marketing

WRITERLY WISDOM: Donna L Martin

Donna L

 

books.jpg

 

When a book is newly released, the first thing an author might think of is to print up a bunch of bookmarks as a way to advertise their book. If I took a poll, bookmarks would probably be on every new author’s list of how to get the word out.

But that’s not the only way.

There are sooo many choices when it comes to marketing ideas that it can become overwhelming for a newer author to decide what will work and what won’t. Not only do you have to decide WHAT you want to put your book information on…i.e. swag items…but also WHERE do you want to promote those items. This week I will be looking at some swag items and other promotional ideas I will consider as I get closer to my release date for my historical fiction chapter book, HISTORY’S MYSTERIES: Ship of Dreams. Here is a list that will be helpful as general knowledge for self-published authors as well as those who might not have access to a marketing or publicity department through their own publisher.

 

Printing Companies

 

Vista Print…http://www.vistaprint.com
U Printing…http://www.uprinting.com
Print Runner…http://www.printrunner.com
P S Print…http://www.psprint.com
Mimeo Printing…http://www.mimeo.com
4 Imprint…http://www.4imprint.com
Oriental Trading…http://www.orientaltrading.com
Marco Promos…http://www.marcopromos.com

These are just some of the online companies offering ways to advertise my book. Some are quite cheap and others more expensive than my little budget will allow so I will get creative with my promotional ideas. Yes, I’m sure I will get my stack of bookmarks to advertise Ship of Dreams but here are some other ideas I might consider too. I will also keep in mind that ships are central to the story line and butterflies are part of my company signage as well.

 

Promotional Ideas

 

Hats
Tshirts
Ink pens
Pencils
Car Door Magnets
Foam Butterfly Stickers
Adhesive Labels
Silicone Bracelets
Business Card Magnets
Regular Business Cards
Full Color Badge Ribbons
Display Table Runners
Handle Bags
Butterfly Necklaces
Small Plush Butterflies
Butterfly Shaped Foldable Fans
Water Bottle Labels
Mini Flying Discs
Hi-Density Pulpboard Coasters
Corrugated Plastic Yard Sign
Indoor/Outdoor Banner
Emery Boards
Wooden Nickels
Temporary Tattoos
Balloons
Bumper Stickers
Hand Fans

As you can see the options are nearly endless when it comes to advertising my book. Will I be able to afford 500 tshirts with the Ship of Dreams printed brightly on each one? Probably not. But it’s my job as the author to lead the charge to promote my book and the future readers of my story probably don’t care that my budget is tiny. I’ll check what other authors are doing and make sure I give my book the best chance to succeed!

What have YOU used to advertise your books? What worked? What didn’t? Let me know in the comments below…

 

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donna - Copy

 

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.

WRITERLY WISDOM: Peterand The Dragon

Donna L

 

Dragon

 

***An author friend of mine, Peterand The Dragon, has a new book, Children of Little Might, coming out soon. I invited him to write a post for the #StoryCatcherPublishing blog and he graciously accepted. Check out his post about one way to get the word out about an upcoming book release.***

 

How to promote your book like CHILDREN OF LITTLE MIGHT

by Peterand The Dragon

 

 
Whether you are self-published or chose the traditional way, chances are you want to do your own marketing. You undoubtedly use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and any other social media like Goodreads to push your sales. But how do you attract attention? By posting the link to your book and hope people click on it?

Montague ‘Monty Hill’ Glupie is sixteen and has autism. He finds a  manuscript that promises him to grant any wish; provided he translates it. Certain wishes don’t work, Monty decides on an impossible one: his Paper Girl from the manuscript.

That’s the start of my upcoming Young Adult Fantasy book that takes him on an adventure in another world where Monty and Storm, his wheelchair bound sidekick, fights their own school’s principal to save a kingdom.

To sell that book, people need to know it exists. The most logical step to take, is to put your link out there. Depending on your follower count, that might be a good idea.

Except: sales are horrible. Ask people who use this technique. They provide the link, give some background (on Twitter in 280 characters) and hope for the best. And yes: anything is possible. I found my publisher through Twitter during a pitch war and that worked miracles. But it did take me a while to land that publisher.

 

Marketing

 

So, ask yourself. If Monty had to sell himself, what would he do? He has autism, he hates to step into the spotlight and believes most people ignore him anyway. Sure: release the first chapter as a teaser; I did that, too. And, like me, you may publish guest articles to push your agenda. And while that helps, it’s not enough to sell your product.

Authors sell stories. That’s what we’re good at. So, why not create a story around the book we publish? Let’s take Children of Little Might, my YA Fantasy novel due out by Rhetoric Askew Publishing in a couple of weeks. To get people interested, I have to offer them something. Something that interests them (and hopefully gets them to order the book).

