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“To market my book, I’ve been emailing out the URL to my book to those who have expressed interest, or those I think would be interested. I have sold several copies lately by word of mouth. I’m working with a web design firm in Australia and have built a site to market the book. They’re working on obtaining a domain name. I’ve also used the business and postcards Infinity provided in their optional promotional package. Everything combined seems to work...but the author needs to work on several approaches simultaneously.”
Kimberley Koedoot
On Eagles Wings “I promoted my novel ‘Republican Bastards’ in three ways. I knew that I had a cadre of friends and relatives who would want to feed on their curiosity about my book and would purchase the book. I must say, however, that many of them will expect you to give them the book free. You must factor that into your promotional cost. My second avenue was to pursue local bookstores, florist shops (gifts), and other entities to carry the book on consignment. Generally an 80/20 split off retail is acceptable. Finally, I started a web site with the title of the book. You can really become creative, earn $$ from book sales, and join the Affiliates program who put advertising on your web site. The web site had an additional advantage I did not expect. It is fun. It is easy to find many mailing lists once you start to explore the web.”
Phil Bullard
Republican Bastards “Infinity Publishing provides an annual writers conference for their authors. I attended the first one in September 2000. I learned so many ideas on how to promote my book. For instance, when someone asks me what I do, I now say I’m an author and speaker. I don’t even mention my full-time job that I’m currently using to support my promotional expenses. That’s immaterial. I want people to ask me about my book!
Since my book is about relationships, it’s a popular topic for talk shows. The advantage of publishing with a Print-On-Demand publisher is that while I’m on the air, I can give the publisher’s toll-free number to order the book and it’s mailed within 48 hours. Or, they can go to my web site to read the first 1,000 words or order the book through a link to my publisher. I don’t have to be bothered with preparing books for mailings, waiting in line at the post office, being authorized to accept credit cards (which is getting harder and harder to get) or accepting checks from people I haven’t met. My (part-time) publicist arranges appearances on radio/TV shows and writing workshops/book signings at libraries/bookstores. My agent in Orlando, FL, schedules speaking engagements.”
Carol M. Welsh
When You’re Seeing Red, STOP! “Numerous public speaking events (I’m on the local speakers bureau for the Republican Party and I’ve just gotten on the recommended speakers list for the World Presidents’ Organization). Attended a political convention as a vendor and sold about 35 books—enough to cover the fees with a little left over. News releases on BusinessWire—it costs $100 a year for membership and from $90 to $250 per news release which goes out to the Internet and is faxed to the news outlets of the region you chose. Created my own web site, www.ChinaThreat.com to promote my book and my co-author’s traditionally published book. I then ensured that the site was visible to most of the search engines. Sought out radio show appearances. I’ve been on radio about 5 times now to promote the book. My co-author appeared on C-SPAN 2 Book TV for his traditionally published nonfiction book on China and someone asked him a few questions about ‘China Attacks‘, allowing him to explain the book. That appearance probably sold more than 200 books.”
Chuck DeVore
and Steven Mosher
China Attacks “The question probably should have been ‘what haven’t you done to promote your book?’. ‘1001 Ways to Market Your Books’ by John Kremer was a great starting point for my promotion plans. Having a website that receives thousands of visitors a month has also been extremely helpful. I don’t limit myself to Internet marketing however. Writing articles on my book’s subject and having them published in various magazines has been very rewarding sales-wise. It also builds your credibility, especially if you have penned nonfiction books like I have. Ads can also be important, especially in trade publications covering your genre. If ad space is too expensive for me, I ask the publisher/editor if they would like to give away an autographed copy of my book to their readers in the form of a contest. This way the cost will only be the price of your book plus shipping. A far cry from the hundreds of dollars that a reasonable ad spot can go for. I also will be having my books shown at conferences and conventions via co-opt presenters. The fees range from $39.00 to $80.00 and your books get shown next to mainstream, university and small press titles. I believe a mixture of ‘old school’ and Internet publicity can yield wonderful results without costing you a fortune.”
Marie Anakee Miczak
Mehndi - Rediscovering Henna Body Art “To promote ‘Happiness is Everything!,’ I’ve been advertising on the Internet on several pay-per-click sites. I’m also doing a lot of word of mouth with my market. I’ve recently been tying it in with a new BioTech product launch I’m involved with. My campaign is Health, Wealth and Happiness. The product is called BioChoice. It’s a revolutionary breakthrough Biotech wellness product developed by Dupont and ConAgra. It supports and balances the immune system targeting all the diseases of aging. This absolutely wonderful product helps your body to heal itself and fight off infection. My book website is: www.booksbycrawford.com which promotes happiness. At the bottom of the page, I have a link to my BioChoice website. When I mail out information to people regarding this opportunity, I send along a bookmark—plugging my book. This ties it all together: health, wealth and happiness!”
