Effective marketing strategy to give books visibility

A writing friend and I were discussing how the actors market their movies. Everyone is aware of the forthcoming releases. The marketing budgets for movies is mind boggling. What I am trying to say is that there is heavy duty marketing done for movies. Writers work as hard as actors, I think we lose out because writing is not a glamorous profession and not everyone likes to read. They would rather watch a movie.

Both publishers and authors can do a lot to market the books. I am sharing a few ideas.

   1. Putting up posters in schools and colleges and other frequently visited places is a good idea for spreading the word around. A writer had put her book posters in a multiplex.

   2.  Publishers can approach schools with offers of huge discounts if bulk orders are placed. Many schools distribute books as prizes.

    3. Approaching librarians and talking with library owners about our books is another smart marketing strategy.  Many prefer to borrow books from the library than buy books. But atleast the book is read.

    4. Organizing book  reading and signing sessions in bookshops is a wonderful idea. If this can be combined with a themed event (like my publisher did for my books) its super.

    5. Arranging for author interviews with several newspapers does its bit in spreading the word about our books.

     6. Sending out free copies to newspapers for reviews. The books can also be given to columnists whose columns have a wide readership.

     7. An author I know promoted her book on radio. Local channels like (FM, 94.3) have a fantastic reach. Unfortunately my publisher just did not tap that media. Radio contests with the book as prize would have worked wonderfully well. People are listening to the radio all the time: while driving and at home. And who doesn't like a free book.

     8. Organizing readings and visits to schools is a great opportunity. This is one of the best ways for children’s books to reach their readers.

     9. Blog posts about book releases and Tweets are effective Internet mediums to bring the book to the notice of people inhabiting the virtual world. As are like pages on Face Book. Blog contests and giveaways are a great way of spreading the word around.

    10. One Indian publisher put up ads about their forthcoming book on MTV.

    11. The same publisher also placed newspaper ads.

Do you believe in the adage that effective marketing sells more copies? What does good marketing mean to you? Any ideas you would like to share about marketing?

P.S. This is one of my earliest post I am reposting.

14 Effective ways to give books visibility

A successful book is not just a combination of a great story and super editing, it’s also about a clever and smart marketing strategy. Many good books due to low visibility do not reach the masses.  

It’s something I realized a little late. When my first two books were published, my publisher requested me to ask my family and close friends to visit bookshops to buy my books. When the staff in the book shops realize that the book is moving and selling well, they not only give it a prominent display but also recommend it to other customers. Unfortunately, I was too shy to ask anyone to do this and the 35% discount offered by my publisher to friends placing bulk orders enticed them away from the bookshops. They approached her office directly. Though my books sold well, most of the sales in the initial period were via my publisher and not the book-shops.

 A lot can be done by the  writers and the publishers to market the books.

        1. Book posters can be put in schools, colleges and libraries and other frequently visited places to spread the word around. I saw a book poster outside a multiplex. My writing friend told me that she would put her book posters in department stores, just behind the billing counter so that it has better visibility.

        2.  Approaching schools with offers of huge discounts if bulk orders are placed is another great idea. Many schools distribute books as prizes.

        3.  Approaching librarians and talking with  library owners about our books is another smart  marketing  strategy.  Many prefer to borrow books from the library than buy books. But atleast the book is read.

         4. Organizing book  reading  and signing sessions in bookshops is a wonderful idea. If this can be combined with a themed event ( like my publisher did for my books) its super.

         5.  Arranging for author interveiws with several newspapers does a lot in spreading the word for books.

         6. Sending out free copies to newspapers for reviews. The books can also be given to columnists whose columns have a wide readership.

          7. Nowadays with many writers blogging, other bloggers go a long way in spreading the word around.

          8. An enterprising publisher indulged in a bit of radio marketing. Local channels like (FM, 94.3) have a fantastic reach. Radio contests with the book as a prize can work wonderfully well. People are listening to the radio all the time: while driving and at home. And who doesn't like a free book?

          9. Organising readings and visits in schools and colleges is another great opportunity.

         10. Blog posts about book releases and Tweets are effective Internet mediums to bring the book to the notice of people inhabiting the virtual world. As are like pages. Blog contests and giveaways are a great way of spreading the word around.

          11. One Indian publisher put up ads about their forthcoming book on MTV.

          12. The same publisher also placed newspaper ads.

           13.  Making an author do guest columns where he or she can talk about the book in newspapers.

           14. Urging friends and family to buy the books from the bookshops or order online, is a great way to see the ratings soar. Buying them directly from the publisher should be a second option.

Do you believe in the adage that effective marketing sells more copies of books? What does good marketing mean to you? How would you market your books? Any ideas you would like to share about marketing your books?

Getting the Writer Noticed Before the Book is Published

I have already done a post on giving our books visibility,  refer to post  Effective Marketing Strategy to Give  Books Visibility. But there are a lot of writers who are unpublished. This post will cover the points on giving a writer visibility, though I prefer to call them aspiring authors rather than struggling writers.

 As writers there are many ways we can ensure that atleast some people are familiar with our names before our books are published.

