“21 Book Marketing Tips for Authors” by Joan Y. Edwards

Writing a book is a wondrous feat and getting it published is another great accomplishment. Selling your book is the next step and it is a very interesting endeavor today. You have to plan and take action. To make money; you have to spend money and/or time. You must be creative. Choose things to do that are fun for you. I suggest you work on three of them at a time. Choose two that you can do without any problem and one with a little challenge to it. Reward yourself for each step you complete.

I’ve read through many online sources and books about marketing to sell both Flip Flap Floodle and Joan’s Elder Care Guide.

I listed the resources I’ve found helpful. These marketing tips are ones I’ve used personally, witnessed other authors use them successfully, or plan to take action to make them a reality myself.

1. Place a profile on About.me. Mark Coker recommends this as a way to put all of your information in one place that many people look first. Place an About Me file on your website and blog.

2. Make a Facebook Author Page and a Facebook Personal profile page.
3. Twitter  – Open a Twitter personal account. Post about things relating to the book you’re writing. Follow and retweet other people’s tweets relevant to your favorite topics.

4. Set up pre-orders for your book. Helps build tension so people anticipate the big release date. After the release of your first book, as soon as you get the second book ready, do a pre-order for it. On the last page of your first book, let people know about your second.
5. Create a Video Trailer for your book.

Joanna Penn. “How to Create a Book Trailer:” http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/01/07/how-to-create-a-book-trailer/

Sandra Warren. “Book Trailers Made Easy:” http://sandrawarrenwrites.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-trailers-made-easy.html

6. Send out a News Release before your book launch. Put your press releases on your website. PRlog sends out free press releases (https://www.prlog.org/)

Sample Press Release

Rob Bignell. “Press Release: Advice on Day Hiking with Children:” https://www.prlog.org/11593433-new-book-provides-valuable-tips-advice-on-day-hiking-with-children.html; 

Stephen King. “Book Release American Vampire:” http://stephenking.com/promo/american_vampire/press_release/

7. Obtain 50 reviews of your books on Amazon, GoodReads, and Barnes & Noble. Use 50 as your top goal but be happy and celebrate each review you get. According to Brooke Warner Huffington Post, you need 50 reviews for Amazon to give you special notice. Be willing to give people who commit to review your book  a free PDF, Kindle, or paperback copy for their review.

If it’s an ebook on Kindle and you belong to GoodReads, Kindle asks you to review the book when you finish it. It posts it on both Amazon and GoodReads for you at the same time. 

It’s exciting to watch your book ranks after your book is released. To find statistics about your book sales and book rankings:

Sign into Amazon’s Author Central. It gives you the number of books sold. http://www.amazon.com/authorcentral

I have 14 reviews on Joan’s Elder Care Guide and 18 for Flip Flap Floodle. So I need a lot more reviews to hit the lucky number of 50 reviews for each. If you’d be willing to do a review of either book for me, please let me know. I’ll send you a paperback copy. I’ll be willing to do a book review for you, too.

Put whole reviews or snippets of reviews with a book cover image and a link to purchase your book on your blog, website, emails, Facebook, Twitter, and your favorite social media.

8. Create Slide Presentation for your website. Linked-In has SlideShare where you can create and share slides about you, your writing, and your books. This SlideShare can be embedded on other people’s websites or blogs. You can even share it on your personal website or blog, too. To do the Linked-In SlideShare, go to Robert Sisson’s step by step directions: https://www.slideshare.net/RobertSisson/how-to-upload-your-powerpoint-slides-to-slideshare?qid=e74460bd-5446-41d3-894b-37cffb952803&v=&b=&from_search=11

9. Blog Tour – Ask 10 or more bloggers to interview you as a guest. Stagger the interviews. Have one each day for a week or two weeks. Include one review or snippets from 3 reviews with an image of your book cover and a link to purchase your book.

10. Book Blitz on the day of your book release – Ask 10 or more bloggers to put a copy of the specialized Book Blitz notices (format similar to a news release) on their blogs.

