by Kaye George (also w.a. Janet Cantrell)
I was asked for
tips today from a writer who is newly published. I gave her what I could think
of at the moment: Goodreads giveaway, read Jeffrey Marks’ INTENT TO SELL, watch
what Rebecca Dalhke does.
But, really, besides
those, how does one market a new mystery? How do YOU market your mysteries?
Here are some
things I do (never knowing what works and what doesn’t).
I guest blog when
a new book or short story anthology comes out, wherever I can. I’ve accumulated
a list of places where I seem welcome and am always looking for new ones,
usually mentioned on one of the writers’ lists I belong to.
I put the news in
my newsletter. I put it on my blogs. I cross-reference these as best I can for
increased visibility.
If I’m in an area
with cool bookstores, I get signings. I now have a signing lined up here in
Knoxville at Books A Million for my second Fat Cat book.
I try to appear
on panels at conferences, also to increase visibility.
For every brand
new story and book, I post the releases on the discussion lists and Facebook
groups I belong to.
I try to build up
hype before publication with the above-mentioned Goodreads giveaways, plus
giveaways on guest blogs and my own blogs. I give away ARCs as well as actual
books.
When a conference
accepts auction baskets for charity, I put one together with some themed items
for the new release. I already have a few cute cat things for Malice in May to
promote my Fat Cat series.
I had mugs made
for DEATH IN THE TIME OF ICE and for EINE KLEINE MURDER and have done giveaways
of them.
When a conference
lets me take bids on a name in one of my upcoming novels, I do that. It’s
amazing how much attention those get! Some day I hope to be coordinated enough to
offer a pet name in an upcoming book.
If a book takes
place in a real town, I contact someone official there to let them know.
I have no idea if
any of this does any good. But I do know that if I don’t do anything, I won’t
sell much.
Any great ideas?
12 comments:
Sounds like you've got it pretty well covered.
But what's that one big magic trick? I suppose if there were one, and we all did it, it wouldn't work anymore.
I sure don't have an answer. I can't figure out what I do on the days my books sell vs the days they don't. It doesn't seem like I do anything differently. I don't have a newsletter, nor do I blog more than once a month, so you're way ahead of me there. I did have success with my last book when I put it on pre-order. I'll probably do that again with the next book. Good luck to us all.
Preorders are probably a good idea. My publishers do that and I'll have to remember for my next self-pubbed book.
That is the 64 Thousand Dollar Question! I wish I knew the answer. I keep trying different methods and hoping they work. When I do sell, I'm not sure which of my efforts did the trick. Some say it's an accumulation of different methods before an author's brand gets noticed.
You just need to try everything and then stick to that which you enjoy doing. I really like blog tours, so that's one thing I always do even though they are lots of work.
That's what I do, too, Morgan--shots in the dark.
Marilyn, if you've found they work, that's great! Plus, I think we have to do something we at least halfway like to do for promotion.
It seems that what works for one writer doesn't always work for another. The problem with promotions is that they takes so much time away from writing, but it's necessary. It sounds as though you have a good handle on promotions, Kaye. Whatever works! I'm afraid that I can't add anything to the list, except for
craft and county/state fairs, which work for me, if they don't charge too much for a booth.
It seems that what works for one writer doesn't always work for another. The problem with promotions is that they takes so much time away from writing, but it's necessary. It sounds as though you have a good handle on promotions, Kaye. Whatever works! I'm afraid that I can't add anything to the list, except for craft and county/state fairs, which work for me, if they don't charge too much for a booth.
I had terrible luck with the fairs in TX, so I'm glad they work for you, Jean! I should have mentioned library events, which were great in TX, but are non-existent here in TN.
Great suggestions. Mine is not a mystery book, but we all face the same things! I have found my book gets more interest when the audience is familiar with its location.
Thanks for sharing this, Kaye!
I think that's true, Sheri. Either a familiar setting or one so exotic that everyone wants to find out about it. I'm afraid I don't have the background to wrote the second kind.
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