Yesterday we talked about using ideas from other authors’ events calendars to promote your own books. The idea is that you would visit websites of authors with books similar to yours and find out how they are promoting their books. Then borrow some of these ideas for your own arsenal of sales techniques.
You might discover, for example, that an author of a mystery novel has been speaking at mystery writers’ groups and conferences. Maybe she gives presentations and does readings locally—find out what sort of venues. Perhaps, you can arrange to do something similar in your area. If you’re not sure how to go about it or how to get in touch with appropriate genre groups, contact the author and get some pointers. (You’ll also learn volumes about promoting through public speaking in the promotions section of my book, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book.)
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
If you have a Google Alerts designed to alert you to blogs on the topic of your inspirational book, you may discover other authors with books of this type. Search their blogs for information about their promotional activities or leave a comment that opens up some dialogue on promotional ideas for this type of book.
I suppose in today’s strong social media climate, you’ll also discover ideas through authors’ Facebook and Twitter sites. And I would suggest something I’ve actually been doing lately in the process of promoting my book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales. Do a Google search to find promotional ideas for books in your genre/topic. Use keywords, “cat books + promotion,” “author + cat book,” “promote cat book.”
Also in my pursuit, I have contacted authors directly to discuss promotional ideas. It’s usually a win/win situation for everyone if you have some ideas of your own to share.
Have any of you gone this route, yet? I’d like to hear some of your stories and so would my blog followers. We all need help and support along the long and lonely path of book promotion. Let’s use this venue to provide it.
For primary help with your book promotion, order The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book. I devote 3 chapters (70 pages) to book promotion. And as readers say, “Patricia Fry’s books are some of the most reader-friendly and useful around.”
http://www.matilijapress.com/rightway.html
Catscapades Update
I continue to send out review copies of Catscapades, True Cat Tales and I have placed them in two local stores, so far—one is a business center that recently started selling books. It gets a lot of traffic. And my name is definitely known locally as the author of several local history books. The second store is called Made in Ojai. Everything in the store comes from Ojai artisans, herbalists, authors, crafts people, quilters, etc. I don’t know if I mentioned, it is also for sale at a veterinarian’s office in Connecticut. I have a promise of a signing, just need to pin down the owner of the pet store. I understand she will be in the store on Monday—so will I—with day planner in hand. Oh yes, and a couple of cat site owners have already agreed to place a link to my book site for their visitors who are looking for a cat book.
Of course, I’m also talking about the book wherever I go (and so are those who have read it). And I am carrying it everywhere I go.
New Flash: I can hardly believe I finally did this—I joined Facebook. I now have my own Facebook account and some friends. I’m not at all sure what happens from here. I am also on Twitter and I’m sure I am not using it to the fullest extent. We all have strong points and weak ones—the social media explosion is sort of beyond me. I haven’t figured out what the point is. I am not in a position to spend my days playing and visiting. I am hoping to use both Twitter and Facebook to connect with people I would not ordinarily connect with, sure, but mainly to further my reach with my books and editorial services. Anyone with ideas on how to do this, please let me know.
Order your copy of the adorable, delightful, heartwarming book, Catscapades, True Cat Tales today. It is fully illustrated by around 40 color photos of cats and kittens.
http://www.matilijapress.com/catscapades.html