Sample Book Blitz:

Joan’s Elder Care Guide: Empowering You and Your Elder to Survive by Joan Y. Edwards

11. Have a Book Launch Facebook or Twitter party.

Lynne Hinkey. “Virtual Book Party” https://writerswin.com/virtual-book-party/

12. Create a book club study guide or teacher’s study guide for your book. Rob Bignell says this is a good way to entice book club members to buy copies of your book.

Sample Study Guide

“Charlotte’s Web Teacher’s Guide:” https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/unit-plans/teaching-content/charlottes-web-teachers-guide/

13. Make and distribute promotional materials: bookmarks, postcards, and business cards. You can print a coupon on the back of some of your business cards that say. If you’d like a free book, ask me for details. Willing to do a review – Free copy of book or something similar. Ask me: How can I get a free copy of your book?

14. Place a copy of you book in waiting rooms. Rob Bignell says to write a note inside your book that says, “Please leave for others to enjoy.”

15. Get your book into at least 2 local bookstores. If you or your publisher does not have a return book policy, you may want to see if local bookstores or businesses related to the subject of your book would sell your books on consignment. If your publisher has a return book policy, it will be easier to get your books on the shelves in a store.

16. Have a book signing event. Do a reading or a presentation. Mingle with the people in the store.

17. Have contests to win copies of your book or give away copies of unpublished writing.

18. Do a joint venture advertising campaign with 2-4 other authors with similar subjects or genres or who live in your area or travel together to different states.

19. Ask your readers to write, call, and visit your local library and ask them to order your book. Make sure your ISBN number is on your business card or on your website.

20. Write articles for organizations, newspapers, blogs, ezine articles, HubPages. Rob Bignell says they pay freelance writers for writing. Perhaps they will allow a byline and add the title of your book, a book cover image, and a link to purchase it.

21. Set up a Google Alert for you book title, book subject, and your name. They will email you daily or weekly articles that contain the words you designate. This may help you find blogs or magazines with articles about your subject. Then you can pursue writing for them, doing a guest blog, etc.

Jessica Knapp. “How to Set Up a Google Alert and Why It’s a Good Idea:” https://www.bloggingbasics101.com/how-to-set-up-a-google-alert-and-why-its-a-good-idea/

