Not so long ago, if an author was given a publishing contract, it most often included a marketing and promotions budget. Today those budgets have shrunk and some are even non existent. With the rise of self publishing, authors need to include a marketing and promotions plan and budget when looking at their projects.
Even when submitting manuscripts to traditional publishers (where the author is offered a publishing contract and is not responsible for the cost of production of the book), in some cases, an author is expected to supply a detailed plan of the steps they are willing to take to help market and promote their book. When you are querying publishers, it is important to have a plan which includes marketing and promotion.
Your marketing plan could be as simple as ensuring that you have a social media presence. Are you on one or more of the following: Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, and Twitter? If so, have you gained a following on your profiles? Do you have a YouTube account, of which you have posted some videos about you, or reading your work? Do you own a website or blog? If so, are they updated on a regular basis? Do you present your writing; do you offer a subscription service? Can you capture emails?
Promotion can include contacting your local newspaper(s) and requesting an interview and article. You could set up a launch for when your book comes out. This can take place at a local library or bookstore. You can compile a media package, including a press release, contact publishers information and business cards. On the internet, you can find sample ideas of promotions packages. You can also create and have printed some materials that can be given away at book signings. Don’t be afraid to investigate events and places where you could do book signings and readings. If you have written and had published a children’s book, are you willing to contact schools and offer reading services? Schools have many fairs and specialty events that take place throughout the year and are eager to have author presentations. You can investigate marketing opportunities where you write articles about your book’s subject. At the end of your article is a small blurb about you and your publications. This kind of promotion is priceless.
Some authors are introverts and the thought of public speaking is terrifying, but if you want to promote your new book, it is important to face the public and share your work. It is no longer feasible for published authors to assume that the publisher is going to take care of all the marketing and promotion and all the author has to do is sit back and wait for the royalty cheques to come in. In the case of self publishing, even if the printer offers a small marketing package, it never equals what you can do to promote your book yourself.
As you are creating your submission package to the publisher, be sure to give extra thought to the marketing and promotion that you could offer. If you are just starting out, and hope to be published one day, now it the time to create your online presence.
Tags: book marketing, book promotion
