Article Reprint: Eight No or Low Cost Ways to Promote Yourself
By Sally Murphy
So you’ve had a book published? Congratulations. Now, what are you doing to promote yourself and your book. ‘But that’s the publisher’s job!’ many first time authors say. Correct.
A good publisher will work hard to promote new releases. But the more promotion, the more chances of good book sales, and whilst a publicist may be promoting dozens of books by dozens of authors at any one time, you can focus your efforts on promoting just your own book(s). Also, whilst a publisher might promote your new book for a month or so, you can go and on promoting it for as long as it is in print.
So, here are eight ways you can promote your book at no or low cost to yourself.
1. An Author Website
Every author should have a website promoting her books. You can see mine at http://www.sallymurphy.net/. You can include details of each book you’ve had published, including a blurb, the year of publication, publisher’s name and ISBN.
Your website should also include a bio of yourself, contact details (you can use a form or use a link rather than pasting your email address on the page) and links to places which sell your books online. It’s also a great idea to include some classroom activities for teachers, and/or some activities for young readers.
You can pay someone to build you a website (I used Jason Rhodes and loved what he did), or you can build your own. You can also choose to pay for hosting or use free hosting. If the latter, try to choose one which places minimal advertising on your site.
You should also consider purchasing a domain name. For a writer the best domain is yourname.com or yourname.com.au. This allows people to find you easily and not have to remember a convoluted URL. I couldn’t get .com because there are too many Sally Murphy’s in the world, so I settled for .net and it works well. If using a free host which provides you with a subdomain, try to use one that puts your name at the front of the URL – ie www.sallymurphy.writernetwork.com rather than writernetwork/authors/sallymurphy
2. A Blog
A blog is like an online diary or journal. You can post pretty much anything you like in your blog, and as well as text you can include links, photos, videos and more. Being greedy, I have two blogs– http://pemberthybear.blogspot.com/ and http://sallymurphy.blogspot.com/. It isn’t necessary to have more than one, but each of mine is very different from the other.
There a many sites which host blogs for free. I chose blogspot because it’s easy to use and is also owned by Google, which seems to help with getting good search engine results. My blog was showing on page one of search results within 24 hours, and with no promotion, though I’ve since done a little promotion of my own.
Your blog can be about writing, your books, or something quite different. Whatever you write about, you can include details of your books and links to your website.
3. An Email Signature
An email signature is the text and links that you set up to be automatically added to the end of every email you send. Mine includes my name, a cover image from my latest book and links to my websites and blogs.
Setting up a sig line (signature) is easy. Use the help section of your email program for step by step explanation of how it’s done.
Once you have a signature, you are promoting your book(s) every time you send an email.
4. A Business Card
If you do nothing else on this list, get yourself a business card and a business card holder. It enables you to pass on your contact details to anyone who asks (and the more you network, the more you’ll be asked) and again promotes your books.
Keep it simple – your name, what you do (mine says Children’s Author), your contact details, including email. My graphic is always the cover image of one of my books. That way, if I give out my business card to someone outside the industry I have a chance to introduce them to my books.
You can get free or low cost business cards from Vista Print, but I recommend that you play with the design templates and add your own graphic so that it is unique.
5. Bookmarks
Book lovers love bookmarks. Many publishers (including the publisher of my two picture books) will have these made up as part of their promotional efforts. Mine have the book’s title and publication details as well as images from the book. If your publisher doesn’t provide them you can print some up on your own computer or get them made at your local print shop.
As well as giving them out at school visits and speaking engagements, you can leave them in libraries, community centres and so on. I also carry a few in my handbag and if someone asks for details of my books, I give them one. They can then take the bookmark to a book store when they request my book. It also serves a reminder to them – they’re less likely to forget my book if they’re carrying my bookmark in their bag.
6. Articles
Writing an article for a website, ezine or print publication can be a good way to connect with a wide audience and may even make you some dollars. You can write about writing, about the business of writing (for example, an article about 8 ways to self-promote) or about any topic that you know something about.
