Theresa Chaze is a publishing consultant and publicist who helps authors successful publish and market their own work. Here's what she has to say:
Many authors are so focused on the Internet and the big picture that they frequently overlook local marketing opportunities. Regional promotion needs to be the starting point for every author. It is the place to get experience answering questions and chatting up the reading public. The more comfortable you are talking about your work and the industry, the more creditable you will be to your readership.
Book marketing and promotion opportunities don't have to cost more than your time and enthusiasm. By having faith in yourself and a little courage you can create openings to talk about your work without having to spend money for advertising.
* Write articles for the local paper or magazines on topic will give the author credibility and is a positive marketing tool. However, the articles don't specifically need to be about your work, but should include any topic that you have knowledge or interest in.
* Give away promotional book markers or postcards to people you meet and send them in books of the same genre that are on bookstore shelves. This doesn't mean blanket the shelves, just occasionally add one to a book that is similar to your own to tap into their readership.
* Arrange to do a combination reading and book signing at a local store. Most book signings are just show and tell for later sales. However, if you combine it with a reading of the book, you will gather more curiosity about the rest of it.
* Give lectures in the community. If you are passionate about an issue or about a cause get involved. Not all of promotion has to be directly related to your work. Half the battle is getting name recognition and creating a brand name for yourself. By making yourself more identifiable and interesting, you create a wider market for your work.
* Write press releases emphasizing that you are a local writer. Many newspapers and TV stations do human interests stories. Just because the show is local doesn't mean that the information stops at the county line. Families and friends are spread out across the country; if you can impress one, you have access to them all.
* Burn CD's with excerpts and your bio that bookstores could give away. Blank CD's and cases are relatively inexpensive marketing tools, especially if you have more than one book. Not only are you able to put book trailers but also short excerpts to create an interest in your work.
* Talk about you books. When you are waiting in line at the check out, start a conversation with the people around you. It will make the wait easier while promoting your book.
The key is to never pass up an opportunity to let others know about your book. Whether standing in a check out lane or paying bills, you can turn nearly every experience into a promotional prospect. Not only will these impromptu opportunities help others learn about your work, but they will also prepare you for the questions asked during professional interviews and cold calls to bookstores.
You can purchase your copy of From Blank Page to Book Shelves at Amazon.com
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1 comment:
Cheryl,
Thank you for hosting me. When authors think outside the box, they can find many promotional opportunities. I've seen authors rent tables at art/craft fairs to see books. Donating copies for charties to sell can not only give you a good tax break, but is a free promotional opportunity. There are many things we can do as authors that will be benefical to our work, including helping other authors. Hosting a tour on your blog, like Cheryl is doing, draws extra traffic to your blog, which will help promote your work as well.
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