20 Ways to Market Your Book
How Do I Market my Book and Get Read?: Here are my best tips on how to gain exposure for your book:
1. Overview
What is the marketing plan for?
You promote your last book, promote all books of yours, promote your website, or promote a book that is free for a certain period of time.
2. Timing
- For how long are you ready to run this campaign?
Only for launching, a certain period of time, seasonal (Christmas, Easter, summer holiday).
3. Budget and Costs
- What budget do you have for paid advertising/PR/Marketing?
- Can you support other costs: printing promotional materials, launching parties, traveling…?
4. Publicity and PR
- Set up a press kit with audio and video links, including press clippings and articles, have teasers that catch the attention.
5. Contact Local Media
- Play the ”local writer” and contact local newspapers, magazines, and local radio stations.
6. Contact National Media
- -Send press releases targeting cities and subject-related magazines.
7. Book Reviewers
- Send review copies for reviewers in various publications.
- Send review copies to book clubs and community groups targeting your genre.
8. Articles
- Write and submit articles to the print media: about the book, about the subject, about you as a writer and other hobbies, about the writing process.
9. Speaking engagements
- Make an offer for speaking at your local library, schools, and organization and association if your book has a social impact. You can visit senior groups and senior homes for storytelling, children’s home care for children’s books.
10. Networking
- Join a few social media channels and try to be active as much as you can. This is the way to build your brand and reputation online as an author.
11. Launch your book in local bookstores
- Send press releases for the event to the local media, reading groups, local librarians, and invitations to friends.
- Send a thank-you note to every single person who joined the event.
- Donate a few books to your local library.
12. Promotional materials
- Have business cards and bookmarks with the cover, your website, your free eBook, your x for the price of y if you have some other books.
- Spread the business cards out (offer them to libraries, bookstores, office supplier shops, hotels, the local supermarket
13. Word of mouth
- It works best. (Family, friends, colleagues, neighbors.)
- Be sure you have a share with a friend button on your website.
14. Advertising
Do it by target:
- By location (place of birth, place of living, where the action in your book takes place).
- By subject and social issues if the book has such subplots in it.
- By genre and interests.
15. Co-Promotion
- Target authors of the same genre for reviews, guest blogging, and co-promotion.
16. Cross Promotion
- A book about meditation in nature or a healthy lifestyle can be sold in the camp site’s little shops.
- A book on the history of (a country) may be proposed for university studies in this country’s history.
- A diet book can be promoted at your local gym or fitness club.
17. Charity
- Only a small percent of your sales can make a huge difference in people’s lives. Your book gains exposure, and you will be proud to do a kind act (only if you are that kind of person who cares)
18. Short Stories Anthology
- Contribute with a short story to an anthology related to the subject in your book, and you will be mentioned with your book in the resource box.
19. Blogs and Bloggers
- Be in touch with bloggers who review books, for interviews, for guest posts.
- Organize a blog tour for yourself or ask a blogger who does that to do it for you.
- Ask for a cover reveal.
- Ask for a promotional spot for your launching event, your book, or a public appearance.
20. If all of the above seems too much or too hard for you, this problem can be solved very easily: FIND A PUBLICIST!
