Advertising

Much has been written about advertising and the best way to get the word to the consumer.
At one time there was a saying about “word of mouth” advertising, and the quip was: “Telephone, Telegraph and Tell a Woman.” We’ve advanced beyond the telegraph stage. The Internet and Forums where books are discussed and promoted have replaced word of mouth. It might be a good exercise to list other methods of advertising that doesn’t require a lot of money.

--forum and email signature links

--sign on your car, sign on your house or lawn

--always carry the book and display it

--drop business cards around

--contests. Donate to hi-profile local contests and charity auctions, etc.

--eBay

--swap meets and street fairs...Piggyback with somebody

--bookstore newsletters

--neighborhood newspapers, local radio shows

--billboards in Times Square featuring famous actresses almost nude
(Wait, that one might not be as cheap)

--Donate to Red cross or somebody who takes books to military overseas.

Boy, Lin, are you sexist!!!!! *grin* What about a billboard with nude 'actors'? Hmmmm. *giggle*

I do the same as D.J. I only use the 2 sided ones. Think I will have to try the tent ones next time. Thanks for the idea, D. J.

Have you ever met someone and wanted to write down their phone number,
address, email addy, etc. and the only thing you can find is a business
card?

I also print my own cards and make them two-sided. I changed the back
to contain nothing but my website url and left over half of it blank
except for:

NAME:___________________________
CONTACT:__________________________

I figure that, like me, most people throw cards away - unless they have written on it!

Great ideas. Reminders like this are helpful. Sometimes we overlook the obvious. My situation is a bit different. Many people would like to buy my book and ask if there is a German edition. Translating advertising material into German won't create sales in my locale.
I did some book signings in Virginia and in Pennsylvania that did produce good sales, however that was a one time shot. Getting media attention was helpful especially with the availability for purchase on Amazon, B&N and Border's book stores.

With my latest novel, the publisher is willing to work with me. I will attempt to get a local publisher interested in doing a translation, but the target is still the world market. Due to the Internet, English language material is gaining in recognition.

If there are any ideas of how to tap local markets from remote locations, I would appreciate your input.

Wish I had some great ideas to pass along, Abe. As one of the world's leading non-advertisers, I do not.

Wait, I do have one idea, a website with a lot of photos concerning your book. Photos that would interest people, not family pix or that sort of thing. Google Images will pick them up and they'll be seen. I'm amazed by the number of people who want to see pix of dead German soldiers, Tiger tanks and such. Because of Band of Brothers there are countless people looking for photos of the little French town of Carentan. That Google Images attracts great number of people who then will call up the website referred to. These do not have to be photos you have taken. Copy them from any source that won't lead to problems.

Thanks Dick,
good idea.

Committing crimes and/or becoming a politician are the best advertising. Make sure you get caught on or slightly before the book's release date.

Malcolm

Getting boinked by famous men seems to work, too.

Or giving birth to eight babies at the same time. The news said publishers are falling over each other to sign her up. What could the woman possible have to say? Even the ghost she hires will need a vivid imagination.

Unbelievable. What would be a good title?

"Octopussy" is already taken.

"Brother, Can You Spare Eight Baby Names" ?

"Overpopulation: One' Woman's Courageous Rebuttal"

"How To Start Your Own Third World Nation"

Sue Sunshine wrote:

Boy, Lin, are you sexist!!!!! *grin* What about a billboard with nude 'actors'? Hmmmm. *giggle*

I do the same as D.J. I only use the 2 sided ones. Think I will have to try the tent ones next time. Thanks for the idea, D. J.

Oooh! You mean like those Abercrombie & Fitch billboards?
Ah yes! They catch my eye!

You are all full of it! Great ideas, I mean. Love the billboard, JoElle. I really like Don Steven's idea. That is one I could probably pull off. I got some cards from Vista Print and scatter them around town on bulletin boards, book racks, and anywhere I can tack one up or place one where it won't cause trouble. But I like the 'tent' better. Can you find those blanks anywhere, or do you order them special from a supplier, Don?

Way to go. Gotta truck, USE it!

Amost no authors use vehicle signs to promote their books. If they had an antique store or tax service, they would.

The thing of always carrying the book around was burned into my head by my boss at The Gringo Gazette (the best salesperson I've ever known and one of the worst human beings)

I learned to always have a copy of the newspaper on me. I carried it with the title displayed. If I was in a restaurant or bar, the paper was on the table in front of me. If I was reading a book at the beach, I would hold it inside the newspaper. Sometimes.

I carried this over to selling "Mexican Slang 101" as well. It's small enough to sit upright on a table. I've sold a lot on ferries and restaurants and airplanes.



I do overruns on the cover, give retailers the extra covers to put up as point of purchase ads.

I've got a lot of free marketing suggestions on my site. Some you may know of, but others you may not. It doesn't hurt to look, they are free. Most are for online marketing, but I'm starting to work on some off-line marketing articles as well.

Marketing Your Books and Writing: Free Tips and Resources

Cheers

Social Networking sites ahould be included within one's marketing plan; try including:

SQUIDOO.com
RedRoom.com
Bebo.com
Vox.com
Gaia.com
NING.com

Joe Breunig
Reaching Towards His Unbounded Glory

Learn more about me and my poetry at:
http://www.squidoo.com/book-isbn-1419650513/

My sister-in-law had created a magnetic sign for her small business that she attached to her vehicle - that is, until the day, someone felt the need to steal it. --Joe