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book promotion, publicity advice


 -- Quote of the Day -- 



“Public Relations is promoting a product through Earned Media – instead of buying an ad, we’ll tend to place a story in a newspaper or an interview on TV. The interesting thing about publicity is what happens to the mind when you see an ad your mind will turn off, but if you see a story it will peak your interest and it will stay in your mind longer. …Advertising is very expensive; but if you want to get a full-page story you’ll get the exposure but not have the big expense. …You have to keep up the publicity is that people have short memories. Each campaign should be at least 6 months to a year before starting a new campaign; it is a constant process – you can’t just start and stop erratically. …One of the trickiest things is measuring the results of the PR; it depends on what the client is expecting to see – are you looking for more people to know the name of the company, see more hits on the website or selling more product? …With social media you are reaching the whole world we have to be careful of gray areas – such as criticizing others or expressing your political belief because it may offend other cultures or individuals. You need to have a social media policy. …Knowing the media member’s deadline time is very important, because if they are on deadline they aren’t going to want to take time for you.”

~ Emmanuel Otiko


Today’s quote originates from the Conscious Discussions Talk Radio episode that aired back on February 10th, 2013 … titled: Publicity Advice



 (*Click on the title to access the full discussion)










Promoting Your Book on a Budget

Today's post was written by Jan Hill - an e-book author and a freelance journalist writing for Vistaprint, offering customized marketing products for do-it-yourself authors, such as business cards, address labels, postcards, and much more. Jan has covered entrepreneurship, small business and branding topics for years.





So you're not a New York Times bestselling author, and you don't have a publicist. Business cards are just one do-it-yourself way to reach your audience and sell some books.

Printed Materials Get the Word Out 

Although many people think of email marketing, social media, websites, and blogs as the primary tools available to inexpensively promote their book, printed materials are also affordable and necessary, especially if you plan to make some personal appearances at book signings and other marketing events.  

Business Cards Are Essential

Business cards are not only to hand out when you're looking for a job or attending a networking event. If you are self-publishing, not only are you choosing to publish your own book, but to promote it yourself as well.

Web developer Michael Ross has written that when many authors gather the promotional materials they think they'll need for an event like a book signing in a retail store, they almost always think of posters, flyers, bookmarks, postcards, and a display featuring their book, but they frequently overlook business cards, despite their obvious advantages over many larger marketing items. 

These advantages include affordable price, simplicity, ability to quickly deliver the message to busy shoppers, and the fact that they can be given to prospects to be taken with them and reviewed again later, or even passed on to another prospect who didn't come to the event. 

According to Publetariat.com, two-sided business cards can be used to feature an author's work on one side and his or her contact information on the other. When using two-sided cards, you should make sure there is some type of sales message printed on your cards, not just an image of the cover and the title of your book, and always include your website address with your contact information. This is your call to action that will encourage the prospect to visit your website and read more about you and your book. 

Bookmarks, Posters, Postcards, and Flyers 

Bookmarks and posters are also useful for distributing at libraries, book fairs, events, and bookstores that will be carrying your book. One often-overlooked piece of printed material that can be mailed, handed out, or displayed to promote a new book is a postcard. Although postage is expensive, if you plan to mail more than 200 pieces you may be able to use a bulk-mailing rate. 

Before you distribute your postcards, make sure you have a good mailing list that includes family, friends, and business contacts. You can also rent or buy mailing lists for a specific target market.

A sell sheet is a flyer that is used to promote books to libraries and bookstores, is often included in press kits, and can even be shared online as a PDF. The sell sheet typically features an image of the book's front cover, information about the publication date, list price, size and page specifications, ISBN number, publisher, and contact information for the author. It also usually features some copy that summarizes what the book is about, and includes some testimonials about the book and the author.

Do What Works for You

The ways an author can inexpensively promote a book are as varied an unlimited as the number of books available today. The Infinity Publishing website offers some unique ideas from a variety of self-published authors on ways they've chosen to promote their books and encourage sales. 

 GalleyCat also discusses some novel ways to endorse your book on a budget, including free websites, writing articles for media outlets, and even hosting a book giveaway.


*Check out the hyperlinks in this article above to find a host of resources... and also this resource for self-marking authors: http://brummet.ca/promotebooks.html




Find Dave and Lillian Brummet, excerpts from their books, their radio program, blog, and more at: http://brummet.ca * Support the Brummets by telling your friends, clicking those social networking buttons, or visiting the Brummet's Store - and help raise funds for charity as well!

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