M is for Marketing and Lawnmowers

“The only sounds were of whirring steel blades and plastic cords as locals attacked the fast growing Buffalo grass on their lots in Chinaman’s Hollow. Victa lawn mowers and Stihl line trimmers were the weapons of choice in the war against the humidity-fuelled growth in the yards of suburbia.”

-          Loathe Your Neighbor ch. 1

 
Okay, this is bit of a cheat. I really wanted to write about lawnmowers and mowing lawns and how I love it: the process, the finished product, the smell of cut grass, the 75 Db rumble of the 4 stroke engine. What’s not to love? I love doing laundry too. Especially folding and putting away clothes. So satisfying. My question: what household chores do you love?

Now, if you want some tips on marketing your book, read on. Let me begin by saying I don’t really like marketing. In fact, there are times when I loathe it. However, I understand that as a relatively obscure (I’m being very generous to myself here) writer, I need to sell myself and my work. Boy, is it a hard sell! Can I get an “amen’?

 

-          Work social media like a, well not exactly like a demon, but you know what I mean. Remember it’s all about relationships so try not to cross the vague line which makes you a spammer.

-          Natural relationship to a product? Sell to a retailer offer who can then offer free copies with a purchase of something. For example, a book about driving available in an auto parts store.

-          Free speeches to local clubs, libraries, schools and businesses

-          Reach those who can reach others. Everyone you connect with can reach people you can’t.

-          Learn the 10 second brag to answer the inevitable question, “What’s your book about?”

-          Expand your blog to include stories/reviews/bios/tips etc

-          Portion of sales to charity

-          Flyer/business card. Business cards work well when they follow a conversation.

-          Press releases

-          Visit other blogs and comment (there’s this thing called the A-Z blogging challenge. Have you heard of it? J Apparently it’s a pretty good way to increase visitors to your website and thereby increase your exposure. It’s also a lot of fun.)

-          Don’t ask people to buy your book just tell them about it. Or tell them to buy it…just kidding.

-          Ask readers to write and post reviews. I’m told that nothing sells a book like a personal recommendation.

-          Contact local newspaper (feature article)

-          Instore appearances/book signing at book shop. I recently contacted 11 book stores and only 3 replies. 2 were flat no, and 1 was a maybe.

-          contact local radio

-          sell at the market. In 6 hours, I sold 2 books which thankfully covered the cost of the stall.

-          ask readers to send pics of themselves reading your work

-          giveaways. I have an author page on Goodreads and the giveaway to launch Loathe Your Neighbor generated a lot of interest

-          contact reviewers

-          guest blog/host bloggers

 

Does any of it work? I’ve done almost everything on the list, but do you know who I am? Have you read Loathe Your Neighbor?. My best advice is to try everything, and keep trying. Be inventive and never forget that we write because we love it writing.