over Zoom or they can fly you out for an in-person engagement.
For A-team members who have their own set of clients, give them a special bundle offer to their clients. This can be discounted speaking, discounted bulk orders, special advanced signed copies.
A-Team (they get a free book)
Share a picture or selfie of them with your book! This is one of the most effective marketing tactics you can do!
Read book - Leave Amazon review
Connect to media - podcasts, articles, etc
Connect us to their network (free bundle offer)
One of our favorite things to do with your A-team is sending them an advanced hard copy with a nice note and asking for a favor.
Below are some examples of the A-team promoting a book for their author friend.
This last one is a great example of an author showing the “behind the scenes” to his audience and bringing them along the publishing journey. It shows the hard work and personal touch by the author to personally send out 25 copies to his A-team. This is how books are sold!
