Yesterday, we talked about marketing locally. Here are some ideas for starting your book promotion campaign close to home.<\/p>\n
1: Contact librarians, bookstore, specialty store managers and so forth to arrange for signings, demonstrations, readings or other programs appropriate for your particular book. You might also make a consignment deal with store managers. Specialty stores might include toy stores, hobby shops, craft stores, bakeries, coffee shops, florists\/nurseries, pharmacies, pet stores, fashion accessory shops, automotive\/motorcycle shops, wineries, print shop, used book stores, organic food stores and so forth\u2014depending on the nature of your book and the scope of your audience.<\/p>\n
2: Set up programs and speeches for civic group meetings and other organization, club, association meetings and events. Start with Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.\u2014those clubs that meet often and are always seeking good programs. Consider groups that you belong to\u2014businessmen\u2019s\/women\u2019s business organizations, retired businessmen\u2019s\/women\u2019s organizations, church or school affiliated groups, real estate board, hobby clubs (photo, cars, bee-keeping, organic gardening, quilting, car club, cooking and so forth.)<\/p>\n
3: Participate in flea markets, book fairs and other such activities. Most communities have an annual event\u2014here it is Ojai Day. In other California communities, it is Horned Toad Day, Citrus Festival, Avocado Festival, Fiesta, and so forth. Often, there are opportunities for locals to sell their wares. Arrange to reserve a booth or share with someone.<\/p>\n
4: Donate and volunteer. Most communities have events and activities throughout the year that rely on volunteers and donations. I\u2019ve donated my Ojai history book over the years for many causes\u2014fundraisers for local schools and community projects, for example. Often they need items for silent or live auctions.<\/p>\n
5: Appear on local TV or radio.<\/p>\n
6: Seek visibility within the community. Volunteer, for example. When I was promoting my local history book, I was appointed to the Historic Preservation Commission. Since I began spending more time and effort promoting my books for authors, I\u2019ve been involved with SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network), a networking organization for authors that began right here in my county. I\u2019ve also belonged to various writers groups and I always participate in author-related events and activities locally. You could start up or join a group related to cooking, crafting, hiking, animals, fashion, gardening, flying, racing, water sports, photography, etc.<\/p>\n
7: Launch a project locally. I know a young writer of children\u2019s books who launches a book drive every year. Another author I know produces book fairs in her area. Organize an author\u2019s week or day in your city. Arrange for story time at your library or children\u2019s bookstore. Do walking tours to promote your local history book. Serve a recipe from your cookbook at a local wine bar one weekend. Organize a nature walk to promote your novel set in the wilderness or a signing at a pet store for all local writers of books involving animals.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ll bet a nickel that I\u2019ve included some ideas you\u2019ve never thought of before. And I\u2019ll bet a dime that you can come up with even more of them.<\/p>\n
For many more ideas for promoting your book locally and world-wide, order your copy of \u201cPromote Your Book, Over 250 Proven, Low-Cost Tips and Techniques for the Enterprising Author.\u201d It\u2019s at amazon in print, Kindle and audio as well as in most online and downtown bookstores.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Yesterday, we talked about marketing locally. Here are some ideas for starting your book promotion campaign close to home. 1: Contact librarians, bookstore, specialty store managers and so forth to arrange for signings, demonstrations, readings or other programs appropriate for your particular book. You might also make a consignment deal with store managers. Specialty stores […]<\/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