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Message |
    
Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
340
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 05:55 am: |   |
Every day or when I am not working 12 hour shift, I will attempt to add a new post here for those of ya'all out to promote a book. These are ideas probably stated on this board before, but I thought starting a new thread wouldn't be a bad idea.
Also, some of these ideas are for POD stuff. They can be used for other stuff as well.
Feel free to add suggestions, comments, etc.
Here are just 3
INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORES
Many chain bookstores sometimes shy away from stocking POD books. Here is a link to find Independent bookstores near you. They should be of help.
http://www.newpages.com/NPGuides/bookstores.htm
COMIC SHOPS
A great deal of people overlook comic book specialty stores. If the book is of an offbeat manner with a great theme, a comic store may stock it. It may not, but may do trade paperbacks. Many support local authors. Try them. Visit or email. http://www.the-master-list.com/
BUSINESS CARDS
Create business cards with the title of the book, ISBN# (thus it can be ordered from anyplace); and website urls where the book can be purchased. Give these out to everyone who will take one—family, friends, anyone you meet at a bookstore who may buy it…or folks running stores that may order it. Also, I have heard people discuss magnetic business cards. Leaving these cards around at newspaper machines, phone-booths or other spots may not be strictly legal, but accidents happen. Also, I have heard people discuss magnetic business cards.
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Kevin P. Grover
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
966
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 06:48 am: | |
Another idea:
Print a small (thumbnail-size) picture of your cover in the bottom left-hand corner of envelopes. Beside it, put a 1 x 1 inch text block with the ISBN and a 1-2 sentence blurb. Use these envelopes to mail EVERYTHING. Then, insert 1-2 of your business cards inside.
Hey...think of how many people handle your envelope.....
www.winterwolfpublishing.com |
Kevin P. Grover
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
967
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 06:51 am: | |
Another tip with the business cards...
Most of the motels have a box where they ask visitors to drop their business cards. Sort of a 'lottery' to win a discounted stay. Drop a card in.
Go to a supermarket and they have an entry box? Enter the contest and then drop a couple of cards inside. SOMEONE has to go throught it...right? Since they're different...they'll stop to look for a second.
www.winterwolfpublishing.com |
mark dirschel
Hunger Member
Post Number:
56
Registered: 01-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 10:12 am: | |
thanx for the tips and links. awesome.
- mark |
Mary Gibbs
Hunger Member
Post Number:
83
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 11:30 am: | |
I can't take credit for this one, but...when paying bills, put a couple of those business cards into the reply envelope.
Bookmarks are great too.
Once upon a time, I made a t-shirt with the cover of my book on it. Made one for a couple other people as well.
This time around, just carrying a notebook & pen has caused enough interest. Here's how it goes:
Person: Hey! What are you doing? (some even ask, "Homework?")
Me: Nope. I'm writing.
Person: Oh, really? What?
Me: A novel.
Person (in shock & amazement): Really?! Have you published anything?
Me: As a matter of fact, yes...
Now, to get re-published so I can use these tips... |
Claudia Turner VanLydegraf
Mindsight Moderator
Post Number:
705
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 12:28 pm: | |
Also, I made return address labels with my book title and picture of the cover and ISBN # on with web site addy and of course, my return address and name. It is small, but I use the large return addy labels, print them off on the puter and always have at least a page of them with me, to stick onto anything.
And of course, bookmarks and business cards with book cover, title, web addy, ISBN# and a one line about the book. And purchase info for PA, Amazon, etc.
I made a t-shirt also, and wore it quite a bit. Got lots of comments about book from that.
The other thing that I did was make some reverse transparencies for the windows of my truck. They are still sitting on the windows, with book cover ISBN, TITLE, my name and FOR A GOOD READ...... on it. They sit on the inside, so no damage from weathre, and are that peel & stick plastic film.
All of these were made on my puter and I can replenish the supply anytime I need, and the cost is low.
Claudia |
Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
887
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 03:59 pm: | |
A nifty idea I came up with recently...
Pizza Hut...
Most take part in an annual Book-It event...reading promotion...
the only downside to this is that it covers rather young readers, up to 5th grade (10 yrs old??)...that's the very low end of my reader spectrum...
and of course, you would donate copies to Pizza Huts, so the kids would get interested in them at the store...in theory, they couldn't finish the whole book there, and would need to buy a copy at a local bookstore...
Some other ideas:
Have news articles about your book hanging around your desk at work...make for interesting conversation pieces...versus trying to bring it up (useful for those who don't like to talk about themselves)
Take a copy of your book with you wherever you may go (such as the bank, dinner, etc)...place it in plain view, where someone may ask about it... |
Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
341
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 07, 2003 - 04:03 pm: | |
Great ideas all.
Hey thanks for the extra stuff...and I am just getting warmed up...
WEBSITE
Establishing a great website with convenient links for ordering books is highly recommended. Jpegs of the cover, pictures of the author, and descriptions of the product should be readily available. Also on this website should be selling points of the author; past publications, reviews, etc.
This is an obvious one of course...
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Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
343
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 03:48 pm: | |
FLYERS
Create a flyer to be posted at local drug stores, public posting boards, libraries, work, Laundromats, or, given out at book shops. Appropriate info on all flyers, of course. Catchy fonts or tag lines will make one stop and look. Also, tear away web links on flyers have been known to work, if one has ever seen this used on baby sitting or sales flyers.
