To read part 1, click here.
Cendrine Marrouat: Over 22,000 copies of your Canadian edition have been sold so far. Quite an achievement for a self-published author! What tools did you use to promote your book?
Robert Gignac: Thank you Cendrine – I appreciate the compliment. I think as an author the two best tools you will ever have to promote your book are: 1) a good book, and 2) your enthusiasm to tell the story. I’m flattered at the comments I get about the book and how people react to what I wrote.
Your enthusiasm will help build the success because it takes a lot of energy to spend days/weeks/months contacting radio shows, appearing on TV programs, speaking at conferences and events, sending out free copies to potential media outlets and corporate contacts, phoning, e-mailing and at the end of the day “following-up, following-up, following-up”. I have a book website where financial advisors can order in bulk for their clients. I am using LinkedIn and Facebook to build connections as well. But social media isn’t my strong point at the moment – but I am working on it.
CM: As a self-published author, what are some of the challenges that you encounter?
RG: There can be a bit of a stigma against self-published books – people tend to think that perhaps the book wasn’t good enough to get a “real publisher” interested.
Distribution into bookstores can be a challenge (my first distributor went bankrupt owning me about $7,000). You are fighting for market share/mind space in the media world against competitive books whose publishers have more of a marketing budget than you do, who might have access to PR help to smooth out the quest for media exposure. That said, you also have full control over what you choose to do – your print runs - doing special editions of the book for clients - and when success does come your way you can be pretty proud of what you have accomplished – but not enough to stop working at it.
CM: What is next for you?
RG: I have started working on - while I’m reluctant to call it a sequel – the follow-up. I have had enough feedback on the book in the form of “What happens to James & Joyce (the two central characters...) next?”. I’d like it to be linked to the first book. Yet, I think it needs to stand alone, so that if you didn’t read the first book, it won’t hold you back from picking up the second book. It’s a challenge that I am working through as I am blocking out the chapters and plot lines.
CM: Where can people purchase "Rich Is a State of Mind"?
RG: You can purchase “Rich is a State of Mind” in Chapters/Indigo locations across Canada or via their website. Additionally, if readers are interested in bulk purchases of the book for their company or organization I’d refer them to www.richisastateofmind.com, where they can also read reviews of the book, download a sample chapter or drop me a note.
CM: Any last words?
RG: I’d like to let your readers know that personal finance isn’t something to be afraid of or intimidated by. But if this is how you feel (or have friends and family who feel that way...), check out “Rich is a State of Mind.” You’ll probably find out you are doing better than you thought you were – learn a couple of new things and be entertained along the journey. Thank you.
End of the interview.
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Cendrine Marrouat may be contacted for potential interviews, reviews and general enquiries at info@cendrinemarrouat.com. Website: www.cendrinemarrouat.com.
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