What are your best marketing tips and ideas?

Hi Everyone,
If you're an author, I'd like to know how you promote your work, what has been your best campaign strategy and any tips/advice you can share.
If you're a reader, I'd like to know how you find out about digital books to read, where you go to buy them and what marketing strategies get your attention.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Christine

Very new writer - this past weekend I volunteered to talk at various panels at a Science Fiction/Fantasy convention called Ad Astra. I didn't really promote my work as the panels were about the Legomovie, Self-publishing and writing Urban Fantasy. However, people were curious about me and eventually would ask about my book.

The best strategy is not to go on and on about your book. Let's be honest, not many people care about your book. If they like you, they might want to know more and look into your book!

The first thing I'd say to any authors who wants to get their names out there is "brand yourself." By that I mean that you need to know who you are and what you write and who, precisely, you're writing for. No one is writing for "everyone." What kinds of people read your books and where do they hang out? Is there any way to get your book in front of them?

First, know your genre. Then, know your sub-genre. I write in two major genres: short crime fiction and novel-length romance. My romances come in two sub-genres: romantic suspense and contemporary romance. Since my contemporary is slated for late summer, my current website is branded completely for the romantic suspense and crime. Everything looks the same, from my business cards, to my blog, to my site, even any time I get input into the covers of my books, I make sure to ask my editor to make them look appropriate: strong women in difficult situations.

As JFGarrard mentioned, conferences are a GREAT way not only to get your name out there but to network and keep you excited about writing. I have a post on how to deal with conferences here: http://www.womenofmystery.net/2013/02/08/the-art-of-the-con-shut-up-and-listen/

I also have a fairly extensive post on what you *don't* have to pay for, which is not precisely what you asked, since you asked what would be successful, but I hate to see people waste their money. You can find that one here: http://www.laurakcurtis.com/blog/2013/04/what-are-you-paying-for-publicity-autho...

Good luck!

I have had the most luck in marketing my book through friends, fellow club members, professional associates, and people I have met traveling and playing sports with.

www.amazon.com/author/genecolwell

As a reader, I see 2 major problems with e-books:

1. There are an increasing number of sweetheart contracts between print-on-demand publishers like AuthorHouse and Amazon. For example, I went to a Barnes and Noble physical bookstore to order a new book published by AuthorHouse, only to find out that Barnes and Noble can only sell the hardcover edition. Amazon, on the other hand, is selling hardcover, e-book and paperback editions of that same new book.

2. When you read an e-book, all kinds of people will be able to see what you are reading, how quickly or slowly you read each section, what you re-read and how many times you do that, if you underline or make electronic notes they know that and they know what the notes say. I would like to add a comment on every page of an e-book: "Stop spying on me."

>5 MaureenRoy:
Not all ebook readers spy on you.

Where ever I go I take book markers of each of my books with me as handouts. The front has a picture of the book cover along with my contact information, links to my website and publisher, and of course Amazon. The back of the book marker has the verbiage from the back cover. I try to hand them out to those that seem interested, especially when I participate on SciFi conventions. These are my target audience. I've even been know to leave a book marker with my tip at a restaurant. haha

Here's my idea.

1. Support other writers. Join writing critique groups, publishing workshops; go to open mics.
2. Have a nice website.
3. Have Twitter, Facebook & Instagram accounts.
4. Start a YouTube channel.
6. Record yourself reading your book on SoundCloud.
7. Blog

Go on book tours... even if you have to pay for it yourself.
Visit Book clubs that are willing to read your books

I like the book mark idea mentioned above.

Try public speaking if you have the talent.

>8 LheaJLove: So, um... what do you DO on your YouTube channel?

(That's actually my problem with having a Twitter, Facebook or Instagram account also.)

The difficulty with all social media and companies or individuals trying to "use" them for promotion is a common one. There is a sense that companies should be on Twitter, for example, but unless they have a plan as to what they would do, how it would benefit their brand, and how they could measure its success, then they probably should not be engaged in it. Many times someone will jump into something because it is trendy without a clear understanding of how others wish to use such a system.

