Book Marketing Success Stories

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Penny Wantuck Eisenberg on March 22, 2009 at 10:22pm

Even if you're not famous, but do get published by a major publisher, the publisher will still expect you to do a lot of your own publicity. I had to hire a publicist for my first cookbook (Macmillan) because they had no plans to send me anywhere and did not have contacts within the Jewish community, my target audience. They did get me terrific press. My second book was published by another large company, Morrow. This time around I did not hire a publicist and sales fell well short of their expectations. They also did not send me on any tours - virtual or otherwise. So lots of these ideas are pertinent whether or not you do manage to get published.

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Permalink Reply by XoXo Publishing(TM) on August 21, 2009 at 7:56pm

great idea! book trailers are an awesome tool.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Tuohy Kiss of a Dolphin on July 20, 2007 at 9:26am

John

Thank you for the great advice. I would be interested in the details and the sites with foreign rights agents.

Tom Tuohy
www.kissofadolphin.com
www.dreamsforkids.org
dreams@dreamsforkids.org

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Permalink Reply by Diane Eble on July 22, 2007 at 8:57pm

A few weeks ago I did a Virtual Book Tour for one of my books, Abundant Gifts, that was going out of print. In one week I sold 124 books! Compare that to a traditional book store signing in which it's typical for few people to show up or buy the book. There was no travel involved, I got the email addresses of people who asked questions about my book's topics, and I am able to continue to promote this page, add to my email list, and sell books.

I also set up Virtual Book Tours for other authors, and even publishers are interested. I have set up a FAQ page with more information on Virtual Book Tours. I also have articles on my site about them. Finally, you can ask me any question you have about how a Virtual Book Tour can save you time and money, sell more books, connect you with readers, ignite word of mouth, build your mailing list--to name just a few of the benefits.

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Permalink Reply by Deborah Rummelhart on April 8, 2008 at 11:57pm

Hi Diane: I tried to link to your FAQ page but it did not work. I would be interested in any information you could give me on virtual book tours.

Best wishes,

Deborah Rummelhart

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Permalink Reply by Amy Barnes on July 31, 2007 at 4:37pm

Since my book is on soap making, I joined many and various soap making groups on Yahoo. I participate actively in these groups, and of course have a signature line that has a link to my book. I place ads on the days that they are allowed, but I feel that active participation and giving advice leads to more book sales. People perceive me to be an expert when they read my advice, then they click the link, and there you go.

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Copen on August 1, 2007 at 4:09am

Regarding MySpace... it depends on your topic. To promote National Invisible Chronic illness Awareness Week which we sponsor (I have illness books from a Christian perspective) we started a MySpace page and have had over 20,600 people in 2 MONTHS come from MYSPACE to our CHRISTIAN site... amazing! Many are from our MySpace page, but having it there, created a lot of people linking to it or talking about it so 200-400 people may come from someone else's MySpace site to our web page. Has definately helped book sales with us and on Amazon.com a bit. We've also sold more promotional goodies.

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Permalink Reply by KKBokovay on December 19, 2008 at 12:35pm

Hi Lisa. After you created your page on MySpace, how did people find your page?

KKBokovay

Find the Right Man--Doggone Good Advice
How I Found the Right Man for Me, Based on My Experience Finding the Right Dog!!!

www.freewebs.com/kkbokovay
kkbokovay@gmail.com

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Copen on August 1, 2007 at 4:22am

I had glossy laminated business cards done with the tabs on the top and cut for Rolodexes. Every person I hand it to says, "Wow! What a great card!!" and then they turn around and show someone else beside them, look at her card!"

The front/top says, "Illness Ministry Expert" and below says who I am, available for media, etc. The "back tab" says "ILLNESS RESOURCES" and lists a bit about my publishing company and my web site for the organization.

For packets at the trade show I had a 1/2 sheet that said how I once worked in a Christian bookstore and understand that most of it is ministry, so to please put the card on their rolodex and remember to refer people to us. I used glue dots to attach it. My hope is for any bookstore owners who don't buy the books, they will save the card and remember it when someone comes to the store and shares about their illness (happens a lot in Christian bookstores.)

I purposely used the word ILLNESS as the first word on either side so that's where it'd be filed. The bookstore owner can say, "I met someone who is an author who..." and hopefully (1) refer them to me (2) order a book for the person (3) keep ordering more books.

Who would have thought a business card would create such a fuss. Everyone raved like it was the best thing. Some said "do people still use rolodexes?" I do! but does it matter? At least I know it will likely make it HOME with them and stand out and get entered into their data.

Lisa Copen
Author, Beyond Casseroles: 505 Ways to Encourage a Chronically Ill Friend

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Permalink Reply by SusieSunshine on August 5, 2007 at 12:26am

I thought this was very creative, Lisa! Thanks for the idea! *smile*

Blessings from my spirit to your spirit!
Susie

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Permalink Reply by Kare Anderson on August 29, 2007 at 6:41pm

Share your book with Molly Lundquist's brand new, elegantly-designed and resource-packed new social network, LitLovers: http://www.litlovers.com/litclub.htm

Where can news about your book fit in what they offer?:
offer:

reading group guides
book recommendations
free online literature courses
book club resources
recipes from around the world
ideas for kids and teens
a cool chat forum

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Permalink Reply by Adrienne Zurub on September 1, 2007 at 9:51am

WOW! There are so many great ideas for marketing my book that I had not thought of! Thanks for this forum, the suggestions and the pure sharing (ie, bathrooms, grocery stores, bulletin boards, Rotary clubs, etc!)
I'm off!

Adrienne Zurub
Author of,
'Notes From the Mothership ~ The Naked Invisibles' due out November 2007
http://adriennezurub.typepad.com
http://chasewunderlickpublishers.com/cn

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