If you’ve written a fiction book about horses, why not write an article for a horse magazine? This gives you the opportunity to reach people other than other writers or booklovers. Your horse magazine reader may not buy a lot of books, but is much more likely to buy a book involving horses.
Most websites and ezines and many print publications give you the opportunity to include a profile and usually links to your websites.
7. Speaking Gigs
School visits, writing workshops and festival appearances are all excellent ways to promote your books, make some sales of stock and are usually well paid. If you are asked to speak at such an event, you should expect payment and should seek ASA Rates.
Whilst all these are good, you should also consider speaking to groups whose focus is not solely books or writing. Spread your fan base by speaking to any group who’ll listen. In recent weeks I’ve spoken to a craft group and a Rotary club. There were no other writers in the room on either occasion, but there were plenty of grandparents, aunties and uncles, any of whom are potential buyers for my books.
Tailor your speech to your audience and, wherever possible, have a display of your books in the room.
8. Press Releases
Your publisher will probably write and distribute press releases (along with review copies) to relevant publications before and immediately after the book’s release. However, they are less likely to target your local media. Local papers, newsletters and radio stations are always looking for local angles and are usually happy to run one or more pieces about your book, your book launch, your speaking engagement and more.
If submitting to a local paper, write your press release as an article (in third person), because very often they will simply reprint whatever you’ve submitted. Include quotes from yourself and attach good quality digital photos if emailing.
If a radio station is interested, they will likely want to interview you on air. If you are close to the station they may invite you in, but otherwise they might interview you over the phone. Although you need to think about speaking clearly, don’t be too nervous – it really is just like having a chat with a friend, and the interviewer will use questions to guide you.
Using some or all of these eight promotional tools can really help to get the word out about your book – and to keep the buzz going. These aren’t the only things you can do to promote your book – but they are eight that have worked for me. I hope they work for you, too.
Seven Answers to Seven Questions: Sophie Masson
I’ve had nearly 50 books published–all novels, except for a book of essays
and short stories(and another one of my essay collections will be out next
year.) Most of my novels are for children and young adults, especially YA,
but I’ve also had a number of adult novels published. Many of them have been
published overseas as well as in Australia. I’ve also had many short
stories, articles, essays and reviews published in newspapers, magazines,
anthologies and online.
My latest novel was The Case of the Diamond Shadow(ABC Books, 2008).
Forthcoming is The Madman of Venice(Hodder children’s Books, June 2009. This
book is also appearing in the UK in April 2009, and in the USA in march
2010).
2. How long have you been writing for children?
For quite a while! I wrote my first children’s story, a picture book text
called Valerie behind the Bottlebrush(about a rag doll who gets forgotten
when a family moves home), in 1979, when I was 20. My younger sister
Gabrielle, who’s a really good artist, illustrated it with paintings and pen
wash drawings. I still have it! My first children’s story was published in
1987 in the School Magazine, the wonderful NSW children’s magazine that has
launched the career of so many children’s authors. In 1988 a story of mine,
It Only Happens Once, was published in After Dark, an anthology of stories
edited by Gillian Rubinstein for Omnibus Books. And in June 1990, my first
children’s novel, Fire in the Sky, was published by Angus and
Robertson–only three months after my first adult novel, The House in the
Rainforest, had come out with UQP!
much time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researching
markets and so on?
Most weeks, I usually spend four days a week writing/revising. The rest of
the time I do sociable and family things but part of that time might well
include research etc. And of course you never really stop the thinking about
it, no matter what! there are times when I do more of the nonwriting stuff,
like talks, workshops etc, more,and there are times too when other things in
life take over, but that’s the general pattern of it.
4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you
reading right now?
I read a mixture of both children’s and adult books. For instance, I’ve just
reread Down in the Cellar, by Nicholas Stuart Gray(an author I love but who
is sadly neglected these days)as well as finished Stephenie Meyer’s
Twilight, plus I’ve been reading a Dick Francis racing thriller as well!
