Writer's Toolkit

You wrote the book, now you want people hear about it. Here are some suggestions to generate awareness about your latest publication:

• If you don't have a website yet - build one. This can be done easily on Squarespace or Google Sites. If you can, secure a domain name that reflects your name. (e.g.) www.marshalltrimble.com. Make it easy to buy your book on your website. Writer's Digest provides these tips on website creation.
• Use SEO (search engine optimization) to ensure that your website, social media account, books on vendor websites are at the top of search result lists.
• Optimize your online presence with multiple social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Goodreads, Instagram, LinkedIn, personal blog, etc. You'll use these accounts to alert your fans to new books, readings, events, etc. But don't overextend yourself. After all, you need time to write. Select the social media service that best caters to your prospective audience (e.g. younger readers love Instagram, Facebook skews older.)
• Do NOT use your social media to spam people about buying your book.
• Be active on your social media accounts, blog, etc. It's not enough to create them. If you don't add new content, your readers have no reason to visit or revisit your space. Make a schedule and keep to it.
• Examine the social media presence of your favorite authors, or look to exemplary models:
  • Author website:geraldinebrooks.com
  • Facebook: www.facebook.com/JackCanfieldFan/ (prospective agents want you to have 3,000 "likes" to start.) Note the difference between a personal profile and a "page." There is so difference in opinion out there about whether or not you should have both, considering that your friends are also most likely, your fans . . .
  • Twitter: twitter.com/sarahdessen
  • Blog: smittenkitchen.com
  • Tumblr: John Green - fishingboatproceeds.tumblr.com/
  • Instagram: Laurie Halse Anderson - www.instagram.com/halseanderson/
• Boost your posts on Facebook/Instagram from your Page (not your personal profile).Select a budget and identify an audience for your post, and it will appear in your audience's news feed. Be specific about your potential readership to save $$. You can use Twitter's ad platform similarly. Set a budget and select the Twitter accounts most likely to be receptive to your tweet. What would make you want to click or tap?
• Your online presence represents your brand. So always be professional. Avoid controversial subjects and be positive.
• Amazon Author Page: Share the best press about your book. 
• Take advantage of the Goodreads Author Program.

Of course your friends love your book. Get some objective feedback and make new friends.

• Join a Meetup group in your community, like these Phoenix area writing meetups.
• Take classes or participate in writing conferences, etc. at the Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing at ASU.
• Attend classes and workshops at local bookstores, like Changing Hands or the Poisoned Pen.
• Join genre writer's groups like: WriteNow!(Desert Sleuths), Desert Rose (Romance), or AZ Professional Writers.
• Join an online critique group like Inked Voices, Scribophile, Critique Circle, Absolute Write, 

Make local connections for sustained marketing.

• Try to connect your book with a local non-profit for mutual benefit. Sell your book and offer a portion of the proceeds to support your preferred organization. (e.g.: if your book has domestic violence themes, connect to a women's shelter or child welfare organization.)
• Volunteer to do readings at local libraries, bookstores, coffee shops, schools, etc. Offer a value-added service like a "how I got published" or a "writer's workshop," or offer to lead a book club, critique group, etc. Consider how you can help these organizations or businesses, not just how they can help you. 
• Sign-up to give away copies of your book to book clubs via Book Movement and gain new readers.

Think about how much you rely upon customer reviews. Now imagine the power of a good review, especially from a respected source. Here are some places you can obtain reviews:

• Kirkus Indie Reviews: A reviewing source consulted by librarians and booksellers across North America.
• Publisher's Weekly: Offers reviews for both self-published and traditionally published books.
• IndieReader: Like those listed above, it doesn't promise a positive review, but if positive, will be available for distribution to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Ingram Book Company.
• Self-Publishing Review: various price points depending on your budget and needs.
• Blue Ink Review: A little pricey, but reviews self-published print and ebooks.
• Offer fans freebies for posting reviews on your social media pages as well as vendor websites, like Amazon, B&N, etc.

Hear what other have to say about their experience. Here are some suggested podcasts:

Novel Marketing: Marketing advice for authors who'd rather be writing

Helping Writers Become Authors: Provides writers help in summoning inspiration, crafting solid characters, outlining and structuring novels, and polishing prose.

The Author Hangout: Book Marketing Tips for Indie & Self-Published Author: Designed to help you navigate the self-publishing world. 

Social Media Marketing: Discover how successful businesses employ social media, learn new strategies and tactics, and gain actionable tips to improve your social media marketing.

The Sell More Books Show: Book Marketing, Digital Publishing and Kindle News, Tools and Advice: Discover the latest book marketing and publishing news, tools and strategies.