Marketing
Your Book - Eight Unique Ways to Promote Your Book
by Desiree
Day
Whether you have just completed your first, third or fifth book you want to
see it succeed. Book promotion is a daunting task that can leave even a seasoned
publicist floundering for ideas. There are thousands of books jockeying for the
readers attention and you want your book to be their first choice. Promoting a
book is like being a cross between Houdini and a detective. You have got to
sleuth for creative promoting avenues then magically tie them to your book to
maximize revenue-generating publicity.
With these super easy tips, you can promote your book like a pro. Promoting
should be done off and on-line. Your goal is not only to be creative but to
garner as much publicity for your book as possible. On all the items listed
below be sure to include your book cover, website address, contact information,
and, always a must, ordering information.
- Magnetic Signs: We have all seen these signs on vehicles
advertising everything from AVON to plumbing services. Why not use them to
promote your book? Full-color magnetic signs placed on the sides of your car
are the ultimate advertising tools. If your daily commute is anything like
mine, an hour each way to work, hundreds of people can see them on a daily
basis. They are relatively cheap. Depending on the size and design you choose,
you can get a pair ranging from $18.00 to $85.00. All you have to do is email
the company the verbiage, a succinct description of your book, website address
and a .JPEG of your book cover. Be sure to review the proof they send you. The
company can have a custom sign to you within three to five business days.
- Create Your Own Blog: Blog, what a funny sounding word, it almost sounds
like you are regurgitating lunch. But trust me there is nothing funny about
it. Having a blog has become one of the coolest and in some cases most
profitable things on the Web. Blog, nickname for web log, is an online
personal journal on which you can add links to your favorite sites. A blog can
take your diary ramblings and turn them into a publicity-generating machine.
Depending on the popularity of your blog it can receive more than one hundred
thousand hits a day. A blog provides an excellent venue to showcase your
writing in addition to keeping your fans abreast on what is going on with you.
Be sure to include a link on your blog that point visitors back to your main
website for them to read an excerpt of your book and to purchase it. You may
read my blog at
http://desireeday.blogspot.com.
- A Mug: My agent, Bob Diforio, had my book cover emblazed on a coffee mug.
The mug can also serve double duty as a candy dish. If you work in an office,
give one to the receptionist to use as a candy dish, that way every visitor to
the office will see it.
- An Acrylic Holder: You can make your own holder or order one from a
promotional item company. Hang the holder on your car window to hold your
postcards. Whenever you stop at a store, pull out your holder. Passersby can
take a postcard while you are shopping.
- Clothing: Make this a family event. Have your book cover, website address
and succinct information on your book emblazed on a T-shirt, baseball cap,
sweatpants, etc. Have family members wear their T-shirts and/or baseball caps
whenever the opportunity presents itself. At the gym, out shopping, or just
out getting ice cream. Theres no better walking billboard than your loved
ones.
- Advertise on www.classmates.com: The creation of this website has allowed
individuals to keep in touch with or renew acquaintances from years past. For
a nominal fee you can send an announcement of your new book to the alumni of
your high school and college. Although they restrict you from adding a URL to
your announcement, you can still add information that will get noticed. For
example I used: Desiree Day has just published her novel Crazy Love.
Interested readers can then Google me to find my website.
- Independent Book Sellers (IBS): By now you should know the names of all
the IBS within a one hundred mile radius of your home. A number of them
collect demographical information on their customers, such as name, mailing
address and email address. This is vital information that you can use in
promoting your book. Contact the owner to see if they are willing to mail out
your promotional materials. However; if they do mail your information, be
prepared to pay postage.
- You: Keep a copy of your book with you at all times. Just having it is
bound to elicit questions. This is an especially excellent technique if you
are on public transportation. Anyone within three feet of you is bound to ask
what you are reading. Also have a supply of your postcards to pass out to
everyone you meet.
Do not forget that you can also promote your book by writing articles,
facilitating a workshop, volunteer as a panelist, and joining an assortment of
professional associations and organizations.
You can tack your postcards on local bulletin boards, post your web site on
Yahoo and MSN groups, have a friend host a book signing/reading party and,
finally, send press releases to independent booksellers.
Happy Promoting!
Related Links
Print Magnets, Business Card and More at
Vistaprint - Best Prices on Personal Printing)
Free Popular Blogging Software -
http://www.blogger.com
Cafepress for Coffee
Mugs, Clothing and more
Desiree Day
Author of Crazy Love
www.desireeday.com
BLOG: http://desireeday.blogspot.com/
Journaling: A First Step to Publication
An Article by Desiree Day
http://www.aalbc.com/reviews/journaling.htm
