Book Marketing Tips for Self-Published Authors

Recently, I attended a new science-fiction convention called OmegaCon in Birmingham, Alabama. At this convention, I had the opportunity to listen to and personally talk to a number of publishers from both large companies such as Tor and Baen books and small presses, such as Meadowhawk Press. Since even the big publishers were emphasizing that authors really need to do their own publicity unless they are Stephen King, David Drake, or Laurel K. Hamilton or a writer of that ilk, and of course, self-published authors and those who publish through small presses need even more ideas to publicize themselve, here are a few of the things I learned at Omega Con. I am reading books and studying to learn more about this, but these were great tips, too:

1) Make up a media kit, with a short bio, description of the book, postcards, bookmarks, etc.

2) Use flyers to advertise your book at events.

3) Make sure you have postcards and bookmarks to hand out to people wherever you go and put the book's ISBN number on it, if it has one (which it should.) Then, people can use that ISBN number to order the book at any bookstore.

4) Have a website and offer extra value such as articles, videos, etc. to get people over to it. Make sure to submit it to the search engines and use keywords wisely so people know your website is there.

5) Attend as many events as you can, smile, talk to people, and hand them your materials. Don't just put it on a table (but do that, too.)

6) Offer people something to make your material an event: For instance, Meadowhawk Press was giving a piece of chocolate to everyone who was wearing one of their buttons everytime they saw them. Offer a discount if the customer shows you their postcard, etc.

7) Think of ways to tie your book into local places or events. For instance, if you mention a certain town in your book, you can contact the Convention Bureau or the Welcome Center and offer to do a book signing. If you write about ghosts, like I do, offer to be a special guest at ghost tours, etc. If you write about gardening, offer to speak to garden clubs. If you're a Sci-Fi writer, talk to local sci-fi groups. You get the picture.

8) Find all the independent bookstores in your neighborhood and offer to do booksignings. Buy your own books and offer the dealers a portion of sales.

This is just a sample of some of the things I learned at the Con. I am looking forward to learning more with some of the recommended books, which I will review as I read them.