Last Night I attended a writing workshop with Vicki Morrison, a multi-genre author, freelance writer and keynote speaker. There was too much information to post but part of the workshop detailed:-
10 WAYS TO MARKET
YOUR BOOK
1 Your own website!
·
It is essential for an author to have their own
website.
·
They can be created and hosted very cheaply.
·
It is a great idea to purchase you name as a
domain name (not the name of you book. Remember, the book is your product and
you are your brand).
·
Your website should be the central point of your
on-line presence. Everything should link back to your site.
2) Press Release
·
Press releases are good for attracting the
attention of media outlets, book sellers, reviewers as well as readers.
·
Ideally they should have a letterhead with an
image of your book cover and contact details.
o
Follow this with the books details
o
Author
o
Title
o
Publisher
o
ISBN
o
Distributor
o
RRP (Recommended Retail Price)
·
When sending press releases out you need to
research and target them at the right person.
·
Find out the targeted person’s name and correct
spelling of it.
o
It’s no use sending a press release and book to
a newspaper for a review if they do not review your genre.
o
Or to the purchaser of a bookshop that doesn’t
sell your genre.
·
The more targeted you can be the more chance of
success you have.
3) Articles – Magazines and Newspapers
·
Most magazines need at least a 3 month lead time
for articles.
·
Newspapers are usually much less.
·
Perhaps try an interview an expert in the field
relating to the content of your book.
o
The interview can be turned into an article for
a magazine relating to your topic
o
This is a great way of coming to the notice of
people interested in that topic
·
Some newspapers, particularly local one are
usually happy to do a story on the success of a local author especially coming
up to a book launch.
4) Book Launch
·
Be professional
o
Print up invitations (can be done relatively
cheaply)
o
Front (Picture of your book cover)
o
Back (Details of the launch)
·
Invite widely
o
Family and friends
o
Colleagues
o
Media representatives
o
Local book sellers
o
Local names/celebrities
o
For children’s books, local teach/librarians
o
Local member
o
Mayor/Local councillors
o
Other authors you know
·
Try and arrange a special guest to do the official
launch of the book.
o
Could be the Local Member or Mayor
o
Well known author
o
Celebrity
o
Someone related to the topic of your book.
·
Everything you do, do it as a Point of
Difference
·
Don’t be boring. Think outside the box.
o
There is nothing as boring as a launch where the
author reads from the book after a bunch of speeches and then does a signing.
o
Have a video or Powerpoint display.
o
Have someone act out a scene
o
Have giveaways or prizes
o
Display art from the book
o
For kids books, do something hands on related to
the book
o
Raffle off the chance to have the winner’s name
used for a character in your next book.
·
Make the launch special and memorable.
·
Provide nibbles and drinks
o
Ask around, you might get some donations or at
least offers of help.
·
Look professional (considering your BRAND)
·
Most important – ENGAGE THE AUDIENCE.
5) List the book on Amazon
·
Claim your author page. You can edit it to
enhance your brand.
·
Pay close attention to key words
o
Take advantage of common search phrases and choose
your key words to suit
o
Make it easy for the Amazon, Google etc. Search bots
to find your book. That way it will display closer to the top of the list.
o
Try to get reviews on Amazon. Good reviews
increase sales.
6) Book Reviews Sites and Blogs
·
Try to get as many reviews as possible.
o
Find book review sites and request they review
your book
o
Target the sites most likely to review in your
genre
o
If they can’t do a review, they may still post an
author interview or bio. Ask.
7) Radio
·
Try and get an interview on radio stations
o
Local radio stations are usually open to these
o
ABC does book and reading segments that might do
an interview
o
Have giveaways
o
Don’t just try and sell your book, sell your
brand
·
Radio interviews are brilliant in the days
leading up to your launch, even the morning of the launch.
8) Social Media (This is a whole
topic in itself).
·
Social media sites can be good for generating
word of mouth hype for your book
·
Pick sites you are comfortable using
·
Think about who and where your audience are and if they use social
media you would be stupid not to use it to reach them
·
If they don’t use social media then it is not as
important.
·
Make sure ALL your social media sites link back
to your author website.
·
Social Media Sites
o
Facebook,
o
Twitter
o
Linkedin
o
Goodreads
o
Pinterest
o
Google +
·
DON’T BE ANNOYING
o
Don’t just spruik your book
o
Get involved in the community
o
Promote your brand (YOU)
9) Blog
·
Start a blog.
o
A writers blog or
o
Readers blog
o
Keep your personal blog separate if you have one
o
Your promotional or professional blog should be
highlighting your brand
o
Approach similar blogs and request to do a guest
blog post
o
Comment of similar blogs. This generates traffic
to your blog
o
After your books release, arrange a blog tour of
sites that your audience may frequent.
10) Join Forums and Discussion Groups
·
Google groups is a good place to find groups
interested in your book’s topic.
·
Becoming involved in these communities could
generate interest in you and your book.
·
Again, DON’T be annoying.
·
Goodreads has 12 million members who all love to
read books.
o
Join their author Program
o
You can add book excerpts
o
Videos
o
Quizzes
o
Host Q & A’s etc.
BECOME PART OF THE
WRITING COMMUNITY
