July 17, 2007

Hi all,

Here are some of my notes on self-promotion methods, taken during various workshops as well as some of my own thoughts. I will spend another post on the concept of the author website, since I have a lot to talk about there.

The Basics of Self-Promotion

You want to get the following out there:

• Your name
  
• Your website URL

For each book, you want to remind everyone of the above information, plus:

• Your latest book cover/publisher
  
• Your tag/pitch line
  

You can do this using a combination of web and public methods like:

• Your website
  
• Your publisher's/agent's websites
  
• Bloggers and book reviewer websites and message boards
  
• Your book on amazon.com
  
• Public speaking (schools, libraries, RWA, online chats)
  
• Giveaways/Contests (bookmarks, signings, etc)
  
• Conferences
  
• Newsletter
  
• Press - Your local paper, etc.
  
• Article Writing - RWR, etc.
  
• Author Blog and Podcast
  
• Book trailers (questionable benefit)
  

You want to generate a database of contacts, from friends who will read your book, to other writers, agents and publishers, book reviewers and bloggers.