Welcome Packet

Welcome Packet
Brain to Books
Cyber Convention and Book Expo
by
Angela B. Chrysler

Table of Contents
Introduction
Step #1 – Choose your path
Step #2 – Register
Step #3 – Complete the Forms
Step #4 – Collect the Graphics
Step #5 – Support the Thunderclap
Step #6 – Know your Tools
Step #7 – Learn about marketing
Meet the Team
Links

INTRODUCTION
Welcome to Brain to Books!
I created Brain to Books in 2014 with one purpose: to unite and assist undiscovered authors in
marketing and promotion.
In 2015, I saw the significant lack of opportunity available to authors today, and invented an
event to provide undiscovered authors with the opportunity the need: The Annual Brain to Books
Cyber Convention and Book Expo. That year, we started with 160 authors and filled three days
with marketing and book promotions, these authors emerged from the writer’s cave and, in the
style of the State Fair, helped build an event designed to attract readers—not authors.
In 2016, Brain to Books CyCon returned. We saw a 500% growth, from 160 members to 800 in
just a couple months (60% of whom were readers)! In 2017, we are projecting upwards of
1,000% growth. That is a lot of readers in one place on three days, and every undiscovered
author is invited to attend. Use our CyCon to promote your books and build your platform!
Plans are underway for April 2017. We have blog tours, book readings, blog hops, cover wars,
tournaments, giveaways, and cash prizes for both authors and readers. This year, we have built a
marketing team designed to teach authors how to market effectively long after the CyCon is
over.
Brain to Books CyCon happens online and is open to everyone worldwide making this
opportunity available to everyone. We don’t charge readers, encouraging them to come to our
event, ready to buy your books! Our headquarters are www.b2bcycon.com. We have a closed
Facebook group where you can jump in and ask questions.
This December (17 December 2016), we are hosting a CyCon sampler so you can see and
experience a taste of what you will see in April.
You probably are looking at this going, “This! I want to get into this!” But how? Where do you
go? How do you start? This short Welcome Packet is designed to get you started. Follow the
steps in order, and you’ll be well on your way to the CyCon!
Warmest wishes,
Angela B. Chrysler
A word from Joshua Robertson
https://www.facebook.com/joshua.robertson.9235/videos/10155090374975931/

Step #1 – Choose your path
CyCon presents a number of paths available to you. We have designed the CyCon to have a
purpose for readers, authors, writers, bloggers, and anyone with a service to offer a writer. There
is no wrong path. You can choose as little or as many paths as you wish. The opportunity is here.
Use it!
OPTION #1 – ATTEND AS A READER
The goal with CyCon is to have all the work done before the event so the majority of authors
being featured can still attend as a reader and enjoy the fruits of our labor. Browse the countless
options. Vote. Mingle. Play and have fun! There is a lot to do in three days.
OPTION #2 – ATTEND AS A SCOUT
Perhaps you’re leery. Or you’d like to experience the CyCon before committing to it. Attend as a
scout. Sit on the sidelines and watch us work. Walk the fairgrounds and assess the Convention
for next year. Many of our featured authors began as scouts.
OPTION #3 – ATTEND AS AN AUTHOR
You have your book, an anthology, a poem written, published and ready to go and you just can’t
seem to find your way through social media. Or maybe you have mastered the art of social
growth and you’re looking for an added boost to your platform. Register and be featured in the
dozens of events laid out for you. Choose as little or as many events as you wish. There is no
limit as to what you can do.
OPTION #4 – ATTEND AS A WRITER
Maybe you’ve dabbled with writing and are considering to publish. Maybe you have a blog and
have posted a few things. Despite having no published works, you can still start building your
platform now so when you do publish, you have a fan base to sell your work to. Blog Hop is one
of many events featured in CyCon to help writers begin their fan base. It’s never too early to
start.
OPTION #5 – ATTEND AS A BLOGGER
While the readers flow in, we are actively seeking bloggers who are interested in boosting their
traffic. We have the readers. Now we just need to direct them through a blog tour. If you are a
bloggers looking to boost your traffic, consider volunteering your blog as a stop in our Genre
Tours. We represent all genres leaving you with a number of places your blog could belong.
OPTION #6 – ATTEND AS A VOLUNTEER

We are always in need of volunteers eager to help out. Perhaps you have a blog to offer. Perhaps
you have a degree in marketing, tech, or customer service. Volunteers receive a 30% discount off
their registration order and receive prime placement in the CyCon. You can volunteer as much or
as little as you would like and we work completely around your schedule. You set your work
schedule.
OPTION #7 – ATTEND AS A SERVICE PROVIDER
Are you a publisher? Are you an editor or a cover designer? With a vast number of authors
passing through the convention, now is the time to display your services. Swap ad space. Reach
out to your community about Brain to Books and in turn, we reach out to our community about
your services. Win. Win. Win.

