![A[1]](https://commutinggirl.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/a1.jpg?w=1086)
A is for…Advertising
Personally, I had dreamed that when ONE TWO THREE (the first book I self-published) came out, it would be a success (otherwise: why oh why would I have decided to self-publish? :P). Of course, I also knew about the importance of marketing and promotion and yes I knew that self-publishing is a marathon not a race. There are more and more self-published books being published each year (more statistics in later posts) and standing out is not the easiest thing to do.
Here’s what I learned and a few things I’ll consider:
- Netgalley: this worked really well for me, gathered quite a few reviews on several websites and started spreading the word. In addition, I’m in touch with some of the bloggers who loved my book and I am so forever thankful for them. Some people join co-ops, I used Patchwork Press…
- Facebook: I promoted my Facebook page way before publication, yes I got a lot of likes but for the amount spent, the results (reader engagement, sales) were basically non-existent. On the other hand, the Facebook party I organized for ONE DREAM ONLY gave me great results in regards connecting with readership. Thinking about doing something totally different with Facebook when it comes to promotion from now on.
- Blog tour with reviews: Another way to get the book in front of readers. I didn’t see a rise in sales though at that time.
- Cover reveal: I loved doing a cover reveal – advertising wise, at the time, it really worked. I used the services offered by Giselle from Xpresso Book Tours…I think the blurb really caught the attention of readers at the time.
- Goodreads giveaway: While I think having a Goodreads giveaway is another way to spread the word, and gather the attention of readers, I will not have 3 books at one time there but rather one book and maybe do 2 giveaways (one before publication and one a year after publication or when another book just came out)
- Goodies (postcards, bookmarks…): I only did this with ONE DREAM ONLY and did not use those to their full advantage, so while my experience is a fail with those, I might use them differently next time.
Things I will try next:
- Timing: There was too much time between the cover reveal and putting up my book either for sale or for review. People tend to forget especially when there are lots of wonderful books coming out.
- Facebook group: I will create a FB group where it’s easier to connect directly with readers (I’ve seen more and more of those and the direct connection with the readers is very nice)
- Bookbub, Freebooksy, ENT…I am going to experience much more with advertising via those lists.
- Make sure my newsletter is more visible
- Create new content only for my newsletter subscribers.
- Try to cross-promote with other authors
- Use Instagram more maybe do a cover reveal on it first?
- Use goodies to connect with the readers—send postcards and bookmarks to those who asked or pre-order or post pictures of themselves reading my book on social media. Do something fun with those goodies 😛
Interesting articles on the topic of advertising/marketing for authors:
- 20 marketing questions self-published authors must answer by Digital Book World
- 7 Tips to help promote your first self-published book by The Creative Penn
- DIY: How to Market Your Self-Published Book by Publishers’ Weekly.
Join me tomorrow for B….like Business Plan
Elodie Nowodazkij 
Very interesting read. I have a Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/myblueruby – but I might have a look at a Group instead.
Thanks 🙂 I think Groups see more of the content than the pages (some of them get a notification) and it helps to connect even more. The key to groups is to really engage with the readers and I am looking forward to trying it out.
Thanks for sharing! Your responses seem consistent with what I’ve heard from other authors I network with. The newsletter is a big go-to from what I hear, which seems funny since it’s so old school. A lot of writers I hear say to put that link to your newsletter on the page after the story ends, that way readers have a place to go to connect with you (as well as links to your other books if available). I subscribe to about a dozen newsletters for authors–not a ton, but the authors I care to read more from, I want their updates. I also like that they don’t send too many; the best are updates when they feel necessary, and not just because it’s been x amount of time.
I do social media for 2 different RWA chapters and have heard mixed things on promoting FB posts. So far we have not done it.
Thanks for passing by my blog, Stephanie 🙂 The promotion of Facebook posts had even less impact for me than the promotion for my page but I think for the posts, I could have targeted them better… It’s really a learning curve 🙂
On Wed, Apr 1, 2015 at 11:51 AM, Elodie Nowodazkij wrote:
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I had the same issue with the cover reveal and release date being too far apart with my first book, so with Adamant, I combined the cover reveal with a pre-order promo. Review tours are good for getting more reviews but I didn’t see any extra sales, either. My newsletter’s definitely been my best marketing method – I wish I’d started it sooner! I’m trying out advertising options for my first big sale, so I’ll see how that goes!
I think the timing thing really is quite crucial when trying to capitalize on the buzz created 🙂 Crossing my fingers your first big sale goes well!
Good luck with your writing! Thanks for visiting my blog today!
TheCyborgMom
Thanks a lot 🙂
There’s so much awesome info in this post, both for self-pubbers and those who are traditionally pubbed. I’m so looking forward to your month of posts, Elodie!
Thanks, Katy 🙂 I really hope it is helpful…I know it is for me to recap what happened since my decision to self-publish.
It’s really interesting to see how you’re using advertising for your book. I manage much of the PPC advertising at my day job but for software. Twitter advertising might be interesting to try if you can set up the conversion tracing somehow?
Thanks, Kate 🙂 I haven’t begin to look at Twitter advertising, I think I’m going to research it a bit more. Facebook was quite disappointing (both for long-term engagement and sales). I think the group will make the engagement easier. But Twitter could be approached differently…hmmm lots to think about 🙂
On Thu, Apr 2, 2015 at 2:55 AM, Elodie Nowodazkij wrote:
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I’ve never tried Facebook ads, but I do like how targeted twitter’s ones can be. Hope it works out for you. 🙂