The penniless writer series: how to increase sales by positioning your book for free
Neil Mach
- Region:
- South East
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- author and social historian
- Fee:
- Expensed: the speaker would appreciate a reasonable contribution towards his travel expenses
- Category:
- Hobbies
- Updated:
- 23rd August 2025
- Tagged:
- Books Writing | Author Workshop | Writing Workshop | Book Sales
This experienced public speaker, who has written many books, shows his audience how to promote their book with little (or no) money!
Are you considering shelling out thousands to have a “so-called” public relations outfit promote your book?
Are you tempted to invest hundreds on an advertising campaign?
Do you have the time to learn all about Amazon ads and Facebook ads?
Hold on! You'll need to experiment with a lot of (free) methods first before you squander any hard-earned cash on promotion and marketing!
Never think that you can’t promote your book because you’re broke. It’s definitely possible to market and promote your book on a very small budget! Neil will show how to boost sales and be confident about the book that you're selling (confidence is the key to success!.)
This is a slideshow talk for authors who have published their book and now they want to build their audience organically to increase their book sales.
If an audience hasn’t yet begun their writing journey, they might prefer to begin with the first presentation in the penniless writer series, titled ‘Why you should start writing your book today.’
If an audience hasn’t already released their book (for free or nearly free), they might prefer to begin with the second presentation in the penniless writer series, titled ‘How you can publish your book on a shoestring.’
But this talk, 'How to increase sales by positioning your book for free' will motivate writers to explore their creative skills, using self-reflection to help create a unique brand that draws in the right readers for the product on sale.
Please do not spend your hard-earned cash on P.R. or marketing until you’ve seen this presentation!
Please note: there are no-strings-attached to this author appearance! Neil isn't ging to make a sales pitch and he won't try to sell you a book!! He'll just share his advice, his insights, and his experiences.
This 45-minute illustrated talk will demonstrate:
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Explaining your goals to an audience so they value your offerings and buy the book
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Attracting readers to your vision by demystifying your creative life.
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Highlighting a product effectively while keeping readers engaged.
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Free ways to gather and share effective testimonials.
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Ways to build positive relationships with readers, prompting reviews
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Ways to share book reviews that showcase your work.
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Organizing book tours and launches without spending any money.
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Putting together a press kit for free, and where to send it.
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Guidelines for writing a press release
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Organising a successful social media author event (without spending any money.)
About Neil Mach
Neil Mach is considered highly skilled in the art of public speaking.
It doesn’t matter how big or small your audience is! The author has delivered speeches to audiences of various sizes and ages, ranging from theatres to living rooms, and from care homes to first schools.
Neil has given his entertaining slideshow presentations to community groups, Probus clubs, W.I. meetings, U3A groups, care homes, schools, colleges, and other neighbourhood associations big-and-small.
With over 20 books written, Neil is not only a published ethical author but also a multi-time NaNoWriMo champion. He describes himself as a ‘hippy grandad!’’
His home is located in Surrey, England, by the River Thames but he's willing to travel in the South-East and Thames Valley and has given slideshow talks in Leicester, Birmingham, South Kent, and North Bedfordshire.
In his popular 'penniless writer series' he guides new writers in ways they can achieve their writing ambitions with minimal outlay.
After retiring from public service, Neil became an internationally recognized author/journalist in the music industry. He founded the ‘Rock Pen’ school to nurture aspiring music writers and has made valuable contributions to various esteemed publications, newsletters, and blogs.
During 2021, he curated an exhibition that was highly acclaimed and delivered a talk on the ‘Coronation Charts’, which marked the beginning of pop charts in British music history.
In 2024, he arranged a temporary exhibition focused on Led Zeppelin in 1969. He later conducted presentations on the same subject.
Neil makes regular appearances on TV and is a frequent guest on radio and podcasts.
Don’t miss Neil’s fascinating 45–60 minute illustrated talk exploring the question, “What is Fantasy Fiction?” In this entertaining talk, the author explores the “need” for fantasy creation in humans and explains the fundamental definitions of the genre. He delves into questions like: What makes up the key element of fantasy? What is fantasy fiction? What is liminality? What is a liminoid experience? What’s the difference between myth and fairytale? What is the definition of magical? What is the difference between high fantasy and low fantasy?
If you need him quickly the speaker is often available at short (less than a week) notice.
The author is aware of the financial constraints of small community groups and associations, so he offers his illustrated talks for free, but he'd appreciate a reasonable contribution towards his travel expenses.
Neil brings mementos, artifacts, and ephemera with him to aid in triggering audience memories. He also provides his own equipment.
+++++++++++++++++++++++ Links:
https://www.facebook.com/author.neilmach
https://www.neilmachauthor.com/
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Significant podcast episodes:
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/josiane-fortin7/episodes/80-Where-Fantasy-Authors-Ought-to-Begin-e1igc4n/a-a2ks2ah
https://www.spreaker.com/user/tomreaoch/neil-mach-author-so-you-want-to-write-fa
TV appearances:
The Repossible Show
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fStjDjkV9M&t=114s&pp=ygUJbmVpbCBtYWNo
The Self Publishing Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMmaTR7SSZ0&t=16s&pp=ygUJbmVpbCBtYWNo
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Neil Mach
- What is Fantasy Fiction? - with English fantasy author Neil Mach
- Rocking Surrey: History of Suburban Rock and Roll with music journalist Neil Mach
- The Fiction of Romani Culture: Exploring the way Gypsy people are depicted in literature
- Reflecting on 1969: Britain Thrusts into the Space Age
- How to get a book started: How to Write Your First Book with author Neil Mach
- Surrey Farmland Girls - Triumph on the Land: the story of the Women's Land Army
- Clickety click - life in ‘66: the year that Britain became the envy of the world
- Standpipes and Sex Pistols: Remembering the long hot summer of '76
- The penniless writer series: why you should start writing your book today.
- How we lived on the brink... Life in Britain during the Cold War 1957-1967
- The penniless writer series : how you can publish your book on a shoestring
- What is Steampunk fiction?
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