I do that by creating stories around the release of the book. Why did I write Children of Little Might? It’s about autism and my attempt to put it in a positive light. You may compare it to the Force in the Star Wars universe; autism has limitations, but it opens up a lot of possibilities, too. By showing people that, I create a story that pulls them in, that relates to them and maybe attracts them to buy the book.

In another story I write about my journey to find my publisher. That focusses on a different target audience that gives them a reason to discover my book. A third article may handle the emotions behind the book, or my own adventures with autism or the battle I fight with a company just to give one of my children a fighting chance. I can add links to organizations that help the reader to discover what autism is and where to get help. In every story you give the link to your book as well. This time people not only find the links, but they receive a ‘gift’ that, hopefully, gives them a good vibe about the book.

In my case: as soon as Children of Little Might can be pre-ordered I write one article a day that tells readers something about me, my book or the challenges my characters face. Each article comes with a (music) video that offers an insight in my emotions or those of my characters. The reader not only receives a link (he hates to click anyway), but he joins the author in why he wrote what he wrote. They read your advertisements because they offer more than plain advertising.

And, ultimately, that’s the key to your success. Create a story around the release of your book. Attract people by doing the one thing you are good at: telling stories. And combine things your readers might find fun. That way they learn more about you as an author and maybe you attract another interested reader that way. And that takes me to my last point: one I leave you to discover all on your own: Obey every rule and then don’t. Monty loves to explain you what it means. See you with Children of Little Might?

Have fun.

You can find me on:

Read the first chapter of Children of Little Might: http://peterandthedragon.home.blog/2019/05/06/chapter-1-thud-whizzz-and-bham/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/PeterandTheDragon
Twitter: http://twitter.com/AuthorTheDragon
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/peterand_thedragon/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/86983553-peterand-thedragon

WRITERLY WISDOM: Donna L Martin

Donna L

 

marketing.jpg

 

***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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donna

 

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.

WRITERLY WISDOM: Amanda Luedeke

Donna L

blogs-marketing-2646804_960_720.pngHere is another post in my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. Five years later, I’ve updated the material and made sure it still applies to today’s writers. Amanda Luedeke, Vice President of MacGregor Literary Inc provided a post for this series covering what an author platform is and how to effectively market their manuscripts.

 

The Art of Author Marketing
By Amanda Luedeke, Literary Agent

 

Marketing has become one of the biggest obstacles that any author will face. Great marketing ensures book sales and a solid marketing plan or platform can impress any publisher.

But let’s face it. Most authors aren’t the marketing, sales-y types.

I come from a marketing background. Before working as an agent, I worked at an agency outside of Chicago and launched blogs, YouTube Channels, Facebook groups, and strategized apps for some pretty major clients. So when I transitioned to publishing, I immediately realized that I was holding a very coveted gem…the gem of understanding and “getting” marketing.

For well over a year now, I’ve blogged about marketing on the agency blog (www.chipmacgregor.com). Every Thursday, I debunk Facebook or Twitter or Tumblr or SEO or blogging…and I’ve found it to be well received.

But I realized people wanted more than my posts. So, I wrote THE EXTROVERTED WRITER: An Author’s Guide to Marketing and Building a Platform.

It’s the perfect little e-book for:
· The published author
· The unpublished author
· The author looking for marketing ideas
· The author looking for marketing advice
· The author looking for marketing reassurance

But most importantly, it’s the perfect little book to help you go from being an introverted, “I-don’t-know-how-to-market-myself,” to an extroverted, “I’m-confident-I-can-market-myself” writer.

Check it out on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Smashwords (for all other ereader devices).

Now, I’m here to answer your marketing questions! In preparation for this post, we pulled some thoughts and queries from you readers. SO, get ready, here are my thoughts on your most pressing author marketing questions:

When is the best time to begin marketing a new book?

You want to have your marketing plan in place about 6 months before release. To schedule blog appearances, speaking engagements, radio interviews, etc., it takes time. So, it’s best to chip away at it over those six months. But the idea is to have things hit the month your book releases (preferably after release).

How are some ways a new author can market their debut book?

Since it’s your first book, you’re going to have friends and family ready and willing to do whatever it takes to help the book succeed (You won’t get this with any other book you do!). All debut authors should take advantage of this excitement and form a street team to help create a buzz about the book. Use your street team to share on Facebook, Twitter and more. Guest post on their blogs, and get them to place bookmarks or promotional materials at their local coffee shops, doctor’s offices, libraries, etc. Remember, a street team of even 20 can be 20 places at once.

