Three Reasons To Volunteer for the MRA Annual Conference: March 17 - 20

Did you know that volunteering for an event such as the Michigan Reading Association's Annual Conference, being held at the DeVos Place in Grand Rapids could be one of the best investments in your publishing career? Well, it’s true. Whether you're pre-published or have a bazillion books under your belt, participating in an event such as this can have a long-term positive impact on your marketing efforts. Let me tell you why.

• Your Target Audience: The term “target audience” is a marketing term referencing the people that are most likely to be interested in a product or service – your books! The MRA membership is composed of teachers and librarians from all over the great State of Michigan. Friends, these lovely people are your target audience! They’re gatekeepers! And, by participating in the event in a genuine and authentically helpful way, these educators will have an opportunity to get to know you, whether you are pre-published or not.

  

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  Relationship Marketing: Publishing guru Tim Grahl has revised the definition of marketing as being, “The act of building long-lasting connections with people.” Oftentimes, these long-lasting connections develop into relationships, friendships that develop over a space of time. Tim says, “The more long-lasting connections you make with readers, the more books you will sell in a natural manner that reflects genuine connection rather than shady salesmanship” (YOUR FIRST 1000 COPIES, pg. 9). And how will you initiate such long-lasting connections? By volunteering at the MRA conference. That’s how.

• Community Building: The word “community” is defined as a feeling of fellowship with others through the sharing of common attitudes, interest, and goals. The MRA believes that literacy is essential to success in life and that freedom to read is essential to our democracy. They are dedicated to making a difference in students’ lives by offering ongoing, sustainable professional development to the educators in Michigan.  Well, I share those common attitudes, interests, and goals. Don’t you? The good folks at the Michigan Reading Association are my kind of people. I’ll bet they’re yours, also.

If you are in the Grand Rapids area and desire to engage in a community building relationship marketing opportunity with your target audience, join me at the MRA Annual Conference being held at the Devos Center from Friday, March 17 to Monday, March 20. They need our help to make the event a grand success. Let’s be there for them.

If you’re interested, shoot me a note at debbadee5@gmail.com.  There is no cost to participate and the benefits are insurmountable!

Hope to see you in Grand Rapids!

Children's author, career educator & Pinterest marketing specialist, Debbie Gonzales is the founder of Pin Lit Marketing, a boutique Pinterest marketing agency for book sellers & creators. Deb is the author of a collection of early readers and the nonfiction picture book GIRLS WITH GUTS: THE ROAD TO BREAKING BARRIERS AND BASHING RECORDS. She’s the host & creator of Guides by Deb, a website consisting of over 300 standards-aligned educator guides for all genres. Learn more about Deb at debbiegonzales.com or guidesbydeb.com.