Tips for other writers
My current tasks
While I wait for the launch of my debut novel “Reckless Beginnings” my current task is to promote it, gain awareness, build a following and have a platform. Let me tell you, writing the book was the easy part. Phew, this part is exhausting. I plan on sharing with you what I am doing to promote my book, what I have achieved so far and my future tasks for promotion.
Estimated release date of the book
Currently, the book is in the early stages of editing. I’ve been told this is the most grueling part of the publication process. This first stage can take up to 5-6 weeks before It is returned to me to view and comment and return back to the editor for more editing. The estimated time for the release date is anywhere from 6-10 months depending on the editing time and cover design. This gives me plenty of time to work on promoting the book and build awareness and hopefully a following.
Tips for promoting a book
To gain awareness and have a successful book launch, you need to reach as many people as possible. You want to create a buzz, get people involved and excited about your upcoming novel.
Here are some methods I’m using to promote my book.
Have a website /blog
I launched a website www.tinahogangrant.com last month. Your website is your platform/stage. Make sure your content includes the following:
- An introduction page with a picture of yourself.
- A page dedicated to just your book. Tell people about it. Include a blurb. Give updates on the publishing process
- A contact page
- A blog. In your blog write about what interests you, your journey with your book, tips for other writers. Get people involved. Ask for feedback, comments. Plan on doing a blog at least once a week with new material and content. This keeps the website fresh and gives you a constant presence.
- Have social media buttons on every page, allowing readers to share your posts.
Once your website is up. Do the following
- Submit to the major search engines. Here is a useful site for doing just that. https://www.siteground.com/tutorials/sem/search_engine_submission.htm
- Submit a Sitemap to Google. Here is a link to create and submit a sitemap. http://www.2createawebsite.com/traffic/create-google-sitemap.html
Get involved in social media
Social media is a huge asset when it comes to promotions and reaching out to people. People tend to share posts they like with their friends and so on, thus gaining you more exposure and hopefully bringing them to your site. When you publish a blog be sure to post it on all your social media accounts. Here is a list of the social media accounts I currently publish my blog on and share updates regarding the book.
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tina.Hogan.Grant.Author/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/TinaHoganGrant
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tina_hogan_grant/
- Pinerest: https://www.pinterest.com/tinahogangrant/pins/
- Stumbleupon: https://www.stumbleupon.com/stumbler/tinahogangrant?
- Tumble: https://tinahogangrant.tumblr.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-hogan-grant-377864141/
- Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/11947664-tina
Spend time with each social media account and include the following
- A detailed descriptive profile
- A good clear photo ( I suggest using the same photo for all accounts.so you become recognizable.)
- Find your niche/niches. List it/them in your profile. Use hashtags if possible. I use the following keywords: writer, author, writing tips, books, reading, bookworm.
- Find and follow people with similar keywords/interests. Comment on their posts. Interact and be seen.
- Share all your new blogs/posts with these sites with direct links to your homepage on your website.
- Be consistent with your posts. It does take times to build a following, it’s not going to happen overnight.
Each of these accounts needs some quality time to research, explore and learn the correct methods of posting.
I’m still learning myself and exploring each account, discovering what each has to offer.
I plan on doing detailed blogs for each account in the near future.
Future ideas for promoting
Here are some additional tips for promoting your book. These I plan on doing in the near future. Once I have the social media accounts figured out.
- Have friends host a book launching party with a chance to win a free signed copy.
- Ask the local library to host an author’s book signing event.
- Attend the LA book fair.
- Be a guest blogger.
- Do podcast interview.
To sum it up
As you can see, there is quite a bit of work involved when it comes to promoting a book. These are just some of my ideas and plans. I hope they help you and if you have any other suggestions, I would love to hear them.
Below are some more of my writing tips
Other useful sites
Article by Green Tea & Paperbacks
Book marketing 101. What works & what doesn’t
Great advice, and thank you for posting it for us.
R.S. Helms
Thank you, I hope it helps
Thanks for reaching out, connecting, and sharing.
You are welcome Michelle. Look forward to talking to you soon
Thank you for reaching out, connecting, and sharing.
First congratulations on writing a book and having it sent to be edited right now. Never to early to start getting the word out about your new book. Look forward to seeing it on shelves.
