Ways of Promoting

[soothsayer]

I'm pretty sure this will be moved but I couldn't think of where else to put it.

I'm looking for suggestions for promoting my book without spending a huge amount of money. I know that the internet will be a great asset but beyond that the only other avenue that I came up with are the print media (newspapers). if anyone can think of others ways to do this that will work, I'll give you a free copy of my book.

[Ginevra]

You could always use old fashioned home made handbills also in addition to other print media. Be careful how/when yo u distrubute them. I'm not sure if you have to have a license of any sort or just need to be a "legit" business.

[Vater Araignee]

press release.

Its good with the papers, tv and radio. Its free

LOCAL MAN ATTEMPTING TO SELF PUBLISH

I'm only making that up for examples sake.

But you have to figure out why it news worthy.

hell give me the background for your inspiration what you went through writing and let me read it and I could try for you.

[soothsayer]

Ginny - the handbills idea is great, I hadn't thought of that. Thank you.

hell give me the background for your inspiration what you went through writing and let me read it and I could try for you.

What exactly do you mean by this? More details, I'm curious.

As for the press release, I have thought about this one but do not know exactly how to go about it.

So that's one copy each if the two of you are gonna take my offer.....just let me know.

I will be true to my word. Also......Thanks to both of you for responding with good suggestions. :grin:

[Vater Araignee]

Tell me what inspired you to write your book

Tell me your trials and tribulations wile writing your book

Let me read your book

Then I could attempt to write a spin doctor for a press release.

[soothsayer]

Let me read your book

Then I could attempt to write a spin doctor for a press release.

AHhhh - sorta like a publicist, or am I off the mark?

As far as reading the book, I am still working on it. I just got some new interviews to comb through so more shall be completed. If you'd like to get a little insight just check out my 2 threads in my creations.....but realize, there is alot more than that done. I just didn't want to post everything for obvious reasons. But I will think that over for sure and get back with you. Maybe even send some to you as it gets printed so we can have a press kit ready by the time of its release date.

[TomCat]

Handbills & flyers at local venues that host like genre music, ie: the Magic Stick, Smalls, Alvins, etc, ets..

[Troy Spiral (13)]

Once you get it pulbished you can farm it around to local bookstores, they love having local book signings of local authors and such, and they will then usually add you to their OWN fliers and such.

And yes , the internet is your friend. I'd contact any and all booksellers and also research how to get your book on amazon.

[Daniel]

First off... you have to have something people want to read. Assuming you have that, then the fun part starts.

Personally, I am all for DIY everything. You make more money financing it yourself, but it takes a bit more work to promote. How you promote depends on subject matter.

Again, assuming you have a product people are interested in, they have to know about it. With music, I know a dozen or so sites I can pay $15 to $25 to run a banner ad. These are "on topic" sites, so anyone seeing it are likely to be interested in it. If you figure you sell a book for every 300 hits you receive, and it costs $15 to get 1000 hits, is it worth the banner? Depends on what you are making. Personally, it seems like I actually can sell a disc for every 100 hits, so yes, it is worth it. I make more than I spend.

For about $100, you can print a couple thousand color post cards. You can take those and hand them out, or stick them inside covers of books/magazines of similar topics in book stores. Have book stores give them away for you. Give them to everyone at shows.

Send promo copies to people who do book reviews. This is a fantastic way to promote. If they like it, they will talk it up and people will read their praise of your product. This is essential in music promotion. Books are probably a little harder, since you have to convince a reviewer to take the time to read your book.

I don't recommend paying for ads in printed publications. The response is really low, and they tend to be very expensive ads. Banner ads on websites are better because the sites have lower publishing costs, so charge you less, and the marketing is much more direct.

A lot of ideas really depend on the subject matter and over all catchiness of your material. If it is sci-fi, for example, you can pay for tables at conventions. Those tables are surprisingly inexpensive sometimes. Even other genres, like horror, etc, have conventions as well.

[soothsayer]

Ok, I like the ideas I'm seeing here. I don't think I'm gonna need anymore ideas. Let's see......that would be 4 books total. If you guys want a copy for free just post affirmative here or send me a private message so I'll know whom to send them to. Thanks for putting in the time to help me out with this everyone.

[TomCat]

That'd be great Sooth. Anything I can do to help, I'll send your way. I'll get you a copy of my book when it's finished later this year...due out before the Fall, I hope.

[soothsayer]

First off... you have to have something people want to read.

The subjct matter in question is the Canadian band Sloan. If you've seen Chart magazines March issue....you'd see that Sloan has the number one Canadian album of all time as of this year. So, yes there is an audiance waiting. Also, my book will be a first of its kind on the market.

p.s. chart is equal to entertainment weekly in america.

[soothsayer]

Ok, thanks all. The free book offer is now defunct. I need to sell the rest of them. :grin:

[Daniel]

With that said, find Sloan websites, and get them to do write ups on your book. Im sure there are some big websites if they are that big. Tell THEM you will send them free copies if they post about it/post a banner for a while/etc. Also, get them to at least link to your site where you sell copies. Post on Sloan message boards. Pay for banner space on Sloan websites that get a lot of traffic, etc. Seriously, with something that has that specific of a niche, it is easy to market. There is already a fan base, just go exploit it.

[Vater Araignee]

affirmative here

but save some mony and give it to me on cd rom

[Daniel]

Yeah, btw, don't worry about sending me a book. If anything I've told you helps, that's good enough for me. Keep the book and use it as a promo copy to help get yourself somewhere.

[soothsayer]

Daniel, I didn't want you to think I wasn't true to my word. I just felt that I had gotten all the ideas possible. I can set aside a copy for you. Vater, yes I can get it to you on a disc. :arrow: