This is Part II of an article series. Click here to read Part I.
The use of quality, targeted advertising can be a cost effective way to market your masterpiece to those who will read it. There are advertisements for just about every media type, including Internet, radio and television, and they should contain the same basic information. These include the author’s name, the title of the book, a few one line positive reviews, and where the book can be found.
It is important to make sure that you get the most for your money. One method is to hire a designer. A professional designer has the expertise to transform your ideas into the most effective advertisements. It is also important to consider the venue that you wish to use. Choose the ones that provide you with the most access to your intended audience. For example, if you were writing a children’s book, advertising on the television or the Internet would be a more effective choice then advertising in the local newspaper.
Workshops and Seminars: A Personal Connection is a Powerful Tool
For most book lovers, the chance to interact and learn directly from the authors is considered to be a great highlight. This enthusiasm can be utilized by your marketing plan to bring your book and its contents to even a wider audience. Start with a simple web page, or a direct email campaign is effective ways to pique someone’s interest, and easy to fill in forms make registering easy and fast.
Once the guests leave the seminar hall, their impressions of you will last, and influence their decision to buy or recommend your book. Talk with them, and use visual aids; and get them up and moving about. Be sure to use humor, and don’t be afraid to be yourself. Keep in mind you are selling yourself just as much as you are selling your written masterpiece.
Radio: An Alternative Marketing Outlet Many Overlook
What would you say if you were told that you could reach thousands of people in a region simply by sitting down and having a conversation about your book? Believe it or not, being interviewed by a local radio talk show is a great way to promote your book to a large, loyal, and very discerning audience.
The trick is, of course, to get the radio station personnel to interview you. One of the best ways to do this is to make the radio station think that it would be a benefit for them to interview you. Start by doing a little bit of research. Try and find a radio show that focuses on your subject matter.
Another method of approaching a radio station is to offer your services as the go-to expert. If you are an expert in the field of motorcycle maintenance, you can offer a bit of your time to a call in motorcycle talk show. Then, if you have a book on that subject available, the radio station would probably be more willing to conduct an interview.
Hosting an Author Question and Answer Session
For many established authors, one of the most effective marketing tools is an author question and answer session. These formalized meet and greet session offers the fans a chance to learn a bit more about the author and a few tantalizing details about the latest masterpiece. For the author, it is an important way to promote your latest book, and indirectly get inspiration for the next one.
Remember, to effectively market your book takes a great deal of skill, and is truly an art form. By understanding how to use the available tools effectively, you can go a long way to getting the most for your marketing budget.
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