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Welcome back to the How to Get Published series. Now it's time to get out there and sell the book. Actually, this part should be happening while you're still writing the book (if it's non-fiction) or editing the book (if it's fiction). In other words, it is never too early to create buzz.
Here's an analogy: sometimes PR people contact me, wanting me to write about their product. The reality is that it's almost never a product I already know--iPods sort of sell themselves--but instead, a small niche product. Here's the reality--if they had purchased some ad space on a few blogs and I had subconsciously heard of the product several times before they approached me, I'd probably be more interested in getting a sample and writing about their product. But when they're cold-calling me without any prior poke into my subconscious, it would have to be a pretty incredible product to get my attention. And frankly, if it was that incredible, they probably wouldn't be approaching me to write about it because it would already be selling like hotcakes.
Books work with the same thought. If you cold-call the reader, for example, just setting it on the table in the bookstore and hope they pick it up, 99 times out of 100, they will walk on by without glancing at it unless it has a remarkable cover or title. But if you saw reviews and ads and met the writer in passing at a conference, chances are, when you bump into that book down the road, you'll be more likely to give it a try. Therefore, the marketing wheels need to be turning early-on in order to catch the crowds right at the book's release.
Some of these avenues will be closed off to you if you self-published your book, but regardless of the size of your press, the rest of these are places to try to get a bit of publicity for your book.
- Your Blog
- Your Book Site
- Other People's Blogs
- Reviews on Book Sites
- Reviews in Print Mediums
- Readings at Bookstores
- Readings at Conferences
- Speaking Gigs
- Advertisements
- Email List
Let's explore these ideas:
Your Blog
Hopefully, you're still writing on your blog and keeping up your platform. You already have people who like your writing style so tell them about your book. Not by continuously clocking them over the head with it, but you should use your blog to shout to the world that you do, indeed, have a book.
Your Book Site
And for the love, set up a book site. A place to point people toward for information about your book's release, upcoming appearances, and an excerpt. Make sure that's it's both eye-catching and easy to navigate.
Other People's Blogs
Otherwise known as a virtual blog tour. You can ask others to write about your book or have them conduct an interview with you. You may do a guest post on their blog if they're open to the idea, therefore reaching new readers who may not know about your blog or book. Sometimes, another person will organize the virtual book tour for you.
Reviews on Book Sites
The best place to have a review beyond a site that contains your niche audience for your book is on a book site. After all, people who read book sites usually read books. Try to make connections with book bloggers (and by make connections, I mean take the time to build a relationship. Please don't write a general email to every book blogger or reviewer begging them to look at your book) and you can usually arrange to have the publicist send them a review copy.
Reviews in Print Mediums
These are getting harder and harder to get. If you have any connections, use them. Your publicist at the publishing house will also be using
