Ten Points To Successful Promotion

Ten Points To Successful Promotion

1.     Start your promotion network long before you need it.  By the time your book hits the shelves or online marketplace, you’ll have your network calling YOU for signings, interviews, virtual tours, etc..

1. Concentrate on chain and independent bookstores that carry the type of book you’ve written.  For example, if you write romance novels, as much as you may hate it, Boat & Tackle Books, Inc. isn’t interested in your novel—not even if you’re the CEO’s daughter!
2. Set aside a certain percent of your advance (or income if you’re self-published or not yet published) so you’ll be able to finance your promotion machine to include such expenses as:  bookmarks, promo items, transportation, etc..  Ten percent is more than enough.
3. Get your Advance Reading Copies, galleys, unbound manuscripts and e-books to the reviewers early so your review can be scheduled in the review publication in a timely manner.  Reviewers have deadlines, too.  Three months early is good; six months early is great.
4. Get the names and 800 telephone numbers for all the distributors in your area.  Send them a press release of your book, then follow up with a phone call requesting, if possible, a time to come in and autograph copies of your book.
5. Don’t forget to promote to libraries, writing organizations to which you belong and their trade publications.  Writers spend BIG bucks on books!
6. Schedule signings, virtual tours and chats well in advance to get choice dates during the period immediately after the release of your book.  This strategy will help you, the bookseller and the blog owner avoid conflicts with other bookstore, virtual tours, or community events.
7. Put together a professional, appealing media/press kit—this can be both a print and a virtual media kit.
   1. A 5X7 black and white photo of yourself.  Make sure your name, address, telephone number and the title of your book are on the back of the photo in case your photo gets separated from the press kit in the newsroom—your press kit passes through many hands at the newspaper.
   2. A short but well written bio.
   3. A press release.  Do learn the correct format for a press release.
   4. A copy of your book or a cover still of your book.
   5. An excerpt from your book.
   6. Two business cards—one for the file and the other for the reporter, reviewer, etc..
   7. A “thank you” note expressing your appreciation of the reporter, reviewer, etc., taking the time to help promote your book.
   8. Local and internet radio and television shows are great ways to get the word out in your physical and virtual communities—especially for commuters or business people who work out of their vehicles.  Don’t forget to send press releases for community announcement calendars, too.

10. Don’t over promote your book, especially if it’s a first book.  You may end up creating such a frenzy that the book can NEVER live up to reactions generated with the public.  It may sound crazy, but many authors have discovered this anomaly, to their detriment, and it’s boded ill for their second books.  Remember, the best promotion tool in the world is the actual book.  A great book sells itself!