Book Marketing 101

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Book Marketing 101

by Sharlene Weingart
(Dawson Creek BC Canada)

Daddy Sneaks - my second book of three

Marketing 101

I'm not going to talk about the actual writing and publishing part of my books, because that was the part you probably did already...Now I'm looking for marketing ideas and I'll share what I've done successfully in hopes that others do the same...

1. Social Media - I use facebook as a medium to tell friends and family about the progress of my books and when they are coming out...what kind of events I have coming up etc. So, that's a fast and free way to contact hundreds of people who know me and hopefully already care about what I'm doing. Easy.

2. Web Site - I set up a web site to direct traffic to for more information about the book and where it can be purchased etc. To make the most of this I used vistaprint.ca to make cheap, but cute business cards with by book cover, web page and other info on each card. I left a spot for autographs. I give these cards out to each child/adult when I do a book reading/signing so that if they don't purchase the book that day they know where they can find it later. Also, for kids to collect. (I think it is fun!)

3. Events - I go to schools and libraries, etc free of charge and read my book and share the writing process with the children who are interested. I remember the first time I met an author and it was an important experience for me...I try to make it eventful for the kids too.

4. Goodwill - I created a fundraiser for a charity of my choice and gathered donations of suppies for it, then donated several copies of my book. Contacted the media and they covered the story...win win...

5. Car door magnets - Reminds people about the book and a great conversation piece. Also ordered them from vistaprint.ca

6. Mail out - I did a mail out to over 250 stores across Canada...this was the least successful idea so far. Not one response! LOL Live and learn...

7. Door-to-door - I went to the stores that I wanted to see my book in and made them a deal. I go back on a regular basis and restock. I don't wait for them to call me...stores are busy and it's my job to make sure I keep them supplied.

8. Price - My book is set to retail at $15.99 but I sell it at $12.50 I have to sell many more books to break even, but I'm in the business to sell lots of books...not to get rich just yet. LOL My goal is it get my name out there and hopefully get picked up by a publisher down the road. Stores that insisted on the higher markup sell the book for $15.99 but don't get near the sales that I get at $12.50

So, these are the main things I've done so far...I've sold close to 500 copies of Mommy Takes Away which I published in March 2010 and I'm just preparing to order my next books for sale, Daddy Sneaks and Grandma Loves. I considered raising the price for these ones, but have decided against it.

9. Christmas Craft Sales - I'm going to take my books the craft fairs and have been to a spring tea also. Every chance I get to display or read the book I take it!

Hope this is helpful, kind of the quick and dirty version...lol Sharlene

Visit Sharlene's site, Mommy Takes Away.

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Book Marketing 101

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Aug 24, 2010
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Thank you so much!
by: Rebecca

Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and advice!

Jul 30, 2010
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Awesome Marketing Tips
by: DHawk

I am also a first time published author, and am trying to find ways to get my name out there! Thanks for the tips, I will put these into use! A great way for me to get my children book out there!

I also saw your book on another site, it looks very fun to read! Blessings!

Jul 02, 2010
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Marketing survey
by: Steve B. (webmaster)

Cat, that marketing survey doesn't tell me exactly what it tells you. When you're a self-published author, you can't really count on friends' recommendations and author familiarity because almost no one is familiar with you! You have to think outside the box to move those books.

Sharlene, I wanted to make you aware of the opportunity to post again about your books at my other site, Best Children's Books. I have a self publishing section there as well, that works the same way. (Though I do have to insist that you write a different piece!) I'll hope to see you over there!

Jun 29, 2010
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Thanks for the comments!
by: Anonymous

Like any marketing, you want to brand your product...the car door magnets attract attention and people ask about the book...the business cards are so that when I go to a reading full of kids they each get one to later give to their parents and to remind them about the book. Kids can't always buy a book at a reading, but they can remember it and ask for it when they get home. The card shows the book cover to their parents and shows them where they can buy it.

My books are linked around family themes from a toddler's point of view. Mommy Takes Away is based on my daugther's favourite statement whenever she was in trouble or about to be when she was two. It's a twist because Mommy takes away lots of discomfort along the way too. Next, Daddy Sneaks is about a camping trip...I can't find anything my daddy can't do...Then Grandma Loves...which goes without saying. All my books are inspired by actual events over time that have taken place in our little family that many others can relate to also. They are rhyming books for beginner readers.

Anway, the reason I recommend vista print. ca is because they are very affordable compared to other places I have looked for marketing stuff. I got the car door magent idea from Realtors is in town who have their vehicles done up and it is very effective for reminding passers by who then will talk about and recommend the book to others.

I am a huge book buyer, being a mom and a teacher and a lover of children's books, so I mainly buy at books stores, online and scholastic book orders. I often select based on artwork and quality...

Jun 29, 2010
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Marketing
by: Cat

I don't think magnets or business cards or anything of that nature will do much besides lighten your bank account. Books get sold via reviews (Amazon, in library publications, bookstore catalogues, anywhere people read, view or listen to reviews to order books); word-of-mouth reviews/recommendations from friends and on the familiarity of the author.

http://bookcoverdesigner.typepad.com/book_cover_design/2006/07/what_sells_a_bo.html

"What I found to be most interesting in that survey, published March 3, 2005 by World Book Day, was that 25% of readers claimed to buy books based on friends' recommendations (that figure rose to one-third in the under-35 demographic); 26% bought books based on author familiarity; 6% bought a book because they saw it advertised and only 7% cited cover design. The cover design statistic has not changed much since a 1998 Penguin survey."

Jun 29, 2010
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I need more stars!
by: Steve B. (webmaster)

Sharlene, great post. I think you're going to do wonders for the car door magnet business! Passenger or driver side? (Or both?)

When I hear from someone with three books, I often ask whether there's something that links all three. If there is, I get to wondering whether it might be grist for a website, say, BooksAboutFamilyMembers.com.

As you point out, your website is for directing people to. I use the Web a different way: my websites are for attracting people. I rely on the search engines for traffic, and so I design websites on a subject for which there is significant interest.

Directing websites are limited to traffic from the people you meet. Attracting websites have no limit. The world is your oyster! I, after all, didn't have to meet you for you to find my site!

Thanks for a great post. Car door magnets, hmmm...

Hey, check out my website, Best Children's Books - Find, Read or Write!

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