We see that here on LT where an author is told to visit and start promoting their book in the forums. This is often done without much guidance so the effect appears to be spamming the users of the site who are mainly engaged in cataloging and conversing about books. Needless to say, such a "look at me" announcement from someone who does not seem to be part of the community (no books cataloged other than their own, no other participation in the Talk forums other than to promote their own, no contributions towards Common Knowledge data, etc.) are not appreciated.

With regard to YouTube, obviously the content is video. Probably the most common use of YouTube for an author would be the creation of a "Book Trailer" to stimulate interest in a publication. This is like a movie trailer that tells the viewer something about the content of the larger work in an effort to get them to buy the product (book or movie ticket/DVD). Of course, the video production is important. Also important is the metadata that would help people locate it upon a search.

I have noticed that authors of mysteries from several mass-market publishers include extras like recipes in their books at the back. These are usually a recipe that is mentioned in the plot. Some have continued this by including such recipes in periodic email newsletters.

As an author, you have put in a lot to your book(s). It is important to you. But in any outreach, try to determine why it would be important to the listener. Don't just try to sell them something. Instead, offer something they might not get solely by buying the book. Try to be empathetic.

James

I see what James/Keeline is saying.

I want to offer this perspective.

Don't use social media to try to sell your product, your book.

Use social media to start conversations. Period.

I have about 1400 friends on Facebook (mostly from college). Over the last year, I've been posting honestly and openly about my writing and my personal struggles. Now I have people who are literally pulling for me to succeed. I have people waiting for my novel to come out.

I just started a YouTube channel two days ago. I have two videos so far. My channel is called "Unafraid to Speak". I talk about suicide, depression, bipolar, rape, domestic violence, child abuse, STDs.

Even though I am writing a novel... and maybe these things happen in my novel. My goal is not to create a video that asks or tells people to buy anything.

My goal is to create a conversation.

A friend from high school who graduated from Babson was just featured in a Forbes article. People were giving their best marketing advice.

My friend's advice was to stop trying spend money on social media advertising. It doesn't necessarily work. What does work on social media sites is conversations.

If someone organically starts a conversation about your book... they might convince others to buy. People take the recommendations of their friends.

If anything, think of branding yourself (not necessarily your products). You can mention your products. But the vast majority of your efforts should be trying to start conversations.

Try to start conversations that 20 people participate in. Then conversations with 50. Try to make posts that 100 people like.

Create a Facebook Fan page get 100 people to follow you.

I don't know how to make something go viral. I've never done that. But of course, it helps.

Solid marketing tip:

Do not use Tinder to market your book, especially when your book is called Tournament of Hearts, and involves blood sacrifice.

This is my marketing tip:

Don't spend so much time marketing that it gets in the way of writing the next book.

I would recommend that you also have a print version of your book - CreateSpace is quite easy to use and there's nothing like holding a copy of your book in your hands! I also find it easier to promote than the e-book.

Hey, I'll be at Ad Astra, JFGarrard. Maybe I'll see you there. I think volunteering for a panel is a great strategy. Good luck!

This is a list of some good promo sites.

http://www.readersintheknow.com/list-of-book-promo-sites?refcode=2ZLFNYRR

I have just released the second book in the Tannion Series and my second published book. I find social networks to be almost useless for marketing except to a few friends and relatives. I need to get the word out and don't mind spending a few dollars. Any ideas where the best bang for the buck is.

Good luck all

Hello there, I find that word of mouth works the best for me but I am only just starting to market my book. I also drive a baby blue 1980 Cadillac Hearse that always has a box of my books in it, so that has helped me get attention locally as well. I am making video content to market the book and am always open to great ideas or strategies. Thanks for your time folks.
Pete
www.thebadtimesbible.com

I did a couple of book promotion gigs on fiverr, and got a little bit of buzz. I used the Library Thing member giveaway for Wolf Girl finds necRomance, and will probably do the same for book 2. I also made book promo cards on Vistaprint, and leave one or two wherever I go.