Last month I wrote about how NOT to promote your book. This week, I want to talk about a few ways you SHOULD promote your book and other writing.
1. Include your website, Facebook page, Twitter handle, etc. in the signature on all your emails.
Include your email and Twitter handle (at a minimum) at the bottom of pieces you publish in journals and magazines too. Let everyone know about your work!
2. Be social.
Many writers find in-person networking terrifying, but it doesn’t have to be. The key is not to think of it as networking. Think of it as getting out of the house. Attend readings, parties, and writers’ conferences. Go to LitQuake events. (Don’t miss the Grotto’s LitCrawl reading this Saturday 6-7 p.m. at the Mission Bowling Club!) Sign up for classes. Any time you are out of your house talking to people, you are networking. (Be sure to have a stack of business cards on hand at all times!)
3. Form online communities.
If you really really hate in-person socializing, network online. The key to online networking is not to friend everyone on Facebook and then blast them with pleas to buy your book. It’s to make friends online. The best way to begin this is to comment on other people’s blogs, Facebook updates, and Google+ posts; at-reply them on Twitter; like their Instagram photos, or repin their Pinterest posts. If one person sees your name enough times, he or she is going to start a dialogue with you, and you’ll be friends before you know it. And be sure to check out the Insecure Writers Support Group, brought to my attention by Anne R. Allen. I don’t know a writer who isn’t insecure.
4. Support your friends. Buy their books.
If you really want people to buy your book, buy theirs. Don’t borrow them or get them from the library, fork out the $10-$27 to buy their books. You’ll be a friend for life.
5. Use the 6:1 rule
When posting to social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, for every post that says, “Buy My Book” or “Read my story,” post six that are non-promotional. Those posts could be links to books, stories, or articles you love, insights about your life or your writing, events you want to attend, photos of your town, viral videos, whatever you want. People want to be friends with a human, not a PR machine.
What about you? What are the most effective ways you’ve discovered to promote your books? What has worked for you? What hasn’t?
I think the 6:1 rule is a good one. I need to do a better job, as I tend to be closer to 100:1, but I tweet a bunch. Still, the point is a good one…don't be selling all the time.
100:1 is even better, Brian!
Best thing is to be a good reader and a good friend — ! But here goes, Caroline Bock http://www.carolinebock.com
I agree, Caroline! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks much for the shout-out for the guest post on my blog about the Insecure Writers Group. I'm not a member, but I know a lot of them and they're a great bunch. When so many places on line can get snarky and competitive, it's nice to know there's a group where people are supportive and kind.
I'll be running a piece on the blog tomorrow on how to network on Google Plus. It's quite different from Facebook, and much more professional-oriented.
These are all great tips. I never thought of putting my Twitter handle in my signature. I link to my books, but not social media. I'll have to go fix that now…Thanks!
Anne, so glad you wrote a post about Google+ this week! It's on my list too. I bought Guy Kawasaki's What the Plus book a couple of weeks ago but haven't read it yet. I'm on Google+ but plan to spend more time on it in the future.
Thanks, Meghan. Well done. Short, smart and to the point!
Thanks Ruth!
[…] 5 Easy Ways to Promote Your Book, by Meghan Ward – Websites, being social, partipating in online communities and alternating […]
Good general marketing/branding advise really. Nice post! : >
Thanks, Alta! I will call you soon!
Meghan,
I like your points. I wanted to add that I've met some fantastic people online, and the strongest relastionships are those that evolved to an in-person meet up. I highly recommend getting to conferences to meet the fantastic people you've dialogued with through social media. In my experience, it makes a huge difference.
I couldn't agree more, Christine. I met YOU at a conference, and so glad I did!
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These points are really good one and the rule you told 6:1 is really good one .I gonna consider this rule for my next book.
I think the 6:1 rule is way too often. You don't want to annoy people with the constant "buy my book" posts. It will put them off. Agree with all the rest though. 🙂
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Thanks a lot. Great easy tips! This is surely going to be very useful when I release my new book online. Well done, Meghan!
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I have wroted 2 books , but I've don't had any idea how to promote them..But now will be okay 🙂
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Posting on social media is effective among the rest.
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