5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share
with other professional children’s writers?
Be persistent, patient, and polite. Believe in what you’re doing, but don’t
be precious about your work. Be flexible, open-minded and never listen to
lazy cliches like ”kids are different these days”, but equally keep your
ears and eyes open for the reality of children’s lives today.
6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?
I regularly consult two UK children’s literature sites, www.writeaway.org.uk
and www.achuka.co.uk These are excellent resources and very interesting for
what’s going on in the children’s book world there(I publish in UK too) but
also encompass other places and have great links . I also read reviews on
various Australian sites, such as Aussiereviews.com and the YARA
site(http://goldcreek.act.edu.au/yara) , which features reviews written by
kids themselves, and consult the Inside a dog site too
occasionally.(www.insideadog.com.au) and for industry news, views, gen and
gossip, I subscribe to Jackie Hosking’s excellent email newsletter, Pass it
On, of course!
7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote your
published works and/or your writing skills?
I have a number of different things going: a basic website at
http://users.nsw.chariot.net.au/~smasson , a site about two of my series–a
Shakespearean series and the El Jisal series at
http://sophievmasson.googlepages.com two blogs, one on the Thomas trew
series, www.thomastrew.blogspot.com and one of The case of the Diamond
Shadow, www.caseofthediamondshadow.blogspot.com I also have a You Tube
channel, www.youtube.com/sophievmasson onto which I’ve uploaded author talks
and book trailers. I also blog once a month on the group blog, Writer
Unboxed, www.writerunboxed.com
Big Question 3: When Did You Know You Were a Writer?
For me, I always wrote. Some of my earliest memories are of trying to write stories and letters – even when I didn’t know how to form the letters. Then, once I learned to form the letters, there was no stopping me. All through my childhood I wrote stories, poems, letters and even novels.
So, I guess I was always a writer, but I didn’t really realise that this wasn’t the norm. I suppose I first realised that I was a writer (and that other people weren’t) when I was in high school and friends commented on my writing. One girl asked me to write a poem just for her and I had to stop and wonder why she didn’t write one for herself. There came a realisation, on my part, that not everyone could write like I could.
Seven Answers to Seven Questions: Brenton Cullen
Today young author Brenton Cullen joins us to share his answers to my seven questions. Welcome Brenton.
1. Tell us a little about your publication credits. If you have none, tell us about the genres you prefer to write, and your current projects.
Well, I have had stories published in magazines and an anthology that will be released next week. I have also published two books, a children’s one, and a non-fiction one. Recently I have completed a fantasy novel manuscript for ages 9-12 and that is with a publisher who has expressed some interest in it. Currently, I am planning two more books in a series, the fantasy novel being the first book, and working on an unrelated manuscript, as well.
2. How long have you been writing for children?
Since 2002. I have written fifty four manuscripts (plays, poems, stories included) but only two have been published!
3. How much time do you spend each week writing and/or revising? And how much time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researching markets and so on?
Well, as I am on school holidays, I am writing nearly every single day, averaging approximately two-three hours a day. But while I am at school, I do it in the afternoons for about an hour, and pretty much the same on weekends. Revising for me, usually comes at the end of a manuscript so it depends when I finish that specific book.
I am about to start research for a book Mess in the Middle Ages, so that will have to be squeezed in somewhere!
4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you reading right now?
To answer your first question, ALL THE TIME!! Right now, I am re-reading Von Gobstopper’s Arcade by Alexandra Adornetto, and am about to start on Money Run by Jack Heath.
5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share with other professional children’s writers?
New writers, get advice from publishers and author, and get a writing mentor. I cannot give advice to experienced writers: it’s like telling JK Rowling how to write Harry Potter!
6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?
I don’t really follow those online resources. But I do read magazines like Writing QLD and Reading Time, which are not online, because they are very interesting and helpful.
7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote your published works and/or your writing skills?
My blog is at www.bjcullen.blogspot.com
I send around notices to magazines or newspapers asking if I could write a column and my first publishing venture was a column in my local newspaper. Promoting my published works is with bookmarks, book signings, etc, etc.
Thanks for joining us, Brenton. If YOU would like to be featured here, drop me a line and I’ll ask you my seven questions.
Seven Answers to Seven Questions: Karen Ventrice
Today’s visting author is Karen Ventrice, come to share her seven answers to my seven questions. Welcome Karen.
1. Tell us a little about your publication credits. If you have none, tell
us about the genres you prefer to write, and your current projects.
I have a children’s bedtime picture book, Day’s End Lullaby
available through
online retailers,such as Amazon. I also have a number of articles on Ezinearticles.com and
just signed up with Helium, another ezine site.
As far as current projects, I am working on two children’s fantasy chapter books
and two picture books. In addition I have entered the freelance arena. I am
writing children’s nonfiction, fiction and rebus articles.
2. How long have you been writing for children?
I’ve been writing for children for a few years now, but only within the last
year began to think of it as a career. I created a family lullaby
over
30 years ago for my children and about a year ago my daughter decided
we should turn it into a children’s bedtime story. This brought me onto the
path of actually going about getting my work published.
3. How much time do you spend each week writing and/or revising? And how
much time on other writing-related tasks such as promotion, researching
markets and so on?
Unfortunately, lately I haven’t been spending much time actually writing and revising.
Between Virtual Book Tours, my critique group, other online groups, and emails the time
just seems to slip away. And, since October I have been working on the promotion of
my book. Along with research for articles, and trying to learn as much as I can about
writing I seem to be spinning my wheels. I have said this so often that I am tired of
hearing myself say it, but I need to create a time management plan and stick to it as
much as possible.
4. How much time do you spend reading children’s books? And what are you
reading right now?
I don’t spend nearly as much time as I should on reading children’s books.
But, I’m working on changing that. I took 3 books out of the library
last week: Folktales & Fables of The Middle East And Africa; Folktales
& Fables of The Americas & The Pacific; Great American Folklore.
And, I recently finished A Single Shard which I absolutely loved.
5. What advice would you give other would-be children’s writers, or share
with other professional children’s writers?
I’m not in the business long enough to give advice to professional
children’s writers, but to would-be children’s writers I would say
learn the business. This means:
1. Attend whatever free teleseminars you can find about writing for children.
2. Read as much as you can about writing for children.
3. Read as many children’s books
as you can so you can see what’s
getting published and why.
4. Attend writer’s conferences – there are a couple of free ones online that are
great. One in particular is The Muse Online Conference.
5. Join a critique group.
6. If you can afford it join a writing coaching club. The one I belong
to is Suzanne Lieurance’s Children’s Writers Coaching Club.
7. Join the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
6. What is your favourite online resource for children’s writers? Why?
My favorite resource is Children’s Writers Coaching Club. I have learned
so much through this club. I know this is going to sound like a plug,
but it’s the truth, for a nominal fee you get teleseminars/telecasts
about writing for children, promotion and marketing. You also get critiques
of your work and guidance along with a little nudging.
7. Do you have a website or blog? What else do you do to promote
your
published works and/or your writing skills?
My blog is: http://karenandrobyn.blogspot.com
My website is: http://www.childrensbooksbykarenandrobyn.com
To promote my book I created the yahoo group Virtual Book Tours. We are
a group of traditionally published and self-published authors who help
one another through virtual book tours and other promotional strategies.
I have also talked to my local librarian about having them carry my book and
I contacted my local paper and they did a 3/4 page article about the book.
In regard to my freelance writing, I publish articles through ezines and submit
articles to mainstream magazines and newspapers. I also use my blog as a tool to promote
myself. Along with this I attend a number of free online telecasts focusing on
marketing and promotion. One of the sites that offers this is
Authors Marketing Experts.
Thanks for joining us, Karen. If YOU would like to be featured here, drop me a line and I’ll sned you the seven questions.
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