It's that time of year when the kids are heading back to school and the rest of us are making plans to get out and enjoy the last warm days of summer. With the change in season and return from vacations (hopefully tanned and rested!), it's time to get serious about promoting your book again. Whether you're a first-time author or a seasoned pro, there's still a lot to do in the way of footwork to ensure that readers know about your book.
Here are a few tips for getting back out there and promoting your book this fall:
1. Sign up to speak at conferences and special events
2. Sign up for book fairs, street fairs, and fall festivals
3. Submit your book to traditional and online book reviewers
4. Contact your local library to schedule an appearance
5. Submit your book to contests and award programs
6. Apply for artist residencies and fellowships
7. Contact blog sites related to your book and set up a blog tour
8. Attend a writers conference near you
9. Join a book promotion group (can’t find one? Start one yourself!)
10. Contact local schools about speaking
11. Start a blog, guest blog on other sites, or beef up your own blog
12. Write articles about your subject matter
13. Update your website
14. Use social networking sites (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) to update fans about your book
15. Upgrade your promotional items - create new bookmarks,posters, and giveaways
16. Set up consignments at local stores, and check in with those that already have your book on display
17. Create an FAQ or Q & A sheet
18. Get new testimonials from recent readers
19. Contact a book club and offer to speak
20. Wear a t-shirt with your book cover on it to the gym, grocery store, bank, etc.
21. Make business cards with your book cover on them and leave them everywhere you go: at restaurants, in stores, libraries, schools, etc., and include them in return envelopes that come with bills and mailers
22. Create a car magnet sign highlighting your book and where to order it
23. Donate your book to charity auctions
24. Write a press release about something recent that’s happened with you and your book and post it on free wire service websites
25. Volunteer your time for a worthy cause (a great way to help others and let them know about you and your book at the same time!)
You get the idea...there are lots of opportunities out there for telling the world about you and your book. Happy promoting -- and happy fall!