Chris Crawford
Happiness is Everything! “You have to make sure that you keep your name and book title in the public eye all the time. To that end, I use my desktop publishing program a lot to make promo cards, (take-away cards) stating that my book is now available, etc., and leave them in various public locations. I have an excellent publicist who keeps my name in the newspaper a lot with different appearances at different resorts in the area. Libraries and book clubs are always looking for speakers and the like.”
JD Richards
ONE MORE YESTERDAY (Time Line Trilogy) “I’ve attended book fairs where I was allowed to sell books. I’ve done book signings, and continue to visit bookstores to set up signings. I hand out business cards and bookmarks promoting my book. I’ve printed posters for venues to use to advertise my book. I’m still working to get reviews in publications. I maintain an active email list to whom I send any news related to my writing, to keep my name in people’s minds. I’ve built a website to promote my writing: http://www.angelfire.com/dc/bloodandbone/”
Austin S. Camacho
Blood and Bone “While the book was still in production with the POD company, I created a teaser direct mail piece. I also generated a list of names and addresses [snail mail] of people I knew who might be interested in reading my book. I used a sexy woman (one of the characters in the novel) and personalized the introduction. So one of the book’s characters was inviting the recipient to order a copy. On the back side of the folder, there was info on how to order. It was a successful effort. I also encouraged a local bookstore to place an initial order and later had a book signing session there. Since then the bookstore has sold out and had to re-order four times.”
Dick Standring
DANGEROUS RELATIONSHIPS “My husband and I made a flyer with a short synopsis, bio, excerpt, and pictures of my husband, myself and the book. Then we left some in the libraries, and with anyone we thought may be interested in buying our book ‘Secrets In The Night.’ I have had several book signings in Books-A-Million, and I did the same thing, I put up a poster of my book, and left several flyers a week before the book signing. I also took the flyer to the local newspapers and they published it in the newspaper.”
Annabelle Berton
Secrets In The Night “Well...promotion is the key! I am often recruited as a speaker on the subject of ‘healing and humor’ and my books always go with me. I frequently offer one (with crayons) as a door prize. I always include an order form in the back of my book, providing info on how to order from me as well as from Infinity Publishing‘s online bookstore, www.BuyBooksOnTheWeb.com. I also am a member of SPAN which offers several leads and submit my book to other sites as well as radio/TV. Wellness Reproductions & Publishing carries my book in their catalog and sales have been good with that. I have had 5 feature news articles, 3 radio interviews and 2 segments on the local PBS station, all of whom are ready to have me back with the next book. Two local libraries purchased copies. I have published an article which has been used on a Pituitary Brain Tumor Support Group Site, an arts site out of North Carolina, a Minnesota web site coming out this January, and a Mind/Body publication in Michigan in January. Info on my book is always included. Of course, I always ‘talk up’ my book and also hand out sample cartoons with my business card. I am on the ‘waiting list’ for a national TV show...believe me, I’ll let you know WHEN (not ‘if’!) that happens. I also make ‘hospital rounds’ and pass out sample cartoons with contact info on the back to patients/staff as that is where I first started cartooning. I really have fun with my book and have always been excited about how it gives a smile to others. I keep researching new ways to market it. I, like all authors, would like to increase my sales and approach all likely avenues.”
Jo Lee Dibert-Fitko
"...You Never Asked For This!"
An Adult Cartoon/Coloring Book “I sell my book on my two websites: www.KellyBliss.com, which provides fitness and healthy eating support, and www.PlusSizeYellowPages.com, a resource for plus size living. Next, I write articles for newsletters, other websites, newspapers and magazines. Instead of paying for advertising, I get paid to provide content! I include information on how to purchase my book and TEN fitness videos. I have become known on the speaking tour for motivational speakers. I often speak on the topics of health, weight, and body image at conferences for professionals. These professionals buy my books and videos to take back and show their clients, thus providing even more sales with their recommendations. I have partnered with a marketing firm that will run FULL PAGE ads in major magazines and sell a book and video combination. They are financing the venture and they will make most of the money. However, this will help establish my national reputation. I am also in negotiation with some of the TV shopping channels. This method is useful if a book is combined with another product that ‘shows well’ and provides a fun demonstration for the TV audience and camera while providing a service for the general public.”
Kelly Bliss, M.Ed.
Don’t Weight Eat Healthy and Get Moving NOW!
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