Promoting Your Poetry Book
At long last your book is finished. As a self-publisher poet it is up to you
to market your anthology or chapbook. Self-publishing requires you to
self-market successfully. Marketing your book can become a full time job and it
isn’t going to happen overnight. So you might be asking yourself, where do I
begin to market my book??
Website
Create a website to showcase your book. Did you know that blogging is a great
way to advertise your book? Google bot crawls blogs more often, than other web
sites. If you would like a professional website and know little about creating a
website, I recommend hiring a web designer.
http://invision-graphics.com offers
writing templates and book covering design.
Reciprocal linking
Once you have a website, you can generate targeted traffic through reciprocal
linking with related high traffic web sites.
Join a Community
Online communities and discussion groups are a great way to meet people. Most
communities do not allow advertising. So if you jump right in advertising your
book, you may find yourself removed. Instead join in a few discussions. Once
people have gotten to know you, then you can advertise that you are having a
book signing or a poetry reading.
Author Interviews
Sites like http://todayswriting.com that focuses on literature, also run author
interviews. This is a great promotional tool and you can also link to the author
interview. Many websites that offer interviews also offer to review your book. A
Google search will pull up other sites that are willing to interview new
authors.
Poetry Readings
Set up a poetry reading at your local public library, coffee shop, card shop or
book store. You can get the word out about your reading via your local radio
station, news paper and the Internet.
Reviews
Reviews are a great way to see if your poetry anthology has any merit. Reviews
will help increase your book sales. Join an online writing forum like
todayswriting.com. This is a great way to get reviews. Offer to review other
poet’s books in exchange for them reviewing yours. Hire a book reviewer. A
Google search will pull up directories of book reviewers.
Library
Ask your local library to order a copy of your book.
Distribution
Visit your local book stores and try to set up a meeting with the manger. Most
book stores will take your book on a consignment bases and while you are there
you can discuss having a poetry reading and offer to do a book signing. Book
stores love to have promotional events and poetry readings and book signings are
an easy way for them to bring customers into their store.
Radio
Mail or fax your local radio station. Let them know that you are a new local
author and you were wondering if they would like to interview you. Author
interviews can be a powerful selling tool on your book.
Press Releases
Write a review of your book and see if your local paper won't run the review.
Don’t be afraid to send a press release more than once. You can also submit a
free press release to prweb.com or pr.com.
Advertising
Include a blurb about your book at the end of each email you send.
Market your book through articles you can submit to ezines.
Promote your book through flyers you can distribute. Some websites are willing
to add swamp. ( You place your book or banner on their site and you place theirs
on your site)
Paid advertising (todayswriting.com offers affordable advertising and we will
create a custom designed banner for you.)
Marketing a book isn’t really as hard as it looks. These tips might help you
with the challenges you face as a new author. Now that you know the steps, it is
time to make a name for yourself. Get the word out, have fun and enjoy your
journey.
Rose DesRochers is the founder of Today's Writing Community
http://www.todayswriting.com, a
supportive online writing community. Rose is also the founder of Blogger Talk
Blog Community http://www.bloggertalk.net,
a friendly fast growing blogging portal.