I made a pretty huge announcement yesterday on my Facebook author page. Were you there? If so, thank you again for the overwhelming support. Isn’t it funny how sharing exciting news with your community makes it become suddenly celebration-worthy?
If you missed it, let’s recap… After many long hours, ups and downs of motivation, and lots of encouragement from friends and family, I will be releasing my debut novel, Someplace Familiar, in late May! In just a few short months, you’ll meet Livy and Jack and stroll with them through the quaint mountain streets of Laurel Cove, North Carolina. This is the first in a 4-book series, each book stand-alone, all set in this sweet fictional town.
Of course, I’ll be sharing more about this book that’s so near and dear to my heart in the weeks ahead. The inspiration for the story, the characters, my process, and the many partners I have in my wheelhouse helping to get the book ready.
But last night’s thrilling Facebook announcement “party” left me with thoughts about how to harness all of the genuine shared excitement of readers and fellow writers. In full disclosure, you all are an author’s best asset! Have you heard the adage that there’s no better marketing than a personal invitation? Chances are, you’ve read lots of books recommended in one way or another by someone you know.
So, if you’re curious about ways you can help your favorite author promote his or her new book, look no further.
- SHARE. You see on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. that one of your favorite authors has a new book coming out. You squeal with excitement into your phone or tablet. You spend the morning fist-pumping because that brand new contemporary romance e-book you’ve been waiting for is on sale for $0.99. Go all “Extra! Extra! Read All About It!” with that post and share! All social media platforms have Share tools built right in, so use them! Make that book news go viral!
- REVIEW. One of the best things you can do for a book’s success is review it! The more reviews a book receives, the more likely it is to be featured on lists curated by sites like Amazon, Goodreads, etc. Like above, be sure and SHARE your review once you’ve written it. Repost on your blog, social media, etc. Not sure what should be included in a review? The most helpful reviews often include a short plot review, your reaction (what you loved about it, what surprised you, which characters resonated with you, etc.), and maybe a comparison to other popular books so readers know what to expect. But please note, SPOILERS have no place in reviews!
- CREATE. I’ve seen you guys out there….you’re so creative! Use those skills to create visuals with your favorite line(s) from the book. I’ve seen some amazing ones on Instagram lately, like the one above created by reader/writer Toni Shiloh for author Pepper Basham‘s upcoming book Just the Way You Are. Even if you don’t consider yourself handy with design, there are tools out there that make creating memes and social cards super easy-peasy. Canva and the Ripl app are two that I’ve used and find super easy and fun. These become like free advertisements for books! And, remember to always tag and/or link your creations back to the author or buy page for an easy connection point.
- TALK. “Hey, read any good books lately?” Yes, you have! Chat about your favorite books and authors over coffee with friends, the Sunday family dinner table, the PTA meeting, at the park with other moms, to your dentist in between opening wide, when your UPS guy is waiting for your signature, in the long grocery store line, while huffing and puffing on the treadmill, while browsing at your favorite book store, to the librarian (ask them to get it; they might just seek out the book if they don’t already carry it!), or even your babysitter while you’re trying to figure out the latest payment app she’s using now. Use your voice!
- JOIN. I’m not the first author to see the potential in their excited readers. And we all love feeling a part of something EXCLUSIVE. So, many authors create “launch teams” for readers to join — members essentially become an extension of the authors marketing team, agreeing to be a cheerleader for the book in a variety of ways. This can include all of the above ways to promote and more! I’ve been a part of several launch teams and have really enjoyed feeling a part of making a book release successful. In case you’re wondering, YES, I’ll be having a launch team for Someplace Familiar. Keep an eye out for the invitation!
What other ways do you help promote books that you love?
Keep Reading…
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Book Review: Like Never Before by Melissa Tagg
Get EXCLUSIVE FIRST LOOK at Someplace Familiar‘s Cover!
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Disclaimer: I have not received payment for any affiliate links included within this post. All opinions expressed are mine and reflect my experience and preferences as a reader and customer only. Thanks!
