The World’s Best Book Marketing Tips

Okay, you knew you weren’t getting them, right? Because the number one tip is that there is NO magic equation, blog tour or secret sauce that holds the key to successful marketing. You just have to work hard. And that shouldn’t be a problem. If you have completed a novel, you are no stranger to hard work. But some times even with hard work the stars just don’t align. But today we’re thinking positive and that is the reason for “world’s best”.

There is something in that whole idea of “world’s best” that--though overused by pizza joints and coffee shops all over the Big Apple -- I respect. Sometimes you have to promote yourself and to do that you need to believe that what you have is what everyone wants. This is not easy to do. My day job is in television promotion and marketing and I have no problem promoting television channels, shows and events. When it comes to my own books, it doesn’t come as easy. But this is what I found works. Now I just have to close my eyes and force myself to do it.

Know your audience. Who are the people that want this book? Figure out your target and go for it. Where do those people hang out? Maybe you start going to there. What blog do they read? Maybe you pitch said blog an article about something relevant that can circle back to your book. Find an in.

Tell EVERYONE about your book. Really, what else do you have to say? No one wants to hear about the weather, your awesome vacation or how well your kids do or don’t do in school. You think you’ve found your audience (see above), but maybe your bus driver has a kid who would love your YA book. Who says your dry cleaner doesn’t read romance? Doesn’t everyone and their mother like a good mystery? They do. They also like finding out they know an author. When I found my dental hygenist was a new mom (and the perfect audience for my novel Momfriends), I told her all about  my book the second she took that suction thingy out. I made a sale and it bought me some time between scrapings.

Postcards I’ve posted about this before. They’re magical. They’re cheap. They’re lo-fi. They work.

Get a support group. Find a pal you can bounce things off of and find a group (like the girlfriends) who can help you figure things out and spread your good words.

Be authentic in social media. I think just about every girlfriend in this group would agree NO ONE wants constant “buy my book” messages. There is something so impersonal about social media, that you have to strive to share as much truth as you can. 

Finally listen to my 6^th grade English teacher. Terse concise and succinct was her writing advice. And I’m not telling you how to write your novel. You need one sentence or something catchy that can translate your book fast when people want to know what it’s about. Easier said than done, but you can do it. Why? Because you’re the world’s best terse, concise, succinct sentence writer.

Godspeed.

Ariella Papa is the author of Momfriends and other novels. Like her on facebook. Please.