Gregath Publishing Company suggestions for Marketing: Free Advertisement

There are several different things you can do to help sell your book. Below are several sales strategies that you can use for any type of book.

Prepare (and send) press releases to all media (newspaper, radio, TV, eGroup/eList, usenet/newsgroup, etc.) within the area while you are completing work on the manuscript, again when it is being published, and after, to cover such events as signings, parties, etc.

Write a news article describing the work you are doing or the completed book. Interesting news articles describing unusual activities or events are welcomed by most newspapers. Be sure the article is of interest to newspaper readers and is written to attract attention and queries. If the writer has a good photograph (traditionally black and white glossy) of themselves, it too may be presented with the news article for publication. Check with your target publications to see their preferred method of submittal - Mail, FAX, Email, etc. Send this to local publications as well as publications that cater to the location(s) in the book, subject matter, etc. Don't rule out a publication as "too big" or "too small", though you might wish to write them for a submittal guidelines (tip sheet) of submittal guidelines before sending in your press release.

Some tips for a press release

Article should answer the 5 W's: who, what, why, when, and where.
The first line of the release should be an attention getter.
Include background on the author, writing, and subject matter to some extent.
With so much information that can be included, adhere to the "mini-skirt rule" - keep it short (as possible) while not sacrificing content.
After writing, go back over it - are there places where you can say the same things with fewer words? (see previous tip).
Have someone else (just like your book) take a look at the press release before you send it out for constructive suggestions. Many times they provide great insight as to how much the author leaves out their own personal information.
Provide both physical description of the book (i.e. 8x11", hardbound, 342 pages, archival notation, etc.) and a general description of the content.
Keep it interesting - while many genealogies tend toward statistics, if the press release is a dry, dull read for the public, it might be a long-shot for it to even be published. Do you have a great oral story in the book you can summarize or an antidote about your experience writing the book?
Follow up after submitting!
- Did it get published - send a thank you note.
- Did you not see it published? Ask why, when sending another copy.

Never sell online resources short. Check out the following to help with common Journalism with PR questions:

A signing gathering or publication celebration can also help marketing in more than one way. The host and hostess may wish to contact their local newspaper and set up an appointment for a personal interview and picture taking session with the writer. In which case, the writer should be prepared to make newsworthy statements of interest regarding his research, books, and himself. People that attend will also buy and carry your book to other people. While it is rarely effective as the sole marketing effort, it can be an effective element. If you have heard it once, you have heard it a thousand times, the best way to spread the word is by networking.

Locally, if no one has thrown you an autograph or release party, you can do one yourself. Make sure you notify all the local media as well as book stores, libraries, etc. in addition to sending out personal invitations.

News Releases should be prepared in advance whenever possible and hand delivered or mailed to the newspaper(s). Letters to specific columns or Editors are usually made during research and may also be made upon completion of the publication.

Any travel in the pursuit of research, family reunions or gatherings, visits from persons pertaining to research or writing, etc. Start with any gatherings your normal business brings you to. Examples include scheduled civic club meetings, family and historical club meetings, reunions, etc. Make sure that everyone knows about your upcoming book project.

Ask all your friends to relate your project to all those individuals they come in contact with.

If there is no organization for your subject matter, consider establishing one or becoming a ‘clearing house’ for it.

If your family has not been having reunions, organize one! While this is more effective with genealogy books, families always like to have relatives work of any kind.

Consider having written information on hand to hand out/distribute to anyone you talk with that are interested. This gives the potential buyer something material to remind them about your project. Items can be varied, from a business card to flyers, book marks, etc.

A newsletter specifically geared to your project may receive a wider audience than you think. Keep folks up to date on the preparation, share funny stories, additional material that may not make it into the finished book, photos, documents, etc. A current best-selling author that used to ask for SASE's and only printed the number she needed each issue (the time period is up to you) - her fan club now distributes for her by mail and email group. Doing this by email, newsgroup, or email list is even less expensive.

Specialty Items (apparel, mouse pads, etc.) can be used to network. Either as "give away" or as items you use/wear while promoting your book. We also provide T-Shirt services!

Include a report on the book project in all of your holiday correspondence - this can increase both interest and donated materials. This can be part of the holiday family letter, an insert or part of your stationary, etc.

When printing new business/calling cards, consider adding author to your title and/or including your book's homepage address (URL).

Include a photograph with any mailings (especially electronic): can be an action shot of the author writing or selling, or a special one from the book. If the book is already published, it could even be a "beauty shot" of the book itself. Make sure to caption the photograph. If it is from the book and the promotional material doesn't address the photograph, the caption can be a bit longer to make sure you tie the photo to the book.

Include with press releases other related literature such as sell sheets, flyers, etc. (see below)

Correctly applied for and used Copyright (http://www.copyright.com) and Library of Congress (http://www.loc.gov) Card Catalog Number. (application fees apply)

A correctly applied for and used ISBN can lead to more sales and easier distribution. Having an ISBN adds your book to the "Books in Print" series. Most major online booksellers use this as their database. This is also how most bookstores check on availability for special orders. (application fee)

Using your contact information, follow up your initial press release with subsequent releases such as a report on sales, family gatherings, signing party, new projects, special offers/sales (holiday free shipping, contributor/family discount), etc.

Consider developing at least one aspect of the book into a lecture, or character presentation, and market this presentation - always referring to the book.

Whenever there is "filler space" throughout the book manuscript, take a bit of it to remind readers about other publications, family reunions, and other opportunities to network and sell books. Additional Tip: Use different fonts, layouts, clip art to keep if from being overlooked after the first instance.

If you attended a college or other institute of higher learning, don't forget to contact them with PR. Many would love to run an alumni success story.

List your book for sale in as many places as possible. One such area that can be done for free is http://www.bookhitch.com.

Take a virtual tour of blogs, post on online bulletin boards, list free classifieds, post in news areas.

Network online! Have you considered that many "social networking" sites, such as Facebook have calendars and classifieds that share your events or items to sell with others.

For more suggestions on this subject and more, order our book:
G550-$10.00 WRITING Family History Or Genealogy For Pleasure and Profit, by The Gregath Publishing Company, *updated* 2007. ISBN: 0-944619-00-2, 8½x11", softbound book, 126 pages, suggestions & examples of all facets of your project for the typist and/or computer user. Also available on disk. | SCL
Also we suggest:
Guerrilla Marketing for Writers - 100 Weapons for Selling Your Work

Glossary

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2008