Goodreads Authors/Readers discussion

I've written posts before about the difficulties I've had deciding how best to promote my books. One facet of that is merchandising.

When Day-Walker first came out, I made my own bookmarks. While not 'professional' they turned out okay... and yet, I felt I needed something more....

So when I saw an offer for 100 free postcards at Vistaprint the other day, I decided that was just what I needed and spent time creating a design. With image upload and postage, the venture cost me AU$11.50, which seems pretty reasonable to me

The postcards arrived last week and they look very pretty and professional and generally delightful. But now I face the same dilemma I found with my home-made bookmarks: what do I DO with them? I left a few bookmarks at the local library, but then ran out of ideas. When I do any future giveaway hops, I can offer some as runner-up prizes. But other than that, I'm stumped and in three month's time my new book will be released and that will also require promotion once I get the cover art through....

What do you guys think?

If any authors are reading this: What do you do for merchandising and how would you choose to distribute bookmarks and postcards?

And readers, what are your thoughts? Are there items you particularly like to see from authors? What merchandising/promo might inspire you to buy a book?

Hi Nicki, These are my thoughts on the matter and some things I do. By the way I’m a Vista print junky.
One, always look at the real per-unit cost of your give away. Generally I have business cards with the image of one of my books my name and web site and a list of titles that I hand out to “chum the waters” these are cheep and look OK.

Then I have Rack Cards and post cards with images of several or all of my works on them. Again the link to my website and a short blurb for the books. These I give out with my book when someone buys it.

Posters are good for personal appearances. Just the book cover and your web address or a trimmed version of your short blurb.

Where you can distribute/use these things effectively varies with what you write. Book signings are a good venue. I write in the Speculative Fiction field so I go to a lot of SF conventions which gives me contact with an interested audience. Even at these though I’ve found keeping it cheep by using the business cards for chumming and the rack cards for people who actually buy to be the best wrought.

Have a short blurb prepared that you can use on your promotional items. Here are some of mine as examples.

Tinker’s Plague: A post-apocalyptic, science fiction, medical and political thriller, ISBN 978-1-933157-30-6 Available in paperback and e-book formats from Draumr Publishing: http://www.draumrpublishing.com/store...
Slaves of Love: e-book: A futuristic detective story of love and madness.
The Hollow Curse: e-book: A centuries spanning tale of love and obsession
Available from Club Lighthouse Publishing: www.clublighthousepublishing.com
Nukekubi: A paranormal, detective novel, ISBN 978-0-9867633-6-6 - eISBN. 978-0-9867633-7-3 Available in paperback and e-book formats from Dark Dragon Publishing: www.darkdragonpublishing.com

Plaster your web address on everything. When on the web set your pick as your book cover so people see it.

If your books are science fiction, fantasy, horror, modern fantasy exedra and you live in southern Ontario let me know and I can send you a list of cons you might like to think about. Other wise search them out in your area if they are appropriate to your writing. There are Romance cons as well.

Another thing you want to have is an elevator pitch. In less than two minutes give an overview of your book. Practice it in the mirror until you are comfortable rattling it off and then use it with anyone who will listen. Be prepared for when they cut you off to either make a sale or let the fish off the line and move on. This is your verbal cover and it has to grab the reader hold their attention and let them know if it is their kind of book.

When doing a personal appearance be active friendly and alive. Don’t just sit their and expect people to come to you.

Realise that maybe one percent of the chum you hand out will result in a sale but more importantly it keeps you in people’s minds so they may buy your next book. So chum must be cheep and interesting and have a link to your web site.

I hope this helps.

Nicki wrote: "I've written posts before about the difficulties I've had deciding how best to promote my books. One facet of that is merchandising.

When Day-Walker first came out, I made my own bookmarks. Whil..."

How about t shirts for the family to wear whilst out and about - Get the bookstore to run a competion every book sold gets a ticket into the prize draw to win promotional items such as T shirts, Mugs, pens, key fobs. If you can find someone that prints sun shades for cars that would be a really good promotional idea. If you drive a 4x4 why not have your wheel cover customised or even your car! What better way to promote your book!

Two words. Door Magnets. :-) I got mine.

Nicki wrote: "I've written posts before about the difficulties I've had deciding how best to promote my books. One facet of that is merchandising.

When Day-Walker first came out, I made my own bookmarks. Whil..."

Hi Nicki!

I'm wondering if your book is an ebook only or you have hard copies as well. If you have hard copies then all the ideas above have merit like distributing your post cards and bookmarks at events that feature books. Have you done a press release to your local papers?

If your book is an ebook only, I don't think bookmarks or postcards will have much impact on your sales because Ebooks are sold world wide and your marketing efforts are local. Instead of tangible things like bookmarks, spend you promo money on ads on websites that have high volume of readers and then spend some time on that sites chat rooms or blog. I'm not sure what genre Day Walker is, should have checked before I started this reply, but if it's romance, let me know. There's a few big sites that drive sales and drive hits on your website, which should also drive sales. Hope some of this was helpful!
Have a great day,
Holly
Romancing Olive

Hi Nicki, can I offer a further suggestion. Tweek your cover blurb so it's clear that Day-Walker is a paranormal romance. I was a little confused when I read it.