I’m in the process of trying to figure out how to market my upcoming book The Bond That Ties Us, and the other three books I hope to have coming out from EC this year on a major budget. I mean I have no money kind of budget. So I’ve been struggling to figure out what I should be doing.
I have my website (which I think kicks ass), I love my blog (I’m a chatter box in real life too), I participate on a variety of message boards. But what else? I’m going to price bookmarks, post cards and the like. There must be other things.
As a reader, what makes you notice an author? As an author, what have you found the most successful marketing tool?
As a reader the things that make me take notice of a new writer is a beautiful website, interesting blog and good reviews. Have you sent your book to review sites? Also, seeing a book talked about on other blogs – that makes me notice.
Hi Christine! My local chapter recently had a multi-published author and a publicist come in to talk about marketing stories. On the chance that something they said can help you, here are links to Christine Feehan’s thoughts on promotion and Shannon Aviles’s thoughts on promotion. Can’t wait to hear what you do decide to implement and what avenues produce the best results for you!
As a reader, I don’t really care about reviews. I do occasionally read Mrs. Giggles, but that’s about it. I love blogs, and have found some great authors that way!
I usually buy either by recommendation or by browsing in a physical book store. Things that I find drawing me into an author:
1) I’m pulled into a cover that interests me. Oh you have that one covered!
2) I look to the summary on the back to see if I think I’ll like the story. That summary is what sells me the book. If it draws me in, I’ll give it a chance. If it doesn’t bring something to the table I’ll probably check something else.
3) If I read one book from an author and like it, I’ll add that author to my favourites to buy and won’t bother with #1 and #2 to buy more.
I also find that the reviews that you see on the review are often infuencing me so long as they don’t remove the summary. I pick out books like I pick out movies to rent.
There’s also MySpace, The Romance Studio, and Romance Divas where you can pimp your book.
Oh! What about this: Think in terms of WoW when you are training a crafting skill. Make the craft, put it on AH.
You could get a copy of your book and put it up on Amazon. Actually sell your book.
or, or, or… you could get your friends who have read the book to pimp it on epinions.com!! I check there when I want to know what the population thinks of any particular think I may want to buy.
Well, seeing them and getting a feel for their personality does a lot for me! So, first, when I’m in a bookstore, I browse and look at titles and read the blurbs. Online, I do look for mentions, reviews, something that helps me find them and get a sense for who he or she is.
Not a very definitive answer, but that’s me!
Thanks everyone! It’s a big help to see everyone’s opinion. I’m going to have to put my husband to work coming up with some marketing ideas/plans. Time to put his degree to good use.
Hi, Christine! I’m in the same boat with my little e-novella that came out last year — in need of a no-money marketing plan. Blogging is great, bookmarks are great, people have suggested good things already so I’ll just say the thing I’ve heard that really helps is getting a buzz going, word-of-mouth. Alas, I’m not much of a marketer — I had trouble selling girl scout cookies when I was a kid.
Like Pete, reviews don’t mean too much to me – unless they’re reviews from other readers (like Erica and Susah Helene’s Debut a Debut reviews) as opposed to other authors or magazine snippits.
And, like Pete, I buy either by recommendation or by browsing in a physical or on-line book store.
My list of “things to look for” includes
1) Interesting cover
2) Story summary – books with a picture on the back and no summary tend to be overlooked (unless the author falls into category 3).
3) Known authors I’ve enjoyed. If I’ve read something by that author and enjoyed it, I’ll definitely pick up the next book I can find that they’ve put out.
Not sure if that’s much help – but I can say that since I read your blog and you’re posting about your book, I’m going to be picking it up. I think blogging about an upcoming book will definitely help you make connections with potential readers.
Like you and Thomma Lyn, I’m in the same situation. My book isn’t out until the fall, but I am trying to think of ways to promote it ahead of time and get the word out there. It’s very different being on the other side of the fence now.
As a reader, in the bookstore an interesting cover and title will usually grab me first. Then I read the back cover to see if it’s something I’m interested in. I’ve never been one for reviews, though that might change. Word of mouth does work at times. I became a Christine Feehan fan after a friend sent me one of her novels. I then went out and purchased all the rest.
Good luck!
Usually for me, it the words of the mouth by a person who I trust(with common taste in books) to relay a new books for me. Sometime reviews help but I don’t always count on them for the best result.
There is a website where you can promote your books. They do have yahoo group where you can join and met reader and e-book(printed) author alike. They’re always running contest for reader to read author new e-books (print) and thing like that. If you like info email me? Maybe I can contact the owner of that group for permission for you to join group list?
If this info (above) isn’t allow posted on this comments, please delete it for me
This is all very helpful, everyone. I really apprecaiate all of your feedback. I think I have a few ideas and I’m going to try and pull them all together.
Julia, I’d love to have the information of the yahoo group. I’ll send you an email.