There are tons of ways to publicize and promote your
books. I’m blogging about four that are easy, fun and FREE.
#1. Most
towns or areas have a Facebook page. I joined one for my town (Friends of
Fallbrook). The site has 20,000 Facebook followers. For the six weeks prior to my book
launch, I’m posting a teaser blurb every Sunday at 5
p.m. I end each post with:
“Watch this spot next Sunday for more information.” Also, I add a photo of the
area and time period of my novel. The last three posts will give a date, time, and finally the address. Sample of first three posts.
10-6
COMING SOON – A delightful & deadly romp through 1915 San Diego,
Fallbrook, LA’s Chinatown, Santa Barbara & other So Cal areas. Fallbrook author, P. Austin
Heaton’s new murder mystery is coming in November. Book launch in Fallbrook,
mid-November, mid-week, mid-day. Watch this space next Sunday for more
information.
10-13
COMING SOON – A new sleuth is in town. Sadie Brown, Aviatrix, San Diego newspaper columnist, & undercover snoop launches her first murder investigation after
a prominent doctor’s body is found in Balboa Park during the 1915
Panama-California Exposition. Watch for more information next Sunday.
10-20
COMING SOON – “Murder at the Expo:
Miss Sadie Brown & the Death of Dr. Wolf” A prominent Agnew Sanitarium surgeon and
researcher into female hysteria has been murdered! Join Miss Sadie Brown as she
follows the clues in 1915 San Diego, Fallbrook, Redondo Beach, Tijuana, and
other California seaside towns. Peek into the silent film industry, early
aeroplane business, and LA’s Chinatown. Fallbrook book lunch set for
mid-November. More details next Sunday.
#2.
My local newspaper allows free news releases for local authors who have published a new book...300 words and a photo of
the book cover. Check with your local newspapers to learn about their requirements. It may trigger a
write-up by a staff reporter. UPDATE: This lead to a speaking engagement for a local university women's group who asked that I bring books to sell.
#3.
If you know the names and emails of people who have purchased your book,
send a free “Thank You” email card from an online greeting card site. I use
123greetings.com. You can also include a message that asks the reader to please
write a comment on Amazon and Goodreads if they enjoyed the book.
#4. Check
with your local independent book/gift shops. Many will order local authors’
books. If you are self-published like I am, your shop may sell your signed author-copies on consignment. Also, it's nice to mention in your pitch that so-and-so bookstore carries your books. UPDATE: This led to a large book club selecting my book to read on the recommendation of the shop owner. Smooze, smooze, smooze those shop owners.
BONUS. A semi-free idea. Join a group that
correlates to the subject of your book. Membership will probably require a small fee. Because I write historical mysteries, I joined a local Southern California historical
society and made some great friends who are also interested in purchasing my book.
SECOND BONUS. Another semi-free idea. It’s
fairly inexpensive to make your own bookmarks or have them printed
professionally. Distribute at libraries, coffee shops, doctors’ offices, and
(depending on your target market) beauty salons, auto repair shops, etc. If I see
someone reading a book, I offer a bookmark and give an elevator pitch. They may
forget my pitch, but the bookmark will be a reminder. AND the reminder will tell them where to buy the book. UPDATE: A lady showed up at my book launch and bought copies of both my books. A week prior to the launch, I gave her bookmarks as we stood in line at the local grocery store.
Do you have more free ideas that have
worked for you? Please share in the comments. Writers helping writers is the name of the game.
See you next month.
See you next month.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
IT’S ARRIVED!!! My first historical murder mystery book (a
new series) is now available on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/169609738X
If you enjoy the Molly Murphy
series and the Masie Dobbs series, you’ll find Sadie Brown a fun read as she
begins her career as a sleuth and undercover investigator.
* * *
Like my blog? Please click on the "follow by
email" icon to receive a notification when the next blog is
posted.
Other
places to find me:
My Historical Murder Mystery Novel (1st
in a series) on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/169609738X
No comments:
Post a Comment