Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

I just self-published my first book on Amazon, B&N and IngramSpark, and am learning the ins and outs of marketing. Any suggestions appreciated!

It will take a lot of work and research marketing your book. It can be an expensive proposition if you are not careful. Not all marketers are worthwhile and some are outright frauds and many if not all will make all kinds of promises. But some courses are good and worthwile.

bill wrote: "It will take a lot of work and research marketing your book. It can be an expensive proposition if you are not careful. Not all marketers are worthwhile and some are outright frauds and many if not..."

Thanks Bill

Congrats!

Start with creating a website, Facebook page, a blog and open a twitter, snapchat, and ticktock account (if you haven't already). Look for material related to your book to post on here regularly- this will help build your fan base. It will also drum up interest in you. These are free but take time and it takes some skill to navigate them. You can also feature other authors in exchange for them to feature you.

Never ask for an exchange of reviews- this goes against many rules on Amazon and Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. I found it helpful to start writing reviews of books I enjoyed. You can get a following of people who enjoy your reviews or the subject you read and this raises interest in you.

I see you have a consulting business- use Linked In to raise awareness of this new facet of your life. Cross-reference the book on your professional pages to gather a following. I hesitated to do this for a long time- but my kids forced me 'out.' It created a flurry of interest and sales.

Don't make it only about your book. Look for bloggers and podcasters in your genre or interests and see if you can get them to feature an article or release written by you.

Look into some reputable blog tours and pick a few that you can afford. Find ones that provide a mailing list with the tour and this is the way to build your mailing list. Later you can exchange with authors that you will send out news of their books in exchange for them to do the same with yours.

Join other book promotion sites on Facebook and post news about your book. You can take part of the review and post it (make sure you identify the author of the words). You can post interesting facts to draw people to your page.

Social media has to be worked daily. I can tell you that every time I post all the books directly from Amazon- I make sales.

Pick and choose where you want to invest. I always do a Kirkus, Blue Ink, Book Trib, Foreword review. They are expensive- but IMO worth it. They expose you to libraries and serious readers.

Hope this helps- good luck.

Oh- and enter the book in a few awards. It really helps when you are honored- You can get a neat little package at Reader's Favorite. You can ask them to review for free or pay for five reviews. I love their reviewers. Most are authors as well.

Looking for my crew of authos to volunteer anything I've left out. It's a nice refresher course on marketing-

Carole wrote: "Congrats!
"
Thanks for all the useful information!