As an author, I am always interested in ideas for other ways to promote my books other than what is traditionally suggested (asking for reviews, doing blog tours, readings, etc.). And as technology continues to evolve, there are always new methods to use for promoting books. For this reason, I feel it’s a good idea to pay attention if someone wants to share some book promotion ideas.
This is why I decided to read 50 Book Promotion Ideas for Authors and Publishers by Jerry Holliday. After all, it just might teach me something I hadn’t known about before (as every good nonfiction book should!). So, after I finished reading one ebook in an ebook bundle I had the opportunity to download for free, I selected this one to read next.
And I’m glad I did! This book gave me a lot to think about in new ways to promote my books. Along with even some traditional methods (readings, newsletters), this ebook shares a lot of newer ways we authors can promote our books using new technological platforms such as podcasts and putting keywords to good promotional use.
Additionally, while I am aware that it’s a good idea for creatives who make a living from their work to have business cards, I only ever made business cards at home. I never actually ordered any from a business because they were always too expensive. Idea #33 lists a company that offers 100 cards for a more affordable rate.
I also liked idea #34, which suggested selling themed merchandise. Since I’m writing a middle grade paranormal mystery series, I suddenly got a bunch of ideas for merch to create that could help promote the books.
There was, however, one idea in this book which gave me pause. It suggested that authors contact top reviewers on Amazon to ask them to review their books. (The author notes that these top reviewers usually list their email addresses on their profile page.) I had some reservations about this one. I am not sure if it’s a good idea to do this, because it sounds too spammy. I have my email address on the Internet, too, and it is no secret that I review books. I don’t think I would like receiving emails from authors asking me to review their book. I am very choosy with what I read, especially with a book that I MUST review. I don’t just read every single book under the sun. (Surprised?) And it’s rare I will read a book that I want to review. I have to want to review it. So, if I get emails from authors asking me to review their book, I’m in the awkward situation of turning them away if I don’t want to read or review their book. (One author obviously does not take my silence as an answer and I keep getting emails from him to review his book!) I don’t want to put other people into that situation. I mean, I’m okay with soliciting reviews from actual book review services, but some random reviewer on Amazon? Not so much.
I also felt that the last idea, “Promo Kit,” should have been the first idea. The book promo kit is essential for every author. It’s a good idea to create this kit before your book is published so that you can hit the ground running promoting your book even before it is published. Even so, it’s possible the author saved the best idea for last. (Sorry for the spoiler!)
This ebook had a lot of good ideas for authors who wish to promote their books. Some of them weren’t for me, but others were pretty useful. And still others made me think about how I could put that idea to use.
I recommend this ebook to any author who has books, whether old or new, which they wish to promote. It has good information as well as good resources listed at the back of the book. Plus, there is an invitation to take a free online course called “From Manuscript to Bookshelf in 10 Days” at the beginning of the book, with the link included. (There are lots of good links in this book!) This ebook was a quick read but it provided a lot of information and left this author with several new ideas for book promotion. Five stars.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook for free as part of a promotional bundle and I am not receiving any kind of compensation whatsoever in reviewing this book. The opinions in this review are my personal opinions of this ebook and I was not asked to write a review for it. This review was written out of my own personal choice.
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