It has come to my attention that we need another discussion on self-promotion because some of you (and YOU know who you are) are not very good at it.
I understand that it is hard to go around tooting your own horn. You don’t want to be so over the top that your friends and family run screaming each time they see you coming. But there are some simple and very easy ways to self-promote that are very rarely offensive. Here are a few (in no particular order).
- Donate copies of your book to your local libraries. If you write for children or teens, donate copies to the local schools. If you’re up to it, offer to do a book reading or a class on becoming an author, etc.
- Offer your books as prizes in community events, blog contests, etc.
- Join some of the online social networking groups and/or blog rolls; submit posts and/or articles to online communities. There are a gob: MySpace, Facebook, Cre8buzz, Digg, Sk-rt, Helium, BlogHer, Digg, BlogCatalog, Stumble, Squidoo, etc. The purpose of this is to get people to come to you blog or website where they will see a tastefully posted image and description of your book on the sidebar/webpage.
- Join writing and book review forums and comment on a regular (weekly) basis. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Select the ones where you feel you fit in. Use a signature in these forums that links to info on your book(s).
- Join local networking groups, like Chamber of Commerce, service clubs, book clubs, writers groups, etc. Select ones that give you the opportunity to spotlight yourself and your books, or that provide networking social events.
- Offer to donate reading copies of your book(s) to book clubs.
- Create a simple e-mail signature with a link to info about your book(s). You don’t want this to be 10 lines long, two or three at the most.
These take minimal effort to set up and maintain yet they put and keep your name and your book in the public eye.
Do you have a simple, effective promotional idea? Please share in the comments section.
For some other good ideas on promotion, read here and here and here.
In addition, your publisher has an advertising budget and they plan to donate books to a few different sources. Talk to your publisher about the places they’ll donate and then make sure they do it.
Also, get your book reviewed by as many online reviewers as you can.
Thanks for the information and the links.
Since I discovered a bunch of Blogs the last month or so, I have found out of some authors I hadn’t heard of, or had heard of, but didn’t ever buy their books.
Now, I have bought one of Josi Kilpack’s (loved it), and plan on borrowing from the library or buying a few more authors books. All because I found their blogs, and love to read them. So now I want to read their books.
So, I can see where having a blog can be helpful.
(Hangs head in shame.)
Wouldn’t you know it.
I’ve been busted again.
It’s wonderful to read that I’m doing something right! And if today weren’t Veteran’s Day, I’d be taking complimmentary copies of my new novel to local libraries, too.
Other suggestions: notify your alma mater’s alumni magazine about your publication. It will show up in a future edition.
Donate a complimentary copy to your local literacy organization if you feel it’s an appropriate title.
Great advice.
Definitely be generous with your donations. Whenever I do a speaking event, I hold a drawing for a free book. I also pass around a newsletter sign-up sheet. Look for opportunities to give to the community and you will be rewarded ten-fold.