Step #2–Create Your Marketing Plan
A marketing plan is the process of picking and choosing marketing tactics that will get you the
desired result: more book sales. To do this, you first need to know what marketing tactics are
available to you and what the tactic entails. Some rules before you begin building your plan.
Only select events for your plan that you will enjoy. Marketing should be enjoyable. You
will want something that you are passionate about. If you choose something you hate,
people will know. If live conventions aren’t your thing, don’t do them! If role playing
and cosplay are your thing, do that instead! Tap into your likes, your dislikes, your
talents! You will be amazed at what you can do once you start thinking outside the box.
Only select events that you can afford. Do not buy advertising unless you have more than
$2,000 to spend. $4,000 to $5,000 is a better place to start. Marketing does not require
expensive advertising, nor is marketing and advertising the same thing. Advertising alone
does not work. If you are paying for advertising without a plan, chances are you will see
no results.
When designing a marketing plan, you will follow a flow sheet. Here it is in black and white:
1. Define your product. Know what you’re selling. Your answer is most likely, a book.
2. Define your demographic. This will require some trial and error. Tap into a handful of
targeted audiences and watch which ones respond the most to your product. That is your
demographic. Study your demographic. Learn how to sell to your demographic (More on
this later). You will want to design your marketing plan to meet their selling habits.
3. Price your product to competition standards. Too high will result in little to no sales. Too
low will raise suspicion. “What’s wrong with this product?” If it’s cheap it’s probably
going to be viewed as defective or refurbished. Research the going price for your product
and price accordingly.
4. Decide how best to sell you product using trial and error. Here is where things get tricky.
I am going to give you a list of options after this flow sheet. Pick and choose what you
think you will enjoy. If this is your first marketing plan, you’re most likely flying blind
with a clean slate. Don’t worry. You can always go back and change your plan. Select
something. Start small. Compare results and try again. Repeat the events that get you the
best results. Ditch the events that yielded the least results and pick something else. After
a few trials, you’ll have a good idea what works and what doesn’t. Give your plan a
proper amount of time to yield results.
5. Execute: Here is where the Brain to Books Cyber Convention comes into your plan. You
have an event filled with readers. We are providing you with the audience. Now review
your plan and execute accordingly. We will walk you through that too in just a moment.

6. Evaluate: Just because the CyCon is over doesn’t mean your job is. This is where data is
so important. Watch your sales. Track your traffic. Follow your newsletter subscriptions.
Which event brought in the most results? Which events did you not enjoy or required too
much work for too little result? Evaluate your outcome and decide what worked and what
didn’t. Numbers is the best tool to determine this.
7. Adjust: Adjust your plan accordingly. Go back to the list of options. Replace the events
that yielded the least results and pick something else. Try again. Watch and track the
results. Compare and measure the results. Evaluate. Replace. Try again.
We recommend a quarterly plan, one for each season. Once every year, you should have one
primary event that ties into your product and boosts your marketing. If you’re a horror author,
chances are Halloween is your primary marketing event. If you’re a romance author, Valentine’s
Day is your sweet spot. Have a book about zombies? Consider releasing your book when The
Walking Dead: Season Premiere debuts.
MARKETING CONTENT
Here is a list of common marketing content used in plans. This list is not complete and is only
meant to inspire ideas.
This list was provided by Wikipedia. Each word is hyperlinked to Wikipedia for further
explanation.
Advertising
Branding
Underwriting spot
Direct marketing
Personal selling
Product placement
Propaganda
Publicity
Sales promotion
Sex in advertising
Loyalty marketing
Mobile marketing
Premiums
Prizes
Corporate anniversary
On-hold messaging
Printing
Publication
Broadcasting
Out-of-home advertising
Internet

Display advertising
Behavioral targeting
Web banner
Point of sale
Merchandise
In-game advertising
Mobile advertising
Native advertising
Product demonstration
Word-of-mouth
Brand ambassador
Drip marketing
Visual merchandising
New media
COMMON MARKETING TACTICS USED BY AUTHORS
Blog Tours
Newsletters
Blog Hops
Story Hops
Facebook Takeovers
Sales
Holiday promotions
Swag packs
Contests
Games
Prizes
Graphics
Website Banners
Giveaways
Free Gifts
Twitter
Instagram
Author Interviews
Guest posts
Blogging
Article writing
Book Readings
Book Release Parties

Remember: A plan can be any one of these things or more. Usually, it is considered good
practice to schedule 3 to 5 of these events at the same time. The more you do, the more likely
you will see the results you want. But don’t spread yourself or your finances too thin! In most
cases, you will be doing the write ups and prep work for a lot of these events.

