In today’s publishing world, it’s important to make sure that you’re doing everything you can to make sure people not only notice your book, but also feel the need to pick it up and read it.
Thankfully, there are a number of different methods available to market a book. They include online marketing, printed media and printed materials, seminars and workshops, radio, and the classic author Q&A. In this installment, online marketing, print media, and printed materials will be discussed.
Online Marketing: Making the Most of the Internet
Perhaps one of the most effective ways of informing people about your book is through the Internet and social media. Places such as LinkedIn, Facebook and even Twitter can be great platforms for starting a meaningful discussion. One option is to encourage your networking connections to review your book and post their thoughts on their blogs. Another one is to use Twitter to tell your followers when and where your latest book will be sold. Forums or discussion groups are another great place to network. If your book is being sold through an online store such as Amazon, be sure to take full advantage of their marketing features. They’re designed to make your book more appealing to the shoppers.
Print Media and Printed Materials: The Standards are Still Effective
While the Internet might be popular, the standbys of printed materials and media should never be discounted. Most magazines and local newspapers will have lifestyle feature sections, where seasoned reviewers read books. Many of their devoted followers will buy their next book based on their selection. Also, if the magazine reviewer is interested, be sure to consider allowing for a feature article. Here both you and the magazine staff can go into more depth and detail about your book. Think of it as allowing your reader to take a bigger taste to whet their appetite.
Print media is a great place to get low cost or even free advertising for your book, but it isn’t the only method available. If you truly want to market your book effectively, you need a way to remind your potential readers of your book on a regular basis. Items such as bookmarks, with the book’s title, author, distribution date, and a short complimentary review can be a great way to get the word out. Also, business cards, with information pertaining to the book title, availability, and information about the author can be handed out at events.
Of course, one of the most effective marketing tools available within the genre of printed materials is the press kit. A press kit is a compact and efficient way to provide reviewers, bookstore owners and mangers and other interested parties information about your book. Traditionally it includes a press release detailing the book, a short author biography, book cover, a few positive testimonials, and the author’s photograph. A press kit is usually sent to bookstore owners, magazine editors, and libraries as a tool for introduction purposes.
In addition to a printed press kit, today many authors choose to make use of online press kits. The main reason for this is convenience, both for the author themselves and the various media outlets interested in the book. Today, the majority of media outlets and journalists prefer to get their press kits through a web page or email. It can also be effective for authors, since they can use blogs, quotes from discussion groups, web sites, graphic files, and flash media to make their book come alive, at a fraction of the cost of printed materials.
As illustrated, there are a number of common methods used by both authors and publishers to promote their books. Each one has their place in the marketing plan, and should be given consideration.