If you could only pick one social media site to promote your book, which one would you choose and why?

Personally, I’d choose Facebook, but I know of many authors who swear by Twitter. At the end of the day, you need to zero in on the social media channel that best connects with YOUR audience. Blogs, Tumblr, Pinterest, YouTube, Goodreads…Figure out where you have the most fans (or the most potential fans) and set up camp.

What one piece of advice can you give an author who knows nothing about marketing?

Put yourself in the reader’s shoes. What would make YOU shell out $15 for a book? Then, do what you need to do to meet that need for your potential readers.

What’s one thing you see missing from websites or blogs that would greatly impact attracting new followers?

Most websites and blogs are dead zones. The authors do nothing to cultivate relationships with their readers. There’s no personal interaction, there’s no way for readers to feel part of things. If you can foster a community among your readers, that’s a powerful thing.

Do blog tours really help sales of a debut book?

Typically, no. Typically, blog tours target the same old blogs that have the same old readers of those blogs. The successful tours are the ones that are put together from scratch. So, instead of approaching the same blogs that always appear in tours, an author would approach blogs that typically don’t participate in such things. This is how you get your book in front of new readers who are likely to be pleasantly surprised that you’ve stopped by their blog for a chat.

What’s the worst marketing thing an author can do?

The worst thing is for an author to either be too passive or too aggressive. The passive authors typically wait for their publisher or agent to tell them what to do. Consequently, nothing gets done. The aggressive authors end up being blocked by readers online because they’re ALWAYS doing the hard sell. Both will kill your career.

Hope this was helpful!

 

amanda

 

Amanda was a 2006 graduate of the acclaimed Professional Writing program at Taylor University, and she brings a background in marketing and advertising to her agent role. Over the years, she has kept one foot in the marketing world, working with brands such as Vera Bradley, Peg Perego, Tecomet, Do It Best, Minwax, Pratt & Lambert, HGTV Home by Sherwin-Williams, and more.

She met Chip at an author signing in a Barnes and Noble in 2008. After realizing they had a commonality in Taylor University, one thing led to another, and before she knew it, she was helping him with projects, research, and all the little stuff she now assumes he just didn’t feel like doing.

Promoted to the role of agent in 2010 and then vice president in 2018, Amanda is currently focusing on nonfiction and Christian spirituality projects with a sprinkling of fiction.

She released her author marketing book The Extroverted Writer: An Author’s Guide to Marketing and Building a Platform in 2013.

Though she considers the Chicagoland area to be home, she currently lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana, with her husband, son, and two dogs.

 

AN INDIE AUTHOR’S JOURNEY: Eight Vital Areas of Book Marketing

Donna L

book marketing.jpg

 

I’m delving into the world of indie publishing. Some authors go the quicker route and use a source like CreateSpace or Kindle Direct to immediately get their books out there.

There’s nothing wrong going that route, but I’ve decided to take a different path.

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Now that my book, LUNADAR: Homeward Bound is now out as an ebook on Amazon and other online retailers, I need to focus on finalizing my marketing plan before my print edition releases later this Fall.

Here are some things to consider when a writer wants a plan to promote their latest book:

LUNADAR postcard

1. POSTCARD LIST

I am creating a list of 140 bookstores, libraries, schools, etc. locally and a little bit beyond the local to mail out postcards to, along with my business card and a short note inviting people to take a chance on my book.

 

SCP business card front

 

2. BUSINESS CARDS

There any companies around making business cards. I found these through Vista Print & I will include them with my postcards. I want to be viewed as a professional so I must provide the best quality swag and promo items I can.

 

3. BOOK PROMOTION WEBSITES

Research uncovered a number of book promotion websites willing to help authors get info about their books in the hands of my target audience of young adult readers. I will select a few and make sure all the pertinent info is loaded for anyone to view.

 

4. BOOK REVIEWERS

I already have my LUNADAR Street Team in place. I sent them a link to the ebook and the reviews are beginning to come in. There are also a number of online reviewers who can be found through a Google search. These reviewers will help share a little writerly love and honest opinions about my book.

 

5. BOOK PARTIES

Some people call them book signings, but the word “party” implies the possibilities of fun times and goodwill. I will contact the usual bookstores, but will also try to be a bit more creative and search out venues like speciality gift shops, book clubs, or social groups who might be looking for a guest speaker.

 

6. CONTESTS & GIVEAWAYS

I will run a contest for anyone joining my street team and leaving a book review on places like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Goodreads. I will also run giveaways in Amazon, Goodreads, and closer to the holidays I’m planning on running a special TWELVE DAYS OF LUNADAR where there will be a lucky winner every day for the first twelve days of December.