Step #3–Register
If you have decided that being a featured author is the path for you, now is the time to review the events
and decide which ones are best for your plan. Remember! You want to select the events that you will
enjoy.
1. Brain to Books Giveaway (Free with Purchase) – Donate your book(s), series, box set(s) to the
genre-themed giveaway of your choice.
2. Book Expo ($5.00 per submission) – Showcase your book(s), Series, or Box set(s) in the Book
Expo.
3. Blog Hop ($5.00) – Sign your website up for the genre-themed Blog Hop. Readers check out
author’s/writer’s websites and we drive traffic to your site/blog.
4. Genre Tour ($5.00) – In celebration of your genre, donate an article, an excerpt, a book cover, a
book trailer, anything you can think of to the Genre Tours.
5. Word Wars ($5.00) – Authors face off on the hottest book topics of today. No manners required.
All in good fun. For the author who loves to argue. (Authors may select from any number of
topics below). This is a live event and requires your presence during the CyCon.
o Paperback books are better than eBooks! vs. Ebooks trump paperbacks any day!
o Science Fiction doesn’t need to be factual! It’s fiction! vs. Science Fiction must have
accurate science!
o Patrick Rothfuss sucks! vs. Patrick Rothfuss is awesome!
o Romance is porn for women! vs. Romance isn’t porn! It’s [argue your point]!
o Iron Man is better than Batman! vs. Batman is better than Iron Man
o YA books should be kept age appropriate level! vs. YA books need to keep up with the
times! Push the envelope!
o Twilight rocks! vs. Twilight sucks!
o Books are always better than the movies! vs. Movies are way better!
o Book covers don’t matter when selecting a book! vs. Book covers matter! Make it a good
cover!
o Stop designing your own book covers! Get a pro on the job! vs. I have the skill to design
my cover! Back off!
6. Panels ($5.00) – Join a live discussion on the topic(s) of your choice (Authors may select from
any number of panels below).
o Memoir: Healing Through Memoir reading. Recognize the early signs of healing.
o Romance: Embracing your inner voyeur. 18+ Only
o Fantasy: 60 Years! How far have we come since Tolkien?
o Science Fiction: The new age with Doctor Who, Star Trek, and Star Wars? Are we
looking at a new audience?
o Thriller: When too far goes too far. Why we turn to thrills.
o Connect with your readers. Think like a reader.
o Social Media today. Oh, how the world is getting smaller.
o Horror, Thriller, Suspense…What is the difference?
7. Joe Live ($5.00) – Join Joe Compton live on #GoIndieNow while he covers the convention live
for 72-hours.

8. Story Time ($5.00) – Submit an excerpt for reading during story time, or read your own. Angela
B. Chrysler (North Eastern US Accent) and Karina Kantas (English Accent) are available to
record for the shy. (Limit 1 per author)
9. Author Interviews ($5.00) – Appear on Back Porch Writer (Audience of 46,000) in the weeks
leading up to the Convention
10. Author Showcase ($5.00) – Be featured in the showcase on Goodreads
11. Brain to Books Anthology ($5.00) – Contribute your short story/poem/article to the Brain to
Books Anthology. All genres are welcome. No rating limits. 10,000 word limit.
12. Character CosPlay ($5.00) – Dress up as your character, snap that selfie, and submit. Readers
vote. Winner of “Best Costume” wins free advertising from Brain to Books for 1 year. (Limit 1
submission)
13. Character Tournaments ($5.00) – Characters face off against other characters. Readers vote.
Winner wins free advertising from Brain to Books for 1 year. (Limit 1 submission)
14. Workshops ($5.00) – Sit in on author targeted workshops designed by the pro’s (Authors may
select any number of workshops to attend)
o Workshop: Using Genealogy to Write Your Next Novel with Allison Bruning
o Workshop: Wrote it Now What? with Allison Bruning
o Workshop: Read the Book. Saw the Movie. What was I thinking? with Allison Bruning
o Workshop: Making your Characters a Reality with Allison Bruning
o Adam Dreece (TBA)
15. “Starving Author” Raffle ($10.00) – Add your name to a pool. Winner gets 50% of the funds
collected from this event (Brain to Books Membership required) (Limit 1 purchase per author).
We announce the winner at the After Party on Facebook.
16. Cover Wars ($10.00) – Add your book to the cover wars. Readers vote for their favorites. Winner
receives 50% of the funds collected from this event and free advertising from Brain to Books for
1 year. Brain to Books Membership Required. (Limit 1 submission per author.)
You can view additional events with more, in-depth descriptions here at Brain to Books.
After you register, you will be provided with a form to download depending on your purchase.
You will not be entered into our system until we receive those forms! You can view your
downloads at any time under “Orders” and in the email you receive after your order. You will
also receive a confirmation page with your downloads as well.
If you are waiting on a publication before filling out the forms, that is absolutely fine. We require
all forms turned in by 17 March 2016.

