Are you outgoing? Do you make friends easily? Are you an advertising whiz? Do you have great communication skills? Maybe you love to travel, you\u2019re good at small talk or you have some impressive connections. Do you write killer press releases? Are you highly organized? Maybe you have exceptional computer skills. <\/p>\n
Although book promotion seems to require a variety of skills and talents, it\u2019s rare that an author would come into this realm with all of the desired attributes. Not every author is a marketing expert or an accomplished public speaker. I know several published authors who can\u2019t or don\u2019t want to get out in public even to promote their books. <\/p>\n
The fact is that it\u2019s too easy to get a book published today. Even folks with minimal writing skills and no marketing savvy can become authors. But only those with something more on the ball will experience success with their books. <\/p>\n
This blog post is for the unskilled, untrained author. I want you to examine your strengths and your opportunities and use them to get your book noticed. For example:<\/p>\n
\u2022\tMaybe you can\u2019t get out much, but you have time on your hands. Use that time to devise and implement promotional activities on behalf of your book. Develop a website, get involved in websites and organizations related to the theme or genre of your book and participate! Study appropriate magazines, ezines and websites and arrange for book reviews. Learn how to write a good press release and send them to appropriate newspaper columnists (gardening, parenting, spiritual, health\/fitness, sports, senior, children, pets, ecology, etc.). Columnists are always looking for interesting news items related to their themes.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tIf your strong suit is your ability to communicate, get out and meet people at book signings, book festivals, appropriate club\/organization meetings, etc. And engage in public speaking. You might also enjoy and benefit from participating in online discussion groups and on bulletin boards\/forums. <\/p>\n
\u2022\tIf you\u2019d rather write\u2014develop a newsletter and\/or write stories and articles for publication in appropriate magazines and ezines. Use the bio at the end of the pieces to promote your book!<\/p>\n
\u2022\tMaybe you are an idea person. Use your skills to develop promotional concepts for your book. Be creative! If you can come up with the ideas, but aren\u2019t good at carrying them out, partner with someone who can implement them or who can nudge you toward your goals. Maybe you have a book on building miniature trains. You might plan a meet in your community for train enthusiasts, get together with others and set up a booth at the county fair this year, design a specialty book section at your website or become a regular at the monthly swap meets in your area.<\/p>\n
\u2022\tIf you have a marketing background, use it to get your book noticed. Create ads and brochures, send them to your mailing and emailing lists, post them in strategic places related to the theme\/genre of your book, place ads in appropriate publications\/sites, if you have the money to do so. Professionals generally don\u2019t suggest that authors pay to advertise, but there are instances where it is reasonably priced and effective. Be discerning.<\/p>\n
Which category do you fit into? Can you see how you can utilize what you have in order to promote your book rather than trying to follow someone else\u2019s program? Of course, I\u2019d like to hear from you on this subject.<\/p>\n
Question of the day: What are your strong points and how do you use them to promote your book or your freelance writing work?<\/p>\n
Contact me here: PLFry620@yahoo.com <\/p>\n