For writers who haven’t yet published a book, the idea of selling a contract to a publisher sounds better than an all expenses paid trip to Hawaii.
But selling the book (Step #1) and then writing the book (Step #2) are just the beginning.
Writers must engage in book promotion
As the publishing world gets more competitive and the bookshelves more crowded with well written, compelling books on fascinating topics, writers themselves need to get out there and promote their books once they are published.
Actually, book promotion has to start before the book is published. Which means, for most of us, book promotion needs to start before the book is written. Which feels a little schizophrenic because how can you promote a book that you haven’t actually written?
I can’t answer that.
But I can say that one of the best things we can do as writers is support each other and help each other with book promotion. There are a lot of ways to do this.
Support the newly published writer in your life
Two of my favorite ways to support a newly published author:
#1: Buy a copy of your friend’s book: As my friend Dr. Max Page said as he was paying for a copy of my first published book, Slaves in Algiers, the classroom edition of an 18th century play that I co-edited years ago, friends BUY each other’s books.
#2: Ask your local library to order a copy of your friend’s book: Anyone with a library card can request an acquisition. All you do is fill out a little slip of paper or an on-line form. Most libraries are more than happy to fulfill these requests.
I know this sounds small and simple. But it helps. A lot. Consider this: If you have a new book coming out and all of your friends and family buy it and request a library to buy it, you’ve just sold as many as a thousand advanced copies in advance.
Alisa Bowman, who is an amazing writer and blogger and the collaborator on many bestsellers, has a book coming out soon. It’s called Project Happily Ever After: Saving Your Marriage When the Fairytale Falters. It’s about how she went from planning her husband’s funeral (she hated him that much) to being in a loving, fulfilling relationship.
I just pre-ordered it.
Alisa has good ideas about so many things. From how to groom your nether parts (yep, she talks about hair, down there) to how to help your friends promote their books.
Alisa Bowman’s best book promotion techniques for writers whose friends are coming out with books:
* If you’re in a book club, pick it as a monthly read. That would be beyond awesome.
* If you’re on bookmovement.com, review it there.
* Tell a couple friends about it. Even strangers you meet, say, on a bus while you happen to be reading the book and they ask you what it is about. Word of mouth promotion is actually the most important sales tool there is.
* Write about it. Tell other bloggers about the book and ask them to blog about it too. (Jennifer’s note: Here’s a recent post I did about a friend’s book.)
* Quote me! If you’re writing about marriage, sex, post partum depression, wishing husbands dead, bikini waxes, vow renewing, unemployed husbands, unemployed husbands who spend your second honey moon savings on ski trips they take without you, wishing you could have an affair, dry spells …. I am the ultimate real woman source, willing to dish about all of the things no one will talk about and then even have my entire family pose for a photo! I can help with your article and you can help with my book promotion.
* Write Amazon and Goodreads reviews. So important and helpful. Be specific and honest. If you liked the book, you will say things that entice other readers to buy it and read it too.
* When the trailer comes out (I did a neat trailer… filmed in a cemetery with me talking about how I planned my husband’s funeral), please Facebook or tweet it if you’re comfortable doing that. That will totally help.
* Let me know about media opportunities, even if you think I’ve already seen them. Because sometimes I’m overwhelmed and even though I get updates from Help A Reporter Out, I sometimes don’t find out about them until it’s too late.
* Tell me it’s not a stupid book. When I’m crying because someone commented on Amazon that it’s a stupid book, I need your support (most important thing you can do!).
* Suggest marketing strategies to me, even if you think I might have already thought about them. Because maybe I haven’t.
Brainstorming and creative ideas and strategies can often lead to the most effective book promotion. To that end, what other ideas do you have to help yourself and your friends get the word out about their books?
Related posts:
7 More Ways to Provide Author Support
How to Get a Really Good Turnout at an Author Event
Ghostwriters Make Better Lovers, Here’s Why
Published: June 30, 2010
Updated: April 17, 2021
Frugal Kiwi says
Great list! With publishing houses taking less and less responsibility for the success of books, it puts tremendous pressure on authors. This list is a fabulous jumping off point.
Sheryl says
This is a fabulous list that should be so helpful to anyone trying to promote their own book and anyone else willing to help them. With all the competition out there, a little promotion can go a long way.
Alexandra says
This list is great! I heard some of these ideas at one of the sessions I attended this spring at Muse & the Marketplace. I think your friend Alisa is right on target and wish her luck with her book.
Sandra Beckwith says
I tweet about my friends’ books with a link to a purchase page on Amazon. I also nudge them to subscribe to my free book publicity e-zine so they get ongoing tips, tactics, how-tos, ideas, etc. (Sign up at http://www.buildbookbuzz.com.)
Christine says
Great ideas! How about reviews on Goodreads – might be helpful as well.
Susan says
Great list! I’m going to bookmark this for future reference.
Sarah Henry says
What about excerpts in magazines and appearances on radio and TV shows?
More mag, Oprah, and Fresh Air with Terry Gross — I can see Alisa doing them all!