 

7. FESTIVALS & BOOK FAIRS

There are numerous festivals and book fairs running all year long and I will be contacting several of them to see if I can include a booth during the festivities. 

 

8. BLOG TOUR

I’ve reached out to some of my online friends and will do some blog posts and interviews promoting LUNADAR. I was even approached recently by a lovely lady who provides book information to Latin American teachers and she is planning on including my interview in her article coming out within the next two weeks.

 

These are just some of the things I will be doing to include in my marketing plan for LUNADAR: Homeward Bound. This is in addition to the daily posts on my own blog and the numerous Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn groups I’m a part of.

If all of this is done right, come Christmas time I will have a little time to finally do some relaxing. I can only wish!

relaxing.jpg***********

lunadar

Ruler by day, a reluctant pirate by night, 18-year-old Princess Ariana fights for her subjects in the waterfall city of Lunadar. In a kingdom surrounded by fairies and mermaids, and ravaged by deadly Drundles, only a chosen few are trusted to guard her daughter, Candra, as the secret heir to the throne.But it

only takes one ill-fated meeting for Ariana to suddenly be plunged into an escalating web of secrets found in her father’s journal, a deadly kidnapping, and an ever-weakening resolve to turn her back on the call of the merman’s song.

With Ariana’s world falling apart and the future of Lunadar at stake, how will she bring her father’s murderer to justice and fulfill a deathbed promise to protect Lunadar’s legacy?

 

Author Profile Pic

 

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), ebook edition, is now available from Amazon.

 

AN INDIE AUTHOR’S JOURNEY: How To Eat An Elephant

Donna L

awards

I’m delving into the world of indie publishing. Some authors go the quicker route and use a source like CreateSpace or Kindle Direct to immediately get their books out there.

There’s nothing wrong going that route, but I’ve decided to take a different path.

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So, the old time joke goes like this…

HOW DO YOU EAT AN ELEPHANT?

And the punch line?

ONE BITE AT A TIME!

That’s how I feel about the next step in my publishing journey. I think I have the printing issues solved (I’ll know this week) so now I can move on to the next phase.

Marketing.

For some authors…and publishers…there is nothing more terrifying  than trying to promote one’s book after all the blood, sweat, and tears a writer puts into the story itself. And it can seem overwhelming what direction to start.

I’ve chosen to look into potential book awards to see if LUNADAR: Homeward Bound qualifies for any of them. There are tons of sites out there but I’ve only listed a few below. Maybe I’ll get lucky and be able to announce later of yet another accomplishment to add to this author’s writerly resume…

 

Authors Talk About It Book Contest
http://authorstalkaboutit.com/book-award-contest/

BookLife Prize in Fiction
http://booklife.com/about-us/the-booklife-prize-in-fiction.html

CIPA EVVY Awards
http://cipabooks.com/cipa-evvy-awards/

eLit Book Awards
http://www.elitawards.com/

EPIC eBook Competition
http://epicorg.org/competitions/epic-s-ebook-competition.html

Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Awards
http://www.forewordreviews.com/services/book-awards/botya/

Global eBook Awards
http://globalebookawards.com/

Independent Press Award
http://www.independentpressaward.com

IndieReader Discovery Awards
http://indiereader.com/enter-discovery-awards/

International Beverly Hills Book Awards
http://www.beverlyhillsbookawards.com/

International Book Awards
http://www.internationalbookawards.com/home.html

International Excellence Body, Mind, Spirit Book Awards
http://www.bmsbookawards.com/index.html

IPPY Awards
http://www.independentpublisher.com/ipland/ipawards.php

Kindle Book Awards
http://www.thekindlebookreview.net/2016-kindle-book-awards/

Midwest Book Awards
http://www.mipa.org/

National Indie Excellence Book Awards
http://www.indieexcellence.com/

Nautilus Book Awards
http://www.nautilusbookawards.com/

Next Generation Indie Book Awards
http://www.indiebookawards.com/

Publishing Innovation Awards
http://www.publishinginnovationawards.com/

Reader Views Literary Awards
http://readerviews.com/literaryawards/

Readers Favorite Contest
http://readersfavorite.com/annual-book-award-contest.htm

SELF-e
http://library-journal.biblioboard.com/?promotionId=a88e92ef-35ac-496f-9d9c-396d8c734d93

The Ben Franklin Awards
http://ibpabenjaminfranklinawards.com/

The Eric Hoffer Award
http://www.hofferaward.com/

The Firecracker Awards
http://www.clmp.org/readers/programs/firecracker/

The International Rubery Book Award
http://www.ruberybookaward.com/index.html

The Living Now Book Awards
http://www.livingnowawards.com/index.php

The Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards
http://www.moonbeamawards.com/

