Ask local un curso de milagros pdf if you can do an appearance or signings. Most small bookstores welcome this, and it benefits them as well. I recommend you offer the owner a flat fee or a commission for each book you sell. (FREE – can even pay for your other marketing efforts!)
+ Most public libraries will host local author appearances and readings, usually with themes such as “Women’s fiction”, “Black History / Literature”, “Hispanic Heritage”, “Mystery Month”, etc. contact them and see if they’ll feature you at one of those events. (FREE!)
+ Networking – attend parties, events. Dress to impress! A good place to start is ProfessionalNetworkingGroup.com, which hosts a networking event for local professionals every two weeks. Here you can make connections that can help you land work as a freelance copywriter, ghostwriter, gets your name out there, and may help you promote a book. Plus, they’re fun! (and FREE!)
+ Book Fairs – take advantage of your local market. Most cities and towns will host a book fair, and it’s usually not too expensive to get a booth. Or, you can buy a ticket to get into the book fair and give away business cards or copies of your book(s). (Cost will vary). An alternate FREE option is to volunteer for the event. Check the event website.
+ Reading clubs – These actually exist, and if you are an author people will buy copies of your book, read it, and sit around and discuss it over tea. Be sure to offer your books for a decent discount to the members of the club. You can find book clubs on Meetup or Booksprouts. PaperbackSwap is like Netflix for books, and you can lend out copies of your printed book in exchange for someone else’s. I recommend including a handwritten request on the inside cover for the borrower to rate your book on Amazon and Goodreads if they enjoyed it. (Free – can actually pay for your time!)
+ Writers clubs – such as those on Meetup (Free!)
+ Chatrooms – although dying out and becoming more focused on adult entertainment, regular chat rooms are still a great way to connect with readers. (FREE!)
+ Book Websites – such as Shelfari, Goodreads, Whichbook, Librarything, Gnooks, TheStaffRecommends, GetGlue, Blippr, 22Books. (FREE!)
+ Donate copies of your book to libraries and universities, or school libraries if a children’s book. Again, handwrite a note on the inside cover asking for the reader to rate your book and pass it along if they enjoyed it. ($5-8 per book print)
+ Post business cards (with tape if needed – but don’t damage property!) EVERYWHERE a lot of people can see them: bus stops, tables at Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts, mailboxes at apartment buildings, the checkout lanes at Target and Walmart, INSIDE SIMILAR BOOKS AT THE LOCAL LIBRARIES, on the shelves of your genre section at a large bookstore like Barnes and Noble (ask management if this is OK with them first), bulletin boards, grocery stores (usually have a bulletin board), doctor’s office waiting rooms (here you can leave copies of your book as well), movie theaters that feature a film in the same genre as your book(s). Get creative – but stick to places large numbers of people can see them, and display them prominently. ($10 for 250 cards, less expensive if you buy more)
Note: I tried leaving business cards door-to-door in my neighborhood, used 380 cards, and only got 1 new “Like” on my Facebook. The other way above works better. Also, If using this strategy be sure to avoid places in which the books are on timed consignment. That is, the books they have are on the shelves for 3 months or so and then unsold copies are sent back to the publisher. These places include Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, KMart, Target, etc. If you choose to do it anyway, make sure you only place your card in 1 copy of each title.
+ Make sure your cover looks good as a small icon. Remember that your book may appear on a list with several other books – and if your picture is a jumbled mess, nobody will click to learn more.
+ Similarly, make sure your business card catches people’s attention. Plain cards tend to get filed or thrown out without a second look. Use an eye-catching picture on it (not necessarily of you) and consider printing something unique on the reverse side (an excerpt of a story, pictures, motivational words, etc.) – things that will entice people to keep the card on their desk at work or fridge at home.
