Many people in the public eye believe that there is no such thing as bad publicity. Publicity, positive or negative, promotes a career because it puts that person in the limelight. Of course, writers would like to be recognized for the quality of their work. Bad reviews hurt a writer’s sales and recognition as a serious author. Nevertheless, being ignored by reviewers is not something that authors appreciate either. Readers aren’t going to buy books they’ve never heard of. No reviews? No publicity? No sales.
So how do authors go about reaching readers, building a following among those who buy books? After all, it’s not just the small independent publishers who do little to promote their authors. These days even the major publishers do not put much effort and money into book promotion either. Writers must think proactively.
How should writers go about reaching and building a readership? I’m going to offer a few suggestions that won’t break your bank account.
l. Use the internet:
a. Create a website. Every professional writer should have one.
b. Do social media networking such as blogging. Create your own blog and also guest blog on other sites. Interview other authors. Offer to do interviews on other sites, not those only for writers. Reach out to a more general, larger audience. Create a presence on such popular internet sites as: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Bookbub, Booktown, etc.
d. Join internet writer groups of authors with common interests. Be an active reader and comment often in group and on their blogs. Not everyone can be an “influencer” but it helps to connect.
e. Be willing to read and review the work of other writers.
f. Ask other authors in your genre to read and review your books as well. You want as many reviews as possible on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, Kobo, etc.
g. Send out advance review copies to internet reviewers who read in your genre. Reviews are important and we can’t always get them from the major review publications.
h.
Possibly offer ARCs as giveaways both on your site, other sites. Is giving away
free books a good method of increasing overall sales and getting publicity for
an author’s brand? It appears to do so for ebooks. Many writers are offering
free ebooks on Amazon. Usually this creates awareness of an author who has
numerous books to offer. I don’t have the statistics on how well this is
working out. If you do, please comment.
3. Library Events. Offer to do a program at your local library. You can have a book signing and selling afterward if the library approves.
4. Don’t forget to advertise every program you do. Contact the local newspapers and offer a “news release.”
5. Your college probably has a graduate publication, magazine or newsletter. The publication of your book is certainly a newsworthy item.
6. Consider selling books at various unexpected places. Book fairs sponsored by local libraries are great and so are craft shows, however, you might think of a more creative venue. Try to think outside the box. For example, suppose your novel is about a baker. Is there a local bakery that might display and sell your books on consignment? Is your novel set in a beauty parlor? Would a beauty shop owner allow your books selling space for a cut of the profits?
7. Attending conferences. Many writers swear by them. It’s a great place for networking and connecting. You can meet editors, agents and other authors. At the very least, you can interact and get interesting feedback and share ideas. Since our work is solitary, this is a good way to know you are not alone.
8. Some writers publish their own newsletters which advertise the release of their new books as they come out.
9. You might also keep friends and relatives in the loop through e-mail announcements.
10. Send out announcements to acquisition librarians, especially if your book has had good reviews which you can quote. This can be done inexpensively via e-mail.
11. Podcasts are popular as are YouTube videos. TikTok has a BookTok where videos gain publicity. If you have a talent for creating either one, it might benefit sales.
This article is as much for me as any writer. My latest novel
HEART OF WISDOM was just published by Level Best Books in print and ebook:
https://www.amazon.com/Heart-Wisdom-Jacqueline-Seewald-ebook/dp/B0C8BRFM86/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1144049440
Heart of Wisdom eBook by Jacqueline Seewald - EPUB Book | Rakuten Kobo United States
Have
I left out anything that I should be mentioning? As a writer, what promotion
and or publicity ideas have worked well for you and might work well for other
authors?
Readers,
what determines the books you select? I love to share ideas in this
forum.
As an author, my time is spread thin. What I want to do is write, but if I don't do promotion, no one will read what I write. I am struggling to find ways to push my books without being pushy, and to use my limited marketing time effectively. I'm doing a few things on your list, but I'll try adding a few more. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, promotion doesn't come easily to most of us who write. It's especially difficult if you work full or part-time. But unfortunately, it is necessary to reach readers.
DeleteGood ideas here. Thank you. I do several of these things but need to do more. I want more readers —though I’m not in this to make money.
ReplyDeleteI don't think most of us who write do it for the money, because there's generally very little and we have other professions that support us. But we all need and want to write. Naturally, we want work that we've worked so hard creating to be read by others. So promotion and publicity are needed.
DeleteJacquie, as always a thorough and useful post. Getting publicity and making sales are hard tasks for writers, so any guidance is always welcome. I'd rather write, but I know I have to get out there more.
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteI'd like to say it's the publisher's job to sell our books, but in today's world, the writer needs to be engaged in the process.
Thanks for the tips! Always appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSaralyn,
ReplyDeleteI love your novels and think you do a great job promoting your work.
Thank you for the great advice!
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome!
Delete