Here I am at "An Eclectic Collage" book signing partaking of a wonderful cookie the publisher provides--with the cover on the cookie--great marketing idea!
Since every author, whether published or not, whether they want to or not, must now sell themselves, here are some ideas and tips that I've culled from all sorts of places. Plus, how to create an Amazon page.
To get started...my favorite tip: have a bumper sticker of one of your book's titles or web page created and place on your car(s) and your relatives' cars. This tip comes via The Marketing Goddess and she mentioned that here in the mid-size city of Boise, a bumper sticker gets around 600 views a day of driving around town! Try to make your bumper sticker funny/dramatic/curious/odd. I've noticed that I remember certain bumper stickers because they're funny/dramatic/curious/odd.
Now everyone will tell you about Internet marketing, here's a quick rundown and then the best piece of advice I've received about the overwhelming world of the Internet.
1. Join social networks, including those that are about what you write (ex. have a mystery with recipes? Join cooking groups, etc., think outside the book!).
2. Have a blog, post at least once a week, cross post to Twitter and Facebook and your other groups, comment on other blogs.
3. Tag EVERYTHING. Try to think of all the tags appropriate to your book or blog post or whatever.
The best advice I've read about all of this: the writing comes first! Remember if you do a little of the social networking, etc., you're doing a lot. It's not necessary to spend your whole life on the 'net.
How to create an Amazon author page:
First, google Amazon author page (I swear, this is the only way I've found to get to this site, anybody have a better way?). It's called Author Central. Follow the prompts to join and create your page. The prompts will ask and show how to list your books. It's easy! (One flaw: if you are an author of several in an anthology you will need to e-mail, on Amazon's provided form, Amazon telling them you are one of the authors of that title. Hopefully, they fix that soon.)
Have I missed anything major? Let me know!
And since this post is about marketing, here's my next signing--come and enjoy those cookies!
| How about a good book and beverage to start your weekend? You’re invited to a book signing event for An Eclectic Collage: Creative Works by the Women of the Pixie Chicks’ Writers Group Saturday, May 21, 2011 (10:00 AM to Noon) Moxie Java Coffeehouse (1750 State St. – Boise) Other Freundship Press books including Mooser on the Loose, Grandma, Does My Moon Shine Over Your House? (English and Spanish versions) and other books will also be available. |
| Come meet the local authors of An Eclectic Collage: Creative Works by the Women of the Pixie Chicks’ Writers Group, a collection of short stories, poems, life essays, recipes and other writings. |
| |
26 comments:
here another idea , make of have made a t shirt with your book cover. and the "have you read my book" may be "i am the Author my name is sue" or some thing like that give some to family and friends.
Great post! Love the T-shirt idea.
Also enjoyed the reminder that writing comes first. We gotta have something to market!
Oops! Just thought of another one, thanks to Vincent Kituku, motivational speaker from Boise. He collects business cards at every speaking event and gives away one of his books or CDs. The names are then added to his email list. We ALL need to start those lists!
Roy, great idea! Simple and inexpensive with lots of promo!
Another great idea, Kathy!
Congrats on selling the story to Fangtales! I'm so happy for you! :)
Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love Star Trek as well. My favorite character is Data. :)
The writing must come first. Have fun at your booksigning.
Love all the pictures of you and this upbeat post gets me right in the mood to work hard on getting where you were at with that cookie in your hand! Great ideas Conda and friends! Add a few bookmarks to drop off at libraries and bookstores (incl. the ones that don't carry your book (yet)! It'll make people ask for it!
Now wouldn't it be hilarious if I actually showed up in Boise?
Aubrie--mine is Spock, it's those ears.
Judith, I'd add drop off postcards at coffee shops, too.
Anita, you'd be most welcome!
Carol, so true!
Great tips, Conda. The T-shirt one is fab!
Judith, good idea, I'd add drop off postcards that can be used, i.e. blank on the back. Then they can be used as bookmarks or mailed to someone else!
Anita, you're most welcome if you do!
I like the bumper idea! I think among all the internet tools, blog gives me most referrals.
Chemical Fusion
Conda: I'm so glad you followed me today on Twitter. I don't spend all my time on it (or I wouldn't get anything written) but I do check in every day. These are excellent tips that I'm going to print out. Thank you!
And now I'm going to check out Changing Woman Ways. An intriguing title. What we all need. One that makes us curious. I'm curious about this one!
Ann Best, Memoir Author
Enid, I agree, blogs are great for wonderful ideas!
Ann, thank you! And yes, ah yes, the great time suck of the social internet...
Congratulations! You've just won a copy of SOUTH OF SUNSET! :)
This is excellent marketing advice. I've seen some authors who don't have an Amazon page. It's important to have that page, it's free & you can link your Blogger & Twitter feeds to it!
Yay! On winning!
Good point, Lisa about the Amazon page, it IS free and you can set it up before you have the publications listed (but can only place the pubs after listed on Amazon).
Conda:
Great tips. Thank you.
Happy trails.
Swu! Haven't e-talked with you for awhile! Welcome back!
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