RESOURCES

1. Advisory HQ. “Top Free Press Release Distribution: https://www.advisoryhq.com/articles/top-free-press-release-distribution/
2. Authors’ Community. “Marketing Your Books:” http://authorscommunity.net/category/marketing-your-books/
3. Caitlin Muir. “89 Plus Book Marketing Ideas That Will Change Your Life:” http://www.authormedia.com/89-book-marketing-ideas-that-will-change-your-life/
4. Carolyn Johnson-Howard. The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or partnering with your publisher (The HowToDoItFrugally Series)  https://www.amazon.com/Frugal-Book-Promoter-publicity-partnering-ebook/dp/B07X2CCTGL/
5. Carolyn Johnson-Howard. How to Get Great Book Reviews Frugally and Ethically: The ins and outs of using free reviews to build and sustain a writing career:  https://www.amazon.com/Great-Reviews-Frugally-Ethically-HowToDoItFrugally-ebook/dp/B01MQCKRF5/
6. Daniel Kehrer. “10 Tips for Postcard Marketing Success:” http://www.bizbest.com/10-tips-for-postcard-marketing-success/
7. Daniel Newman. “Here Are 12 Must-Use Apps for Marketers:” https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/246047
8. David Gaughran. Let’s Get Visible: How To Get Noticed And Sell More Books (Let’s Get Publishing Book 2):  https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Get-Visible-Noticed-Publishing/dp/149031041X
9. Erin Entrada Kelly, Book Publicist. “YOU DID NANO. NOW WHAT?” http://www.smithpublicity.com/2015/12/you-did-nano-now-what/
10. Debbie Ridpath Ohi. “Want to support an author’s or illustrator’s new book but can’t afford to buy it?” http://inkygirl.com/inkygirl-main/2015/6/19/want-to-support-an-authors-or-illustrators-new-book-but-cant.html
11. Derek Haines. “What’s the Best Way to Promote My Self-Published Book:” https://www.justpublishingadvice.com/whats-the-best-way-to-promote-my-self-published-book/
12. Diana Urban. “119 Book Marketing Ideas That Can Help Authors Increase Sales:” https://insights.bookbub.com/book-marketing-ideas/
13. D. Jean Quarles. “5 Tips to Writing Your Author Bio:”  http://www.writersonthemove.com/2014/09/5-tips-to-writing-your-authors-bio.html
14. Enticing Journey Book Promotions. “Release Day Blitz:” http://www.enticingjourneybookpromotions.com/p/release-day-blitz.html
15. Frances Caballo. “Authors Boost Book Marketing with These 5 Apps:” https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2016/08/authors-boost-book-marketing-with-these-5-apps/
16. Graham Storrs. “Marketing Your First Book:” https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/03/27/marketing-your-first-book-graham-storrs/
17. Greg Scowen. “A Few Indie Book Reviewers:” http://www.gregscowen.com/a-few-indie-book-reviewers/
18. HubPages. Search for writing gigs. HubPages. 
19. Huffington Post. “The Top 10 Things All Authors Should Know About Amazon:” https://www.huffingtonpost.com/brooke-warner/the-top-10-things-all-aut_b_6744386.html
20. “Indie Authors: 17 Book Marketing Tips to Sell More Books:” https://www.amarketingexpert.com/indie-authors-17-book-marketing-tips-to-sell-more-books/
21. iuniverse. “10 Tips for Marketing Your Book:” https://www.iuniverse.com/Resources/Book-Marketing-Self-Promotion/10TipsForMarketingYourBook.aspx
22. J.C. Saucedo. “20 Book Marketing Tips and Tactics for Self-Published Authors:” https://blog.placeit.net/20-book-marketing-tips-tactics-self-publishing-authors/
23. Jen Malone. Writers’ Rumpus. “Part 1: How to Help an Author (Beyond Buying the Book):” http://writersrumpus.com/2014/01/03/how-to-help-an-author-beyond-buying-the-book-part-one/
24. Jen Malone. Writers’ Rumpus. “Part 2: How to Help an Author (Beyond Buying the Book):” http://writersrumpus.com/2014/02/07/how-to-help-an-author-beyond-buying-the-book-part-two/
25. Jen Malone. Writers’ Rumpus. “Part 3: How to Help an Author (Beyond Buying the Book): http://writersrumpus.com/2014/03/07/how-to-help-an-author-beyond-buying-the-book-part-three/
26. Jessica Knapp. “How to Set Up a Google Alert and Why It’s a Good Idea:” https://www.bloggingbasics101.com/how-to-set-up-a-google-alert-and-why-its-a-good-idea/
27. Joanna Penn. “How to Create a Book Trailer:” http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/01/07/how-to-create-a-book-trailer/
