Making Movies in Las Vegas

SamuraiInterview with Wolfgang Muchow – Filmmaker / Screen Writer; Winner of the Nevada Film Office Screenwriting competition 2011

Wolfgang Muchow is a Las Vegas filmmaker and recent winner of the Nevada Film Office Screenwriting competition for Best Screenplay 2011. After graduating from UNLV, where he won awards in both screenwriting and directing, Wolfgang was the first film student in UNLV history to be admitted to New York University’s prestigious MFA film program. Wolfgang currently lives in Henderson where we writes and directs commercials and movies.

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7 secrets successful artists and writers use to build an effective platform.

What is a platform?
Being the architect of your project is only the first step to your success as a writer or artist. Your platform is your connection to the public. This should include website, blog, social networks, conferences, book signings, art exhibits, speaking engagements and appearances on radio and television. The effectiveness of your platform will determine how well you’re able to connect with your audience and that will greatly impact your success.

Here are seven secrets to help you to start building your platform.

How To Sell More Books

Just a short list of ideas that might help you sell more books.

Giveaways
Consider giving some things away with your book. Digital content is always a good resource and adds value to the purchase of a book. Maybe you have a worksheet or some additional material that will compliment the book. This can all be included as bonus material to help increase the perceived value of the book.

Also consider giving free print material such as a “poster” of artwork from the book. Themed bookmarks as bonus items is also a good idea.

Build Partnerships
Another helpful idea is to consider partnering with other authors and content creators. You can either trade some copies of your book for copies of their material, which can then be added to your list of bonus items, or some content creators will be happy to give you content for free in exchange for exposure to their work.

Incentives for customers
Another good idea is to offer incentives to customers who buy multiple books (3, 5, 10 or more). Either offer additional bonus material for buying multiple copies, or consider having a lunch, dinner or after launch party with customers who buy large quantities. This might seem strange, but if the book is a good resource, many people will consider buying multiple copies as gifts or giveaways.

Book Signings
One of the most common forms of book promotion is a book signing event at a local book retailer or library. While this is well known to most authors, it is often under promoted by the authors themselves. Don’t just leave it up to the venue to announce book signings, take the lead in your own campaign and get the word out through as many sources as possible. Press releases, blog posts, twitter and Facebook announcements are a good place to start and there are many more.

Set Time Limits
Remember to put a time limit on the promotional give aways. This adds a sense of urgency to the promotion, and also allows you to plan for post launch parties or other events that might be related to the book launch.

Yes, I’m aware that many of you have probably come up with a few or maybe even most of these ideas on your own, but maybe you’re having trouble with the logistics. If that’s the case and you want someone to help please checkout www.MisterWords.com.