So far this week, we’ve talked about your book promotion mindset and I tried to drive home the importance of actively promoting your book. But what are some of the activities you can pursue and which ones are best?
I’ll give you an idea of the scope of activities in a moment. First, let me respond to the all-important second question: What is the best way to promote a book?
Here’s my standard response: “It depends on you—the author—and it depends on your book.” There is no plan or program, no specific activity or pursuit that is right for every author. Remember, you are the CEO of your book. You and your book are unique. You have a unique set of skills and contacts. You have a unique audience. It is up to you to determine the following:
• Who is your audience?
• Where are they? Where do they learn about the books they want to read? Where do they buy books?
• What is the best way to approach your audience?
I can and will make this strong suggestion: Do not purchase a marketing package from your self-publishing company. Instead, use your head. Get creative. And come up with a marketing plan that will reach and address your particular audience in a way that is suited to your personality and skill level. Individualize your plan. You’ll have much greater success.
Another blanket tip involves exposure—while you believe the majority of your potential readers are not computer literate, for example, don’t discount opportunities to promote your book using social media, by having a website and so forth. Exposure is the name of the book promotion game. You want your book mentioned and showcased as many places as is at all logical or possible. While you’ll most likely put most of your energy in activities you believe will reach the largest numbers of your audience, it is still wise to take advantage of many other opportunities to get exposure for your book.
Okay, so what are some of the ideas most authors should take advantage of when promoting their books? Here they are in no particular order: (Note: I might recommend a certain order for specific authors. The order can differ from author to author.)
1: Build your own website. Even if your book is showcased at your publisher’s website or at your self-publishing service’s website, you need your own website with clear, easy-to-locate contact information.
2: Get involved with social media. Have a blog and post often. Sign up for Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and/or any of the other social media sites where it makes sense to do so and participate.
3: Go out and speak to your audience. For an enormous amount of information about locating venues, preparing presentations, handling potential problems, being interviewed, speaking at conferences, doing podcasts and MUCH more, read by book, Talk Up Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com/TalkUpYourBook.html
4: Get your book reviewed many times over. (You’ll find blog posts here with links to review directories. Type in “book review directories.”) Make sure reviewers post their reviews at all of the most appropriate sites, including your book page at Amazon.com (see below). Post excerpts from the reviews at your website.
5: Secure booths at book festivals. This is a great way to introduce your book to the general public—some of those people who might not find you through your more targeted venues. Some of them would buy the book as a gift, they might want to interview you for a radio show, etc. Some books sell very well at book festivals.
6: Make sure your book is at Amazon.com. Most people may see the book someplace else, but they buy it from Amazon.com.
7: Set up signings and presentations at bookstores and appropriate specialty stores related to the theme or topic of your book. And then publicize the event widely and with enthusiasm.
8: Contact other bloggers and set up a blog tour or simply ask to be a guest blogger at sites related to the theme or genre of your book and that get a lot of traffic.
9: Locate websites related to the theme/genre of your book and ask to have your book featured or recommended there.
10: Develop a massive email list by collecting names of interested customers and potential customers at book festivals, presentations, signings and at your website. Include neighbors, friends, colleagues, customers, coworkers and so forth. Use the list to announce new books, awards won, special pricing, etc. Where appropriate, you might want to establish a newsletter.
Obviously, there are hundreds more book promotion ideas out there and you will most likely devise some of your own as you practice promotion techniques. You might find that giveaways with the book’s title and your website result in sales. So have magnets, pens, bookmarks, etc. made and be generous in handing them out.
If your book relates to something such as travel, parenting, senior living, pets and so forth, you would have a good chance of having it mentioned or reviewed in newspaper, magazine and newsletter columns related to this topic.
If your novel features a particular venue such as a botanical garden, zoo, race track (cars/horses, etc.), movie set or airport, for example, you can promote to readers within these areas of interest and, perhaps sell your book in botanical gardens, zoos, airports, etc.
For over 250 book promotion ideas, tips, techniques and more, be sure to order your copy of Promote Your Book today. It’s available in print, Kindle and audio at Amazon.com and at most other online and downtown bookstores.