Writing and Publishing News

Yesterday, we talked about marketing locally. Here are some ideas for starting your book promotion campaign close to home.

1: Contact librarians, bookstore, specialty store managers and so forth to arrange for signings, demonstrations, readings or other programs appropriate for your particular book. You might also make a consignment deal with store managers. Specialty stores might include toy stores, hobby shops, craft stores, bakeries, coffee shops, florists/nurseries, pharmacies, pet stores, fashion accessory shops, automotive/motorcycle shops, wineries, print shop, used book stores, organic food stores and so forth—depending on the nature of your book and the scope of your audience.

2: Set up programs and speeches for civic group meetings and other organization, club, association meetings and events. Start with Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.—those clubs that meet often and are always seeking good programs. Consider groups that you belong to—businessmen’s/women’s business organizations, retired businessmen’s/women’s organizations, church or school affiliated groups, real estate board, hobby clubs (photo, cars, bee-keeping, organic gardening, quilting, car club, cooking and so forth.)

3: Participate in flea markets, book fairs and other such activities. Most communities have an annual event—here it is Ojai Day. In other California communities, it is Horned Toad Day, Citrus Festival, Avocado Festival, Fiesta, and so forth. Often, there are opportunities for locals to sell their wares. Arrange to reserve a booth or share with someone.

4: Donate and volunteer. Most communities have events and activities throughout the year that rely on volunteers and donations. I’ve donated my Ojai history book over the years for many causes—fundraisers for local schools and community projects, for example. Often they need items for silent or live auctions.

5: Appear on local TV or radio.

6: Seek visibility within the community. Volunteer, for example. When I was promoting my local history book, I was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission. Since I began spending more time and effort promoting my books for authors, I’ve been involved with SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), a networking organization for authors that began right here in my county. I’ve also belonged to various writers groups and I always participate in author-related events and activities locally. You could start up or join a group related to cooking, crafting, hiking, animals, fashion, gardening, flying, racing, water sports, photography, etc.

7: Launch a project locally. I know a young writer of children’s books who launches a book drive every year. Another author I know produces book fairs in her area. Organize an author’s week or day in your city. Arrange for story time at your library or children’s bookstore. Do walking tours to promote your local history book. Serve a recipe from your cookbook at a local wine bar one weekend. Organize a nature walk to promote your novel set in the wilderness or a signing at a pet store for all local writers of books involving animals.

I’ll bet a nickel that I’ve included some ideas you’ve never thought of before. And I’ll bet a dime that you can come up with even more of them.

For many more ideas for promoting your book locally and world-wide, order your copy of “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.” It’s at amazon in print, Kindle and audio as well as in most online and downtown bookstores.

Are you facing the prospect of promoting a book? If you’re writing one or have written one for publication, the answer is yes. Well, that is if you want to sell any copies of your book.

Many new authors start out by trying to promote far and wide. They set their sights on big sales to major bookstores, exposure at gigantic book expos, reviews in important journals and so forth. This is okay, if you have a book that warrants this sort of attention. But it might not be the most sensible way to begin your promotional journey.

For most new authors, I suggest easing into the world of book promotion. Begin the huge task of promotion close to home. The two most logical entries into the world of book marketing may be the Internet and your hometown. This probably doesn’t surprise you—everyone uses the Internet for everything these days. There are hundreds of reviewers hungry for good books to review and booksellers galore—Amazon.com, of course, being the most well-known. You can build your own website to showcase your book, locate organizations and forums related to the theme/genre of your book and get involved and so forth. You could easily spend hours each week locating and pursuing bookselling opportunities just on the Internet.

Yes, most authors will turn to the Internet first, but there’s another opportunity close by that authors may not take seriously enough. Their hometown.

I like to urge my clients to seek out and pursue every promotional opportunity locally before launching out beyond their city limits with their books. There are oodles and gobs of venues, activities, events and other happenings all around your community that might result in book sales and exposure, and people who can and will assist you. Not only will you sell books by pouring your efforts into promoting locally, but you will learn a lot about how to handle book promotion outside of your comfort zone. Consider this a training ground for soliciting higher sales in larger cities.

Tomorrow, I’ll write about how to start your local book tour. In the meantime, if you haven’t read my book, “Promote Your Book,” this would be a good time to purchase it. This book includes information about how to promote locally as well as on the Internet. In fact, it is jam-packed with over 250 book promotion ideas—most of them fleshed out so you can understand how to pursue them—many of them enhanced by real examples and the majority of them free. Twenty-four authors and professionals participate in this book. It’s the book you must have at your elbow throughout the writing and promoting processes. “Promote Your Book,” available in print, Kindle and audio at Amazon.com and most other online and downtown bookstores.

Get your FREE ebook, “50 Ways to Build Your Author Platform.” http://www.patriciafry.com