28. Joanna Penn. How to Market a Book Third Edition: https://www.amazon.com/Market-Book-Third-Joanna-Penn/dp/191210587X
29. Joan Y. Edwards. (Book Blitz) “Joan’s Elder Care Guide: Empowering You and Your Elder to Survive by Joan Y. Edwards:” https://www.joanyedwards.com/2016/05/13/joans-elder-care-guide-empowering-you-and-your-elder-to-survive-by-joan-y-edwards/
30. Josh Funk. “How Can You Help an Author?” https://papajfunk.wordpress.com/2015/09/24/how-can-you-help-an-author-im-so-glad-you-asked/
31. Josh Funk. “How to Buy a Picture Book without Buying a Picture Book:” https://papajfunk.wordpress.com/2015/08/27/how-to-buy-a-picture-book-without-buying-a-picture-book/
32. Kimberley Grabas. “71 Ways to Promote and Market Your Book:” http://www.yourwriterplatform.com/promote-and-market-your-book/
33. Mark Coker.  Smashwords Book Marketing Guide – How to Market Any Book for Free (Smashwords Guides 2)Kindle Edition: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004XR57PE/
34. Monique Danao. “Four Simple Ways Free Lance Writers Can Find Gigs Fast:”  http://writersweekly.com/this-weeks-article/find-new-writing-gigs-fast
35. National Pen Company. Personalized, colorful, distinctive, smooth writing promotional pens, stylus, magnets: http://www.pens.com
36. New York Book Editors. “5 Tips for Marketing Your YA Novel:” https://nybookeditors.com/2017/08/5-tips-for-marketing-your-ya-novel/
37. Nonfiction Author Association. “How to Get Book Reviews – 50 Resources to Generate Book Reviews:” https://nonfictionauthorsassociation.com/how-to-get-book-reviews-50-resources-to-generate-book-reviews/
38. Pam Perry. “25 Tested Marketing Tips for Self-Published Authors:” http://www.pamperrypr.com/25-tested-marketing-tips-for-self-published-authors/
39. Press Release Log. https://www.prlog.org/
40. Publicity Insider. “Special Report: The Ultimate PR & Publicity Secret:” http://www.publicityinsider.com/freesecret.asp
41. Rachel Abbott. “Reviews: The Good, the Bad, and the Scams:” http://rachelabbottwriter.wordpress.com/2012/03/13/reviews-the-good-the-bad-and-the-scams/#
42. Rob Bignell. 7 Minutes a Day to Promoting Your Book [Kindle Edition]: https://www.amazon.com/Minutes-Day-Promoting-Your-Book-ebook/dp/B00B4XD6FI
43. Sandra Warren. “Book Trailers Made Easy:” http://sandrawarrenwrites.blogspot.com/2016/01/book-trailers-made-easy.html
44. Sandra Warren. “Tag Team Marketing – Authors Helping Authors (contains additional marketing information related to book stores, retail stores, and organizations):” http://sandrawarrenwrites.blogspot.com/2016/03/tag-team-marketing-author-helping.html
45. Sandy Smith Publicity. “101 Book Marketing Ideas to Promote Your Book:” http://www.smithpublicity.com/101-book-marketing-ideas-promote-book/
46. Scholastic. Charlotte’s Web Teacher’s Guide: “Charlotte’s Web Teacher’s Guide:” https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/unit-plans/teaching-content/charlottes-web-teachers-guide/
47. Smith Publicity. “How to Hold a Social Media Contest:” http://www.smithpublicity.com/2015/12/how-to-hold-a-social-media-contest/
48. Tim Grahl. “Book Marketing Plan – The Definitive List:” https://booklaunch.com/book-marketing-checklist/ 
49. Valerie Peterson. “Book Signings and Book Tours – A Reality Check for Authors:”http://publishing.about.com/od/BookPublicity/fl/Book-Signings-and-Book-Tours-A-Reality-Check-for-Authors.htm
50. Valerie Peterson. “Part 1 – Getting Your Book into the Bookstore:” http://publishing.about.com/od/BookAuthorBasics/a/How-To-Make-Booksellers-Love-You.htm
51. Valerie Peterson. “Part 2- Make Booksellers Love You:” http://publishing.about.com/od/BookAuthorBasics/a/Make-Booksellers-Love-You-P2.htm
52. Valerie Peterson. “Part 3- Getting Your Book Into a Local Bookstore:” http://publishing.about.com/od/BookAuthorBasics/fl/Getting-Your-Book-Into-a-Local-Bookstore.htm
53. Vistaprint.com. Business cards, post cards, posters, car signs, etc. https://www.vistaprint.com
54. Zairmail.com. Direct Mailing lists, post card templates. http://www.zairmail.com/

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Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards, Author
Copyright © 2018 Joan Y. Edwards
Flip Flap Floodle Will this little duck’s song save him from Mr. Fox?
Joan’s Elder Care Guide A guide to help caregivers and elders find solutions.