Successful book promotion requires a 50/50 partnership between publisher and author. Please keep the following tips in mind. Some of these activities may fall outside your comfort zone. We are here to support you in whatever ways will be most productive for you. Please remember:
- Personal recommendations and word of mouth are the best ways to encourage book sales.
- Publishing a book is a great achievement! Don’t be shy about telling everyone you know about it—and asking them to help spread the word.
Please note that there are some differences between marketing a trade book (such as memoir, poetry, narrative nonfiction) and a scholarly book. For example, scholarly books work better for promotion at conferences as opposed to bookstore events. If you have any questions about promoting your book, please reach out.
Below are some ways that you can help promote your new work:
Email. Send an email to your contacts announcing your book. This doesn’t have to be a sales pitch, simply an update and announcement. Contact us if you’d like help with the copy and format. We can also provide a promo code for you to include.
Social media. If you are active on social media, post and tweet about your book. Share articles and updates that are relevant and tie them to the book. Be sure to follow us (we’ll do the same) so we can like/retweet each other’s posts.
Book trailer. Record a short video (under 2 minutes) discussing the book, why it’s important, and who should read it. We can promote it and include it on our YouTube channel. Please see our video guidelines here.
Blog. Do you blog or vlog? Discuss your book, a topic related to it, or the process of writing the book. It’s OK to make it personal!
Email signature. Add a note in your signature about the book’s availability with a buy link.
Website. Do you have a personal website or page hosted by a university? Add a note about the book with a buy link.
Organizations. If you are involved with or have contacts at a professional group, ask them if they would consider helping to promote the book. Below are some suggestions:
- include a mention or review in an eblast or newsletter
- post about it on social media
- consider it for a bulk buy for VIPs, board members, working groups, as a membership premium, etc. (volume discounts are available)
- host a webinar in which you discuss the ideas presented in the book.
Events. If you are participating in a book event, please find out whether the organizer has the capacity to manage onsite book sales and a book signing. Please let us know as soon as possible when you schedule an event so we can assist as needed. For example, we can offer the organizers a special event book discount, provide flyers, and promote it through our channels.
Conferences. If you are presenting about the book at a conference, include the cover image on your slides or request a marketing slide from us. Contact us for flyers that you can distribute. Post about the book on social media using the conference hashtag.
Bookstores. Contact your local bookstore and let them know you published a book. Bookstores are often great about featuring local authors. If you are at a university, let the university bookstore know about your book as they often have a special section for faculty authors. Be sure to ask about being part of a book event as well!
Libraries. Visit your local or university library and let them know that you are a local/faculty author and that you would like them to consider carrying your book.
Discussion Lists. If you subscribe to any email discussion lists, post a notice when your book is available.
Cross-promotion with another author. Do you have a friend or colleague who has written a book that is complimentary to yours? Approach them about doing a cross-promotion in which you recommend each other’s book to your respective network through social media or email.
Customer reviews. If you hear from someone who really liked your book, ask them to write a review on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or other online retail sites. Posting a video review is also great!
We look forward to working with you! Please do not hesitate to contact us about any of the above items, or to share your own ideas with us.
Angela Leppig | Director | angela.leppig@gallaudet.edu
Valencia Simmons | Marketing Assistant | valencia.simmons@gallaudet.edu
