Your Target Audience and Online Presence
Start creating a target audience profile:
What age, gender, location and income bracket?
Interests and hobbies?
Where do they shop and go for entertainment?
Involved in organizations?
What are their primary social sites?
What ‘s your involvement online?
Online Contacts
Those that attract your target readers -
Websites & blogs
Community sites
Forums & groups
Book sites & others
Where can you place your book and subject matter where it will reach the most potential target readers?
Media Contacts
Relevant radio stations, TV stations, and newspapers.
Online media - news sites, newsletters and magazines, and radio/podcasts.
Consider book’s topic and angle -
What makes it unique?
Is it relevant to current events?
What about you or your book will make people healthier, wealthier, sexier, save them time, or entertain them?
Physical Contacts
Traditional outlets - bookstores, libraries, and schools
Non-traditional outlets - all retail possibilities
Professional possibilities - businesses and organizations
Other Contacts
Reviewers
Media releases/PR agents
Fairs, festivals, & shows
Personal contacts
The more prepared before a book’s release date, the more chances for success.
What other contacts would you add to the list?
Solid advice. It's important to know that there is more to publishing a book than simiply writing it. If you want it to be successful anyway.
ReplyDeleteI think for the most part I'm pretty good at being active on social media. But when it comes to promo and stuff, I dunno how I'm going to go. I guess I did all right with a little blogfest I ran a few years back. But that's the most effort I've put in so far. :P
ReplyDeleteI am soooooo not good at marketing myself. I wish how I wish I had someone else to do my PR/platform building and marketing :( pulling up the socks, rolling the sleeves...hi ho hi ho its off to work we la la la la la la la
ReplyDeleteGood list, Diane. The marketing can be the most frustrating part of the writing process. I know from my time working in publicity at St. Martin's Press... if your book wasn't written by an already best-selling author it better be about celebrities, written by a celebrity, or be a tell-all on a relevant topic. Those are the books that get the big media attention. Everything else... not so much.
ReplyDeleteTrisha, there are a lot of resources online when you are ready.
ReplyDeleteRobin, you said it! And that's what the big publishers are looking for.
I'm going to keep this list handy, this is an area I really need to work on. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGreat list, I really need to find the mystery readers, seems I've surrounded myself with YA and they aren't interested.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this, it's bookmarked!
Wonderful advice, promoting a book well goes a long way in boosting its sales. Going to bookmark this post.
ReplyDeleteVery important post, full of valuable advice. thanks, Diane. It's authors like you who make it easier for the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteHi Diane .. I know where to come to when I need some help .. great set of summary notes for us ...
ReplyDeleteCheers Hilary
Yeah, like Hilary says, thanks!
ReplyDeleteKeep up on most things at my sea and always trying new stuff too
ReplyDeleteOne thing I really have no experience with is using local media outlets like newspapers, radio or TV.
ReplyDeleteFantastic advice...
ReplyDeleteYou sure know your stuff.
I worked at a local newspaper for almost five years, so I have an easy in for getting written up in articles or submitting my own articles.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even realize how much goes into tis promotional style. Wow-Thanks for sharing this-very interesting
ReplyDeleteThis list is gold, trust me I am taking notes.
ReplyDeleteBrandon Ax: Writer's Storm
Developing contacts is important. This list will certainly come in handy. I'm going to print it so I can have it for when I publish my first novel . . . the sequel to Hurricane Crimes. Thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU!!! This is a great piece and just the type of checklist I need. I'm glad I click on your link for the A-Z blog list.
ReplyDeletewww.merriehansen.com
I'm glad everyone likes the list.
ReplyDeleteVery informative post. I'd add another place to go for support is other authors. You can do that by beta reading for them or helping them out, making those life long friendships. I'm much more likely to buy a book from someone that has helped me out than from a stranger.
ReplyDeleteLots of good information all in one place! And I agree with Jessica. All good stuff. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi, Diane,
ReplyDeleteUseful information, as always. Now that I have more time, I need to consider all these angles, contacts and questions.
This is a great list. I can't think of anything else to add. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteVery useful list, L Diane. Promo is many a writer's weak spot, self included. Some things I 've seen being done are flogging a dead horse.
ReplyDeleteHad I known always arrived after the party. Got only myself to blame huh, but next party I will be well ahead of time. Thanks I found this group and am learning to interact slowly but surely.
ReplyDeleteSolid and comprehensive list!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
Such a great list! I hope you don't mind if I copied/pasted to my computer so I can read it over and over... get it stuck in my head. Thanks for coming by my blog!
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