Most authors put a lot of time, energy and money into book promotion during the first year after publication. And then what happens? Some of us get involved in writing and promoting other books. We get back to our paying jobs. We take a little well-deserved time off. We sit back and hope to enjoy the fruits of our intense promotional labor.
Over time, you may experience flurries of book selling success—Barnes and Noble orders a few books for customers, someone reviews the book and there are some sales, you’re invited to speak at the Downtown Lion’s Club where you sell a few books. But for the most part, you have moved on to other things feeling as though the shade has been drawn on your window of time in which to promote your book.
Not so. Of course, the best time to promote a book with gusto is when it is brand new. But there are plenty of opportunities to promote your book even when it is a few years old. That is, unless the information is time-sensitive. A medical or technological book on the latest discovery might lose its appeal over time. But most novels, children’s books and nonfiction titles should keep on entertaining, teaching and informing through several incarnations.
So how do you keep an older title fresh in potential customer’s minds? Let me count the ways:
• Get book reviews. Some Web sites and magazines will review good books no matter the vintage. Locate book review Web sites and magazines, but also seek out those that relate to the theme of your book.
• Contact libraries. Some of my books are with Quality Books and Baker and Taylor—both of which distribute books to libraries. I spend a couple of hours every few weeks emailing press releases to libraries telling librarians about a particular book in my published collection and suggesting that they order it from one of these distributors. Inevitably, I notice an increase in sales with my next accounting from Quality and B&T. Tap into an extensive library directory at: http://www.ala.org or < a href=http://www.librarydirectory.com> http://www.librarydirectory.com
• Promote in tandem with world/country/county events. Maybe you have a book related to weather patterns. Certainly, this nation’s people have an increased interest in weather with all of the freak and unusual weather occurrences in recent months.
• Think seasonal. If you have a book of stories about famous mothers and daughters, consider promoting it in time for Mother’s day. Convince your local newspaper (and maybe those in other communities) to run a piece featuring your book or write something for the newspaper suggesting a variety of gifts for Mother, of course, including your book. I accelerate my promotional activities for my book, The Mainland Luau: How to Capture the Flavor of Hawaii in Your Own Backyard in time for Father’s day and even throughout the summer months.
• Think regional. A book that is of regional interest can sell in that region forever. I can attest to that. I produced the first edition of my Ojai Valley history book in 1983. I revised it in 1999 and it is still sells steadily in Ojai, CA. And I sell this book nationwide, as well. Just yesterday, I got a call from a bookstore owner in Massachusetts with a PO for that book. If I want to experience increased sales, I do additional promotion—go out and speak at various service club meetings and other gatherings, do something newsworthy in order to get some fresh newspaper coverage, etc.
There are plenty of other ideas for promoting an older book. What can you add to this list? I’d love to hear your ideas.
In the meantime, don’t forget to order your copy of my latest book, which gives an incredibly generous helping of ideas for promoting your books: The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.
http://www.matilijapress.comrightway.html /a>