Do you ever trade books with other authors? I enjoy trading for books I’m interested in and recently I traded my newest book, Catscapades, Tales of Ordinary and Extraordinary Cats with Mary Shafer who edited a book called, Almost Perfect, Disabled Pets and the People Who Love Them. It’s a collection of heart-warming stories of handicapped cats, dogs and even a rat—all of them finding love in the most unexpected places. http://www.wordforgebooks.com
I also received a book to review yesterday. Did you know that I review books related to writing and publishing for SPAWNews? This one is called, Publishize, How to Quickly and Affordably Self-Publish a Book That Promotes Your Expertise by Susan C. Daffron. One thing she points out in her book—something that I think is a good reminder to all of us—book promotion is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time event. And it may require some experimenting to find what works.
Folks, when you find something that works—when one of your promotional activities is proving to sell book—keep it up. When you attempt something new and it doesn’t seem to be working, don’t stop too soon. Sometimes it takes a while for your marketing attempts to attract sales.
That’s why most professionals suggest that you promote in several directions and carefully monitor the results. But, especially in this economic climate, have patience. Keep putting yourself out there through your blog, magazine articles/short stories, by leaving comments and getting interviewed at other blog sites, through public speaking and so forth. Sales may be a bit sluggish despite your efforts, but they will stop altogether if you give up.
Authors are often encouraged to send press releases on behalf of their books. I agree that this can be a worthwhile activity. But keep in mind that your press release is competing with many other press releases for a limited amount of space in the newspaper, newsletter or magazine. In order to get noticed, you must present a topic, focus or story that is actually newsworthy, that is interesting and, perhaps, current. It should also be relevant or pertinent to the particular publication or the season, for example. Take advantage of world or local events or occurrences, when sending out your news releases.
For example, you may have been able to garner publicity for your book on safe flying or your airline-focused novel in newspapers worldwide during the week after that airliner crash-landed so successfully in the Hudson.
Newscasters are probably getting tired of reporting on the hard winter this year. They might welcome a creative way to present the news by quoting some passages from your book on global warming or your novel featuring the worst winter ever.
I recommend promoting for the season and the holiday. What’s going on in February? What special dates or celebrations could you connect your book to during this month? Well, there’s Groundhog Day, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day and Flag Day. Oh yes, and Ash Wednesday.
But did you know that this month is also National Cat Health Month, Potato Lover’s Month, Black History Month, National Bird Feeding Month, Chocolate Lover’s Month, Pet Dental Month, National Crime Prevention Month, National Patient Recognition Month. This month we also have a week labeled, Pay Your Bills Week.
Now, can’t you just see some possibilities there for using some of these prompts to promote your book nationally or internationally?
Start now preparing your promotional press releases for March and April. Here are some sites to help you choose the appropriate prompts: http://www.holidaysmart.com and http://www.earthcalendar.net
Have fun. I’d love to have you report back to me about some of the promotional ideas these prompts generated. Just leave your comment at this blogsite.
News Flash: My article on how to target your market appears in the February edition of the IBPA (formerly PMA) Independent. Check it out!
In the meantime, for more book promotion ideas, order The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book or Over 75 Good Ideas for Promoting Your Book. http://www.matilijapress.com