Marketing 10000000001
- Sonja McGiboney
- Jan 27
- 5 min read
by Sonja McGiboney
I used the number, 10000000001 in my title because, no matter how many courses you could take, there would never be enough. Marketing is getting your book in front of potential readers and buyers. It is daunting for most authors. We'd rather write about events, then actually do events. But it is a part of the business of being a writer.
One thing that has helped me, is to think of my books as a product. How do I convince people they want my product? It all boils down to what will my product do for them? How will it help them? Find out what your book will mean to a potential reader. Will it help them in some way? Will it entertain them? Will it make them feel something? Maybe it will educate them?
I used to sell my books as cute photo books. Then I used the line, "They are for early readers." But from the many selling events that I have participated in, and from feedback from parents, I now say, "My books will entertain your child into reading." I can honestly say that reluctant readers have learned to love reading because of my books.
After you determine how/why/when/ your book will affect the reader, you need to tell them about it. This is the hardest part. Stand up for your book and what it will do for the reader. Be convinced yourself, and they will be convinced.
In ten years, I've accumulated what I call my marketing notes. It's a list of marketing ideas, sites, etc., that you could try. Just remember that your book isn't a "book!" It's a product. Think like a business person and find the right marketing idea that works for you.
Marketing Tools and Locations
1. Amazon: has its own series of marketing strategies/ click ads/ page ads/ which work on algorithms. You got to do it to know it.
2. AllAuthor: https://allauthor.com/ allauthor.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon sites. AllAuthor focuses on the requirements of all types of authors (newcomers, indie, bestsellers) and have come up with ways to help them achieve their promotional goals by supporting them with branding and provides them with various utility and automation tools for promotions.
3. Social media: Merges Public Relations with Direct Marketing allowing you to talk directly with consumers. It’s a two way avenue for direct marketing, but also an opportunity to cultivate a brand identity, awareness and develop relationships with key influencers. Sites include:
a. Baidu Tieba, BookTube, Facebook, Instagram, Line, Linkedln, Medium, Messenger, Pintrest, QQ, Qzone, Reddit, Snapchat, Tik tok, Tumblr, Twitter, Telegram, Viber, WeChat, WhatsApp, Youtube
b. Pintrest: I would never have thought of using this platform to sell books, but there are tons of videos and blog posts out there on how to do this. Here are a few
4. When you post on your page, share it to your other pages and tell all your friends to share it too.
5. Some Facebook Groups include:
a. KIDLIT411 – also has a website
b. Chesapeake Bay Writers https://www.facebook.com/groups/ChesBayWriters
c. Children's Book Authors and Illustrators: Publishing, Marketing and Selling https://www.facebook.com/groups/187350425346975
d. IngramSpark Publishers https://www.facebook.com/groups/194307751305128
6. BookFunnel: A digital marketing service https://bookfunnel.com/
7. IngramSpark: IngramSpark has a series of informational “courses” you can take. https://www.ingramspark.com/self-publishing-courses
8. IngramSpark via Ingram Book Group, IngramSpark titles are automatically made available to tens of thousands of retailers, libraries, schools, e-commerce companies, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Independent bookstores, Walmart.com, Target.com, Chapters/ Indigo (Canada) and other well-known retailers and wholesalers across North America (this is straight from their website https://www.ingramspark.com/how-it-works/distribute but they do offer a charge for putting your title on a catalog they produce.
9. Book reading website: Become involved in an online book lovers community. You can promote your books all you want by saying they are your favorites.
10. Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/ Set up your author profile. Try doing a giveaway with your book.
11. Read Print http://www.readprint.com/
12. BookFinder https://www.bookfinder.com/
13. LibraryThing https://www.librarything.com/
14. Google Books https://books.google.com/
15. BookCrossing https://www.bookcrossing.com/
16. Litsy https://www.litsy.com/web/home
17. Book Mooch (book trading site) http://bookmooch.com/
18. Online Book Club https://onlinebookclub.org/
19. Local stores might carry your book.
20. Local specialty shops or galleries
21. Consignment shops
22. Wal-Mart or Target (It never hurts to ask)
23. Pharmacies
24. Nature Center Gift shop
25. Museum Gift Shops
26. Online Retailers of ebooks: They will format the books for you and send them out to online retailers. They take their cut when the book sells. Draft2digital (just acquired Smashwords) https://www.draft2digital.com/ is one many authors use.
28. Reach out to reviewers and interviewers. Create a spreadsheet of bloggers, reviewers, Twitter ARC-sharing groups, Instagrammers, YouTubers, local media, etc., then spent days sending emails,
29. Get people to review your books on Goodreads, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
30. Book Launch Party- Thanks to Johnna Stein for these ideas.
a. Set a timeline.
b. Invite 50 to 100 people to be part of your “book launch team”
Send a nice letter to each about what you expect. Ask them to do tasks. Make sure every task is clear.
1. Read an Arc copy
2. Write a review on Goodreads/ Amazon
3. Post a picture of you with the book
4. Create a video with the book and share on socials
5. When the book finally comes out, buy the book. Then post your review.
You’ll need to send kind reminder emails, or even schedule everyone to post their reviews because Amazon only allows 3 per day.
31. Publication Slip: or Tip Sheet: Have one at the ready. You can see one of mine at the end of this guide. Comprehensive single-page sheets that are invaluable for authors to send along with Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) for endorsement quotes and reviews and also useful when visiting booksellers. They include ALL sales information, ISBN, pub date, etc. about your book tip sheet!
32. Press Release: Have one ready, or at least a template. You can see mine at the end.
Marketing Events
1) Marketing Events
2) Conferences: Great place to network with other authors, learn new things, meet editors and publishers, get critiques, show your book off, see the “latest” in books,
3) Vendor opportunities: Think about who will buy your book and choose locations that fit. They often charge a fee for you to have a presence at their event.
4) Libraries often have book days, like Scholastic Book Fairs. View their websites for events
5) Book Festivals – Google it and you’ll find a lot.
6) Subject Festivals (animal books at pet expos etc. )
7) Local Festivals or Bazaars could be library sponsored, city sponsored or church sponsored
8) State and local library association conferences
9) State and local home school association events
10) School sponsored fairs
11) Free Presentations: Local area galleries, stores, clubs and other venues often invite speakers to their luncheons or their “openings” or whatever. Put together something you can offer, perhaps talk about your writing journey, the ins and outs of publishing, or what motivated you to use this setting or that character trait.
12) Paid presentations: Given to organizations: women’s clubs on being an author, VFW’s, retirement communities (grandma’s buy books for their grandkids), chamber of commerce, etc.
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