Let’s start with the good news. In my opinion here are a few marketing ideas / promotions which might help your book to sell better:
1. BookBub promotions:
Yes they are expensive, but most authors who get accepted do notice a rise in their book’s ranking. The trick is to get accepted in the first place – I’m still trying!
2. Guest posting on more popular blogs:
Check out the more popular blogs that accept guest posts and write some good content. Your own blog’s site will feature all your books somewhere on the side bars I expect, so there’s no need to keep mentioning them.
3. Winning a reputable writing competition:
You can gain some kudos by doing this, and thereby win followers who will check out your books because they are interested.
4. Give one book away free on Draft2Digital:
If one book is free on Draft2Digital it then becomes free on many popular digital sales channels. People will download your work because it’s free, and they may then be interested enough to check out your other books.
5. Gaining good reviews on Netgalley:
These are honest reviews not given by family, friends or by any other authors you’ve agreed to swap reviews with. They will stand you in good stead in the long run.
6. Write good content for your blog that people will want to read:
This includes making sure the spelling and grammar are correct. Nothing puts me off sooner than a blog full of mistakes and bad English.
7. Add a couple of chapters on Goodreads.
I’ve had lots of interest in my work this way.
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Okay, so here’s a few more that are not worth getting out of bed for:
1. Cover reveals:
Who cares? Readers want to be enthralled by words, not the cover. Nothing puts me off more than an invite to yet another cover reveal.
2. Continually spamming social media with ‘Buy my book’ messages:
Again, who cares? Twittering and Facebooking ad nauseam makes a huge spam sandwich that nobody wants to eat.
3. Blog tours:
You might gain more interest in your book from a tired sloth with a full belly.
4. Launch parties:
Don’t bother, because everyone suddenly finds an excuse not to be at the party. You’re the only one there and you spend all night talking to yourself.
5. Constantly sending out messages for people to subscribe to your website:
Just make the form available. They’ll subscribe if they’re interested. If they do this voluntarily, then they’re less likely to unsubscribe.
6. Signing with a small publisher who asks for ‘set-up fees’:
They’re trying to make a profit, and a part of your royalties, dear author, is the answer to their dreams!
Can you think of any more? If so, please let me know!
Pingback: SENIOR SALON ROUNDUP: JUNE 18 - 22, 2018 ~ Esme Salon
Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Esme.
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rishavkashyap said:
https://http248447595.wordpress.com/
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acflory said:
Great post, Stevie, and I totally agree. Just one question thought, how do you go about sharing an excerpt on Goodreads? My blog posts show up there, I think, but I find the interface too complicated to spend much time there myself.
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Stevie Turner said:
Oh goodness, I managed to do this a few years’ ago but have had a look and unfortunately cannot remember now. It’s best you ask one of the librarians I think. Thanks for your comment.
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acflory said:
That’s okay. I’ll make a note to check it out later.
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robbiecheadle said:
I agree with all your points, Stevie. They are all valid; positive and negative.
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Stevie Turner said:
Cheers Robbie.
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Anna Dobritt said:
Reblogged this on Anna Dobritt — Author.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog!
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Don Massenzio said:
Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented:
Check out this great post from Stevie Turner’s blog with some book promotions that are worth your time and trouble and others that are not.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks Don for the re-blog.
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Don Massenzio said:
You’re welcome.
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cookandenjoyrecipes said:
Stevie, I tried to share this post on my FB page, but for some strange reason, I receive a “Page not found” error. This is just an FYI, and not sure if it’s just my system.
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Stevie Turner said:
If you try again it may work?
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cookandenjoyrecipes said:
Stevie – still the same error message, but I have in the interim tweeted it. Not sure why I am unable to FB your post as I did manage to FB the other Senior Salon posts.
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Stevie Turner said:
Nobody else has mentioned this problem. Not sure why you cannot access my post.
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cookandenjoyrecipes said:
Not sure, but it’s still the same, but I will copy the link and then share on my FB page
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Stevie Turner said:
Thank you.
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cookandenjoyrecipes said:
Nope, did not work 😞
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dgkaye said:
Some good ideas here Stevie. I might look into putting up a few chapters on GR. I agree with most of your ‘do nots’, but many a book is picked up for an eye catching cover, even if the writing inside becomes misleading, lol. And I’m with you on blog tours. They’re a lot of work to babysit and promote, and usually you’ll find the same post in your usual circles of posts you visit. I applaud those who take the time. I don’t ever ask anyone to share my posts, it’s always a lovely surprise to find someone sharing them without asking. I do that with many blog posts and I find people naturally reciprocate when I come out with a new release. Sharing is a good thing. 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Yes, blog tours are a waste of time. Sharing is good!
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dgkaye said:
🙂
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roseenglishukauthor said:
Reblogged this on Rose English UK and commented:
I love this blog from Stevie Turner if you are thinking of doing any #BookPromos then this is well worth a read
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog!
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roseenglishukauthor said:
Some great tips thanks for blogging in the first place 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
You’re welcome.
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claire plaisted said:
Reblogged this on Plaisted Publishing House and commented:
The dos and don’ts of book promotion. I like some, others I don’t. It is great to share opinions and what works for some and not others. I always think it depends on who you are working with and how much work is put into promotion. Thanks for the post 🙂
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for re-blogging. Which promotions do you like?
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claire plaisted said:
I like Events and Blog Tours….Like you say both went out of favour though if you get a good company to assist them they work really well. I actually run a Marketing Magazine which goes worldwide and is free. I can’t afford Bookbub, so this is my way of helping others out there.
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Stevie Turner said:
Ooh, a marketing magazine! I’d be interested in promoting my upcoming new publication in that if possible?
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claire plaisted said:
Hey Steve. You’d be welcome. You need to go to http://www.facebook.com/groups/indiepublishingnews and join. For FREE marketing any month you need to sign up for the magazine so you can share your news and everyone elses. If you want to look at time magazines you can find them on this website 🙂 Though I do need to update it…
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks. Will check this out when I come back from holiday.
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watchingthedaisies said:
Thanks Stevie. I must investigate Netgalley.
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jenanita01 said:
Several ideas here that I haven’t thought of, so many thanks, Stevie!
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Stevie Turner said:
You’re welcome.
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jenanita01 said:
Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for the re-blog!
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Pingback: Book Promotions Worth Your Time – The Militant Negro™
Stevie Turner said:
Thanks for sharing.
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