Step #4–Advertise
So you have your marketing plan. You registered. You submitted your forms. Now comes the advertising.
Advertising comes in many shapes and sizes. Brain to Books provides all graphics and we have a wide
range of graphics to choose from based on styles, sizes, and genres. All you need to do is select the
graphics you need and post it on your social media and site.
This step is mandatory! If you are a registered author, it is required that you advertise. Our goal is to bring
in 100 readers per author. If you don’t have 100 readers, that’s okay. Bring what you have. If you have
more than 100 readers in your platform, your goal is to hit 100. We have a lot of tactics to help motivate
readers to join. Here are some ideas for advertising, we’ll let you know what is mandatory and when.
All advertising is mandatory from February through the CyCon in April 2016.
Website Banners: Post a banner with a link on your blog/website.
Write an article about the CyCon.
Notify your subscribers through your newsletters.
Twitter: Change your header. Post and pin a tweet.
Facebook: Change your header. Post and pin a graphic. Share the event on your timeline and/or a
page you manage.
Google+: Change your header. Post and pin a graphic. Create and share the event on your
timeline.
Goodreads: Post a graphic on your profile page. Create and share the event to your followers.
Share the event with any groups you manage.
Share the event with any groups you are a member in.
Contests: Host a contest/giveaway to generate buzz.
Word of mouth: Tell people about it. Tell readers. Tell authors. Share the news. Many just
haven’t heard of it yet.
Support the Thunderclaps! (See Step #5)
Graphics are available here on Facebook. You will have to join the group before you can access the
photos.

Step #5–Support the Thunderclap
You are going to hear us talk about Thunderclap a lot over the next several months. You will
also hear us ask you to please support the Thunderclap. But what is it? What does it do? Why do
we need it?
In short, it is a free platform where you can “donate” your followers on Twitter, Facebook, and
Tumblr. Every time you “support” a Thunderclap, you agree to let Thunderclap send out a single,
one-time message to all your followers. It’s the same message you are tweeting and posting to
your followers—Join the Brain to Books Cyber Convention—but by supporting our
Thunderclap, the message will be sent across thousands, millions of people at the same time, on
the same day.
Take 2 minutes and watch the video.
Now that you have a better idea as to what Thunderclap is and what it does, take a moment and
support the October Thunderclap!

Step #6–Join Facebook
Marketing Plan designed
Registered for CyCon
Graphics posted
Advertising Complete
Thunderclap supported
You’re all set. You can sit back, breathe easy and wait for the CyCon, but we don’t recommend that. You
have 100 readers to round up! Registration comes with free marketing classes and tips provided by our
marketing team. Over the next six months, we will be posting lessons on Marketing “How-To” and
guides to better help you sell when CyCon is over.
For now, join Brain to Books on Facebook. Sit tight. Watch and mingle!

Step #7–CyCon Sampler
Every December I host a Holiday Giveaway. This year, we are turning the Holiday Giveaway “CyCon
style” to give authors a chance to see how the CyCon works all before the CyCon happens. This event is
free.
We have takeovers, contests, games, prizes, $100.00 Amazon gift card giveaway, and a lot of books! Here
is our first marketing opportunity to sample your marketing plan and test your social reach!
Sign up for the CyCon Sampler today! Spaces are limited!

Meet the Team
Every one of our team members can be contacted at the links listed below.
Tech - Ani Manjikian
Marketing - Heidi Angell
Data Manager - Jin Okubo
Graphics - Indigo Forest Designs
Customer Service - Angela Dukes
Fantasy - Joshua Robertson
YA - Rachel Speakes
Science Fiction - Kylie Jude
Romance - Tabitha Barret
Thriller - Karina Kantas
Horror - Anita Stewart
Memoir - Charlene Jones

Links You’ll Need
Brain to Books Official Site
B2BCyCon Home Site
Facebook Community
Author Showcase
Meetings
Holiday Giveaway (CyCon Sampler)
Save the Date
Support the October Thunderclap
Author Registration
Volunteer
Vote for your Genre
Poll: Tell us why you’re here