• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Reading
    • Blog
    • On Writing
    • Interviews
    • Famous Authors
    • Stories
    • Poetry
  • Writing
    • Writing Tips
    • Writing Inspiration
    • Playground
    • Writing Prompts
  • Publishing
    • Publishing Tips
    • Literary Magazines
    • Book Publishers
  • Promotions
    • Book Promotions
    • Promoting Tips
    • Classifieds
    • Newsletter
  • Submit
    • Submit
    • Privacy Policy

EveryWriter

A New Community of Writers

10 Ways to Promote Your Book

March 15, 2017 by admin 2 Comments

We were all so relieved when book publishing became fast and easy. Everyone believe they could realize their dream of publishing their book. We quickly found out, publishing is the easy part. If you don’t promote your book it won’t sell. So here are 10 ways to promote your book.

10 Ways Promote Your Book

 10 Ways to Promote Your Book

1. Build an author’s website

If you build a website do not build a book specific website! We have written several articles that talk about building a website, and as we said in those articles build a site that promotes you! Who you are AND the book. Many authors feel if they build a site to promote the book, the book will sell more because it has its own website. This is not the case. The internet doesn’t work that way. You need to build a brand. As an author your name IS the brand. So build a site that promote you as the author. Of course then when your second book comes out, you won’t have to do this process all over again.

 

2. Create social networks

You need to begin promoting your website and your book. The best way to do this is through social networks (there are other ways, but this is the FREE option). Join Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Linked In to start. You don’t really want to go crazy with it and post on 100s of social networks. The problem with starting 100 different profiles, is that it will eventually do you as much harm as it does good. At first you’ll start these many many profiles with the intention of keeping up with all of them. What will really happen is you will forget or simply stop posting on them, and then people will think that your brand has died. Just start with the basic sites. If you find that you like the social-network approach, you can expand later.

 

3. Write a Press Releases

You should always have a well written press release handy. You should send these press releases to local media and media sites on the web. If you have funding you can use a site like prweb.com. They, for a price, will distribute your news to 100s of news sites and newspapers. Just keep in mind that those sites do not have to run your press release. It’s a dice roll really. A good press release is essential.

 

4. List on Amazon

I won’t go too deeply into this. Many authors publish through Amazon, or it’s a no brainier that you should be listed on Amazon. It is essential and obvious, but just in case some small press author doesn’t know, make sure you list your book with Amazon.

 

5. Business Cards

I know this sounds weird as an author, but you should have something to give to people to let them know where to go to buy your book. To really promote your book you want to do lectures, readings or even trade shows. Make sure that you have something to give to people who show an interest. I recommend making business cards or bookmarks to hand out to people. You can design your own at Vistaprint (they are very good and affordable). If you do not have copies of your book this is the best way to go. I would make these cards or book marks about the book and not about YOU. If you are running a service you can certainly put your face on the bookmark, but if you are selling your book, I think product specific cards and bookmarks are best (just an opinion). Make sure your website is listed on the card, and make sure you have a scanable UPC: you can make one here: http://goqr.me/

 

6. Lectures/readings

Reading your book to the public can be a powerful way to sell copies. Yes you can even promote your book in the real world. I highly recommend that you begin calling coffeehouses and even universities in your area. Many coffeehouses and bookstores are really looking for people who can bring people into their stores. Readings are a great way to get people interested. When you do a book or poetry reading spend some time on what you are going to read and what you are going to say. Planning it out is a very good idea. You can also contact libraries and look for trade shows or book fairs.

 

7. Book launch/website party

When you first publish your book you want to have a party. You can do this at a local bookstore, if they are interested. You should at least have your friends and family come, but if you can afford to rent a small venue so that the public can come, it will be worth your while. You can try to set this up at your local library, a nice restaurant, or anywhere the public can sort of walk through to get exposure.

 

8. Places for Authors

Finding services on the web that promote books is getting easier. A year ago this wouldn’t have made the list, but now more and more sites are letting authors promote their works. We have our Self-Published and Small Press Book site. Go here and fill out our form and your book will soon appear on our site. Please also go here and sign up so that you can promote other authors (your listing will be emailed to the list).

 

9. Literary Magazines

There are 1000s of literary magazines out there, and many are looking for content. Go here, to our literary magazine database, find 10 literary magazines, contact them and ask if they will publish an excerpt from your book or do an interview. I would guess that every other one will accept your work or the interview. You can also send poetry or short stories to be published in the lit mag. Make sure you have a link to your book in your bio.

 

10. Make a book trailer

Book Promos/videos have become very popular on the web. It’s basically a commercial for your book. Given the popularity and ease of watching video online, as well as the traffic on YouTube, making a book video is a great way to promote your work. I don’t this one might be free. A video promo will help. It’s not the end all of promotion, but it does help. If you have a little cash to spend or if you have the skill to do this yourself, don’t skip it. If it’s not in the budget you can get by without it.  

Filed Under: Featured

About admin

Richard Edwards is a writer and an educator and the owner editor of Every Writer. Follow him on Twitter, and check out our Submissions page.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jeanine says

    February 24, 2014 at 12:53 pm

    Great tips to promote my book when I finally finish it.

    Reply
  2. Tim Rogers says

    February 27, 2016 at 3:37 am

    I’d be curious to know what format most visitors to this site are reading their books in these days?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Buy Our Print Magazine


Buy the issue!