Shelf Unbound Writing Competition for Best Self-Published Book
http://www.shelfmediagroup.com/pages/competition.html

USA “Best Books” Awards
http://www.usabooknews.com/2017bestbookawards.html

The WISHING SHELF Independent Book Awards [UK]
http://www.thewsa.co.uk/

 

LUNADAR cover jpg

 

Ruler by day, a reluctant pirate by night, 18-year-old Princess Ariana fights for her subjects in the waterfall city of Lunadar. In a kingdom surrounded by fairies and mermaids, and ravaged by deadly Drundles, only a chosen few are trusted to guard her daughter, Candra, as the secret heir to the throne.

But it only takes one ill-fated meeting for Ariana to suddenly be plunged into an escalating web of secrets found in her father’s journal, a deadly kidnapping, and an ever-weakening resolve to turn her back on the call of the merman’s song.

With Ariana’s world falling apart and the future of Lunadar at stake, how will she bring her father’s murderer to justice and fulfill a deathbed promise to protect Lunadar’s legacy?

donna

 

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) from Story Catcher Publishing ebook edition is now available at Amazon and other online retailers, with the print edition coming out late fall 2018.

An Indie Author’s Journey: To Market, To Market

Donna L

 

market.jpg

 

I’m delving into the world of indie publishing. Some authors go the quicker route and use a source like CreateSpace or Kindle Direct to immediately get their books out there.

There’s nothing wrong going that route, but I’ve decided to take a different path.

Even though LUNADAR: Homeward Bound won’t be released in paperback until 2019, it’s never too early to start thinking about what comes next so…

 

STEP SIX: A GOOD MARKETING PLAN

 

As an indie author, I won’t have the support and expertise of a publishing company. Any marketing and promoting has to start and end with me. It helps that I’m usually pretty organized since there are so many avenues and different levels to cover in order to give my first book being released from Story Catcher Publishing the best chance at success. Not every author may follow this plan but I’m crossing my fingers it works for me..

 

Six to twelve months before print release:

 

  1. Set up a website, blog, Facebook page, Twitter account, etc. and engage with others.
  2. Start creating an email list and connect with followers through a newsletter.
  3. Research my audience. Lunadar’s readers are young adult through adult who enjoy fantasy, romance and adventure. Check out Twitter & Facebook groups to connect with. 
  4. Make a list of local and regional libraries, bookstores, and groups who will connect with Lunadar’s message.
  5. Reach out to target audience and gather a street team to give a copy of Lunadar’s ebook in exchange for honest book reviews.
  6. Set up an Amazon author profile and sales page, as well as B & N, Goodreads, etc. and make sure those links are listed on website.

 

Four to six months before book release:

 

  1. Start contacting book clubs, book reviewers, or interested parties for providing an ebook version in exchange for hones reviews. Provide author links for leaving reviews.
  2. Make a list of bloggers willing to join Lunadar’s book tour. Create list of different angles and topics to be able to cover on each stop of the tour.
  3. Research local and regional fairs or festival events. Make initial contact for scheduling booths or speaking engagements.
  4. Put together a media press kit. Create a list of local and regional newspapers, radio, and TV stations for press releases.
  5. Add book title and author name to Google alert search criteria.
  6. Set up a marketing calendar to include scheduled blog posts, book signings school visits, and events.
  7. Load ebook to Amazon’s Create Space, Nook, B&N, and Ingram Spark. 
  8. Create and load book trailer on website and YouTube.

 

One to four months before book release:

 

  1. Contact radio, TV, and newspapers to send media kits and book copies for review. Add any featured review dates to marketing calendar.
  2. Send press release kits to interested bloggers and book reviewers, along with ebook or paperback copy for review. Add any featured review dates to marketing calendar.
  3.  Schedule book launch party.

 

Book release:

 

  1. Update website, and social media site with book release info, along with book purchase links.
  2. Provide newsletter with book release info to email list. 
  3. Drop blog post of book release.
  4. Run a series of contests and giveaways through website, blog, and social sites.

 

After book release:

 

  1. Review and Google alerts for information to add to media/press kits.
  2. Remain active on social sites, connecting with others, and thanking anyone leaving book reviews.

 

As you can see, there is a lot involved in book marketing. It will certainly keep me busy over the next year. Is there anything I overlooked? If you did something different, please leave a comment below…

 

 

donna

 

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, My Journey, My Journal, is scheduled to be released by Expert Insights Publishing in the Fall 2018.