***This is PART FIVE of a five part series to uncover some myths about becoming a published author. You can read part four by going here. I hope you enjoyed this series and found resources you could use. If you’d like more of these type of series, comment below and I’ll see what I can do!***
The other myths we looked at have covered whether or not you need a degree in creative writing to become an author, do you need an agent to be offered a book contract, will agents expect a huge author platform before they consider your manuscript and is the traditional publisher the only publication path.
Despite the various options and outcomes available to every writer, to the lucky ones who garner a book contract, there is one final myth to overcome.
MYTH #5…ONCE THE CONTRACT IS SIGNED YOUR WORK IS DONE
You’ve spent countless hours writing, rewriting, revising, and polishing your story. Query letters have been sent out and you have managed to receive an offer to publish your story. Take time to do the happy dance but realize the hard work of promoting and marketing your book is just beginning.
What methods will you chose to get the word out? Are some options better than others? That would depend partly on your marketing budget, partly on the networking you might have done prior to any book contract being signed, and partly on your own creativity in sharing your good news with the world.
Here are some things to make sure you include in your promotion arsenal when working on your marketing plan:
1. Media Kit…this kit should include press releases, book blurb, biographies, author photo, business cards, promotional materials, and a question & answer list.
2. Book Reviews…this would include favorable reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, Koobug, and blogs as well as local or national publications.
3. Copy of your Newsletter…you should already have an email list generated through your website or blog or now would be the time to start one. I use MailChip (www.mailchimp.com) which gives me a list of potential readers of my books whom I can send updated info to such as the release date of my books, schedule of book signings or speaking engagements, interesting articles, and things like games, contests, or giveaways.
4. Endorsements or Recommendations…some of your ARC copies should have been sent to people who were willing to provide verbal support of your book. Now would be the time to gather copies of those endorsements and recommendations to add to your publicity kit.
5. Order List…make sure you provide a list with all the links on how readers can purchase your book through Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Sourcebooks, Kindle, Nook, and other distributors.
6. Quizzes, Contests, & Giveaways…have some idea of the different ways you can generate interest in your book. Things like blog hops and twitter blitzes create excitement during the first few months following an official book release but additional readers will be drawn to your book through the chance to possibly win an autograph copy of it or even swag items.
7. Print Media…even if you have a publicist, it is still the author’s responsibility to do their part to promote their book. This includes sending book release information to industry trade magazines like Publisher’s Weekly (www.publishersweekly.com), Library Journal (www.lj.libraryjournal.com), and major daily newspapers as well as regional or local newspapers.
6. Email blasts…this is where you partner with others who are willing to share your good news with their own readership via email announcements.
I know marketing and promoting a book can seem overwhelming to some authors. Others breeze through part of the process like they were born to be part writer/ part book promoter. However you feel about marketing, realize that your publishing house isn’t the ONLY people raving about your latest book. YOU have to be shouting it from the rooftops as well!
I will potentially have THREE books being released this fall. You can be sure I will double check this list to make sure I have all my ducks in a row and everything thing in place because when it comes time to do my happy book release day dance, I won’t want to have forgotten anything!
What marketing things did YOU do to help promote your book? What worked and what didn’t? Share your marketing success stories by commenting below…
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International best selling, award-winning author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books, and the host of WRITERLY WISDOM, a resource series for writers. Donna is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Children’s Book Insider. She is a lover of dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection. Donna’s latest book, LUNADAR: Homeward Bound (a YA fantasy), is now available in eBook and print form from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and other online retailers.
