Five Ways to Promote Your Book
Without Spending a Mint
By
Kathryn Jones
If you're
anything like me, the idea of promoting your book is about as exciting as
getting a root canal. Okay, maybe it's not that bad, but it sure takes effort
and lots of it.
And while
some writers spend money on getting a marketing guru to help them with this
part of their writing life, there are many other writers who simply can't
afford the service. Besides, it's their book and they'd like to take a more
hands-on approach.
Ten years
ago, when my first book came out, I was asked by my publishing company to help
in marketing my book. I had no idea what to do. And what did they do to help
me? Put my book on their website.
Fortunately,
I have since discovered through hard knocks and jumping into the lake, what
works and what doesn't when it comes to marketing. I have also discovered many,
many avenues to travel that don't cost me a cent in book promotion.
Here are
five of the best in no particular order:
Postcards. I
love postcards. They get the word out without me having to be too daring. For
example, when I'm eating out or enjoying
an event of some kind and the subject comes up about writing, I can just
hand the person I am speaking with a postcard about my latest book. On one side
of the card is a photo of my book, on the other, a synopsis and contact
information including a QR Code. (That's that funny black square with black and
white squiggly lines that interested readers can take a picture of and go
directly to your website).
Interviews.
Interviews come in two flavors that I actually use. First, the blog interview. This
is where you have the blog owner send you a list of questions that you fill out
and send back. They post the interview on their blog along with your book cover
and links. The other is blog radio interviews. Usually you'll get a set of
questions that you can look over before the interview. The interview can be
live or it can be taped and edited for later.
Group Book
Signings. Ever sat at a boring book signing or visited one at a book store?
Unless you're someone pretty famous like J.K. Rowling there's not going to be
much of a line, if any line. Instead of the typical fare of boredom, try
gathering some writing friends around you for a group book signing. Many retail
stores will welcome a book signing with multiple authors. Don't be afraid to
try salons, hospitals and retail establishments that may not even cater to your
particular book title. Recently, I heard of an author who had her signing at a
clothing store--and her book has nothing to do with clothing!
Giveaways.
I've had some fun book giveaways and garnered in some new readers. Book
giveaways on blogs may also walk hand in hand with your guest blog post (highly
recommended) a bio and links to your current and previous works. Do a
one-two-or three day giveaway of your new e-book on Amazon. Those who read your
free book and like it, might just be persuaded to purchase your other works.
Speaking
Opportunities. Let writers organizations, schools and book clubs know that you
can speak, and do it for free if you have to. Bring along your books for sales
after the event. Libraries like authors to come and speak but some of them
won't allow you to sell your books. Get creative as you think of places to
speak that already have a following of interested authors or book readers.
Yes,
promoting your book will take a lot of your time, but knowing that you don't
have to spend a lot of money to make your book a success helps to lighten the
load.
***
Kathryn
has been a published writer since 1987.
She has published various newspaper stories, magazine articles, essays
and short stories for teens and adults.
She is the author of: A River of
Stones, a young adult fiction novel dealing with divorce published in 2002,
and Conquering your Goliaths—A Parable of
the Five Stones, a Christian novel published in January of 2012. One of her
newest creations, a Conquering your
Goliaths—Guidebook, was published in February of 2012. Scrambled, published in September 2012, is her first cozy mystery.
Kathryn
graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Mass Communication and a
minor in Creative Writing. Her studies included work in creative writing,
public relations and journalism. Recently, she has opened the doors to Idea
Creations Press, a publishing services company that caters to writers and their
writing, publishing and marketing needs.
To
Contact Kathryn:
kathy@ariverofstones.com
To
Purchase Her Books:
http://www.ariverofstones.com
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