Coaching: Nonfiction Book Promotion
This
is the aspect of writing a book where authors so often drop
the ball. If you have a conventional publisher, you may think
the promotion will be handled for you. Unfortunately, unless
you are a celebrity or a best-selling author, promoting your
book is your responsibility. If you self-publish or
use one of the other methods, it is one-hundred percent your
responsibility.
So, where do you start? if you've done your planning (proposal)
you have identified your target readers. First question: how
can you reach those readers? Here are a few of the conventional
methods ...
- Brainstorm with your most creative friends; generate as many ideas as you can.
- Send advance readers' copies (ARCs) to book reviewers (stamp them "galley proofs").
- Submit articles on your topic to publications that target your readers.
- Share a table or booth with other writers at book fairs.
- Offer to give free presentations at bookstores that carry your book.
- Send direct-mail pieces about your book to everyone you can think of.
- Put together a press kit, and send it to local radio and TV stations.
- Launch a simple yet catchy Web site.
- Buy your own copy of 1001 Ways to Market Your Book by John Kremer, and read it!