Thank you so much. IT’s been a long journey but well worth it 🙂
This is great! My first cookbook is coming out this December; and although it’s a different genre and style, but the tips are definitely perfect for translating into my field of food writing! I agree the editing process isn’t fun- but imagine how much fun it’ll be when we get to hold our books in our hands! Best of luck, looking forward to finding your book!
Thank you so much. No matter what kind of book is written, it still needs to be promoted. these guidelines help for any kind of book promotion. Good luck on your cookbook. hat kind of cookbook is it?
I plan on trying to publish eventually, although my novel won’t be related to my blog at all! So, I guess I may need some other social media accounts. Awesome insight! Thank you!
thank you and good luck with your book
Great advice! And having a blog definitely helps.
It certainly does
good luck with your book! one of my friends is writing a book, and it takes time. breaking it down into smaller tips is very useful
I wish your friend good luck with her book. I hope some of these tips will help
Great tips for promotion! I haven’t written any books, however I think promoting blogs and books have a lot in common. Thank you for sharing!
Sondra xx
prettyfitfoodie.com
Yes they do have a lot in common especially when it comes to using social media
Congratulations on your book! I could definitely use advice. I have no idea where to even start to get one published and what not, so I’m nowhere near promotion. Thank you for sharing. This will be a great resource when I figure out how to begin lol
Thank you. Good luck on writing your book. I’m sure it will happen
Congratulations for writing a book!! You gave me some good ideas if i want to promote a book!!
thank you
This is super helpful! I published a book but suck at promoting — thanks for sharing!
Congratulations on your book! A fantastic achievement. I often say the hardest part is the promotion. Hope this helps.
Oh my gosh this post is so organized and helpful! What awesome tips for aspiring authors. Love it!
Megan
http://www.lifeonshadylane.com
thank you!
I so need this post right now! I am promoting a NEW book now too and I have hit some hurdles. Thanks so much for sharing it. Congrats on the book
Thank you! Good luck with your book, I hope this helps you
Awesome advice. I do not know whether I will publish a book one day but I think you can use these advice to promote other things as well.
True. Most of these methods can be applied to anything you want to promote
Great post! It’s amazing to blog you venture!
Congrats on writing a book. I’ve always wanted to, but only time will tell for me. So excited for you!
Thank you, This has been a dream for 20 years. Such an amazing feeling to finally see it come together 🙂
Very interesting plan of action … Wishing you all the best on your book launch!
Thank you!
I agree on reaching the market thru social media. It has faster response and more active engagement, for any promotion you release.
Good luck! My bucket list definitely includes book writing and I can’t wait to start. Your post is very inspiring.
Thank you and good luck with writing your book 🙂
I love the advice of a site map. I need to create that for my website.
The sitemap is created by Google to spider and read your site. You need to go to the Google portal to do it.
These are such great tips, when promoting something!!! Love this!
Thank you so much
These are great ideas and many of which I need to follow myself because I have not done some of them though I did self-publish a book this year. Thank you for the ideas. I will try many of these. And I must say, yes, editing is a very arduous process.
congrats on your book! I hope some of these tips will help you.
Congratulations on your book! I would love to write a cookbook in the future. Great advice and thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome and thank you. I hope you write that cookbook someday.
I found this very informative. I am currently a college senior who writes short stories in my free time, but i would like to one day publish a book of short stories. Thanks for sharing your tips, and good luck with your book!
Thank you! I hope they will help you. Good luck with your short stories too 🙂
These are really helpful tips, even for promoting a blog. Congratulations and good luck on your book!
Thank you. yes, these tips can be applied to promoting a blog.
Thanks for sharing us your tips! I am thinking of writing my own book soon and your guide is very much helpful. Oh the idea of the book release is truly exciting, right?!
Thank you! Yes, it’s getting exciting. Editing is finally reaching the completion stage. Next, we move onto page formatting. Good luck with starting your book. Keep me posted.
I have thought about writing a book but did not know exactly what I would do to get it out there. This is very helpful!
I think promoting the book can be harder than writing it lol. I hope these help if you write your book.
OMG! You wrote a book! How awesome. More people are being fearless with books nowadays.
Thank you so much. It’s been quite the journey.
I am sure your book will be great and wishing you much success. It must be so exciting for you !!
Thank you so much! It is so exciting. Sometimes I have to pinch myself LOL.