Tag: marketing

Book Promotion

Niche Marketing Opportunities for Self-Published Books

Sometimes book marketing requires narrowing your focus, rather than expanding it. Try looking at very specific magazines and television programs that are geared toward very specific demographics. Even if your self-published book doesn’t appear to appeal to the target audience on the surface, there may be a “slant” or a position you can take which will make it work.

For example, here are some very specific niche market opportunities, which goes to show there is a venue for every book, if you know where to look:

PresenTense is a magazine dedicated to the life and the times of the Jewish People. It is written especially for young Jews. Suggestions for PresenTense should go to the editor: Ariel Beery, who is reached by E-mail at: editor@presentensemagazine.org

Bleu Magazine covers the entire spectrum of the urban gay lifestyle. From politics, to fashion, to cars the magazine will act as a guide. Readers can be black, white, Asian, or Latino, and Bleu aims to be a key trend setter. Topics covered will be fashion, entertainment, health, fitness, grooming, and literature. Contact Info: Bleu Magazine is at 244 Fifth Avenue, Ste. P254, New York, NY 10001, contribute@thebluemag.com.

LaPlaza is TV show focusing on the specific concerns of Latino-Americans. The show has been on for more than 25 years and is distributed by American Public Television. They are interested in guests who are experts in immigration, child development, education, sports, and art within the Latino community. Contact info: 125 Western Avenue, Boston, MA 02134, (617) 300-2289. E-mail them at: La_Plaza@wgbh.org.

Good luck and have fun!
Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com

Choosing a Publisher, Networking, Self-Publishing

Self-Publishing and Online Marketing

Leading traditional book publisher, HarperCollins, recently initiated an online social networking and self-publishing operation that is designed to flesh out new titles to pull into their traditional publishing program. This provides concrete evidence that self-publishing is the real deal, despite what detractors may purport.

Among the many advantages of self-publishing, as in part demonstrated by HarperCollins, is the ease of online social networking and media access, which provides outstanding viral marketing potential for authors. Outskirts Press is offering a free 30 second book teaser video for authors initiating the process this month. What a cool and effective marketing tool.

Traditional publishing is looking to the pool of self-published titles to bring to the market. The good news is that the market is already there for self-publishing authors. Make sure your publisher offers a variety and adapting base of marketing support and options following publication. The potential is huge.

Have fun and keep writing…

– Karl Schroder

Choosing a Publisher, Self-Publishing

Copywriting done right in Self-Publishing

Okay, copywrite is not actually a word. Copywriting is, and an equally important element in self-publishing your book as successfully as possible on the market.

Copywriting, as spelling would imply, has less to do with copying anything and more to do with writing. So what is copy? Copy in this case as a noun is, according to Merriam-Webster, “something considered printable or newsworthy.”

Copywriting by that definition is akin to marketing, and helps promote your book once published. It is perhaps most effectively implemented on your book’s back cover.

Studies show that a book has around 8 seconds to convince the reader to buy it. 3 seconds for the cover image to captivate them and 5 seconds for the back cover copy to sell them on the contents. The fact is most authors don’t know how to write sales copy. Sales copy is an entirely different animal, after all. A skill honed by advertisers and marketing folks.

A handful of quality self-publishers offer those services. Look for that option when choosing yours.

Have fun and keep writing (just not copy).

-Karl Schroeder

Book Promotion

Mailing Lists for Self-Published Book Promotion

Don’t you wish there was one single place where you could buy a mailing list that was specific for your self-published book?

You’re in luck! Check out www.listsyoucanafford.com for third party mailing lists that just may be the answer to your marketing goals.

I hope these lists help you get the word out to your specific book audience and just in time for the holiday shopping season to begin!

Good luck and have fun!

Kelly Schuknecht
selfpublishingadvice.wordpress.com