AUTHORS, IT MAY BE TIME TO GIVE MORE BOOKS AWAY


YOU KNOW THE PHRASE, "IT TAKES MONEY TO MAKE MONEY?" It is certainly true with new authors that are not celebratiers already.

I strongly recommend that you give your book away to as many people as you can–particularly people of influence.
Not everyone likes the idea of parting with their books for free, but the majority of consumers buy books based on recommendations from media, peers, friends and family. Giving books away is a great way to launch a word-of-mouth marketing campaign.
Please don't give a book to everyone you meet, because not everyone has influence. But you should give them to media professionals including reporters, editors, and producers. You should also give them to bloggers – these folks have more influence than ever before. Bloggers with a loyal audience can have tremendous influence when recommending a book. For children's booksI recommend mom blogger sites.

To reach the right influencers, spend time on Google searching for key contacts (or hire a smart virtual assistant to do this for you). Find contact information for reporters who cover topics related to your book as well as radio and t.v. shows that report on similar topics.

It's wise to send an e-mail first. This gives me a chance to establish a rapport, which can go a long way when it’s time to follow-up. It also ensures that I’m not sending out copies that end up in the recycle bin.

Using a service like Smashwords, you can give away ebook editions by creating a coupon for 100% off.

Not every review copy will result in publicity, but the ones that do can make up for all the rest. A feature article in a major media outlet or a recommendation on a popular blog can propel a book to all kinds of success.

As a freelance writer and ghostwriter, Kathy Stemke has published over one hundred articles in directories, magazines and on websites. She is a reviewer for Sylvan Dell Publishing and a former editor for The National Writing for Children Center. As a retired teacher, Kathy has several activities published with Gryphon House Publishing. Stemke is also part of the team at DKV Writing 4 U, a writing services company that includes ghostwriting, copywriting, editing, proofreading, critiquing, and resumes.  http://www.dkvwriting4u.com
Award winning author, Kathy Stemke’s first children’s picture book, Moving Through All Seven Days, was published on Lulu. Her next two picture books, Sh, Sh, Sh Let the Baby Sleep, and Trouble on Earth Day were released in 2011. Both of these books have been awarded the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval.  

4 comments:

Dr John Yeoman said...

An interesting variation on this idea is to donate your books to public libraries. Print a strong promotion in the preface and back. (When I sold business ideas I invited people to sign up for my newsletter.) A busy library will lend out that volume twenty times or more in a year. Then they have to replace it. So they'll come back to you and pay the full retail price!

Better still, every loan gives you a chance to put your promotion into the hands of highly qualified prospects.

That strategy used to bring me a regular income and it's a great way to dispose of surplus books.

Unknown said...

Great variation, Dr. John.

Karen Cioffi said...

Sound book marketing advice. It's also a good idea to submit to contests, big and small - another good way to get you book into some influential hands.

John, That's another good idea. I've done this with my local library. I gave five of each of my books for them to distribute to other branches. And, if they find them 'worthy,' they index them into the system.

Karen Cioffi Writing and Marketing

Anonymous said...

A great marketing tip.

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