I often talk to you about using various hooks you’ve written into your book in order to promote it. I also suggest that you build promotion into your book by involving a lot of people you can promote to and who will inspire interest in the book and by adding other interesting elements.
Some of you didn’t consider doing this during the writing process, but your book may have some nonfiction hooks you can use in promotion, nonetheless. Here are some examples:
A friend of mine—a fabulous humor writer—recently penned a novel wherein she refers to the PTA members as “cupcakes.” There’s even a large cupcake on the cover of the book. This weekend, she has scheduled a book signing at a Crushcakes Bakery where they specialize in baking cupcakes. Check out “I Murdered the PTA” by Wendy Dager at Amazon.com.
What are other hooks that you can use from your book and methods of using them?
I edited a memoir once that included a trip to Antarctica where the author walked among the Emperor and Rockhopper Penguins. She might be able to set up a signing and/or sell books at marinas/harbors, marine life centers and aquariums. She wrote of several experiences aboard various cruise lines. Perhaps she could donate copies of her book (with ordering information inside) to various cruise lines for their libraries.
Another client is writing a book featuring an amazing horse she once owned. He came from Spain (I think it was) where he was trained in a most cruel manner and she had to reprogram him to save him from himself. There’s also a thread of mutual healing running through the book—she saves the horse and the horse, in turn, saves her. Don’t you know this story will be devoured by anyone who loves horses? Among other venues for promoting her book, she will definitely do well marketing to the horsey crowd.
I know someone who is writing her story of injury and recovery. This book also includes a certain major sport. She should be able to promote her book through hospitals and recovery centers and also tap into those interested in and involved in the sport she writes about. The fact that part of her story is set in another country is an additional hook she can use when promoting her book.
Are you aware of the hooks you are building into your book or that you have written into the book you are promoting? Dig around and find those tidbits you may have added without much thought. And find ways to use them in promotion. This might be the inclusion of the poodle your character rescued one rainy night (ever hear of the many poodle rescue sites?), a feral cat colony (there are hundreds of feral cat organizations across the US), someone in the military (now there’s a large audience)…
Would like to hear some of your unusual marketing ideas and venues for your book.
For additional ideas for promoting your book, buy my book, “Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.”
http://amzn.to/oe56Ia