Congratulations!
You did it. You actually did it. Has it sunk in yet? You said you were going to write a book, and you wrote a mother trucking book. You poured your heart and energy and God given (or hard gained) talent into it. So, um, now what?
Say It Loud, Say It Proud
If a writer publishes a book, and no one knows it, are they really an author? (You saw what I did there, right?)
The answer is, “Yes, but… “
- Don’t you want people to know?
- Don’t you want to sell books?
- Don’t you want to celebrate your accomplishment?
I have to assume the answer is yes to all the above. Otherise, this post is pointless. I totally get it iff you poured all your focus into the writing and publishing process and pushed off the promoting part. After all, without a written, published book, there is literally nothing there to promote!
Still, I’m kind of hoping you’ve taken advantage of my FREE Write>Publish>Promote Timeline to help you prepare. BUT if you didn’t, and you’re in the WTF do I do now stage, I got you, babe.
Let's DO This
We’re going to treat this as though you’re at ground zero of this phase. Anything you’ve already done (or refuse to do), just give it a mental CHECK & move on.
- Create an Author Page across social media & a VIP group for your readers on Facebook. Yes, even if you hate social media and never use it in your personal life. If you want to sell books, you need to have a presence.
- Ask your ENTIRE friends list to LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE your author page. INVITE potential readers to join your members only group. Offer incentives.
- Start with a teaser & a cover reveal. Hype it for a few days or week, count it down like the major event it is! Use Canva for AMAZING graphics
- Post something relevant (not always a BUY MY BOOK grab) 2-5 times a week. Blurbs, behinds the scenes tidbits & fun facts. Let readers get to know you & build interest in your book.
- Pop into your group once a week and give them some love. Even if there are only two people. They get first peeks, insider info, and freebies. Free books for honest reviews is what you’re looking for.
- Have a website to direct them to.
- Consider blogging on your website.
- Get business cards, bookmarks and/or other marketing materials that can be given away.
- Talk about you book to people. DO NOT give them the synopsis!! But DO be animated and concise about your story.
You’d be surprised how easy it is to slip your author status into conversation. If they bite the hook & ask about it, have your “elevator pitch” ready.
But Wait, There's More!
Fear Not...
Okay, more realistically, swallow the fear and promote yourself despite it. Remember, you’ve done something others have only dreamed of doing (or can’t even imagine doing!)
xo Elsa
I’ve created the Writer’s Tribe Talk Show, a video/audio podcast for authors. As part of the show, I offer authors the opportunity to come on the show and promote their books as my Spotlight Author. My interviews are informal and entertaining, but also informative. I give my Spotlight Authors center stage to promote & engage the audience with their story, their way. They not only have fun, but also get a powerful promotional tool to add to their author arsenal!
Up to 30 minutes of interview/promotion timeAccess to produced video & audio links for your personal and promotional use on any & all platforms including your website!Promo graphic to promote your appearanceA 5×7″ Spotlight Author Commemorative StickerIf you’d like to book an author spot, I’d LOVE to have you. Email me at authorelsakurt@gmail.com.
