Interview with C.A.N. Crown Award Winner Adria Wilkins

The Christian Authors Network’s innovative Crown Awards celebrate excellence in Christian Media and Marketing.

Purpose: To recognize, educate, and encourage excellence in marketing and promotion skills of all Christian authors. The awards are given in three categories:

• Visual Media
• Broadcasting
• Web Presence

Adria Wilkins is the Outstanding Visual Media Gold Award winner. She used Facebook Live, television interviews, social media memes, hashtag marketing, and live events to promote her book The Joy Box Journal. Her book shares stories of finding joy in difficult circumstances, including the death of her three-year-old son.

Adria’s Facebook Live videos garnered lots of attention promoting the book release party at her local Chick-fil-A where she sold 200 copies in one evening. Her live events garnered several speaking opportunities and helped her land a number of TV appearances. She’s now able to combine TV appearances with local events and continues successful sales of her book. Adria’s genuine personality is endearing for viewers.

Tell us about your book.

The Joy Box Journal is 40 devotions, questions to journal, and a unique feature is there is a box in the front of the book, and six, small, note pads in the back of the book. A joy box note question is given at the end of each devotion. The reader writes the answer on the note pad and places the note in the box. The box and journal are designed to give to the next generation to let them know what has brought you joy. 

What led you to write it?

The Joy Box Journal started when my son, Blake, was born with multiple medical problems. I poured my heart out to God and wrote during my journey of grief and trusted God to give me joy during the hardest thing a mother could ever go through.

How does your passion motivate you to promote your book? What keeps you motivated?

My publisher, Hachette Book Group, did such a fantastic job on the cover of my book. The idea for putting a box in the book and the note cards was my idea. I enjoy seeing people’s response of “Oh” when they see the box and note cards at the back of the book. When I tell them, they can leave a legacy with their grandchildren about what has brought them joy their faces light up every time.

Where did you start in the planning of your marketing and did you focus on one main component or area?

I wanted to do my book signing at a bright happy place and I really like Chick-fil-A so I began asking the manager there and everything fell into place. I did lots of research on what marketing tools work best. Writers conferences are a must for authors. You can learn all kinds of marketing techniques and tools at the event. It helps to network with authors at these events and share ideas.

Personal stories are so important. Your own story is tragic, but you chose to respond with joy, and that resonates with your audience. How did you find other stories and how did you select which ones to use?

I often am inspired by things in nature and want to learn about them. God uses these ideas and after research and spending time in God’s Word it becomes a devotion to encourage others. I enjoy watching people and I often get stories just sitting at a local coffee shop or mall.

How have those people helped spread the news about the book?

I try to connect with people everywhere I go. I try to be present in the moment wherever I am. I interact with people and share all the time about my book. If you tell people you are writing a book most people perk up and want to know more. People will show the book to friends and family and then they want a copy.

How did you gather so many people at live events such as ones at Chick-fil-A?

I had a bunch of professional color flyers made and would hand those out as often as possible. I invited several churches around the area. Chick-fil-A also send a mass email out to their clients and they had a flyer made up to promote the Ladies Night Out event.

Amid ordering and eating, how were you able to promote the book to audiences who passed through?

I had a big banner and table area and there was a long line for several hours so anyone that came in would wonder what was going on and would come over and check out the table. Many people from my church came and I had a lot from the community as well. I made sure to publicize as much as possible leading up to the event. I had flyers made that were handed out at some local women’s events.

Once you have a scheduled TV appearance what do you do to set up a live event?

I contact friends or ask if people know of business owners in the area that might like me to do a book signing event while I am in town.

You also had some speaking coaching. How has that aided your marketing efforts?

I met Monica Schmelter, with Christian Television Network, at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference. She led a seminar on speaking. She provides coaching and for the past nine months has been a vital part of encouragement and gives me advice as I share my ideas for events. She helps me know if I am on track or need to tweak my speaking topics, videos, or memes.

You won the CAN Crown Award for outstanding visual media. What elements such as memes have helped you promote the book?

I began doing weekly videos leading up to my book release. Videos are vital for authors. It helps our readers find out who we are and if they learn about our stories, they will want to read our books.

How do you develop your visuals?

I use Canva online to create memes and posts for social media.  I hired someone to create my logo. I take lots of pictures in nature to use for memes or future announcements.

How do you craft your pitch and message to each audience?

I pray a lot. If I am speaking to a group, I meet with the leaders to find out who the people are that I will be speaking with and somethings they deal with. My speaking coach has helped me come up with five to seven speaking topics and then we fine tune them for an audience. For my weekly videos I have been trying to come up with some series that would keep people coming back for more each week. Keeping the topics lively and interesting and unusual things I have researched tends to inspire people. I get excited when I learn new things about God’s creation and the intricate details of its design.

What do you include in your press release that you send to media?

My publisher will provide a copy of my book and a one-page information sheet about how to contact me. I provide a bio and any other information they need.

Can you recommend marketing resources that you have found helpful?

Patricia Durgin with Marketers on a Mission has a daily Facebook live five days a week. She provides valuable interviews with top authors and leaders in the writing and marketing world. She has a wealth of knowledge about how to be a better marketer.

Which aspects of marketing do you enjoy the most?

 I didn’t realize how much I would enjoy doing videos. I have always been shy of cameras or videos, but I get energy and enjoy speaking and sharing with my audience about the neat things I am learning.

Which aspects do you find most challenging?

The admin portion of being a marketer is very time consuming.

What marketing advice can you give writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wish you would have heeded?

 I have always tried to learn and listen as much as I can. We don’t have to do everything, nor do we have to do it the same way it has always been done.

What are common marketing mistakes you see writers making?

• Always have your writing edited.
• Always get a couple of opinions on artwork or designs, especially when starting out.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers about your marketing or writing journey?

• I have been having fun and enjoying every moment of my journey.
• Don’t worry if everything doesn’t get done.
• Don’t rush your writing. God has a plan for the timing of when your writing is ready for the world to read.
• You don’t have to do everything. Hire out some of your work, such as designing a logo, business cards, or flyers.

Award winning author, Adria Wilkins has an accounting degree from Western Kentucky University. She and her husband, Erik, live in Northern Virginia and have three children Katie, Blake, and Anthony.

She enjoys telling a story, adding sprinkles of joy and a few extra dollops to liven it up.

After suffering the unthinkable – death of three-year-old Blake, she found that Jesus sustains, and evens surprises His followers with joy.

Find her book on Amazon  and  Barnes and Noble 

Website: joyboxstories.com

Social media links:

Facebook: adria.wilkins

Twitter: joyboxstories

Instagram: /joyboxstories