Sign up and get a FREE digital copy of our magazines!

Ad




Contest Winners!

We apologize for the long wait on our print magazine. We’ve had numerous issues with publishing and our site over the last few month. We are canceling our Halloween issue this year, sadly. Our science fiction June issue is still in the works.

Get ready to unleash your inner horror maestro in the spine-tingling 2023 Eat Your Soul 50 Word Halloween Contest!  Share your most blood-curdling, hair-raising 50-word horror stories below, and brace yourself for the terror-fueled showdown of the year. 

Search

Writing Prompt

science fiction writing prompt

50 Fantastic Science Fiction Writing Prompts Here are 50 fantastic writing prompts that will get you writing sci-fi. If you use one of prompts to write a story, we’d love to read it! Send it to us.  In a future society where humans have achieved immortality, a rebel group arises seeking the right to die. […]

Contests

2023 Souls of Darkness 50 Word Halloween Story Contest!

Get ready to unleash your inner horror maestro in the spine-tingling 2023 Eat Your Soul 50 Word Halloween Contest!  Share your most blood-curdling, hair-raising 50-word horror stories below, and brace yourself for the terror-fueled showdown of the year. 

Winners of our Q2 2023 Contests!

Here are the winners of our Q2 2023 contests! Congratulations to all of you. We have picked places 1,2,3, and some other entries. We’ve marked our top 3 winners, but anyone listed here will be in our upcoming print magazine.

Menu

  • Home
  • Publishing
    • Indy Book Publishers
    • Literary Magazines
  • Writing Lab
    • Articles On Writing
    • Writing Prompts
  • About Us
    • About Us
  • Submissions
  • Social
    • Activity
    • Profile
    • Notifications
    • Messages
    • Forums
    • Settings
    • Log Out
    • Log In
    • Register

Playground

2023 Souls of Darkness 50 Word Halloween Story Contest!

September 13, 2023 By admin 9 Comments

Get ready to unleash your inner horror maestro in the spine-tingling 2023 Eat Your Soul 50 Word Halloween Contest!  Share your most blood-curdling, hair-raising 50-word horror stories below, and brace yourself for the terror-fueled showdown of the year. 

Winners of our Q2 2023 Contests!

July 3, 2023 By admin 6 Comments

Here are the winners of our Q2 2023 contests! Congratulations to all of you. We have picked places 1,2,3, and some other entries. We’ve marked our top 3 winners, but anyone listed here will be in our upcoming print magazine.

 2023 50-Word Science Fiction Story Contest

March 17, 2023 By admin 31 Comments

Join our 2023 50-Word Science Fiction Story Get in Our Issues Contest!

2023 50 Word Horror Story We Miss Halloween Contest

January 15, 2023 By admin 36 Comments

  Welcome to our 2023 50 Word Horror Story We Miss Halloween Contest. Everyone wishes they had 2 Halloweens, but no one will listen. Being that I’m missing Halloween, I need horror stories and lots of them. So post your 50-word horror stories in the comments below. The winner gets free promos on our site, […]

More Posts from this Category

Our Blog

2023 Souls of Darkness 50 Word Halloween Story Contest!

September 13, 2023 By admin 9 Comments

Get ready to unleash your inner horror maestro in the spine-tingling 2023 Eat Your Soul 50 Word Halloween Contest!  Share your most blood-curdling, hair-raising 50-word horror stories below, and brace yourself for the terror-fueled showdown of the year. 

Winners of our Q2 2023 Contests!

July 3, 2023 By admin 6 Comments

Here are the winners of our Q2 2023 contests! Congratulations to all of you. We have picked places 1,2,3, and some other entries. We’ve marked our top 3 winners, but anyone listed here will be in our upcoming print magazine.

Top 11 Science Fiction Short Stories Everyone Should Read

April 27, 2023 By admin 2 Comments

Below are the top 11 science fiction short stories everyone should read, but here are a few things to remember about this list before I get hate mail. First,

Top 10 Science Fiction Movies (by Script)

Top 10 Science Fiction Movies (by Script)

April 16, 2023 By admin 2 Comments

So here is my list of the Top 10 Science Fiction Movies by Script. There are a lot of amazing Science Fiction movies out there.

Should You Self-publish Your Book

Should I Self Publish My Book?

April 8, 2023 By admin 3 Comments

Should I Self Publish My Book? If you are thinking about self-publishing vs. traditional publishing, we have another article

Nine Ways to Cure Writer’s Book for Novelist

Nine Ways to Cure Writer’s Book for Novelists

April 7, 2023 By admin 3 Comments

when I’m facing a severe spell of writer’s block. Here are Nine Ways to Cure Writer’s Book for Novelists

how to publish a book

How to Publish a Book: A complete guide

April 7, 2023 By admin 9 Comments

How to Publish a book: In today’s world, choice is everything. If a publisher’s door closes, a publishing window will open, but there are vast differences in publishing options in the 21st century.

10 Words Editors Hate

10 Words Editors Hate: Do not use!

April 7, 2023 By admin 14 Comments

Yes some overused loaded words turn editors off, and I think these are 10 Words Editors Hate. We are talking about literary writing here. Generally,

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are as essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
SAVE & ACCEPT