Networking and promoting, what works?

[Jessica Crawford Vernold]

What methods of book promotion and marketing have worked best for you? Basically, how do you get the most bang for your buck? I am looking to network with people like everyone here. I would love to here ideas and advice on how I can promote my book and site, what has worked best for everyone else, and trade secrets. If we can network to help each other, that is great.

[Andrew Levkoff]

Another hat tip to you, sir. I am finding myself tuckered out with even the portion of your list in which I participate. It can become discouraging, especially when there is real writing to be done. I think we all have to ask ourselves, "What do I want out of this?" If it's making money, all of Richard's suggestions and more need to be pursued diligently (unless we're Amanda Hocking, etc.).

However, if we are in it to pen it, I think maybe seeking reviews and entering literary contests may have the most return on the investment of our time.

[Jessica Crawford Vernold]

Yes, it can certainly be taxing and I know it takes me away from writing when I am focusing on promoting.

[Dee Ernst]

It's important to keep to your genre.  You need to spend lots of time and energy here, so keep focused on your target audience.  If you find a blog/review site that reviews your genre, check out their blogroll.  Chances are, you'll find similiar sites.  Then check THEIR blogroll. LibraryThing did nothing for me, but Goodreads netted some interest.  Cruise Kindleboards, but don't spam - they'll eat you alive over there. Amazon has Meet The Author boards that get lots of traffic.  Good Luck.

[Jessica Crawford Vernold]

I will check your site. I like that you coordinate them, that is something I would definitly need help with.

[SmatteringsBooks]

Thanks for posting your link.

 

[W.J. O'Neil]

After reading the replies I agree totally with them. With self promotion its an everything and anything sort of game. Try whatever feels right. I read about one author who gave away $100 dollars in free coupons from various sites to anyone buying her book. Some said it was improper but the author sold over 300 books in her first hour through sites like amazon. Now she has a field of followers and is doing good. I've even gone as far as offering my autographed books at the lowest cost possible in direct sales through my website. Another popular thing is the eBook format. Some popular .99 cent eBooks have sold thousands and increased an authors print books as well as enlarged their fan base. The important thing is to get known first. Everything else will follow afterwards. I wish you the best of luck and great success in whatever you try.

[Jessica Crawford Vernold]

I love gaining wisdom from others. You are right, getting a fan base first would be key.

 

[Peter Jones]

It is important do cover as many areas as possible.

If you think of a soap powder and then all the places where you see that either on a shelf or advertised then you need to be thinking the same way to promote your book and you as an author. Both are 'products' that you need to keep as visible as possible.

Twitter and Facebook are great for me but you need to like doing it or maybe consider employing someone to do those for you (can recommend a great person if you decide to go down that route) if you don't.

Blogging on your own and other sites will get you in front of other audiences too.

Although some people will buy a book on impulse you need to pop into the head of someone just as they think 'what shall I read next?' so exposure is key - just like with the soap powder.

[Jessica Crawford Vernold]

I agree, the more you do in general the better. It's all about exposure. And the things you have mention are little or no cost.

[Robert Lee Beers]

I find that good reviews sell, probably even better than ads. The reading community is incredibly grassroots oriented. With that in mind, I would like to find out where I can offer eBook copies of my works for review on this site.

[Jessica Crawford Vernold]

That's an awesome question. I too would like to offer mine for those willing to read and review. I am too new to know the answer off the top of my head, but I will look around.

[Dream]

Hello,

 

If authors like you are looking to promote your book, you can use 'Dream' ( http://www.dreamonus.com/books ). Its a website for book giveaways :)

 

We are currently working doing giveaways for St. Martins Press, Atria and Pocket Books- Division of Simon and Schuster, HarperCollins.

 

Bests, 

 

Dream 

www.dreamonus.com

http://twitter.com/#!/dreamonus

[e-mail]