Building a readership. Increasing book sales. Two of the most important things an author can do to promote her career. Whether you’re published or unpublished, it’s never too early to start building a readership.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Volunteer to speak at local nonprofit groups and your library. If you have a book out, ask for a table at the back of the room.
Write articles for your church newsletter or local businesses. This builds a relationship and when your next book is out, you can usually get a plug in their publication.
INCREASING BOOK SIGNING SALES
Make up a flyer with blurbs from good reviews and ordering info. Hand out to everyone who passes by. They might not buy a book that day but if they have your flyer in hand they are more likely to remember you or pass the information on to a friend.
BOOK PARTIES
Go ahead. Throw a party for yourself or get a close friend to host. If you can use an element from your current book as the theme, even better. Give prizes to those who bring a guest. Be sure everyone signs a guestbook and add the names to your mailing list. Oh! And don’t forget that table for book sales.
ONLINE FREEBIES
Take advantage of online chats for guest appearances (plug your book while there). Post to message boards and offer to do interviews with online sites like this one, Romance Junkies, Coffee Time Romance and more.
Promo 101
Lori Soard started Word Museum in 1997. She’s a published author and has written thousands of articles over the years for newspapers, magazines and online. She has a PhD in Journalism and lives in Southern Indiana with her husband. They have two grown daughters, both animal lovers their house is always filled with pets.
