15 Ways to Promote Your Book Without Much Money
You finally wrote and published your masterpiece, and now it's time to get the word out. These fifteen ideas will help you promote your book and develop a fan base that will follow you through your writing career.
1. Do a Photo Shoot for Your Book
Once you have a physical copy of your book, try a photo shoot where your book is the model. Photograph the cover, your favorite pages, and maybe someone reading it. If you use a high quality camera, you'll be able to use these promotional images for the rest of your campaign.
2. Post Frequent Updates
Whether you're using Facebook, Twitter, or a blog on your website, it's important to stay in touch with your fans. Post frequent updates with quotes from your book, pictures, and dates when you'll be at book signings.
3. Make a Goodreads Page
Goodreads is basically Facebook for authors and readers. If you make an author page, you can see statistics about your book, read reviews, connect with fans, and even run a giveaway.
4. Run a Giveaway
Giveaways are great for drumming up interest. Everyone who signs up for the contest is a potential reader. Even if they don't win, they may still end up buying a copy.
5. Write Guest Blog Posts
Try writing guest posts for blogs with an audience similar to yours. The blogger gets a free post, and you get a link to your book right at the top of the page.
6. Start an Online Group
Both Goodreads and Facebook let you start a group discussion about your book or a related topic. This can be a great way to connect with readers and create a community centered around your writing.
7. Hold a Virtual Book Signing
Set up a live stream for a specific date, and tell your fans well in advance. Let readers pre-order books to be signed on the live stream, and have extra copies that they can purchase while they're watching.
8. Read an Excerpt of Your Book
A live stream is also a good way to hold book readings for online fans. If you don't want to go live, you can record a video to put on Youtube - and then link to on social media.
9. Ask for Fan Photos
Once you have fans, you can ask them to help you take promotional pictures. Give a free copy of your book to whoever takes the best fan photo; you'll be surprised at the results.
10. Get Your Book in Other Newsletters
If you subscribe to any newsletters that relate to your field, see if they'll highlight your book. They already have an audience, and if you read the newsletter, you know others will too.
11. Be a Guest on a Podcast
Podcast listeners are also often readers. Look for a podcast you like, and see if they'll have you on the show as a guest.
12. Record an Audio Book
An audio recording of your book opens up your potential reader base to people who can't or don't have time to read physical print. If you have the budget, a professional narrator can make your book sound amazing.
13. Commission Artwork
If you wrote a novel, readers may want to know what your characters look like. Find an artist you like and ask them to draw your protagonist. Then post it on social media.
14. Make a Book Trailer
A book trailer is like a movie trailer, but for your book. Include appropriate theme music, a few lines from the book itself, and plenty of relevant imagery.
15. Write Another Book
Many readers fall in love with an author and end up buying their entire collection. Write more books and keep promoting; your fan base will keep growing with you.
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