Promoting and selling a book can be challenging, whether it's traditionally published or self-published. Here, in no particular order, are 17 things I've done with some success. If you're currently promoting and/or selling a book, you'll of course tailor your own initiatives to your own interests, abilities, and resources.
- Give talks on writing.
- Give talks on topics other than writing, i.e. topics relating to your book in some way.
- Write articles on writing and on relevant topics other than writing, and submit these to suitable magazines, newspapers, blogs, etc.
- Obtain reviews for your book. You usually have to ask for these. They don't come automatically. Sometimes you can barter your own services for a review, like perhaps critiquing a manuscript for another author. Encourage your reviewers to share their reviews widely—on Amazon, Goodreads, Chapters Indigo, Facebook, Pinterest, blogs, e-mail lists, etc.
- Approach book-related websites about featuring your book. Such sites usually do this for free.
- Offer your books for sale at markets, e.g. farmers market, artisan market. You usually have to rent a space, often for about $20. If you do this with another vendor or vendors, you can split the cost.
- Approach libraries about doing talks for them. They're not allowed to sell your book, but you can bring copies and offer them for sale.
- Speak at writers conferences. Speakers are usually allowed to offer their books for sale. Sometimes attendees also have this opportunity.
- Send press releases to TV, radio, newspapers, etc. Tailor these to the specific locations where the media are located. They're interested in local stuff. Your connection with a specific location doesn't have to be terribly strong. Examples:
-"As a child, I lived in xxx. I loved the wild roses that bloomed on the roadsides. Life wasn't easy, but those roses [here say something that introduces your book]."
-"When I visited xxx as a teenager, I [experienced--something positive]. Years later, it encouraged me [here say something that introduces your book]."
A lot of your press releases will simply be ignored. But some may result in you being interviewed and/or an article been written about your book.
- Make a Facebook page about your book. Make it separate from your personal page but linked to it.
- Make a website promoting yourself and your writing.
- Make a book trailer about your book. Put it on YouTube and similar. Link it to your website, etc.
- Start a blog. Write posts on various topics of interest. Include information about your book as appropriate—not too often.
- Do a book signing in a bookstore, café, etc.
- Contact book clubs about featuring your book. Volunteer to speak to them.
- Contact school/college/university teachers/professors about speaking to their classes.
- Leave copies of your book at bookstores and other retail outlets on consignment.
Here's a link to some of my specific promotion and sales activities during the past five years or so: https://elmams.wixsite.com/elma/talks-articles-etc
