There’s a lot to think about when it comes to marketing your book. Do you need an on-line presence? How will you create a buzz about your book? What can you do to get people interested in purchasing it? The whole subject can be a bit daunting.
Do you need an on-line presence? I’d answer this question with a big YES. Social media sites like blogs, Facebook, Google + and Twitter offer authors a great way to network. You’ll not only meet tons of interesting people, you’ll make connections. You’ll be able to watch what others do and decide which of these techniques are right for your book. Not to mention, if you have an on-line presence, you’ll have people who know you and will be interested in participating in your book launch and giveaways.
Do remember that social media is a way to network and meet interesting people. There’s nothing more annoying than accepting a friend request or following someone and suddenly getting hit with a ton of requests asking me to buy something. Build relationships with your friends and followers by commenting on posts you find interesting and retweeting updates you think others might enjoy.
How will you create a buzz about your book? Well, if you have an on-line presence before your book is released, you can share your journey from idea to publication on your blog. You can tell your friends on Facebook what stage in the process you are at. You can tweet to your followers how revisions are going. You’ll have people who can’t wait to see your cover reveal and are excited about attending your book launch. They may tell their followers. Your potential reach is limitless.
Sites like GoodReads, Amazon and Barnes and Noble offer a way for readers to tell others about the books they enjoyed by giving them an option to like, rate and review the books they read. GoodReads has different groups where readers who enjoy the same genre can chat about the books they've read. If you purchase a YA paranormal romance on Amazon, they will provide a list of other books people who bought the YA paranormal also purchased. Amazon also has tags that provide another way to group books. When someone searches “young adult fantasy” Amazon will pull up a list of all young adult fantasy. The more tags a book has, the higher on the search results it will be. Barnes and Noble also recommends books to their customers.
What can you do to get people interested in purchasing your book? This is the easiest question to answer. Although far from easy to do. Write an amazing book that will pull a reader in and keep them turning the pages.
I don’t pretend to be an expert on marketing a book. I’m new at all this and I’m still learning myself. I recently discovered Plug YourBook! Online Book Marketing for Authors by Steve Weber and decided I’d include it in this post. In his book, Steve covers all the things I already knew and a host of things I didn’t. From the benefits of word of mouth to building your website to finding reviewers for your book, Steve provides valuable tips for everyone. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has questions on on-line marketing a book.
If you have tips for marketing a book, I'd love to hear them.
Great post! Thanks for the book recommendation.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and you're quite welcome.
DeleteVery nice blog post. I'm also struggling with marketing my books, although I'm already doing everything you've mentioned. People say, "Use Goodreads," but no one tells you the best way to use it. They say, "Get a Facebook fan page," but no one tells you the best way use one of those, either. Twitter? Ditto.
ReplyDeleteI've already written two great books, and they're getting great reviews. I guess the answer in my case is to publish more of them. I've written seven novels and 40 picture books. That's two down, and five novels and 40 picture books to go.
I hear you. I only have one book out at this time. I'm trying to find a home for my MG novel and I'm very close to being ready to query my latest YA. In the background I keep trying to come up with new ways to get the word out about my published novel which is getting great reviews. It's not easy being a writer.
DeleteDo not neglect the personal touch. Participate in local events, book fairs, street festivals, visit libraries and read to kids. Help readers put a name, face and personality with your books.
ReplyDeleteYes, online is good, helpful and cheaper than traveling, but when I attend conventions, there is nothing like face-to-face interaction with kids and parents. A Tweet can't replace a kid's smile on receiving the next book in the series, or a FB post substitute for a grateful parent on how the books helped their child to read. I had one girl wait an entire year for next convention to buy the book for me to sign rather than going online. Those are intangibles unmatched by social media.
This is very true! I have one event planned for the summer, but I'm hoping to get a few more going before then.
DeleteThanks for commenting, Shawn!
These are all great recommendations but I also like what Shawn Lamb added. When it comes down to it, it's about getting the readers to read. Adding that personal touch is nice. That's also why some swag is great. Bookmarks and postcards can go a ways to helping get the word out.
ReplyDeleteAngela, I couldn't agree more!
DeleteI read this book a long time ago, when it first came out, and I was wondering what you would think of it! #goSCBWIlibrary! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a great book! I can't want to pass it on. :)
DeleteGreat ideas, Cherie! I hate it when I get hit up to buy something or check out a blog/website when I've just followed the person. I'd add Pinterest to the online presence thing. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I get that a lot and I would prefer a simple hi. Most of the time I do check out a person's information and will follow links to see what they write.
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