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PART SIX ON BOOK PROMOTION
Some authors might disagree with this, but I think it’s crucial if you’re a self-published or indie author that you have an online media presence. If you’re trying to publicize your novel and you don’t have a website and you’re not active on sites like Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads, etc., you’re actually sabotaging your own success.
Step One:
I think all authors should do is create an “Amazon Author Profile” through Author Central to help promote your books.
Keep your Bio short and professional and include a link to your blog or website. The reason, I say keep it short and simple is because you want readers to visit your site to learn more about you and your books. Especially, if you have more than one book published, and so that you can drive traffic to your site and other social media links.
I have included my own Amazon profile as an example and I encourage you to visit my page to get an idea of how it should look.
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EXAMPLE OF PROFESSIONAL AUTHOR BIO:
Sherry Soule is an Amazon bestselling author and lives with her family and one very spoiled black cat in the San Francisco Bay Area. She's always wanted to live in a world where sweatpants are sexy, cupcakes don't make you fat, and she could adopt every homeless animal.
Many of her books have spent time on the 100 Kindle bestseller lists and have been nominated as Top Picks in the "Best Paranormal Romance" categories.
When she's not writing thrilling tales of romance and suspense, often mingled with a dash of the mystical and a splash of trendy fashion, you can find her watching Netflix, reading (often crushing on fictional characters), or hanging with her family.
Visit her online: www.sherrysoule.blogspot.com
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My author Bio is simple yet informative. And it gives potential readers some insight into my writing style and what type of books I write.
Step Two:
Use ONLY head shots as your author photo. Yes, I’ve uploaded some questionable photos of myself and even used “fake” images because at one time I wanted to remain anonymous. Or another option is to use your latest book cover as your profile picture.
Step Three:
I would put up a website or start a blog. Blogs are usually free if you’re on a budget and can look very professional if you hire a designer or use a premade template. If you’re not sure what to add to your site just browse around at other author’s sites to give you some ideas.
Make sure it easy to navigate and that you have links to purchase your novel(s). Basically, you’ll need these page posts:
Author Bio
Contact
Purchase Books
Author Bio
Contact
Purchase Books
Excerpts
Step Four:
Get a Twitter account and start following other booklovers, but please don’t spam every hour asking people to buy your books. It is tacky and rude. I post funny sayings and converse with other booklovers, and then occasionally, I’ll include a book promo with a link to buy my novel.
A great way to reach readers is to create a Twitter hashtag (searchable word phrase with a # before it) just for your books, your event, or any promos. For example, I use #StarlightSaga for my new YA PNR series.
Step Five:
Connect with bloggers who are not related to writing or book reviews, but blogs that feature a topic close to your novel’s theme or subject matter. Contact them to see if they’ll host a guest post.
For my YA novel, BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN, I contacted several true ghost story websites and horror lover forums and asked to post something pertaining to my series. And I contacted other writers and offered guest posts on writing and/or editing.Step Six:
Discover new book bloggers in your genre, and then follow their site, and start commenting on the posts and reviews. Make friends with these people. They are often the keys to a book’s success.
Step Seven:
Join Goodreads and offer a giveaway (print only). Connect with other booklovers on Goodreads through groups or discussions.
Step Eight:
Visit the libraries in your area, but don’t try to sell librarians your book. Just make friends with them and offer to do a book signing or reading. (Most library systems have acquisitions managers you can contact about stocking your books.)
Well, there you have it. Quite a few ideas for marketing your novel!
Also, my handbook "Get Book Reviews the WRITE Way" has TONS of suggestions on great ways to market your novel!
Hope this info helps. Best of luck!
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WRITING FICTION BOOKS
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