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Marketing a book is a seemingly never-ending process. Having published ten books, I know that I get discouraged sometimes about the sheer number of things I could do to promote my books. The good news is that marketing doesn't have to be expensive. Here are ten simple things you can do that cost nothing, except some of your time.
1. Ramp up your book page on Amazon. If you haven't already, start an Amazon Connect blog, get your page set up in Author Central, create a Listmania List, assign search terms and tags, create a book review, or post in discussion areas that relate to your book's topic.
2. Start a blog. Even if you already have a Web site for your book, add a blog to it. You can get a hosted site like Blogger or blog software that you load on your own Web site like WordPress. Once the blog is set up, write posts about your book's topic regularly.
3. Write articles about your book's topic and post them to article sites like Ezine Articles. Or post "tips" press releases to free press release sites.
4. Research magazines and newsletters that cover your book's topic. Contact editors at those publications and ask if they would be willing to review your book. Mail out copies to anyone who says yes.
5. Talk to local businesses that relate to your topic and ask about setting up an event. For example, if you have written a book on yoga, talk to local yoga studios about doing a demonstration or book signing.
6. Add your book Web site URL to your email signature. Also add the URL to any other Web sites you own. (Advertising on your own Web sites is the least expensive form of online advertising!)
7. Set up Google Alerts on your book's topic. Post comments on blogs or articles that relate to your book. Consider contacting the article author and see if you can contribute to a follow-on article.
8. Create an online pressroom for your book or company Web site. Include a Q&A, high-resolution photos of you and your book cover, excerpts, and pithy quotations from your book.
9. Set up a blog tour. Contact owners of blogs in your industry and see if you can contribute a guest posting or answer questions from readers on a particular day.
10. Get set up on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Start a Facebook group or page related to your book's subject and start inviting friends.
Marketing your book doesn't have to be expensive, but it does take time. The good news is that all these activities build on each other to increase awareness about you and your book.
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