A fantastic book without promotion is as much a losing proposition as a poorly written book with promotion. A brilliant product with superior promotion will most likely guarantee success. Whether your book is published by a major publisher, small press, or yourself, it needs to be publicized.

Publicist

Major publishing houses and even small houses typically hire a publicist to let book lovers know about your novel. The publicist assists the author in a variety of ways, such as arranging television appearances, setting up book signings, placing magazine advertisments, and sending out press releases. Self publishers also hire publicists to get the word out about a novel. 

Even authors who have major publishers behind their work occasionally advertise in various media outlets. Controlling where and how your book is promoted is a major benefit of purchased advertising. You can ensure that the release of your novel is timed perfectly with the advertisement. 

Web Site

An attractive web site is an essential way to promote your novel. It’s constant, twenty-four hour promotion. What’s more, your novel is available to book lovers worldwide.  Many are not aware how inexpensive, fun, and simple to design some web sites are.  

Television, Magazines, Radio, Newspapers 

Television, magazines, radio, and newspapers provide outstanding marketing opportunities because they reach massive amounts of people at once. Connect with the shows and publications you would like to be featured on or in and send them a press kit.

Book Video

A video for your novel is a new, effective, and entertaining way to promote. Authors can hire a company to produce their project, or take on the creative process and produce it themselves. Beautiful videos can also be created with still photographs set to music. If done effectively, this type of promotion can attract attention to your book and may increase sales. The links to the videos I produced for my company Allura Publishing are below.

Narcissa's Passion By Gerald Bishop - Click here to view book video
Passion, Romance, Seduction - Click here to view book video
Bliss By Loure' Bussey - Click here to view book video   

Cross-Media

Marketing your novel with tie-in products or properties is a superb way to promote. It offers something new to enjoy that is related to your story or characters. As well, it can lead to additional income. For instance, a novel about an interior decorator who creates decorative pillows could be linked with a homemade line of pillows.

Cross-Promotion 

Joining forces with one or more authors or businesses to get the word out about each of your novels or products can maximize your success. Authors who share the cost of an advertisement that features all of their books, is an example of this.      

Direct Mail

Because of the popularity of the internet, sometimes authors forget what a powerful promotional tool direct mail is. Everyone reads mail. Target your audience, write great copy, and produce eye-catching photographs. 

Sending emails and newsletters to your friends, family, and others who might be interested in reading your work is inexpensive and effective marketing.  However, research the rules of sending emails to a large number of recipients. You don’t want your email to appear as spam. 

Book signings and other events that offer the chance to meet book lovers are excellent. Not only do you have a chance to sell books, but there is something magical about connecting with a book lover and discovering what a story has meant to him or her.

*Book Promotion information is published by award-winning, best-selling author Loure' Bussey