Marketing is a crucial piece of the puzzle when you have published a book. And when you have self-published, the responsibility is on you to either manage the effort or hire a professional to do so.
Luckily there are many avenues to explore for promotion that require very little money – but they do take some time and effort.
Whether you go it alone or hire someone, the number one rule for marketing your book is the same – you must add value.
How to Add Value When Marketing Your Books
So what does that mean? In our example, it means that the book itself is the product you are selling, but in order to attract an audience, you need to be giving something away, too. For writers, that something is usually information or entertainment.
Maintain a Website or Blog
It’s a great idea to establish a website or blog where you regularly share stories, tips, or tricks related to your niche. The free content serves two purposes. One is that it helps to establish you as an expert in your subject, and people are much more likely to buy from someone who has demonstrated expertise.
The other is that it generates impressions (views) for your product advertising. Just don’t forget to place a prominent link on the site that lets people know where they can buy.
Build a Social Media Following
Building a following on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter is an excellent way to distribute your free offerings. (We will discuss the method for establishing a strong base of social media followers in another post.)
However, if managing a blog seems like too much for you, social media can be a standalone effort. If you curate and share related material from other people, you can still establish a reputation as an expert on your niche subject. Ideally you can offer your own thoughts on the subject, too.
Network & Support Other Authors
Sharing the work of other similar authors is also a great way to establish a professional network. You will generate the kind of goodwill that could encourage them to share your links in return.
Ideally, your promotional base will include a combination of original and reposted content, along with the links that allow folks to buy your books.
Getting Started on Marketing Your Books
An easy way to dabble in distributing value-added content is to start a Tumblr account. Tumblr is a blogging site that allows you to put up personal posts, photos, videos, and even audio clips. You can also “reblog” content from the Tumblrs you follow, all for free.
Once you are comfortable there, consider investing in a WordPress website. It will be a platform that’s all about you and your books. Tumblr will continue to serve as a valuable distribution channel for the material you post on WordPress.
We are Here for You!
Marketing your books can be a time-consuming process. But you will find that all of your efforts, if consistent, will build upon each other.
Please feel free to drop us a line if you have any questions about achieving greater sales by giving something away for free.
