Here are great tips to rock your book marketing!

• Family, Friends & Associates – Yes, your family, friends and associates can be key in promoting your book and most are thrilled to help. (You can even send PDF copies to some to cut down on expenses of not having to send a hard copy.)  It’s okay to tell them how best they can help as many just aren’t sure.  Ask for reviews, tell them to share with their friends and family, post on social media, and don’t forget to invite them to your book launching party.  Just don’t be that friend that all you talk about now is your book and forget the value of your friendship.
• Book Reviews. Getting book reviews is so important. There are numerous professional book reviewers who review books professionally.  We use Cision.com to look for reviewers.  Be sure to send to those that review your topic. Also, it’s great to ask for those who know you as well.  It’s okay to ask, just don’t be that person that spams their friends.  Also, have a promotion strategy with a big push at the beginning, but then continue to seek and secure reviews on a monthly basis. It’s a commitment that will pay off by keeping your book in the public eye. Also, know timing is critical when securing book reviews as a few of the larger book review sites (i.e., Library Journal) require the book two to three months in advance.
• Blog Tours. In today’s online world, blog tours are the most economical way to promote your book as well as your expertise. Create your pitch and send it to blog sites that may want to have you as guest blogger or connect with you in some other way such as doing a good review or perhaps a contest. Be sure your pitch is clear on the topic and why you would be the perfect fit for their site. Also, know that the more you send that they can take and use, the better. For example, write out exactly what the can add to their blog (giving them permission to adjust it to their target audience) and they will appreciate that.
• Press Releases. An aggressive press release campaign can be one of your best and most cost-effective ways to promote your book. It not only brings exposure to your book , but it rocks your SEO results and backlinks. Your release can cover the launch of your book, any great reviews you received, an upcoming book tour or book signing, any speaking engagements you have up and coming, any radio appearances, etc.  Remember the most important basis for a press release – it has to be newsworthy.  Be sure in your press release to include the call to action—buy my book, do a review, come to my book signing, etc.
• Blogging. Blogging is a great way to get PR about your book. It allows you to connect with your readers, as well as those who are just curious about you but haven’t yet taken the plunge as a devoted fan. Blogging builds relationships, allows you to share more about yourself than just what appears in your book, and it’s the perfect place to post your book reviews or ask for reviews.  Be consistent with your blogging and whenever you add a new blog posting, mention it on all your social media channels.
• Blab – This new platform is awesome for book promotions.   Not only do you want to consider doing your own, but also consider being guests on others.  This is especially beneficial for business book authors.  Show your expertise and what’s in your book by having several blabs on topics covered in your book.
• Speaking. Book promotion and speaking go hand in hand. Use your book to get more speaking engagements, and use your speaking engagements to promote your book. Plan well in advance, and look for opportunities locally, online and onsite around the country. Your colleagues and others in your professional circle can also be a great resource for speaking opportunities, and are typically always happy to share their knowledge and ideas.
• Teleseminars / Webinars – Absolutely be in the habit of doing these, especially if your book is business related. You get to show your expertise, but also many use teleseminars as a way to get more to sign up for their email list.  The key is to really give value.  Too many webinars are 5 minutes of content and 55 minutes of sales pitch.  Not good! Give value and they will want to hear more from you.
• Excerpts from your book – Get into the habit of taking excerpts from your book and creating social media postings, blog postings, creating articles, etc. It’s a great way to show what’s in your book and get more engagement. Also, you can add these to your media kit as well.
• Media attention – pitching the media. Securing interviews with various media is an excellent way to promote your book. Make sure your pitch is well-planned, clearly showing why you are the expert in your field, and outlines your experience appearing on radio and TV. (Want an example of the pitches I use to get my clients media attention.   Email me at diana@virtualwordpublishing.com and I’ll be happy to share.
• Book Signings – What a great way to celebrate being an author. First connect locally to not only bookstores in your area, but perhaps your local library.  Don’t limit it to only those though.  If your book is focused on a specific topic, see what businesses or organizations may be interested as well. Know that you can continue to do book signings even after the initial launch.
• Networking – Get involved. Look for groups in your area that would be a good fit and attend regularly.  Be picky.  In the beginning you might attend more until you find the right groups, but once you find good fits, spend your valuable time there.
• Writing Articles – Write articles on the topic in your book. It is a great way to promote your book or show your expertise than to write articles. Send them to article database sites, share them on blogs and pitches, and include them in newsletters and social media updates.
• Always carry a copy of your book with you – When someone asks about it, be proud and tell them about it. Don’t be shy in telling them how they can purchase it.  (Just don’t be pushy!)
• Book Business Cards – Carry business cards of your book with the cover on them and contact information. Get into the habit of passing them out often.
• Promote through Your Other Books – Use your other books. If you sell multiple books in the shopping cart, have it set up so it shows other books they might be interested in.
• Book Clubs – Promote your book through book clubs. Offer a discount and also offer to answer questions throughout.
• Social Media –Get active and stay active on social media and connect with your fans. They love seeing the face behind the book. Remember the 80/20 rule.  80 percent engagement, 20 percent pitching.
• Website – You want to have a website for your book or at minimum a page on your site specifically for your book. Also, know just having a website isn’t enough.  You also have to keep it updated, making sure to keep it updated and easy to purchase your book.  So many develop a website and never come back again.  Big mistake!
• Newsletter – On your website have a signup box to your newsletter.  Send out a newsletter at least once a month if not more.  Get personal.  Fans love to see your personal side.  Let them know of upcoming books as well.
• Create a media kit – it’s great to have a media kit that you can add to your site as well as send when requested from the media. A media kit can consist of sales page, pitch (cover letter), press release, bio, Q&A, excerpts, and testimonials.
• Facebook Ads. – It pays to spend some money and get additional exposure for your book as well as your Facebook Book Page. Be sure to target your audience when you set up an ad, and make it visually appealing.
• Radio Shows – One way to get more PR for your book is to do radio shows. One benefit of doing radio is that you can do it from the convenience of your own home.  Write down sound bytes that clearly discusses your book, you, the topic of your book, etc.  The Q&A from your media kit can be used here.  Remember when doing  a show to keep it conversational and fun, following the hosts read.
• Local Media – Connect with your local media and let them know you have a book out. But be sure to give them a reason why they would want to interview you.  The fact that you wrote a book and are in their area isn’t enough.  You need to pitch them on why their audience would be interested.
• TV – Pitch TV as well. Know that if you haven’t been on TV before, big named shows are not going to bite.  So start locally.
• BONUS TIP — YOU! The best way to sell your book is to be a good example.  Be the author that engages with fans and truly cares.  Be the author that doesn’t overextend and burden your social media with constantly only selling your book.  Be the author that has a great book and you are proud of it.