In the interest of not just blathering on about anything that comes to mind, I've decided to add "Monday Marketing" to "Win-It Wednesday" and create a regular Monday tip. Authors pretty much have to promote their own books, and now that I'm getting one round of book promoting under my belt, I have stuff to share.This first idea got picked up by Ypulse, which was great, but I'll post it again here:
As I go about major grassroots promotion for Violet On The Runway, I found an avenue that seems sillily unexplored: High School Newspapers!
It's really a "duh" thing--no one sends CDs, books, DVDs, etc, to this audience, but it's the PERFECT venue for reviews! It goes to such a pure audience. I contacted around 100 high school newspapers offering to send review copies of my book, and ALL 100 replied. I've done a dozen interviews, talked to my real audience so they themselves can write about the book--it's incredible.
And here are two of the reviews so far--how fun is this?
Violet has good laughs, makes you think (Concord High School, Concord, NC)
Review: Violet on the Runway (The Eagle, Victorville, CA)
Anyone else have a marketing tip to share? Do tell!
PS-Congratulations to Kerry Coolness, who won Jolene Siana's model-face contest. I hope you enjoy Violet on the Runway!
PPS-If you're a student who wants to do a review or an interview for your school paper, email me!
In looking beyond teen publications to feature your book, don't forget the women's market, which serves as the big sister (Glamour) or mother (Family Circle) to your teenage audience.I wrote about glamour.com's lovely write-up of Violet on the Runway, and now Family Circle Books of the Month features a review for November!
Speaking of books and marketing, what's the last book you bought partially because you saw it everywhere? And did you like it?
PS-Dontcha love FC's clean covers that go to subscribers? Newsstand copies are still filled with coverlines, but that's how magazines sell...