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Gloria Marlow
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
487
Registered: 04-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 07:18 pm: | |
If one makes flyers for bookstores to hand out, will they do it?
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Kevin P. Grover
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
974
Registered: 03-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 07:47 pm: | |
Most of them will do it Gloria. I took some 3x5 cards which I made up for Strike Swiftly into a local BN and Border's. THey said that they had no problem putting them on the counter. I went back a couple of days later and a clerk who wasn't there when I dropped them off was telling a customer that it was by a local author and that he could order one in for her.
Of course, I guess it all depends on the store also.
www.winterwolfpublishing.com |
Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
346
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 08, 2003 - 08:14 pm: | |
The smaller cards are a better idea for stores. Again, it depends on the store. Flyers are meant mostly for bulletin boards or mailings that allow such things.
may as well put this in now...
BOOKMARKS
These can be easily created and used in the manner of FLYERS. Any bookstores will place these by a check out. If one has a signing on the way, the bookmark can tell when that is to take place. Stealth usage of these items in bookstores or libraries is not endorsed, but such things can slip out of a folder at times.
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Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
350
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 09, 2003 - 06:06 am: | |
BROCHURE
A bi or tri fold brochure can be created easily in WORKS. This item should carry a crisp synop of the book and all ordering info. This should be placed with other items as part of a promo packet and given out at stores that may order the book or included in a mass mailing.
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Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
353
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 05:36 am: | |
PRESS RELEASE
Direct from publisher, or a release manufactured by the author must be created. This is key to the promo packet, as it looks like a legit book came out. This can be mailed or emailed to newspapers, radio stations etc who may announce such a thing. It is to be included in the packet given out. If one can include a blurb from more than one author about you or the book, that is good, too.
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Bill Park (Unregistered Guest)
Work-in-progress guest
Posted From: 65.66.154.103
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 10:09 am: | |
Have you ever heard of Vistaprint? They print business cards, postcards, business letterheads, ect. Right now they have 250 business cards for $4.95...and a business card with their logo and website printed across the bottom of the backside is FREE.
The cards are in color and you can choose from well over 100 different designs and you follow their directions and design and add copy on-line. I received their free card for my Franciscan Trilogy business cards. For the international suspense thriller trilogy, I used their special price offer. The second trilogy is yet to be published...but I use the cards to pre-promote it with agents, bookstores, potential readers, etc.
Their website is: www.vistaprint.com
It's worth a look. |
Mary Gibbs
Hunger Member
Post Number:
84
Registered: 06-2002
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 10, 2003 - 11:21 am: | |
Like Claudia, I made all of my own materials (btw...tax deductible!). I use PrintMaster Platinum, & there are so many different things you can do with it (& programs like it). I love being able to do exactly what I want with whatever material I have. Plus, if you keep the materials on hand, you can use them for other things, like Christmas cards, invitations, etc. I even did stickers & bookmarks for other authors at one point.
Did I mention all this stuff is tax deductible?? |
Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
355
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 11, 2003 - 05:54 pm: | |
Excellent suggestions and thanx for the links!
LIBRARIES
Aside from all libraries in your local area (who may order a copy or ask for a donated one) there is a place online to find email addys and mailing addresses. Email every library a release announcement, then perhaps a request they order one. A snail mail letter may work or call them. Phone cards may come in handy as well for such a venture. I recommend an eBook devoted to this topic by Rickey Pittman called, How to
Market Your Book to Libraries
http://www.booklocker.com/books/1220.html
http://www.rickeypittman.com/
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Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
358
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2003 - 06:54 pm: | |
STICKERS
A label sticker tag, such as one used for mailing addresses, can be created easily. On this, a web-url or book title can be printed. Use of this idea is at the users own discretion.
PERSONAL MAILING LIST
We all have a friends or family members who may buy a book. Create a small database of folks to mail a press release and invitation to order the book. Not everyone uses the internet. Such a form is good for older folks and those who do not access the web. Personalize the envelopes so it doesn’t look like junk mail. THESE SHOULD ONLY GO TO FOLKS YOU REALLY KNOW WANT TO BUY IT!
LARGER BULK MAILING LISTS
Investigating bulk mailing for folks who prefer to get such offers is good. Look for what works for you in your area and budget.
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Todd Hunter
Wisdom Member
Post Number:
913
Registered: 02-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 05:16 am: | |
"THESE SHOULD ONLY GO TO FOLKS YOU REALLY KNOW WANT TO BUY IT!"
Have to agree with that one...
then you don't have a lot of hard feelings between friends and family members... ;-)
On the idea of business cards...have to say that designing your own (besides being tax-deductible to print) is a nifty way not to get stuck with hundreds of cards that may have outdated info on them...such as wrong website addresses, wrong phone numbers, or if you've come up with a new blurb to sell the book...which I myself have done a number of times...
If info changes, you can change the info on your master file (or save a separate copy if you like), and then print out 10-20 cards...reprint as required.
Just a thought... |
Steven Shrewsbury
Hsympothai Member
Post Number:
360
Registered: 04-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, November 13, 2003 - 05:27 am: | |
True enough, Todd. Vistaprint apperntly makes a good product, but cards are easy enough to produce on one's own for precisely the reason you state. |
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