How many free copies of your book do you send out for promotional purposes? Five, twenty-five, ninety-five or more? Most authors provide free copies to contributors\u2014those experts and other people who provided quotes and\/or information for their book. The editor generally gets a copy and the cover designer, as does anyone else who offered a service or financial or editorial support during the writing and production process.<\/p>\n
And then there are reviewers and others who might assist in promoting the book. Sometimes that number can reach into the triple digits. But there are some authors who can\u2019t bring themselves to give away their books. They can\u2019t see the benefit of providing free copies to supporters and the media. <\/p>\n
Does the practice of giving free books compute into sales? Some authors think so. In my new book, Promote Your Book<\/em>, I recommend sending complimentary copies to people who were key in the process of writing\/producing your book. They, too, have an interest in the book. They will be eager to show it off to their friends and colleagues. This could be a good way to make sales. <\/p>\n I also suggest giving copies to influential people in your genre or topic. Here\u2019s an excerpt from the book: \u201cNothing helps sales like having prominent spokespersons talking about your book. Do you have any idea how sales soared when Oprah introduced a book on her show? While your book may not get that kind of recognition, you can still increase your sales by involving the right people. <\/p>\n \u201cIf your book is about parenting, send copies to well-known psychologists and family therapists along with a note suggesting they read it and recommend it to the families they work with. Ask each of them for a testimonial for your website (and future reprints) while you\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n \u201cSend a copy of your book featuring pet care for beginners to the directors of every humane organization in the country (or at least in your region). They meet people every day who could use this book.<\/p>\n \u201cSend copies to everyone you know who writes for periodicals or hosts a radio or TV show. When I was writing for periodicals, I often received complimentary copies of books from authors whom I\u2019d interviewed. If I wrote on that topic again, I\u2019d mention that book. Subscribe online to HARO (Help a Reporter Out) http:\/\/www.helpareporter.com<\/a> and Reporter Connection http:\/\/www.reporterconnection.com<\/a>. You\u2019re bound to discover many additional journalists and experts who might be interested in reviewing your book or quoting from it in upcoming articles.\u201d<\/p>\n And I suggest, \u201cPut your book into the hands of people who will recommend it to others\u2014those with good networking skills. We all have friends who have a wide range of acquaintances and contacts and who love to talk up a good product.\u201d<\/p>\n I use a lot of real examples throughout the book. Here, Bobbi Florio-Graham tells how she sent a copy of her Mewsings and Musings <\/em>to the Canadian prime minister for his birthday. She says, of the practice of giving books away, \u201cIt increases awareness of the book and may lead to subsequent sales.\u201d<\/p>\n Another author I know gave a copy of her children\u2019s book to a friend who tutored her young son in math. The tutor volunteered at the local library. She showed the book to the librarian. Not only did they order a dozen copies for their branches, they invited the author to participate in their summer program for young readers, through which she sold several additional copies.<\/p>\n One author handed her book on ornamental gardening for the beginner to a local landscaper. The landscaper took the book to the next nurserymen\u2019s conference and several owners of nurseries contacted the author asking to sell copies through their businesses.<\/p>\n While there is little or no return on some of the free books you hand out, others may result in many sales. Do you have a new book coming out? Start now listing the people who might help you to spread the word about your book. This would be\u2014depending on the book genre\/topic:<\/p>\n \u2022\tWell-connected friends and acquaintances who are great networkers. For hundreds more book promotion tips and resources, order your copy of my new book\u2014a serious, well-organized and easy to follow volume, Promote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author<\/strong><\/em>. Order it from Amazon.com, B&N.com or IndieBound.org. I will let you know when it is available at my own website.<\/p>\n Tomorrow I will write about free copies to book reviewers.<\/p>\n http:\/\/www.patriciafry.com<\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" How many free copies of your book do you send out for promotional purposes? Five, twenty-five, ninety-five or more? Most authors provide free copies to contributors\u2014those experts and other people who provided quotes and\/or information for their book. The editor generally gets a copy and the cover designer, as does anyone else who offered a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[5],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\u2022\tProfessionals in your field.
\n\u2022\tAvid readers in your genre.
\n\u2022\tBook club organizers.
\n\u2022\tReviewers in your genre\/topic.
\n\u2022\tAppropriate organization leaders and web hosts.
\n\u2022\tEditors of appropriate magazines and ezines.<\/p>\n
\n http:\/\/www.matilijapress.com <\/p>\n