How to Promote Your Book
New and aspiring authors often ask published authors how they market their
books. It’s something published authors ask each other as well, hoping for new ideas.
What I’ve done.
1. When my book was first released, I announced it to my friends and family. I asked
them to pass around the news to their friends and family. The second part is really
important. Ask people to help you spread the news. They might not think to tell others on
their own, but when you ask them most are more than willing to help. I combined my
announcement with a contest—the first twenty-five (25) people responding to my email
got a free copy of my book. I gave away twenty-five copies and gathered a hundred (100)
email addresses I hadn’t had before. That’s a hundred new, interested recipients for my
newsletters and announcements.
2. For about six months, I ran monthly contests giving away signed copies of my book. I
gathered a few email addresses. Some were new, but many were people who didn’t win
in the first contest.
3. I had bookmarks, posters and postcards printed. I used the posters to announce book
signings. I sent out postcards to the people I knew in the towns I had signings in. I
booked talks to clubs and schools and gave bookmarks away. I’ve found that giving
bookmarks as a reminder to those you’ve talked to works well, but leaving a pile
somewhere really doesn’t. It’s the personal connection that sells. Tucking one in a book
you’ve just signed and sold is an extra value but not really a promotional tool.
4. I bought a mailing list of book stores and book clubs and sent out free copies for the
decision makers and bookmarks for the entire group.
5. I queried for reviews, sent out review copies, and entered contests.
6. I contacted bookstores, libraries, and coffee shops to set up book signings. I gave away
free copies to the decision makers.
7. I backed causes and sent out press releases. Locally, I’ve had entire articles printed.
Regionally, I’ve garnered mentions. Nationally, nothing so far. In support of Infertility
Awareness Week, I gave a percentage of my royalties for the month of November 2007
to RESOLVE to promote infertility awareness.
News Release
8. I gave copies of my book to raffles for good causes. Most of the time the book was in a
basket of goodies I provided.
All told, I gave away 100 copies.
9. I joined loops and RWA and became an active member. Again, it’s the personal
connection. People on the loops know who is a friend and who is just trying to sell to
them.
10. I review other’s books and help out fellow authors (and people in general) whenever I
can. The key here is to always follow the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have
them do unto you. It works in life. It works in marketing.
11. I made book trailers and posted them to youtube.com, my space and bebo.com (A
Wish in Time trailer Crème Brûlée Upset Trailer)
12. Don’t quit. Keep looking for ways to promote. Add your list of books and website to
your email signature. Post to people’s blogs. Fill out author questionnaires. Participate.
13. Market, but remember to write. Publishing promotes your backlist. If a reader likes
one of your titles, chances are she will go looking for your other books.
Laurel would love to see your questions and comments. She can be reached through her
website www.laurelbradley.com.