                                           

    1.  In India most writers take the newspaper route: we (including me) start our writing careers by  contributing to newspapers and magazines that accept freelancers. This is one of the best ways to get visibility: contributing regular features, articles  and short stories ensures that we write often, our regular bylines make many people familiar with our names and ofcourse  when a cheque arrives in the mail it’s a wonderful feeling and seeing our work in print is sheer joy. All the newspapers and magazines accept email submissions. I have noticed  that few regular contributors have ended up with columns.

2.      Participating in short  story, poetry, haiku and flash fiction competitions is a    

      wonderful  way to get noticed. Even if the writer does not win the top prizes, 

      but gets just a special mention or  comes in the top ten, editors,   

      publishers and agents  take notice. I have seen several writers who win

      prizes, bag  book deals from publishers. Nowadays there are several online

      writing  competitions  that one can join without worrying about postal

      issues. Many don’t even have an entry fee and one can submit from any part

      of the world.

 3.  Starting a Blog is  one of the best ways of expressing oneself and building

      relationships  with other writers and learning and sharing knowledge, all

      from the comfort of our homes. I have read that many editors and agents  
     ( in India we don't  have agents) search for an  online presence for the writers
      whose manuscript lands in their  inbox. And of course it’s an amazing platform
      and hones our writing skills.

4.  Building a Website is one of the best thing writers and authors can do.

     Though I have been toying with that idea I am not sure I will go for that right

      now. Writers can even put up samples of their previously published
      work for editors, agents and publishers to go through. But, don't ever make the
      mistake of  putting anything from unpublished books or stories. As once its
      read  no one will be interested in publishing it. Both the blog and the website
      looks good in the Writer/Author bio.

5.  Almost all publishers bring out anthologies where several writers (yes even

     unpublished writers are invited) and authors are  asked to contribute a story:

     sometimes based on a theme. If the publisher is big then this turns out to be a

     prestigious thing to mention in the bio. I have been a part of several Penguin

     Anthologies. Many times writers  contributing in anthologies  are offered      

     book deals or commissioned to write on different  topics by  publishers.

6.  Contributing articles in prestigious Journals that have a reputation in the 

     literary world is a wonderful way to get noticed. Such mentions in our bios   

     do make the agent and editor sit up  and take notice. To write a book takes a

      long time, so if in the interim a few publishing credits roll out it’s a good thing.

Do you think its important  for writers to get noticed even before their books are published? What are all the things you are doing to get yourself visibility? What do you all  think writers should do to get noticed. Please share. It will be of great help to everyone.

Effective Marketing Strategy to give Books Visibility

A  successful book  encapsulates not just a good story but also a clever and smart marketing strategy. Many good books because of low visibility just do not reach the masses.  A writing friend and I were discussing how the actors market their movies. Everyone is  aware of the  forthcoming releases. What I am trying to say is that there is heavy duty marketing done for movies. Writers work as hard as actors, I think we lose out because writing is not a glamorous profession and not everyone likes to read. They would rather watch a movie.

Many writers consider it infra dig to market their books. They feel their  job ends with writing and after that it’s the publisher’s problem. I disagree.

I have realized that we writers  can do a lot to market our books. When my first two books were published, my publisher requested me to ask my family and close  friends to  visit bookshops to buy my books. When the staff in the  book shops realize that the book is moving they not only give it a prominent display but also recommend it to other customers. Unfortunately I was too shy to ask anyone to do this and the 35% discount offered by my publisher to friends placing bulk orders enticed them away from the bookshops. They approached her office directly.

One writer I knew had put up posters of her books outside movie halls. I did see people stop  before the poster. But how many actually bought the book I have no idea. But atleast the book got some visibility.

              Publishers can do a lot  to market the books.

1.      Putting up posters in schools and colleges and other frequently visited places is a good idea for spreading the word around.

2.      Approaching schools with offers of huge discounts if bulk orders are placed is another great idea. Many schools distribute books as prizes.

3.      Approaching librarians and talking with  library owners about our books is another smart  marketing  strategy.  Many prefer to borrow books from the library  than buy books. But atleast the book is read.

4.      Organising book  reading  and signing sessions in bookshops is a wonderful idea. If this can be combined with a themed event ( like my publisher did for my books)  its super.

5.      Arranging for author interveiws with several newspapers did its bit in spreading the word for my first two  books.

6.      Sending out free copies to newspapers for reviews. The books can also be given to columnists whose columns have a wide readership.

7.      What we didn’t do was the radio marketing. Local channels like (FM, 94.3) have a  fantastic reach. Unfortunately my publisher just did not tap that media. Radio contests with the book as prize would have worked wonderfully well. People are listening to the radio all the time: while driving  and at home. And who doesn't like a free book.

8.      Organising readings and visits  in schools was another missed  opportunity. This is one of the best ways for children’s books to reach their readers.

9.      Blog posts about book releases and Tweets are effective Internet  mediums to bring the book to the notice of people inhabiting the virtual world. As are like pages. Blog contests and giveaways are a great way of spreading the word around.

10.  One Indian publisher put up ads about their  forthcoming book on MTV.

11.  The same publisher also placed newspaper ads.

Do you believe in the adage that effective marketing  sells more copies? What  does good marketing  mean to you? Any ideas  you would like to share about marketing?