How does one promote a book?

AlmostAtheist

Hey Guys,

Several of you have commented that you have books in publication, and some of you have been relatively successful with sales.

I'm halfway there. I have a published book. Woohoo! But nobody's buying it. Boohoo!

How have you promoted your books? So far I've left it to my publisher to promote, and though they've done all the things they do, nothing seems to be taking off. I don't know the first thing about it, but they've asked me for ideas. (This is their first humor book, so perhaps their normal channels aren't the right ones)

Any thoughts? Suggestions? "Keep your day job" is of course good advice, but I'm on board wit dat already! ;-)

Thanks!

Dave

Crumpet

wow well done on getting a book published. You could post a link here so those of us interested can at least have a look. ou could also ask bryanwhere's mymother - if he has any advice?

also is it on amazon - choose similar books that you have an interest in, purchase them and then your book will appear as a recommendation to anyone who purchases the other books. Get a friend to read and put a review in on amazon of your book to encourage people who go there to read it.

Just some ideas. I have not got to the being pubished stage as yet - am still waiting for a rejection note from my recent submission!

Lady Lee

Offer to do readings at a book store.

Offer to autograph some of the books at a store.

Check out local media and/or libraries to see if they are open to readings. Radio/TV/ newspaper or local newspapers might all be willing to give you some time. The "local author" angle is often a plus.

drew sagan

Just curious Dave, what's your book about? If it's got half of the humorous observances found in your posts I'd love to get a copy.

AlmostAtheist

>> You could post a link here so those of us interested
>> can at least have a look.

Well... I didn't want to use JWD as a promotion. If anyone is interested, feel free to pm. I'll send you a coupon for a free beer. (Certain restrictions apply. See your dealer for details.)

>> You could also ask bryanwhere's mymother - if he has any advice?

Excellent, yes! Thank you, I'll do that.

>> also is it on amazon

Yep, with a sales rank of about 80 billion...

>> choose similar books that you have an interest in,
>> purchase them and then your book will appear as a
>> recommendation to anyone who purchases the other books.

Interesting... I wonder if a single purchase would have that effect?

>> Get a friend to read and put a review in on amazon
>> of your book to encourage people who go there to read it.

TWO beers to anyone reviewing my book!

>> Just some ideas. I have not got to the being pubished
>> stage as yet - am still waiting for a rejection note
>> from my recent submission!

Good luck! Hopefully you'll be posting a "help me sell" thread soon!

Dave

Crumpet

Well I'm glad you did snort with laughter at any of my suggestions Dave. Can you pm me the link please so I can check it out?

vitty

Did I miss what the book was called ?

Seeker4

I have a friend, Archer Mayor, who writes a successful detective series based here in Vermont. Archer has 18 books out, I think, and he is a master of self-promotion. Two things he told me he does.
1. He attends book publisher conventions (there's a large one here in New England)) and schmoozes shamelessly.. Meet people, make connections.
2. If your book lends itself to public readings, contact all the bookstores in a 50-100 mile radius and make arrangements to do readings, then put together a small press release about the book and yourself, add a pic (you or the book cover, whichever is more attractive), and e-mail those out to the local paper whenever you do a reading.

Also, get it on line and available, mention it on every board you're on, etc.
Good luck. Wrapping up a novel myself, and working on getting an agent. That can also help.
S4

Bryan

Dave,

First, you can't leave marketing to your publisher. They're too busy with other books and won't give your's the TLC that you will.

The best resource I have is the "Harrison's Guide to the Top National TV Talk & Interview Shows". It cost about $350.00-$750.00, but it is well worth it if your book is non-fiction.
http://www.freepublicity.com/getontoptv/order.html
Do you have a press kit? I just received 1/3+ of the front color page in the local area section of my local paper. My press kit and review copy is what made it. It cost me about $10.00 for about $1000.00 worth of print. http://www.theadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060625/LIFESTYLE/606250320/1024 My press kit also has gotten me booked for a signing at Barnes & Noble this Saturday in Lafayette, LA.
http://www.haveyouseenmymother.com/barnes.html
At the very least you need a good news release to be emailed, faxed, mailed or dropped off to your local media outlets.

Then there are many books on marketing your own book. You will find there is more work in marketing your book than there was in writing it.

Hope this helps,

Bryan
Have You Seen My Mother

Bryan

Having a real distributor is the only way you will get into the mainstream bookstore. Baker & Taylor is mine, and it's the first thing the bookstores want to know. If you have a local privately owned book store, offer to sell your book on consignment. Offer to do a book signing. You will most likely need to give them a press kit with review copy first. Everyone writes books these days. They want to know that what they are offering their customers is a good product.

Bryan

How does one promote a book?

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