This week, we’ve talked a little about marketing different types of books. I think we’ve established that, while authors can use similar activities to promote their dissimilar books, the venue is often different.
Public speaking is a great way to introduce yourself and your book to a group of people who gather because of a common interest. I write books for authors, so I go out and speak at writers group meetings, authors associations and writers conferences. We spoke earlier this week about promoting recovery and self-help books related to an affliction, illness or disease. Authors of these books might speak where support groups related to this illness meet, at wellness and health conferences and so forth.
Yesterday, I gave some resources for children’s book authors. Where do you go to promote books for children? Many of these authors read to children in schools, libraries, Sunday school classes and other places where children congregate. Book festivals often have a children’s element where authors entertain youngsters by reading from their books.
Whether you have a book on quilting, genealogy, finances/budgeting, photography, cat care, woodworking or aviation, you should be able to find groups who meet to discuss this subject and even conferences devoted to this subject throughout the US. I was at a conference once and walked into a room where another conference was going on. That one was all about sound system speakers. They had every kind of speaker on display and many people interested in them. I tell you this to emphasize the wide variety and range of interests people have. It seems that even your book on miniatures, making useful items out of grass, Halloween masks, knife sharpening, dip stick art or any number of other off-the-wall subjects may, indeed, have an audience. It is up to you to find them.
Rather than marketing to the general public, however, you’ll need to seek out those individuals and groups who share your interest and go where they are.
So many authors make the mistake of producing a book and then trying to market it to the masses. Their focus should be the individual who shares their fascination with yarn pompoms, cork art, cat behavior, etc. or have a need to learn how to repair a hem, cut up a chicken, trim a dog’s nails or prepare items for the compost heap.
Your job as the author of a book is not to develop an interest as much as it is to locate those who already have the interest.
For over 250 tips and techniques for promoting all sorts of books, including fiction (which we’ll discuss tomorrow), order your copy of Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author. Order it at http://www.matilijapress.com or at amazon.com or any other online or downtown bookstore.