Creatively Expanding the Possibilities of Free (or low cost) Book Marketing

There are a lot of writers, authors, publishers, and marketers like myself that offer interesting advise on free or at least low-cost book marketng. Many can be found in excellent books like those from John Kremer, Carolyn Howard-Johnson, and Steve Weber. I also think that there also may be some overlooked things that can be done to generate links, both human and virtual, back to your book.

Maximize exposure on Amazon.com (and .ca, .co.uk, .fr, .jp, .de)

There are programs on Amazon that may boost an author’s book sales. Check out Amazon Connect at http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=15700651. According to Amazon, AmazonConnect gives artist blogs prime placement on the site by:

• Showcasing the three most recent posts by an artist on each of their product pages, directly below the Product Details.
• Surfacing an artist's posts on their customers' Amazon Daily.
• Posting every message an artist writes to their AmazonConnect blog.
• Featuring a link to the artist's profile page in a comprehensive AmazonConnect Directory (www.amazon.com/amazonconnect).

Dont forget the international market and look for the same features on Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca as well as the French and German couterparts, especially if you sprechen Sie die Lingua Franca.

Form Human Networks

If you are reading this, you already realize the effect from virtual social networks. But including the human element is a great way to get things moving. Most of my business is now from word of mouth because I put as much work into the "grip and grin" as I do with the "Internet spin".

Contact authors and business owners and inquire about partnership opportunities. Don't just stop at swapping links to each other’s websites, look for opportunities to work together on speaking events at local libraries and schools. It certainly depends upon the nature of your book, but a children's book author should work closely with the local libraries and schools to set up book-reading events or discussions. If you are a business book author, consider becoming involved in local Chamber of commerce memberships and events. As an author, you will be recognized as an "expert". Take advantage of the buzz.

Here's an idea - write your Congressman/Congresswoman. OK, sounds a bit bland, but those folks are tired of hearing the complaints of their constituents (I know, I live near D.C.), so give them something positive. Send your representatives your book for free. If the value is under $25, they don't have to claim it as an excessive gift or donation to the campaign. You can voice your appreciation for their hard work (even if they are from the other party), and provide them with the opportunity to understand the talents of one of the voters. Hey if they (or one of their staff) finds it interesting, you don't know where it could lead.

There is an author that lives only a few miles from me in the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland. He recounted in some of his correspondence that one day he received a call from a woman who got a copy of his book from a local reporter, and was asked to deliver it to a mutual aquaintence who happened to be an ambassador. This woman read the book and ended up liking it so much that she bought 27 copies, one of which ended up under the Christmas tree at the White House. President Regan was reported to have read a third of the book, The Hunt For Red October, that Christmas Day and liked it. The next thing to happen was that Tom Clancy was invited to lunch at the White House. You never know who knows who, so keep expanding that human network.

"Driving" Your Ad

This is just too easy, but so many folks overlook this obvious form of advertizing. If your car has a big back window, use it as ad space. I do, and yes, I can still see out of it. Have you ever seen back car windows with logos, stickers, tacky memorials, and other useless junk? Why advertize for someone else when you can advertise for yourself. Keep it simple - just use a title and a catchy domain name. If your current domain name is long, buy an alias domain name and forward it to your main one. Use the smaller, easier to remember ad on the car. A personal example can be found on my Almanack article titled Website Marketing located at http://almanack.prwp.com/website-marketing-20050830.php

Publish on the "Grid"

Participate in Forums and Message Boards is so obvoius as you are doing it right now. But don't forget those boards that are more in line with the topic of your book, not just the one's for authors. Publishing Articles is a very popular way to get publicity, but make sure that the service allows links back to your website.

BiblioScribe goes the extra mile on articles and press releases for our members as we look to present all the authors recent books on every article. That is controlled by the author placing those books in their BiblioScribe member profile, so every time they submit, the books will be there with links to various online booksellers. Click here for an example.

Also look for article and press release services where people can find all your articles with a "More from this Author" link.

Look at Your Own Email List and Use Other's Spam to Your Advantage

Everyone has a big personal email list. Use it to announce your book. Take advantage of the spam email you get from your crazy auntie who passes on Internet myths and urban ledgends from the early 80s. respond to her entire email list which includes you and everyone on HER email list about your book. Maybe you can relate the subject of her spammail to the subject of your book.

Cause-Based Marketing

Consider partnering with a literacy campaign or cause related to your book to which you will donate a portion of the proceeds. Not only does this set a great example to inspire others to help with your cause, but is also a means of putting you and your book in a positive light. Our personal cause is First Book.

Free Reviews

A couple of years ago I was asked in an email from Patricia Wall asking if I would review her Book "Child Out of Place". I told her that I would and would post the review/report on my Almanack page. Why did I do it? Because she asked. Don't be afraid to ask people in any media outlet if they will do this for you. The worst they can say is "no." You can also encourage them to post reviews on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Consider writing a description of your book in Wikipedia.com. I would caution that you should not make this article a sales pitch, but describe the book as a book report. You can still have links to your author website.

Fish Oil

Ok, you are thinking that this article was going well until you got to this part. A few years back, I had a triglyceride level of 650 (normal is 150). To avoid something as inconvenient as dying, I took fish oil as part of a diet that also eliminated raw sugars. In two weeks, the triglyceride count was down to 150, lost 10 pounds and found something quite unexpected. My imagination and creativity was increasing. My designs were flowing more freely from my head to my hand. My writing improved. Is there any basis in fact for this phenomina?

There is, but what is the benefit to you as an author? Part of looking at new ways to market yourself and your book involved creative thinking. I am no doctor, but there are some examples I found after my experience that confirmed what I felt:

The Omega wave - From the BBC

Feed Your Ideas - Brain Food

Anyway, even though Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial to overall health, take advantage of the increased concentration, focus, and creativity that can possibly be stimulated.

BiblioScribe.com - What's our angle?

The answer: To sell your book. Articles and press releases are syndicated at BiblioScribe to newsfeeds. Each article contains your book as well as other books in your personal profile. There are also direct links to your book at Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.ca, Barnes & Noble, Powell's as well as other domestic and international book sellers. BiblioScribe makes money from these companies by selling your book through our website and donating 10% of our earnings to First Book to provide new books to disadvantaged children. We also will offer in December 2007 premium designed, multi page author websites for only $449 - less expensive and higher quality than what the publishers will offer you.