In preparing for the February, 2012 release of my YA contemporary romantic fantasy VEILED VIRTUES by Muse It Up Publishing, I created a marketing plan that I would like to share, and if it is beneficial to anyone, please comment! Also, if you have other ideas, please let us know by sharing via a comment. Many of these are free!!! Over the next few months, I will be posting more detailed information on many of the points below, so please friend / follow me to get the latest scoop!
1) Generate buzz / author recognition via author and/or book websites, blogging, facebook and twitter
2) Build your name and brand by networking through social communities
3) Obtain or create a digital book cover and banner
4) Create a book trailer if possible and post to YouTube and elsewhere
See: http://kidlitbooktrailers.ning.com/
5) Trade site and book links with other authors
6) Set up a blog tour
7) Obtain your ISBN
8) Help host blog tours / interview other authors on your site / post positive reviews for others
9) Order bling (postcards, business cards, etc.) from Vistaprint. Get on their mailing list, they send out free promotions all the time!
10) Free at Preditors and Editors: They will post a banner and link for first time authors for a month! Just email them.
11) Send out ARCs to sites that do reviews (Advance Reader Copies): In conjunction with a published review, provide excerpts, giveaways, and of course a banner with a link to where your book can be purchased. If you get postive reviews, make sure to ask the reviewer to post it on Amazon and wherever else your book is for sale. Here are some of the most popular, well-followed YA blog sites I found for book reviews:
www.iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com
www.lafemmereaders.blogspot.com
www.thebookishtype.blogspot.com
12) Manicreaders.com: create an author page and post comments; they have contests authors can promote
13) Goddessfish.com - online promo vendor that seems reasonably priced.
14) Remember to update your site(s) with new links as they become available (link to the buy site when your book is ready for purchase; link to positive reviews, etc.)
15) Email all of your contacts about your release and ask that they forward it
16) Hit your local media! Radio stations, newspapers, magazines and even television!
17) Issue a press release - most below are free!
http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/Instant-Press-Release.htm
http://www.free-press-release.com
18) Check out BlogAds.com - you might find some cheap advertising spots!
19) Get on release lists: (the below are YA ones)
www.thebookbreeze.com/For_Authors.html
www.mightyape.com.au/Books/Childrens-Books/Fiction/young-adult-roma...
20) Throw a launch party at your favorite hang out
21) Check into local book festivals or events to see if you can have a table or be a speaker
22) Be a speaker at schools
23) Advertise on websites: (below are geared toward YA or fantasy). Prices range from $6 to $150 per month.
www.bookshelvesofdoom.blogs.com
www.emilysreadingroom.blogspot.com
www.thebookbreeze.com/For_Authors.html
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR RELEASE!!! Jan
Hi Bridget! Yes, definitely copy and paste this or print it for future use! Over the next couple of months, I am going to be posting more detailed information about the points I have included, so I hope you check back! Jan
This is fabulously helpful! I want to keep it and be able to refer to it when my book gets published. Thanks!
Great idea Eileen!!!
For those of you who have mentioned that you have books coming out soon, too, here's another idea: start a SheWrites group for people with pub dates in February 2012 (or whenever). Someone did that for the month my book was released, and we were a great support for each other, mentioned each other's books on our blogs, etc.
you are adorable, too! Another reason they are gonna love your book!
Or should I say from your keyboard to readers' ears!!!
Thanks Brynne!! From your lips to readers ears! ; )
Congratulations, Jan! And thanks for sharing your GREAT ideas!! Good luck with your upcoming release! I have a feeling you are going to SOAR!!!:)
Hi Rebecca! Congrats on your upcoming release! I hope these ideas help you out! Jan
WOW! This is so exciting! I too have my first book coming out and this is so wonderful to see; I now have a better idea of marketing my book. A Million thanks! And good luck on your book!
You are most welcome Tania! I am glad you took the time to check it out, and hope you find it useful!
What a generous and inspiring marketing list. This is exactly what I love about She Writes, this kind of direct action networking. Thank you so much for setting this concret outline before us all to share.
Thanks Kakwasi!! Have a great day!
Thanks! This is so full of good information I printed it for future reference.
Thanks for commenting Nicole!
Eileen -Great point about bookstore and library events! I am adding that to my plan now!!! Thanks for sharing!
Good luck, Jan! You've already mastered what should be #1 for an author--start early! In addition to the things you've listed, I would add bookstore and library events. When I was promoting my most recent book The Wisdom to Know the Difference, I found it much easier to get news coverage when it was linked to an event, like a bookstore talk. It also gives you an excuse to post more frequently about your book on social networking sites because you'll have new events to announce, in which you can describe the book.
I'd love to hear what others have found to be particularly effective.
Thanks for taking the time to compile all of this, Jan. Good stuff! Congrats on your Feb release!!
I know, it is a bit overwhelming, just take it bit by bit - sorry about your headache Brenda!! : )
Thanks for all this yummy information. Be still my pounding headache and stuttering heart... So much to digest, but all helpful. Much appreciated.
Thanks for all this yummy information. Be still my pounding headache and stuttering heart... So much to digest, but all helpful. Much appreciated.
Hi Laura! Way to go on your release! I hope everyone finds something useful in here. I figured I might as well share it! I will be talking in more detail in the weeks to come about many of the points - I have tons of great resources still to post. I will try to let everyone know when I post - I am planning on Tuesdays and Fridays. Thanks for reading! Jan
Oh wow! This is terrific info! I'm in awe of how prepared you are! I'm planning a Feb '12 release too, and I'm no where near as well-planned! :o This will give me a good start though, so thank you!
Congrats on you release in March Chynna!!!!
PHENOMENAL tips here! I write YA too (just had my first novel come out in March, Blackbird Flies) so I could really use many of these. Thank you!
Chynna